High frequency of serum chromium deficiency and association of chromium with triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.

Background: To our knowledge, the frequency of serum chromium deficiency in patients awaiting bariatric surgery has not been determined. This study was designed to assess chromium concentration and its association with glycemic levels and lipid profile in patients prior to bariatric surgery.

Methods: This study recruited 73 candidates for bariatric surgery between March and September 2012.

Association between obesity and calcium:phosphorus ratio in the habitual diets of adults in a city of Northeastern Brazil: an epidemiological study.

Background: Low calcium:phosphorus ratios (Ca:P ratio) in habitual diet have been observed worldwide, and it has been shown to be harmful to the bone health of the population. However, no study associating this ratio with obesity was found. Thus, considering that the intake of calcium and phosphorus will generate a ratio between them, which may be associated with obesity, this research seeks at evaluating the relation between obesity and the Ca:P ratio in the habitual diet of adults.

[25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and blood pressure levels in hypertensive elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status and its relationship with associated factors in 91 elderly hypertensive patients in João Pessoa, PB/BR.

Materials And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 91 elderly patients were compared with biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary data, type of skin, exposure to sunlight, and blood pressure.

Results: The prevalence of inadequate vitamin concentrations (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 29 ng/mL) was 33%.

Anxiolytic-like activity and GC-MS analysis of (R)-(+)-limonene fragrance, a natural compound found in foods and plants.

The traditional use of essential oils in aromatherapy has offered numerous health benefits. However, few scientific studies have been conducted with these oils to confirm their therapeutic efficacy. (+)-Limonene is a chemical constituent of various bioactive essential oils.

Anxiolytic-like effects of inhaled linalool oxide in experimental mouse anxiety models.

Linalool oxide is a monoterpene that is found in some species of aromatic plants. The effects of the inhalation of linalool oxide (0.65%, 1.

Chronic consumption of distilled sugarcane spirit induces anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

Objective: Chronic ethanol consumption is a major public health problem throughout the world. We investigated the anxiolytic-like effects and the possible ever injury induced by the chronic consumption of ethanol or sugarcane spirit in mice.

Method: Adult mice were exposed to a two-bottle free-choice paradigm for 6 weeks.

Antinociceptive activity of the chloroform fraction of Dioclea virgata (Rich.) Amshoff (Fabaceae) in mice.

Acute treatment with the chloroform fraction of Dioclea virgata (Rich.) Amshoff (CFDv) in mice produced decreased ambulation and sedation in the behavioral pharmacological screening. Doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg CFDv decreased latency of sleep onset in the test of sleeping time potentiation.

Ultrastructural study on the morphological changes to male worms of Schistosoma mansoni after in vitro exposure to allicin.

Introduction: Garlic has a wide range of actions, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal and anthelmintic actions. This antiparasitic activity has been attributed to allicin, which is the main constituent of garlic. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of allicin on the tegument of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms using scanning electron microscopy.

Conjunctival impression cytology changes induced by oral isotretinoin.

Purpose: To evaluate the bulbar conjunctiva using impression cytology in patients submitted to oral isotretinoin treatment.

Methods: A prospective, cohort study was carried out in a referral ophthalmology practice at the Federal University of Paraíba and in the External Eye Disease Laboratory of the Federal University of São Paulo. Twenty-eight patients with acne vulgaris were selected.

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of terpinen-4-ol.

Terpinen-4-ol is a monoterpenoid alcohol and component of the essential oils of several aromatic plants. Similarly to terpinen-4-ol, other monoterpenoid alcohols have shown anticonvulsant activity in convulsion animal models. The present study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of terpinen-4-ol.