ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is crucial for the early detection of cervical cancer. Objective: To evaluate the analytical performance of two real-time PCR kits, commercialized by the Cuban Immunoassay Center, to detect hrHPV. Methods: Two DNA panels from cervical samples were used: one with 150 samples to validate the SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 kit, the DNA extraction process and its usefulness as a quantitative test; and another with 163 samples to evaluate the HPV 13+2 kit. The clinical utility of the HPV 13+2 kit was determined in 55 self-collected cervicovaginal samples. The analytical performance indicators of both kits were calculated with respect to reference tests. Results: Performance indicators for SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 were excellent (>95%), concordance 96%, kappa index=0.93 [0.85-1.01]. DNA extraction showed 100% clinical and analytical specificity and 95% analytical sensitivity. Good correlation was obtained with the quantitative reference test (r = + 0.688). The HPV 13+2 kit had 100% clinical specificity and sensitivity, analytical specificity was 84% due to cross-reactivity with other hrHPVs. Its clinical application revealed a high frequency of infection (41.8%): 23.6% with hrHPV, particularly in young women (50%). The self-collected sample was viable (100%). Conclusion: The assays evaluated showed high quality standards, which would allow their use with national coverage in a technological platform available for the whole country.

RESUMEN Introducción: El empleo de técnicas moleculares para el diagnóstico de virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo oncogénico (VPH-AR) es crucial para la detección precoz del cáncer cervicouterino. Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño analítico de dos estuches de PCR-tiempo real, comercializados por el Centro de Inmunoensayo de Cuba, para detectar VPH-AR. Métodos: Se utilizaron dos paneles de ADN de muestras cervicouterinas: uno con 150 muestras, para validar el estuche SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18, el proceso de extracción de ADN y su utilidad como prueba cuantitativa, y otro con 163 muestras para evaluar el estuche HPV 13+2. Se determinó la utilidad clínica del estuche HPV 13+2 en 55 muestras cervicovaginales autocolectadas. Se calcularon los indicadores de desempeño analítico de ambos estuches con respecto a pruebas de referencia. Resultados: Los indicadores de desempeño para SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 fueron excelentes (> 95 %), concordancia 96 %, índice kappa=0,93 [0,85-1,01]. La extracción de ADN mostró 100 % de especificidad clínica y analítica y 95 % de sensibilidad analítica. Se obtuvo buena correlación con la prueba de referencia cuantitativa (r = + 0,688). El estuche HPV 13+2 tuvo especificidad y sensibilidad clínicas del 100 %, la especificidad analítica fue del 84 % debido a reactividad cruzada con otros VPH-AR. Su aplicación clínica reveló alta frecuencia de infección (41,8 %): 23,6 % con VPH-AR, particularmente en mujeres jóvenes (50 %). La muestra autocolectada resultó útil (100 %). Conclusión: Los ensayos evaluados mostraron altos estándares de calidad, lo que permitiría su uso con una cobertura nacional en una plataforma tecnológica disponible para todo el país.

Marco contextual: El envejecimiento sano, además de un componente físico, contiene también un componente psicosocial, lo que justifica la necesidad de conocer mejor el ajuste psicosocial de las personas mayores. Objetivos: Estudiar el proceso de ajuste psicosocial en ancianos y explorar su asociación con las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Metodología: Estudio exploratorio, cuantitativo y transversal en el que participaron 922 ancianos residentes en la comunidad, con edades comprendidas entre los 64 y 99 años. Se estudiaron las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, la percepción de la salud, el afecto positivo y negativo, el soporte social percibido y la adhesión a los medicamentos. Resultados: Se identificó la existencia de 3 perfiles de ajuste psicosocial. El perfil caracterizado por los peores resultados en todos los indicadores, denominado como de peor ajuste, incluye a los ancianos con una edad intermedia (M = 74,7, DP = 7,08) y que indican más síntomas y patologías. Conclusión: Este estudio sugiere la existencia de un grupo más vulnerable de ancianos, y apunta a la necesidad de desarrollar intervenciones de enfermería enfocadas en recursos adaptativos que promuevan una mejor salud y capacitación psicosocial.

Enquadramento: O envelhecimento saudável tem uma dimensão física e psicossocial, o que justifica a necessidade de melhor compreender o ajuste psicossocial das pessoas idosas. Objetivos: Estudar o processo de ajustamento psicossocial em idosos e explorar a sua associação com as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Metodologia: Estudo exploratório, quantitativo e transversal. Participaram 922 idosos residentes na comunidade, com idades entre os 64 e 99 anos. Foram estudadas as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas, perceção de saúde, afeto positivo e negativo, suporte social percebido e adesão aos medicamentos. Resultados: Identificou-se a existência de 3 perfis de ajustamento psicossocial. O perfil caracterizado pelos piores resultados em todos os indicadores, denominado de pior ajustamento, agrega os idosos com uma idade intermédia (M = 74,7; DP = 7,08) e que relatam mais sintomas e patologias. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere a existência de um grupo mais vulnerável de idosos, apontando para a necessidade de se desenvolverem intervenções de enfermagem focadas em recursos adaptativos promotores de uma melhor saúde e capacitação psicossocial.

Background: Healthy aging has both a physical and a psychosocial dimension, which justifies the need to better understand older people's psychosocial adjustment. Objectives: To study the psychosocial adjustment process in older people and explore its association with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional, and exploratory study was conducted with 922 community-dwelling older people aged 64 to 99 years. The following sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed: perceived health; positive and negative affect; perceived social support; and medication adherence. Results: Three psychosocial adjustment profiles were identified. The profile with the lowest scores in all indicators, called the worst adjustment, was composed of intermediate-age older people (M = 74.7; SD = 7.08), who also reported more symptoms and diseases. Conclusion: This study suggests the existence of a group of particularly vulnerable older people and highlights the need to develop nursing interventions focused on adaptive resources that can improve their health and psychosocial adjustment.

ABSTRACT The addition of levels of ethanol extract of brown propolis was evaluated by assessing diet degradation in rumen fluid and predicting cumulative in vitro gas production by nonlinear (dual pool logistic and exponential) models. A total of 35 g of crude propolis were extracted in 65 mL of cereal alcohol (95% ethanol). In a completely randomized factorial design, the experimental diets combined four concentrations of extracted propolis diluted in cereal alcohol (0, 50, 70, and 100% of propolis extract) and supplementation doses (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 mL/kg dry matter), tested in triplicate. Diet (400 g/kg Tifton hay and 600 g/kg concentrate) was incubated for 96 h carried out three times in three different weeks. There was significant interaction between extract concentration and dose on the dry matter (DM) degradability. Dry matter degradability of diet decreased exponentially as a function of the increase in dose (y = 678.55×dose–0.271). Pure alcohol treatment showed a negative exponential effect, with degradability of 303.61 g/kg when administered at a dose of 20 mL/kg DM. Treatment 100% ethanol extract reached the greatest degradability, estimated at 18.93 mL/kg DM. The treatment with 70% extract showed 6.35 mL/kg DM and the 50% extract, 7.65 mL/kg DM of minimum degradability. The reduction potential of pure ethanol was –0.32 mL gas/mL. Estimates of maximum gas production by dual pool logistic and exponential models were 13.10 mL and 12.07 mL for 100% extract, respectively. The 100% extract produced the highest gas production estimates, above 30 mL gas/100 mg DM of fermented diet. The degradation and fermentation of ruminant diet can be improved using 13 mL/DM kg of ethanol extract of propolis.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito dos resíduos da extração hidroalcoólica de própolis dos tipos verde e marrom sobre o desenvolvimento de bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. As própolis brutas foram adquiridas da apicultura “Companhia da Abelha”, instalada em Contagem, Minas Gerais. A própolis verde foi derivada de “alecrim-do-campo” (Baccharis dracunculifolia), e a própolis marrom foi derivada de “alecrim-do-campo” (B. dracunculifolia) e “assa-peixe” (Vernonia polyanthes). Foram usados cinco níveis de inclusão (0; 0,625; 0,125; 0,25; 0,5g) dos resíduos, além do controle para o inóculo (CI), e seis amostras bacterianas, sendo duas delas Gram-positivas e quatro Gram-negativas. O método utilizado foi o de contagem de unidades formadoras de colônias em placas de petri (pour plate). Entre as bactérias Gram-positivas, o maior efeito inibidor foi detectado para amostras de Staphylococcus aureus, e maior susceptibilidade foi para a Escherichia coli dentre as Gram-negativas. Houve efeito antimicrobiano do resíduo da extração da própolis verde sobre as bactérias S. aureus e S. intermedius. O resíduo da extração da própolis marrom apresentou maior inibição para S. intermedius somente nos tratamentos com 0,5 e 0,25g de resíduo. Não houve efeito do resíduo da extração de própolis verde ou marrom sobre o crescimento de bactérias gênero Pseudomonas. Os resíduos da extração hidroalcoólica de própolis verde e marrom atuaram como inibidores de crescimento das bactérias Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius e Escherichia coli, e em menor grau para Salmonella e Klebsiella. O resíduo tem maior efeito inibidor em bactérias Gram-positivas.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the effect of residues extraction hydroalcoholic of propolis, green and brown, on the development of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The crude propolis was obtained from “Companhia da Abelha” in Contagem, Minas Gerais. The green propolis derived from “alecrim-do-campo” (Baccharis dracunculifolia), and the brown propolis derived from “alecrim-do-campo” (B. dracunculifolia) and “assa-peixe” (Vernonia polyanthes). We used five levels of inclusion (0; 0.625; 0.125; 0.25; 0.5g) of the residue, and control for the inoculum (CI) and six bacterial strains, two of which are Gram-positive and four Gram-negative. The method used was to count colony-forming units in petri dishes (pour plate). Among the Gram-positive bacteria, the greatest inhibitory effect was detected for Staphylococcus aureus strains, and increased susceptibility was observed for Escherichia coli among Gram-negative bacteria. There was antimicrobial effect of the residue of the propolis extract on S. aureus and S. intermedius. The residue of brown propolis extract showed greater inhibition for S. intermedius only in 0.5 and 0.25g of residue inclusion levels. There was no effect of residues extraction hydroalcoholic of propolis, green and brown on the growth of Pseudomonas. The residues of the extraction of propolis green and brown acted as inhibitors of growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Escherichia coli, and to a lesser extent Salmonella and Klebsiella. The residue has greater inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract Sweet's syndrome is a neutrophilic dermatosis with worldwide distribution that has been associated with inflammatory autoimmune diseases, infections, malignancies, drugs, and pregnancy. The disease is idiopathic in up to 50% of patients. A 64-year-old woman, diagnosed with right limb cellulitis (4 days of evolution), was seen at our department, due to persistent cellulitis and progressive appearance of painful nodules and plaques in both shins and the right forearm (2 days of evolution). Taken together, clinical, laboratory and pathological data suggested the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome, probably secondary to cellulitis of the right inferior limb. We suggest that cellulitis may be associated with Sweet's syndrome, a rare association in the literature.

Abstract Syringoma is a benign, adnexal tumor of the eccrine sweat gland ducts. Eruptive syringomas are a rare variant, occurring before or during puberty in most cases. A 57-year-old man was observed in our department, with a 10-year history of multiple brownish papules (1-4mm in diameter), localized on the neck, shoulders, trunk and axillae. The clinical diagnosis was cutaneous mastocytosis. Histopathological examination from a papule in the trunk was compatible with the diagnosis of syringoma. The patient was treated with isotretinoin, without any improvement. The clinical diagnosis of eruptive syringoma is diffi cult and histological examination is crucial for its diagnosis. Long-term morbidity is not associated with syringomas; they are treated for cosmetic reasons with unsatisfactory results.

Kikuchi's disease is a benign, self-limiting disease, whose pathogenesis remains unknown. Patients most often present with cervical lymphadenopathy, sometimes associated with fever and leukopenia. It has been reported that up to 40% of patients with Kikuchi's disease have also cutaneous eruptions, but no specific skin changes have been described. Kikuchi's disease can be subclassified into three histologic subtypes: a proliferative type, a necrotizing type and a xantomathous type. Most patients with Kikuchi's disease require no specific treatment, because the disease regresses spontaneously, within a few weeks to months. We report a case of a 31-year-old woman with xanthomatous type of Kikuchi's disease, whose first manifestation was the onset of erythematous papules with central suppuration on her face and on her left hand.

A leishmaniose e a doença de Chagas tem sido um grande desafio, no que diz respeito à sua terapêutica. Devido à grande dificuldade de encontrar fármacos que garantam uma ação terapêutica eficiente e menos agressora à espécie humana, diferentes produtos naturais vêm sendo testados. Muitas espécies vegetais foram investigadas quanto à sua ação leishmanicida e tripanocida na expectativa de que seus compostos metabólicos possuam atividade antiparasitária e ausência ou baixa citotoxicidade. Neste estudo sobre bioatividade do a-pineno e carvacrol, avaliaram-se os potenciais leishmanicida e tripanocida. O carvacrol apresentou um percentual de inibição de 38,34% e 74,12% para as formas promastigotas e epimastigotas respectivamente, na concentração de 100µg/mL, apresentando uma citotoxicidade de 21,62%. O a-pineno apresentou 100% e 5,30% de inibição para as formas epimastigota e promastigota na concentração de 100 µg/mL, com citotoxicidade de 87,88%.

Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease represent a great challenge against the modern therapeutics. Due the high difficult to find new drugs with therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity, several natural products had been screened. Many species of plants were investigated about their leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities. Some phytocompounds are the a-pinene and carvacrol. In this work, we evaluated the bioactivities of a-pinene and carvacrol against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania braziliensis cell lines. The carvacrol inhibited 38,34% and 74,12% of the promatigote and epimastigote forms, respectively at 100 µg/mL, showing a low cytotoxic activity (21,62%). The O a-pinene inhibited 100% and 5,30% against the epimastigote and promastigote forms respectively, at 100 µg/mL, showing a higher cytotoxic activity (87,88%).

Both nutritional status and social-environmental factors influence elderly's health and quality of life. An inadequate intake of protein, calcium and vitamin D affects bone health. Objectives: 1) To assess energy, protein, calcium and vitamin D intake in women > 65 year of age (y); 2) To assess the contribution of residence place: family home (FH) o Public Homes (PH); 3) To evaluate the relationship between the dietary intake and the biochemical parameters. Populations: Forty-four ambulatory and clinically healthy women with (X ± SD) 75 ± 7 y and a body mass index 28 ± 4 kg/m². Methods: 1) Food frequency, sunlight exposure and socioeconomic status questionnaires; 2) Laboratory: Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), crosslaps (CTX), calcium (sCa), phosphate, bone alkaline phosphatase and urine calcium/creatinine ratio (uCa/ UCr) in 2-hour urine samples. Results: The total group showed intakes lower than the dietary reference intake, except regarding protein intake, with higher deficit in the PH group. The 88% showed vitamin D deficit (25OHD < 20 ng/ml). A positive correlation between 25OHD and vitamin D intake (r = 0.46; p < 0.007) and a negative correlation between 25OHD and CTX (r = -0.51; p < 0.03) in those subjects with 25OHD < 15 ng/ml. The levels of 25OHD, sCa and uCa/uCr were higher in the HF than in PH. Conclusion: Both the vitamin D deficiency and the inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D might have deleterious bone health consequences. Nutritional educational programmes and vitamin D supplementation would be required for this specific age group, especially for high risk groups such as PH.

El estado nutricional y factores socioambientales influyen sobre la salud y calidad de vida del adulto mayor. Ingestas inadecuadas de proteínas, calcio y vitamina D afectan la salud ósea. Objetivos: 1) Evaluar el aporte de energía, proteínas, calcio y vitamina D en mujeres > 65 años; 2) Analizar según el lugar de residencia: hogar familiar (HF) o residencias semicautivas (RSC); 3) Evaluar la relación entre ingesta y parámetros bioquímicos. Población: 44 mujeres ambulatorias y clínicamente sanas de (X ± DE) 75 ± 7 años, índice de masa corporal 28 ± 4 kg/m². Métodos: 1) Cuestionarios de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos, exposición solar y nivel socioeconómico. 2) Laboratorio: En suero: 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD), crosslaps (CTX), calcio (Cas), fósforo y fosfatasa alcalina ósea e Indice calcio/creatinina (Cau/Cru) en orina de 2 h. Resultados: El grupo total presentó ingestas inferiores a las recomendadas excepto en proteínas, con déficit mayor en RSC. El 88 % presentó deficiencia de vitamina D (25OHD < 20 ng/ml). Se halló correlación positiva entre 25OHD e ingesta de vitamina D (r = 0,46; p < 0,007) y correlación negativa entre 25OHD y CTX en aquellas con niveles < 15 ng/ml (r = -0,51; p < 0,03). Los niveles de 25OHD, Cas y Cau/Cru fueron mayores en HF que RSC. Conclusión: La alta prevalencia de déficit de vitamina D, ingesta inadecuada de calcio y vitamina D en mujeres añosas constituye un factor de riesgo para la salud ósea. Se requieren programas de educación alimentaria y eventual suplementación con vitamina D enfatizados en grupos de mayor riesgo como RSC.

Molecular modeling enables the students to visualize the abstract relationships underlying theoretical concepts that explain experimental data on the molecular and atomic levels. With this aim we used the free software "Arguslab 4.0.1" (semi-empirical method) to study the reaction of 1-chloropropane with ethoxide in solution, known to lead to methyl propyl ether, through the S N2 mechanism, and propene, through the E2 mechanism. This tool allows users to calculate some properties (i. e. heat formation or electric charges) and to produce 3D images (molecular geometry, electrostatic potential surface, etc.) that render the comprehension of the factors underlying the reaction's progress, which are related to the structure of the reagents, and the process kinetic clearer and easier to understand by the students

A micropropagação de plantas lenhosas é particularmente vantajosa quando integrada em estratégias de combate à desertificação e protecção de espécies autóctones, pois permite simultaneamente a preservação de germoplasma em risco e a multiplicação em larga escala de indivíduos. Descrevemos aqui um protocolo de micropropagação e aclimatização de oliveira- brava à Ilha de Porto Santo que permite, a curto prazo, a sua integração em programas de repovoamento em curso. Para o efeito, colheram-se amostras, dos poucos indivíduos existentes no Arquipélago da Madeira, de Olea maderensis (oliveira-brava) e desenvolveu-se um projecto sobre preservação e propagação desses indivíduos utilizando o meio OM modificado (enriquecido em Fe, Mg e Mn) e suplementado com zeatina. As plantas micropropagadas foram aclimatadas à estufa e posteriormente às condições de Porto Santo, com uma taxa de sobrevivência superior a 90%. O protocolo de micropropagação/aclimatização desenvolvido permite transferir plantas em larga escala para a ilha. Estas apresentam um bom comportamento traduzido por uma taxa de alongamento médio de 4,76 cm/mês. A análise de parâmetros de eficiência fotossintética, conteúdo clorofilino, integridade membranar e conteúdo hídrico mostram que estas plantas não estão sob stress. Os resultados aqui apresentados são assim um exemplo do uso de novas tecnologias I&D com aplicação imediata na protecção de ecossistemas em risco.

La micropropagation de plantes ligneuses est particulièrement avantageuse lorsqu'elle est intégrée à des stratégies de combat contre la désertification et de protection d'espèces autochtones, et qu'elle permette simultanément la conservation de germoplasme en danger et la multiplication à grande échelle d'individus. Nous décrivons ici un protocole de micropropagation et d'acclimatation de l'olivier sauvage sur l'Île de Porto Santo qui permet, à court terme, son intégration à des programmes de repeuplement en cours. Ont été récoltés à cet effet des échantillons des rares exemplaires d'Olea maderensis (olivier sauvage) existants dans l'île et a été mis en route un projet visant leur conservation et leur propagation en utilisant le milieu OM modifié (enrichi en Fe, Mg et Mn) et supplémenté en zéatine. Les plantes micropropagées ont été acclimatées en serre et ultérieurement à Porto Santo en garantissant un taux de survie supérieur à 90%. Le protocole de micropropagation/acclimatation développé permet le transfert à grande échelle de plantes sur l'île. Celles-ci accusent un bon comportement traduit par un taux d'allongement moyen de 4.76 cm/mois. L'analyse de paramètres d'efficacité photosynthétique (ou «de fluorescence chlorophyllienne»), de contenu chlorophyllien, d'intégrité membranaire et de contenu hydrique montrent que ces plantes ne sont pas sous stress. Les résultats présentés ici sont ainsi un exemple d'utilisation de nouvelles technologies I&D immédiatement applicables à la protection d'écosystèmes en danger.

Micropropagation of woody plants is particularly advantageous when integrated with strategies to combat desertification and protect native species as far as it allows both preservation of germplasm in danger and large scale multiplication of plants. We describe here a protocol of micropropagation and acclimation of wild olive to Porto Santo Island that allows in the short term the integration of wild olive plants in ongoing forestation programmes. Samples of the few individuals of Olea maderensis (wild olive) existing in Madeira Archipelago were collected and a project was developed in order to preserve and propagate these individuals using OM medium modified (enriched in Fe, Mg e Mn) and supplemented with zeatin. The micropropagated plants were acclimated to greenhouse and then acclimated to conditions of Porto Santo Island, with a survival rate up to 90%. The protocol of micropropagation/acclimation developed allows the transfer of plants in a large scale to the Island. The transferred plants show good behaviour in the Island, which is expressed by the optimal average rate of elongation of 4.76 cm/month. The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, membrane integrity and hidric content show that the plants are not under stress. These results are an example of the use of new R&D technologies with immediate application on protection of ecosystems in danger.