Ca2+-activated K+ channels involved in duodenal dismotility induced by ethanol

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of K⁺channels in duodenal dismotility induced by ethanol in vitro.The amplitude of spontaneous contractions was reduced by ethanolin longitudinal and circular muscle, while frequency did notchange. Charybdotoxin antagonized ethanol-induced inhibitionof the amplitude of spontaneous contractions. Ethanol decreasedACh-induced contractions and this effect was cancelled out bycharybdotoxin. Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels may be involved induodenal dismotility induced by ethanol.     

Knowledge and practices in breastfeeding promotion by Family Health teams in Montes Claros, Brazil

The Family Health Strategy has been implemented in Brazil with the aim of reorganizing the health care system with an emphasis on promotion and prevention. Thus, encouragement for breastfeeding is one of the most important activities by family health care teams. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and practices by family health care teams in relation to breastfeeding. In addition to a questionnaire on health professionals' characteristics, a specific knowledge test on breastfeeding was conducted with 41 physicians and nurses and another test on the same subject was given to 152 community health workers. Scores were above 80% on the advantages of breastfeeding in all the teams, but knowledge on practical issues concerning technique and management of the main problems encountered in breastfeeding was not uniform among the health professions. Nurses scored better than physicians, and community health workers had the lowest scores. Practical activities to promote breastfeeding were not developed uniformly among health care professionals. There is a need for systematic and ongoing training in breastfeeding management in the family health teams.     

Perceptions of dental students regarding dentistry, the job market and the public healthcare system

The scope was to analyze the perceptions of dentistry students at the State University of Montes Claros, Brazil, regarding dentistry, the job market and the public healthcare system. For this, a triangulation method was employed, using a self-administered questionnaire and interviews. The quantitative data were submitted to univariate and multivariate analysis, using Poisson regression, where p<0.05. Content analysis was used for the qualitative data. The majority reported expecting to obtain work in the public healthcare system, stated that the dentistry course prepares students for this market as the curriculum integrates both teaching and service, reported being in favor of greater experience in the public healthcare system and said they would not take classes in Public Health if they were optional. Contact with the social context through teaching/service integration in the advanced semesters of the dentistry course appears to contribute to the development of new professional skills for working in the public sector. However, the students' perceptions revealed contradictions, considering the low value they attributed to the classes on Public Health and their perception of the public system as a residual job option.