Effects of Semi-Ablative Fractional Radiofrequency Associated with Growth Factors in Stretch Marks: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: To investigate the effects of the association of semi-ablative fractional radiofrequency (RFF) with growth factors in stretch marks. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 28 female patients with complaints of gluteus or abdomen striae and divided into 2 equitable groups, named G1 (semi-ablative RFF without active principle association) and G2 (semi-ablative RFF with active principle association), being subdivided into G-1A and G-2A (abdominal applications) and G-1B and G-2B (gluteus applications). A photographic and histological analysis was performed using questionnaires about inflammation, presence of adverse effects and satisfaction of volunteers. Photographic analysis showed a reduction in the amount of striae alba in all groups. Results: The histological analysis showed an increase in fibroblast activity, collagen type I, and blood vessels, especially in the groups that associated the RFF with the active principle. In the inflammation analysis, the groups that performed intervention with active ingredients showed lower inflammatory signal. All groups had a reasonable level of satisfaction after the interventions;however, the group that used active ingredients reported greater results. Conclusion: The association of semi ablative RFF with growth factors showed a reduction in clinical inflammatory signs, mainly in the first 15 days, as well as higher collagen production, verified in 30 days, with satisfactory clinical results in all groups.

Partition coefficient prediction of Baker's yeast invertase in aqueous two phase systems using hybrid group method data handling neural network

A hybrid GMDH neural network model has been developed in order to predict the partition coefficients of invertase from Baker's yeast. ATPS experiments were carried out changing the molar average mass of PEG(1500–6000 Da), p H(4.0–7.0), percentage of PEG(10.0–20.0 w/w), percentage of MgSO_4(8.0–16.0 w/w), percentage of the cell homogenate(10.0–20.0 w/w) and the percentage of MnSO_4(0–5.0 w/w) added as cosolute. The network evaluation was carried out comparing the partition coefficients obtained from the hybrid GMDH neural network with the experimental data using different statistical metrics. The hybrid GMDH neural network model showed better fitting(AARD = 32.752%) as well as good generalization capacity of the partition coefficients of the ATPS than the original GMDH network approach and a BPANN model. Therefore hybrid GMDH neural network model appears as a powerful tool for predicting partition coefficients during downstream processing of biomolecules.

Effect of Microfocused Ultrasound on Facial Rejuvenation: Clinical and Histological Evaluation

Introduction: Micro focused ultrasound (MFU) is formed by mechanical waves emitted in a focused manner, concentrating thermal energy on a certain point or region, promoting a clinical improvement in wrinkles. Objective: evaluate the effects of micro focused ultrasound on facial rejuvenation. Methodology: This is an experimental study. The sample consisted of 30 volunteers, who were evaluated before treatment, 45 and 90 days after its beginning. A single application of the MFU was performed across the facial region. The parameters used were: 10 MHz cartridge with depth of 1.5 mm, 7 MHz with depth of 3 mm, and 4 MHz with focal depth of 4.5 mm;doses ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 J, according to the sensitivity of the volunteers treated, and the application time was of approximately 90 minutes. Clinical photographic analysis and facial symmetry analysis using Dolphin Imaging software were performed, and validated questionnaires. Two volunteers were submitted to blepharoplasty surgery, and one to rhytidoplasty surgery 45 days after the application of the MFU. Samples of the treated skin were taken after the surgical procedures and submitted to histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The volunteers answered a questionnaire to assess adverse reactions and satisfaction. Results: We observed a visible clinical improvement on the images by photography, and an improvement of facial symmetry in the measurements of the paralateronasal projection (p = 0.007), left lateral mandibular (p = 0.01), and right lateral mandibular (p = 0.008). The histological analysis showed an increase in the amount of fibroblasts (p = 0.02), blood vessels (p = 0.0062) and inflammatory cells (p = 0.0036), in addition to the production of type 1 collagen. In the immunohistochemical analysis, we observed the presence of the macrophage marker IHQ: CD68, indicating phagocytosis of adipose tissue and the presence of fibrosis. In the analysis of adverse reactions, only transient hyperemia was observed with the presence of pain during application. Additionally, the volunteers expressed high level of satisfaction (93%) with the treatment Conclusion: The MFU promoted the production of collagen, reorganization of the dermis and, clinically, a reduction of sagging and wrinkles, with increased facial symmetry.

Evaluation of the Maternal Health Indicators: An Ecological Study from 2000 to 2014

The aiming of this worksheet is to evaluate and to compare the quantity of prenatal appointment indicators;childbirth by kind of delivery;maternal mortality coefficient and maternal deaths number. It is about an ecological, descriptive and analytical study, made through the appreciation of secondary data related to the maternal mortality in Rio Grande do Norte, from 2000 to 2014. To that, it was used information from SISPACTO to compare real data to the estimated goals. The results show that there was an increase on the number of women who performed seven or more prenatal queries, in turn, there was an increase of alive newborns through cesarean, moreover, it is observed an oscillation on the maternal deaths number by residence during the studied period, achieving superior values to the agreed goals during the last two analyzed years. It is concluded that the maternal health, in Rio Grande do Norte, negative indicators are being presented concerning the maternal mortality, in spite of presenting an improvement on the prenatal access.

Pró-Saúde and PET-Saúde in the Context of Reorientation Policy of Health Professions Training

The health education has been a topic discussed throughout Brazil, as the country is experiencing a period of expansion of higher education and it needs to give quality. So they were implanted two federal programs to allow that health students to approach their professional reality to make them capable of full mode. The paper aims to discuss the experience of the participating members of these programs for professional reorientation. The study is exploratory and descriptive conducted with participants of the programs in the city of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the year 2014. This study aims to present an experience report from the experience of the mentors in Reorientation National Program for Health Professional Training (Pró-Saúde), associated with the Labor Education Program for Health (PET-Saúde) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)/Sciences College of Trairi (FACISA), with emphasis on the reorientation of professional practice, provided by integrating teaching-service and community as well as exchange of knowledge between tutors, mentors and students participating in the project, from the development of interdisciplinary activities, giving the opportunity to reflect on these actions and services offered based on the epidemiological analysis provided by research, intervening in this reality.

Report on the Educational Process for the Promotion of Health of Women Attended in a Reference Center of Social Assistance

This article discusses one experienced by students and preceptors of Programs Pro-Pet-Health and Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte/Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairí in the Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS) in the municipality of experience Santa Cruz/RN, with a view to the relationship between preventive health activities and social assistance. The proposed work of Pro-Pet in the assistance unit sought to unravel the lifestyle of the target audience in order to know the risk factors and suggest the adoption of health measures for disease prevention. Work to guide the educational process for health promotion with socioeconomic and cultural contextualization built on scientific papers surveyed in Lilacs and Scielo data was used. On average, 12 women aged between 35 and 60 years participated in the group. Eight group sessions occurred in the period from March to May 2014. Regarding work methodologies, we used dynamic integration and self-knowledge;dialogued lectures;lectures;reports of experiences;thematic workshops;educational videos;wheels conversation complemented by the use of texts and poems;as well as application of the checklist in conducting health and anthropometry. The experience helped identify the characteristics of the group and plan understandable and meaningful guidance for women, facilitating the understanding of the importance of self-care in preventing disease.

Effects of Cryofrequence on Localized Adiposity: Case Study

Cryofrequence is the combination of cryotherapy with radiofrequency, which promotes a “thermal shock” to the tissue, working simultaneously to skin flaccidity and localized adiposity. The efficacy of dermatological and hypodermic cryofrequency treatment was evaluated. This study reports the case of a 45-year-old woman with complaints of flaccidity and fat located in the infra-umbilical region in the preoperative period of abdominoplasty. The evaluation was performed before and after treatment through evaluation protocols, ultrasound examinations and histological findings through optic microscopy, microfocal and immunohistochemical analysis. The treatment was performed in 4 sessions, with a weekly application, using the BHS 156 FULL®—BODY HEALTH BRASIL®apparatus, the parameters were temperature of -10°C, power in 70%, duration of 8 minutes. After the surgical procedure, parts of treated and untreated abdominal tissues were removed for evaluation. In the tests performed, significant destruction of adipocytes was detected, with consequent reduction of fat and greater expression of caspase-3 in the treated tissue, being constated the macrophage increase by CD68 expression. There was improvement in flaccidity, evidenced by the significant increase in the number of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells positive for Ki67, bringing more quantity and better quality to the collagen.

Utilized Theories by Nursing in the Care of People with an Ostomy: Integrative Review

Objective: To identify in the literature the theories used by nursing professionals in the care of people with an ostomy. Method: It’s about an integrative review of the literature used in the LILACS, BDENF, PubMed Central, CINAHL, Web of Science and SCOPUS database. Results: The sample was made of 18 publications. Most of them were studies published in the last five years (44.4%), international publications (72.2%), published in international periodicals (66.7%), with level IV of evidence (83.3%). It was identified in the articles that the nursing theories were shown as the most used by the nurses in the care of people with an ostomy (55.5%), followed by the theories borrowed from psychology (38.9%) and, finally, the theories borrowed from pedagogy (22.2%). Conclusion: The nurses are using the assistance nursing models with a higher frequency to subsidize their surveys, as well as borrowed theories, mostly being performed and published internationally and with a low evidence level, highlighting the need of studies with a higher stringent methodology and, beyond this, analysis research of the used theories.

Prevalence of the Nursing Diagnosis Lack of Adherence in People Living with AIDS

Introduction: In the 1990s, the development of highly active combination antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of AIDS was highlighted. The great benefit generated by the use of this treatment was the prolongation of survival of the people who got this disease, since it is no longer considered fatal, becoming a chronic condition. Objective: To identify the prevalence of the nursing diagnosis Lack of Adherence, its defining characteristics and related factors in people living with AIDS, to investigate the association between them and the prevalence rates. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 113 patients in a hospital in northeastern Brazil. For data analysis, the test of Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used, and also calculated the prevalence rates. Results: Lack of Adherence diagnosis was present in 69% of the sample investigated. The defining characteristics and related factors that are statistically associated with that diagnosis were: lack of adherence behavior, missing scheduled appointments, complications related to development, insufficient skills to implement the system and complex treatment system. The first two characteristics had the highest chances for the development of this diagnosis. Conclusion: The study showed that the diagnostic studied was prevalent in these patients and 3 characteristics and 2 factors showed significant association.

Effect of Blends Gasoline with Oxygenated Additives in the Performance of Internal Combustion Engine

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of blends of different oxygenated additives on gasoline in SI engine Otto cycle. The formulations analyzed were: pure gasoline (type A), common gasoline (type C), gasoline type A + 15% (v/v) oxygenated additives (ethanol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate). The experiments were performed using engine Branco 4-stroke and 2-cylinder, electric dynamometer, exhaust system, control unit composed of Multi-K unit, variable selector and load cell, stroboscope tachometer, fuel supply system and stopwatch. The rotation was conserved at 4400 rpm and wheel power varied from 3 kW to 12 kW, with intervals of 3 kW to obtain hourly consumption curves and brake specific fuel consumption. Even esters and ethanol having lower heat of combustion, hourly consumption was similar to pure gasoline (type A). In relation to the brake specific fuel consumption, increasing the wheel power had a better conversion of the mass of fuel burned into energy. Thus, this study showed that the mixture of gasoline and esters (ethyl octanoate and ethyl oleate) presented good efficiency in terms of consumption. This research contributes to the needs and to the current studies in which industries started to add renewable products to petroleum-derived fuels;in order to obtain more sustainable fuels at lower costs.

Assessment of the Accessibility of Users in Primary Health Care

Objectives: The goal of this project was to evaluate the quality of the accessibility of the adult population to services in Primary Health Care, with a view to contribute to the development of measures that will propose improvement in the offered assistance. Methods: This is a quantitative and evaluative study made in the municipality of Santa Cruz, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with a sample of 180 people. The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte under Opinion number 152/2012. Results: It was found that the adult population classified the quality of care from regular to good, showing an association with the waiting time, time spent from the unit to one’s house and the reception. Conclusions: It could be concluded that this study contributes to the development of strategies able to provide a full and equitable care to the adult population in the primary health care network, since this is the gateway to other levels of care, because it aims to promote adult health and prevent diseases.

Painful Symptomatology Reported by Dentistry Students at a Brazilian University

Objectives: Identification of the level of knowledge on ergonomics principles, and application of these by dentistry students to investigate whether painful symptomatology was experienced. An-other objective is the expansion of discussions on occupational health in academic settings. Study Design and Settings: Dentistry students of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (n = 148) were surveyed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine the severity of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced. Data were analyzed through EpiInfo 7.0 to measure central trends and variability 5for quantitative variables, absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables, and significance between groups (confidence intervals and chisquare). Association analysis (Pearson) was also carried out. Results: Ergonomic measures were not reported by students. Within the musculoskeletal symptoms described, females were the most affected, independent of academic level. Conclusions: Positive correlations were verified between all categories and all anatomic regions (e.g., neck, lower back, wrists, hands, and shoulders). Data suggest progressive worsening of symptoms, which will eventually result in leaves of absence.

Assessment of Comprehensive Health Care of the Elderly in Primary Health Care

Objective: To assess comprehensive care in the elderly population, as well as the quality of care in Primary Health Care. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted from July to December 2012, in the city of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A sample of 130 subjects chosen by drawn was calculated, and data collection was performed at their homes. Results: There were interviewed 130 people, 92 (70.8%) women and 38 men (29.2%), with a minimum age of 60 and maximum of 96 years, with a mean of 72.8, median of 72.0 and a standard deviation of 8.3. Regarding the quality of care ratings of the PHC team, 48.5% (n = 63) of respondents stated this to be good, while 32.3% (n = 42) rated this as fair. Conclusions: In this perspective, one of the most appreciated meanings that were given to comprehensive care by health care professionals refers to holistic knowledge of each patient, resulting in the non-fragmentation of care. Thus, it is noticed that comprehensiveness has some weaknesses that need to be corrected, which shows the need for education and training of professionals assigned to primary health care services.

Implementation of Quick HIV Tests in a Basic Health Unit in the Town of Santa Cruz-RN:Experiment Experienced by the PRO/PET-Saude Students

This article is about a report of the experiment of PRO/PET-Saúde students in the anti-HIV tests implementation in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The goal is to report the importance and discuss the aspects of the moment experienced above inside the basic health unit in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The experience occurred in the months from February to March 2014 and they were conducted within 8 hours per week. This way, it is observed that the period lived made possible great reflection about the making of the examination in the pre-natal appointment routines, cataloguing challenges which come up during their adequacy within the services. Lastly, the action developed aimed for the aggregation of an active learning process in the search for a critical sense in the experienced practice, allowing and prioritizing the basic health unit as a scope of reference and counter-reference in the public health service, increasing concrete answers and the needs of the population, guaranteeing an adequate service delivery and strengthening the SUS more and more. The insertion of students through the PRO/PET-Saúde-Rede Cegonha enables a reorientation of professional formation, from the integration between service and teaching.

On the Impact of Brazil's Largest Recent Oil Spill on Regional Oceans

In 2019,an oil spill in Brazil,of unknown origin,severely impacted coastal environs with the worst environmental disaster ever recorded in any tropical coastal region globally severely damaging South Pirangi Reef area in the state of Rio Grande do Norte(RN).Here we discuss acute and chronic impacts including chemical contamination and economic consequences all over the world and show some evidence of the oil spill in this biodiverse area.Moreover,the lapse between the moment of the disastei;and the action to manage it,was hampered by a political agenda coinciding with local and global tragedies that redirected public attention.Meanwhile almost 2 years have passed still without the offending party identification or culpability;and poor communities may continue to absorb its deleterious impacts for decades without consideration or compensation.This disaster occurred during the Brazilian government's current issues involving extensive environmental mismanagement,resulting in a slow response from an inept system.It is with urgent necessity to spotlight this tragedy in this unique and sensitive reef habitat experiencing the ongoing damaging effects that include socio-economic losses not yet addressed.

Quality of Service to Users of Primary Health Care:A Study of Evaluation

The quality of service to people in Primary Healthcare (PHC) is linked to the provision of quality service by professionals who integrate this service in the community. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the service given by health professionals in primary health care, from the user’s perception. This is an evaluative and quantitative study, conducted with people who use the PHC service. 180 adults are interviewed in the city of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The results show that most respondents are women. The average age is of 36.65, median of 34.00 and standard deviation of 11,554. With regards to the quality of service, it ranges from fair to good. When performing correlation between the quality of service and time spent to reach the service, most people say that they spend between 0 and 15 minutes from their house to the healthcare service unit. About reception, respondents reported being satisfied and that the service has been responsible and quality for health monitoring. Thus, it is noted that the user classifies the quality of the service in primary healthcare as regular, showing weaknesses that need to be corrected to prevent damage in service provision in Primary Healthcare.

Evaluation of Child Health by Basic Indicators of Health:Historical Series 2005-2014

The continuous assessment of child health services generates knowledge about the real needs of health services and actions in order to achieve better results and indicators. Thus, this study proposes to analyze child health indicators, based on the information systems of health services. This is a descriptive, ecological epidemiological study carried out using secondary data from the following information systems: Information System on Live Births and Mortality Information System, in a historical series of ten years (2005-2014) of the state of Rio Grande do Norte and its health micro regions. It was observed a decrease in infant, neonatal, preterm, late neonatal and postnatal mortality coefficients when compared to the first and last year of the observed period, as well as the concentration of these in micro-regions of health. There was also a positive association between the early neonatal component and infant death. In this perspective, it is important to evaluate the quality of prenatal care, childbirth, puerperium, the first week of integral health and follow-up of the child’s growth and development, as well as to relate the socio-demographic conditions that may be associated with infant morbimortality. Therefore, the importance of situational health assessment studies for the effectiveness of care provided is highlighted, identifying weaknesses and monitoring the effectiveness of strategies.

Evaluation of Quality Care for Senior Citizens in Primary Health Care

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality care received by senior citizens in Primary Health Care (PHC) in the Unified Health System, with the objectives of contributing with the comprehensive implementation of humanized conduct and actions for this part of the population. Methods: This is a descriptive-exploratory study with a quantitative approach that was conducted in the city of Santa Cruz, which is located in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, with a population of 130 senior citizens. The research was approved by the Committee for Ethics in Research at the Federal University at Rio Grande do Norte under protocol 152/2012. Results: In the results, the classification of the PHC services varied from good to reasonable. Regarding the assistance offered to the aging and comprehensive care, there were failures in accordance with how it’s recommended in the National Healthcare System. This concludes, through the perspective of the elderly user, the need for the reformulation of the activities which are offered to this population and therefore the implementation of conduct for better service in the area of Primary Health Care.

Numerical Evaluation of Strength in the Interface during Indentation Spherical Testing in Thin Films

The need for more components that are more resistant to wear and corrosion has promoted a growing interest in surface engineering. The search for improved tribological properties in materials contributes to the development of processes that extend the useful life of components and their applications in increasingly severe environments. In this respect, thin ceramic coatings have been used to enhance the tribological properties of components that operate under these conditions. However, new experimental assays are needed to assess the behaviour of these films and their surface as substrate. These experimental analyses require the use of sophisticated equipment and specialized personnel. On the other hand, with advances in computational mechanics, the application of numerical analysis to solve numerous technological problems has been increasingly frequent, owing to its low operational costs. This study aims to simulate an indentation assay with spherical penetrator in systems composed of thin ceramic film deposited on metallic substrate using a Finite Element commercial code. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the field behaviour of stresses in the contact region of the indenter with the sample, on the outline of the impression made by the penetrator and, primarily, on the film-substrate interface.