Interactions between local medical systems and the biomedical system: a conceptual and methodological review in light of hybridization subprocesses.

Local medical systems (LMSs) are complex and dynamic, encompassing local perceptions of diseases, prevention and treatment strategies, and evaluations of therapeutic responses. These systems are not isolated and interact with other medical systems, such as the biomedical system. The interaction between these systems creates a "contact zone", which some authors refer to as intermedicality, involving both competitive and complementary interactions.

Impact of nicotine-induced green tobacco sickness on DNA damage and the relation with symptoms and alterations of redox status in tobacco farmers.

During the harvest period, tobacco workers are exposed to nicotine and it is known that absorption of the alkaloid via the leaves causes green tobacco sickness (GST). We investigated if GST and its symptoms are associated with DNA damage and alterations of the redox status. DNA damage was measured in lymphocytes of tobacco workers and controls (n = 40/group) in single cell gel electrophoresis assays.

Genotoxic assessment in tobacco farmers at different crop times.

Agricultural workers engaged in tobacco cultivation are constantly exposed to large amounts of pesticides as well as to the nicotine present in raw tobacco leaves. Pesticides have been considered potential chemical mutagens: experimental data revealed that various agrochemicals possess mutagenic properties. Studies have affirmed that nicotine absorbed through the skin results in the characteristic green tobacco sickness (GTS), an occupational illness reported by tobacco workers.

Application of the buccal micronucleus cytome assay and analysis of PON1Gln192Arg and CYP2A6*9(-48T>G) polymorphisms in tobacco farmers.

Tobacco is a major Brazilian cash crop. Tobacco farmers apply large amounts of pesticides to control insect growth. Workers come into contact with green tobacco leaves during the tobacco harvest and absorb nicotine through the skin.

Differentiation of Salmonella enteritidis isolates by fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism.

Salmonella Enteritidis is responsible for human gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, and the molecular characterization of isolates is an important tool for epidemiological studies. Fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) analysis was performed on 31 Salmonella Enteritidis strains from South Brazil isolated from human, foods, swine, broiler carcasses, and other poultry-related samples to subtype isolates in comparison to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. Five strains of Salmonella Enteritidis from different geographical regions, Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076, and four isolates of different Salmonella serovars were also tested.