Signs and strategies to deal with food insecurity and consumption of ultra-processed foods among Amazonian mothers

ABSTRACT

Although food insecurity configures a public health issue in developing countries going through nutrition transition, there is still lack of evidence on how it is affected by social determinants and its relationship with ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption. Using qualitative methods, we investigated the experience of food (in)security among mothers living in the Brazilian Amazon area, identifying aspects of food insecurity promoting UPF consumption. In-depth interviews were performed with 40 women and inductive content analysis was used. Signs of food insecurity included difficulties in food affordability and irregular access to food. Strategies to deal with lack of food quantity took place during food production (growing foods and raising animals), acquisition (gaining food, shopping incentives and food substitutions) and preparation (creativity in cooking). Not being able to afford staple foods was the main aspect of food insecurity promoting UPF consumption, as fresh foods were substituted by UFP options. Our study contributes to the current literature by presenting explanatory insights about the inconclusive quantitative results on the relationship between food insecurity and UPF consumption. Additionally, it supports the need of policies and interventions focused on promoting sustainable food systems and the regional food culture, which may approach food insecurity through an intersectional perspective.     

Ring chromosome 6 in a child with anterior segment dysgenesis and review of its overlap with other FOXC1 deletion phenotypes

Here, we report a patient with ring chromosome 6 [r(6)], associated with anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) and other anomalies. The phenotype was due to a 1880 kb microdeletion at 6p25.3 identified by whole‐genome array analysis, and was mainly attributable to a FOXC1 haploinsufficiency. Currently 37 patients with r(6) have been reported. We found that facial dysmorphism, ASD, heart anomalies, brain anomalies, and hearing loss are constant features only in severe cases of r(6), mainly related to hemizygosity of FOXC1. Thus, overlaps with other FOXC1 related phenotypes, such as the 6p25 deletion syndrome, Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome type 3, and ASD type 3. Contrarily, those patients whose r(6) does not disrupt FOXC1, have mild or moderate phenotypes and do not exhibit ASD.     

Effects of terlipressin as early treatment for protection of brain in a model of haemorrhagic shock

IntroductionWe investigated whether treatment with terlipressin during recovery from hypotension due to haemorrhagic shock (HS) is effective in restoring cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and brain tissue markers of water balance, oxidative stress and apoptosis.MethodsIn this randomised controlled study, animals undergoing HS (target mean arterial pressure (MAP) 40 mmHg for 30 minutes) were randomised to receive lactated Ringer’s solution (LR group; n =14; volume equal to three times the volume bled), terlipressin (TERLI group; n =14; 2-mg bolus), no treatment (HAEMO group; n =12) or sham (n =6). CPP, systemic haemodynamics (thermodilution technique) and blood gas analyses were registered at baseline, shock and 5, 30, 60 (T60), 90 and 120 minutes after treatment (T120). After the animals were killed, brain tissue samples were obtained to measure markers of water balance (aquaporin-4 (AQP4)), Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ co-transporter (NKCC1)), oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)) and apoptotic damage (Bcl-x and Bax).ResultsDespite the HS-induced decrease in cardiac output (CO) and hyperlactataemia, resuscitation with terlipressin recovered MAP and resulted in restoration of CPP and in cerebral protection expressed by normalisation of AQP4, NKCC1, TBARS and MnSOD expression and Bcl-x/Bax ratio at T60 and T120 compared with sham animals. In the LR group, CO and blood lactate levels were recovered, but the CPP and MAP were significantly decreased and TBARS levels and AQP4, NKCC1 and MnSOD expression and Bcl-x/Bax ratio were significantly increased at T60 and T120 compared with the sham group.ConclusionsDuring recovery from HS-induced hypotension, terlipressin was effective in normalising CPP and cerebral markers of water balance, oxidative damage and apoptosis. The role of this pressor agent on brain perfusion in HS requires further investigation.     

NGS-based typings for 7 HLA loci in two populations from Barra Mansa,RJ, Brazil

We investigated HLA class I (HLA-A, -B, and -C) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1, -DPA1, and -DPB1) alleles by NGS-based typing among 478 Brazilian individuals from two populations in the Barra Mansa city based on their self-declared skin color (Caucasian, N = 405, AFND-ID: 3729; Black, N = 73, AFND-ID: 3731) to calculate allelic and haplotypic frequencies, plus linkage disequilibrium. No locus deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Both populations shared the most frequent allele on HLA-A, -C, -DPA1, and -DPB1. Genotype and frequency data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.     

Jorge Lobo’s disease with malignant degeneration to squamous cell carcinoma: case report

Jorge Lobo’s disease (JLD) is a chronic, granulomatous fungal infection caused by the traumatic implantation of the fungus Lacazia loboi in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, with the presence of isolated nodular and coalescent keloidal lesions. Malignant degeneration is rare. This case report describes a 64-year-old male patient with JLD for 30-years who showed a change in the aspect of a lesion in the left lower limb. Histopathological examination confirmed the progression to well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SSC). JLD is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, requiring monitoring concerning the transformation into SSC in long-term lesions.