Manejo clínico de úlceras venosas na atenção primária à saúde

OBJETIVO: Discutir o manejo clínico de úlceras venosas realizado na atenção primária à saúde, com base na visão dos usuários que convivem com esta afecção. MÉTODOS: Estudo de natureza qualitativa exploratório, descritivo, realizado com 25 usuários adultos em tratamento nas Unidades de Saúde da Família. Os dados foram coletados no segundo semestre de 2008, utilizando-se um formulário estruturado com questões de caracterização sociodemográfica, tipo de limpeza, coberturas, uso de terapia compressiva, medicamentos e orientações prescritas. RESULTADOS: São usados para a limpeza produtos que agridem o tecido de granulação, como coberturas com várias substâncias, dentre elas o óleo de girassol e pomadas antibióticas; a maioria dos usuários não utiliza medidas para controle do edema. CONCLUSÃO: fazem-se necessárias a elaboração e a adoção de protocolos clínicos para o cuidado com úlceras venosas, bem como a capacitação permanente dos profissionais de saúde.

Sistematização de curativos para o tratamento clínico das feridas

O tratamento das feridas cutâneas inclui métodos clínicos e cirúrgicos, sendo o curativo um dos tratamentos clínicos mais frequentemente utilizados. Um vasto arsenal terapêutico composto por curativos passivos ou com princípios ativos é capaz de auxiliar na reparação do tegumento em diversas situações. Curativos visam a melhorar as condições do leito da ferida, podendo ser, em algumas ocasiões, o próprio tratamento definitivo, mas em muitas situações constituem apenas uma etapa intermediária para o tratamento cirúrgico. Curativos inteligentes e biológicos são hoje mais bem classificados como substitutos cutâneos e não serão considerados neste artigo. A escolha do curativo a ser utilizado deve ser baseada no conhecimento das bases fisiopatológicas da cicatrização e da reparação tecidual, sem nunca esquecer o quadro sistêmico do paciente.

Inhibition of LDL-oxidation and antioxidant properties related to polyphenol content of hydrophilic fractions from seaweed Halimeda Incrassata (Ellis) Lamouroux

LDL oxidation and oxidative stress are closely related to atherosclerosis. Therefore, natural antioxidants have been studied as promising candidates. In the present study, the LDL oxidation inhibition activity of bioactive compounds from Halimeda incrassata seaweed. associated to antioxidant capacity, was evaluated in vitro. Experimental work was conducted with lyophilized aqueous extract and phenolic-rich fractions of the seaweed and their effect on LDL oxidation was evaluated using heparin-precipitated LDL (hep-LDL) with exposure to Cu2+ ions and AAPH as the free radical generator. H. incrassata had a protective effect for hep-LDL in both systems and the presence of phenolic compounds contributed to the activity where phenolic-rich fractions showed significant capacity for inhibition of oxidation mediated by Cu2+ ions. The observed effect could be related to the antioxidant potential of polar fractions evidenced by reducing activity and DPPH radical scavenging. The results obtained in vitro further support the antioxidant and LDL oxidation inhibition properties of H. incrassata and further knowledge toward future phytotherapeutic application of the seaweed.

How low-level laser therapy can change mechanical properties of cells.

Low level laser therapy is used as a treatment of several conditions, including inflammatory processes and wound healing. Possible changes in mechanical properties of cells, caused by illumination, are investigated with optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC), which is a technique used to evaluate mechanical properties in cell culture. Ferromagnetic micro beads are bound to cell cytoskeleton, the beads are magnetized vertically and a horizontal twisting magnetic field is applied causing a torque that moves the beads and deforms the cell, the beads rotate and displace. Based on the lateral displacement of the beads, elastic shear and loss moduli are obtained. Samples of human bronchial epithelial cell culture were divided in two groups: one was illuminated with a 660 nm red laser, 30 mW power, 0.75 W/cm2 irradiance, during different time intervals, and the other one, the control group, was not illuminated. The values of the mechanical constants of the cells of the control group showed a tendency of increasing with the time out of the incubator. On the other hand, the illuminated group showed constancy on the behavior of both moduli, keeping the normal conditions of the cell culture. Those results indicate that illumination can induce cells to homeostasis, and OMTC is sensitive to observe departures from the steady conditions. Hence, OMTC is an important technique which can be used to aggregate knowledge on the light effect in cell cytoskeleton and even on the low level laser therapy mechanisms in inflammatory processes and/or wound healing.

How low-level laser therapy can change mechanical properties of cells.

Low level laser therapy is used as a treatment of several conditions, including inflammatory processes and wound healing. Possible changes in mechanical properties of cells, caused by illumination, are investigated with optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC), which is a technique used to evaluate mechanical properties in cell culture. Ferromagnetic micro beads are bound to cell cytoskeleton, the beads are magnetized vertically and a horizontal twisting magnetic field is applied causing a torque that moves the beads and deforms the cell, the beads rotate and displace. Based on the lateral displacement of the beads, elastic shear and loss moduli are obtained. Samples of human bronchial epithelial cell culture were divided in two groups: one was illuminated with a 660 nm red laser, 30 mW power, 0.75 W/cm2 irradiance, during different time intervals, and the other one, the control group, was not illuminated. The values of the mechanical constants of the cells of the control group showed a tendency of increasing with the time out of the incubator. On the other hand, the illuminated group showed constancy on the behavior of both moduli, keeping the normal conditions of the cell culture. Those results indicate that illumination can induce cells to homeostasis, and OMTC is sensitive to observe departures from the steady conditions. Hence, OMTC is an important technique which can be used to aggregate knowledge on the light effect in cell cytoskeleton and even on the low level laser therapy mechanisms in inflammatory processes and/or wound healing.