Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Objective: To address the benefits of using medicinal plants to treat leishmaniasis in humans, providing low cost and reducing resistance to chemotherapy. Methodology: This is a narrative review conducted in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Public Medline (MEDLINE), and Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS). In addition, Google Scholar was used in isolation to complement the search. Results: The review consisted of eight articles. Several medicinal plants have been studied for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Bidens pilosa and Punica granatum have shown efficacy against the parasite, but Bidens pilosa also has immunomodulatory properties that may affect disease control. S. lucocarpum, A. glabra, and S. striata have also demonstrated leishmanicidal activity. Zerumbone, present in natural foods, has several biomedical properties. Jatropha multifida has shown antileishmanial activity and inhibition of bacterial growth. Studies with other plants, such as Carthamus tinctorius, Pimpinella anisum, Cuminum cyminum, Cinnamomum verum and Alhagi persarum, have shown efficacy against the parasite. These plants have potential as therapeutic alternatives for leishmaniasis; however, further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety. Final considerations: These studies highlighted the potential of several plants and plant extracts as sources of compounds with antiparasitic activity. Although further research and clinical studies are still needed to evaluate their efficacy and safety, these findings pave the way for the development of new therapies and drugs against leishmaniasis.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by reduced production of the hormones T3 and T4, causing a range of debilitating symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of patients. The standard treatment involves hormone replacement with levothyroxine, however, in many cases, symptoms persist, indicating the need for complementary approaches. In this context, physical exercise has been identified as an effective intervention to improve both the physical and mental aspects of these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise as a complement to pharmacological treatment in managing hypothyroidism. Methodology: This is a literature review of studies that link physical exercise to the reduction of symptoms in patients with hypothyroidism, published in the last five years in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Polish. Twenty articles were selected through a data search based on a guiding question across the platforms Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Results and Discussion: Regular physical exercise, especially aerobic and combined exercises, provided significant benefits. Among the main effects, the reduction in TSH levels, improvement in the modulation of T3 and T4 hormones, better weight control, increased muscular strength, and improvements in cardiorespiratory capacity stood out. Furthermore, exercise positively impacted mental health and cognitive functions, reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life. Combining physical exercise with pharmacological treatment showed superior results compared to isolated approaches, enhancing the management of the disease. Conclusion: Based on the studies reviewed, it can be concluded that physical exercise is an effective strategy to complement pharmacological treatment in patients with hypothyroidism, promoting both physical and psychological benefits.

In Brazil, HIV is considered a public health problem; the cultural, social and political context interferes with the exposure and vulnerability of some population groups to the virus. There has been a lack of discussion about the exposure of lesbian and bisexual women to HIV since the AIDS epidemic began in 1980, since the topic of lesbian and bisexual women's health has not been a priority among the issues raised.The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of lesbian and bisexual women about HIV health care. This is a quantitative, descriptive study based on primary data collected through remote research with women who claim to have sex with women and/or men. The study was carried out in the city of Recife, the collection initially came from the Specialized HIV/AIDS Care Service located at the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, the research was carried out between the months of May and December 2021. The target population consisted of 35 women over the age of 18, who reported having sex only with women or with both women and men, and was conducted in accordance with the principles governing research involving human beings in Resolution 510/2016. In the study, 51.4% said they had encountered difficulties in relation to the health professionals who attended to them.  54.3% said they had told professionals about their sexuality and 82.9% said they had suffered prejudice because of their sexual orientation; 100% said they knew how HIV is transmitted and 51.4% said they prevented it. By analyzing the responses, it was possible to identify flaws in the care provided by health professionals, which give rise to misinformation, prejudice and the perpetuation of exclusion. In addition to points of weakness, which expose the discomfort, fear and fear of prejudice against the conduct of health professionals, they corroborate the risk of exposure to HIV in the face of erroneous beliefs about forms of prevention carried out by these women.

Given the complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), multidisciplinary treatments are essential, with recent emphasis on the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), derived from Cannabis. This study aims to review the literature on the use of Cannabis as an alternative treatment for ASD, seeking to provide robust data for clinical practice. An integrative literature review was conducted in the SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS databases, using the English descriptors “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Cannabidiol,” “Cannabis,” and “Treatment.” Inclusion criteria included full-text studies published since 2018, available for free in Portuguese or English, while comments, editorials, articles published before 2018, and paid articles were excluded. The data analysis involved a full reading of the selected articles, the creation of a synthesis matrix, and the organization of information regarding the form of Cannabis use, doses, and effects from 16 articles. The reviewed studies suggest that the use of Cannabis extracts, especially those with high concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), represents a promising approach for managing behavioral and social symptoms associated with ASD. CBD has shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and repetitive behaviors, as well as improving social interaction and communication in individuals with ASD. These results indicate that Cannabis compounds may offer a complementary therapeutic alternative to conventional approaches, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize dosages, and assess long-term effects, thus ensuring greater safety and efficacy in the use of these extracts in the clinical context of ASD.

Objective: To report the experience of nursing students during the construction of an educational technology for elderly people with systemic arterial hypertension, assisted by primary health care in a municipality in the interior of the state of Amazonas. Methods: This is an experience report study, developed as the final activity of the curricular internship II of the Nursing Course, from January to March 2022. The educational booklet in printed format, linked to a health action plan, emerged from the observation and identification of the difficulty of adherence to the hypertension control program by the elderly. Results: The construction of the technology was based on three stages: situational diagnosis, bibliographic survey and construction of the technology. The educational intervention was carried out with 20 elderly people registered in an area covered by a Family Health Strategy team. Health education is crucial for preventing complications related to hypertension in the elderly. Conclusion: Educational technologies can help in the process of health education for elderly people with chronic diseases. It is possible that by implementing innovative tools containing simple information, changes in lifestyle and adherence to drug and non-drug treatment can occur.

INTRODUCTION: Orthopedic pathologies can be characterized as injuries, fractures, inflammations, infections and metabolic disorders that cause loss of bone mass, pain, stiffness or weakness in bones, muscles and joints, being more present in females. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such conditions, it is necessary for women to reinforce vitamin and mineral intake, through diet and pharmaceutical supplementation, in addition to establishing an exercise routine to strengthen the locomotor system. OBJECTIVE: to understand the influence of a healthy lifestyle on the prevention of orthopedic pathologies in women. METHODOLOGY: this is a scoping literature review with articles published between 2014 and 2023 in the SCIELO, PUBMED and LILACS databases. Combined descriptors were used in Portuguese and English, such as (“Doenças Ósseas”) AND (“Mulheres”) AND (“Prevenção”) and (“Bone Diseases”) AND (“Women”) AND (“Prevention”). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 12 studies were selected to compose this review. It was observed that dietary habits, especially total fat intake, protein consumption and the individual's BMI level, can be associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) levels. Furthermore, there was a divergence regarding the influence of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on the macro and microstructure of the female locomotor system. In addition, the adoption of a high or low intensity exercise routine by women is also a determinant of their bone-muscular-joint health. Regarding the other variables of the BMD indexes, the presence of the woman's endocrine profile and her adiposity were observed. CONCLUSION: A healthy lifestyle, consisting of a balanced diet with high protein intake, low fat intake, and regular physical exercise, of low to high intensity, can positively influence the prevention of orthopedic diseases in women, such as osteoporosis, sarcopeia, and joint diseases. Such lifestyle habits act especially in strengthening the macro and microstructure of bone and joints, helping to resist daily wear and tear. The relationship between vitamin and mineral supplementation and bone well-being is inconclusive, and additional studies are needed to obtain more information on this topic.

Skin cancer is the most common neoplasm in Brazil, with ultraviolet (UV) radiation being the predominant carcinogen, and its effects influenced by geographic region, sun exposure, sun protection, and skin phototype. Topical sunscreens are products containing substances that interfere with the skin's absorption of energy from UV radiation. However, according to an estimate from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, about 63% of people expose themselves to the sun without any form of protection. The literature presents few studies that assess the epidemiological profile of sunscreen use in Brazil, particularly in the North and Northeast regions, which experience the highest accumulated doses of UV radiation in the country, thus highlighting the demand for research on this topic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between sunscreen use and epidemiological and dermatological variables in patients treated at a dermatology outpatient clinic, as well as to describe the baseline characteristics of the patients. This was an analytical, observational, cross-sectional study, with data collected through an interview using a tool designed to assess clinical and epidemiological aspects of photoprotection, among patients at the dermatology outpatient clinic at the Medical Specialties Center of Lagarto. The sample consisted of 314 individuals. Bivariate analysis revealed a positive association with education level and prior guidance on photoprotection, and a negative association with male sex, moderate to high skin phototype, and sun exposure of 3 or more hours daily. Multivariate regression showed sex, education level, skin phototype, and prior guidance as independent variables. An independent association was observed between sex, education level, skin phototype, and prior guidance on photoprotection with sunscreen use.

INTRODUCTION: Palliative care aims to improve the life quality of patients with serious illness and their families. At the hospital, the pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care by identifying the problem and producing Pharmaceutical Interventions (PI) to enhance treatments. OBJECTIVE: Describe the pharmaceutical experience through PI analyses and correlate variables to observe aspects of causality, tendencies, dependence, or impact. METHOD: The research employed secondary databases from “Diretoria de Assistência Farmacêutica” (DIASF) with PI registered between 2019 and 2023, at a reference hospital. The PI were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation, applying Pearson’s chi-squared test and evaluating p < 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 778 PI were analyzed, showing an increase of more than 50% in the number of interventions between 2020 and 2021. The age distribution was 45 to 80 years (Ward A) and 75 to 90 years (Ward C). The medical team was the most contacted and the drugs most involved with PI were: morphine, haloperidol, and domperidone. Among the primary problems, the major ones were related to prescriptions and dispensations. When correlating primary problems with the adherence rate, the result was x² = 54.169 and p = 4.51 × 10⁻⁸. The primary strategy with the highest frequency was “prescription alterations” and by correlating it with the adherence rate, the result was x² = 35.24 and p = 0.0001. The adherence rates were 90% (Ward A) and 89% (Ward C). When comparing problems and strategies, the outcomes were x² = 524.69 and p = 5.82 × 10⁻⁹⁵. CONCLUSION: The study's emphasis was on the PI in palliative care, with an adherence rate of 90% for interventions. Problems related to prescriptions were the most common, reinforcing the essential role of pharmacists in patient safety and quality of life. Future research must create indicators to monitor impacts of interventions.

This article investigates the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the elderly population served by the Roberto Contente Primary Healthcare Unit in the municipality of Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil. This epidemiological, qualitative-quantitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 813 individuals aged 60 years or older between February and December 2023. Data were collected through parasitological stool examinations, analyzing variables such as sex, age, types of identified parasites, polyparasitism, and the months with the highest prevalence of enteroparasitoses.The results revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among this population, with more than half of the total sample testing positive for at least one enteroparasite. Regarding age groups, individuals aged 60 to 69 years were the most affected. Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana were the most frequently identified species. Female individuals demonstrated higher incidence rates across all variables. The analysis indicates that advanced age is a significant risk factor for parasitic infections, further exacerbated by preexisting health conditions and a compromised immune system.The study underscores the need for public health initiatives focused on education and sanitary control to mitigate the impact of parasitic infections on the quality of life of the elderly population.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in children, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This study reviewed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, documenting their characteristics, benefits, and limitations. The research consisted of an integrative literature review with 21 studies published between 2020 and 2024, obtained from databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and BVS. Pharmacological treatments, mainly stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine, showed effectiveness in reducing symptoms but presented side effects, such as insomnia and appetite loss, as well as possible long-term impacts on brain development. Among non-pharmacological therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stood out for improving emotional and organizational control. Music therapy and art therapy facilitated emotional expression and social interaction, while dietary therapy emphasized the role of nutrients such as omega-3, iron, and zinc, along with the reduction of sugars and artificial colorings. Physical activities, such as swimming, were associated with improvements in attention and emotional regulation. Neurofeedback proved promising despite methodological challenges and low clinical acceptance. It is concluded that the integrated use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches presents a promising model for managing ADHD, especially in mild to moderate cases, promoting quality of life for patients and their families. However, more robust comparative studies are needed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of each method.