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INTRODUCTION: Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) are high-flow anomalous connections between the arterial and venous systems composed of dysplastic vessels resulting from aberrant angiogenesis. They are congenital and when symptomatic they rarely manifest before adolescence. Depending on the location, size, stage and severity of the symptoms, treatment options vary from conservative management to surgical resection. We report a case of a giant arteriovenous malformation of abdominal wall (tipe IIIb of Yakes Classification) treated with surgical resection after prior attempts of scleroembolization.. CLINICAL CASE: 54-year-old woman with known history of osteoarticular pathology and dyspepsia presented a mass on the left side of the abdominal wall with hard consistency, warm, slightly pulsating and tenderness to touch with several years of evolution. The mass showed infiltration of the internal and external oblique muscles sparing the transverse muscle. Clinically she presented easy fatigue with efforts. Due to the risk of abdominal wall herniation after excision of the AVM, scleroembolization was considered first-line treatment in this case. This strategy resulted in regression of the mass and symptoms improvement. Four years after the last intervention, the patient presented lesion growth, recurrence and worsening of symptoms with severe interference in the quality of life (QoL). After multidisciplinary discussion, she was proposed for complete resection of the AVM. She was first submitted to scleroembolization with Onyx of identified arterial afferents and sclerosis of the lesion nidus with 2% polidocanol. One month after she underwent successfully total resection of the AVM with the collaboration of General Surgery. CONCLUSION: No unified agreement exists on the best treatment of these complex high flow lesions and it is difficult to establish a comprehensive strategy given the pathology’s clinical variability, complex stratification and the risk of relapse. A case-by-case approach is needed in managing these types of lesions.

Objective: Portuguese nationwide estimates indicate that 20% of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are treated when ruptured. In these cases, intra-operative unfractionated heparin (UFH) usage rates vary widely. Evidence on this topic is scarce and focused on patients treated by open repair (OSR). The aim was to determine the influence of UFH on peri-operative thromboembolic events (TEs) and death in a cohort of ruptured AAA (rAAA). Methods: Retrospective, single-centre, comparative study. From 2011 to April 2023, all consecutive rAAAs (endovascular repair [EVAR] and OSR) were considered. Primary outcomes were 30-day TE free survival and TE rates. The secondary outcome was 30-day death. Safety endpoints were procedural blood loss, blood product requirements, and secondary interventions due to haemorrhage. Using propensity score matching (PSM) each UFH patient was matched with one no UFH patient in a 1:1 ratio. Results: The study included 250 patients. After PSM, 190 patients were analysed (EVAR: 60.0% no-UFH vs. 64.4% UFH). TE free survival estimates favoured the UFH group (67.3% vs. 47.2%, p = .009; UFH adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–4.17). TEs were more frequent in the no UFH group (20.0% vs. 44.2% patients, p < .001; UFH aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15–0.65 for any TE), driven by an increase in bowel ischaemia (17.9% no UFH vs. 3.2% UFH, p = .001). Most events occurred in the first 72 hours. EVAR was associated with reduced TE and improved TE free survival (aOR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09–0.45 and aOR 5.54, 95% CI 2.34–13.08, respectively). No significant differences in 30-day survival were noted (75% no-UFH vs. 83% UFH, p = .26; aOR 1.08, 95% CI 0.48–2.43) nor in blood loss, peri-operative red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma requirements, or secondary interventions due to haemorrhage (p = .10; p = .11; p = .13 and p = .18 respectively). Conclusion: In this cohort, intra-operative UFH was safe and associated with improved TE free survival, driven by a reduction in bowel ischaemia. Conversely, mortality remained unaffected. Randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

INTRODUCTION: After endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), many patients develop a systemic inflammatory response called post-implantation syndrome (PIS). AAA and procedure-related characteristics have been linked with increased odds of developing this syndrome. Similarly, some short- and long-term consequences have been associated with PIS. This study aims to review the literature on the diagnosis and predictors of post-implantation after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. RESULTS: A non-systematic review of the MEDLINE and Scopus databases was performed using the keywords "abdominal aortic aneurysm," "inflammation," and "endovascular techniques.” No time or language limitations were imposed. Manuscripts were considered irrespective of study design. Articles of interest were analyzed, and the relevant information was organized in tables. RESULTS: PIS is defined as a combination of constitutional symptoms, including fatigue and fever, and elevated inflammatory markers. There are several proposed diagnostic criteria, most including a combination of fever with leukocytosis and/or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). These result in discrepant rates, as low as 2% and up to 100%. The typical evolution of this syndrome is spontaneous resolution, although pharmacologic measures for symptom relief may be needed. These symptoms often resolve within two weeks; no significant permanent complications remain. Most PIS cases will present up to the first 72 postoperative hours. Endograft material, particularly polyester-based stent grafts, has been consistently linked to increased odds of PIS, up to five-fold, compared to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Aneurysm thrombus load (both pre-existing and new-onset) has also been related to an increased odds of PIS. Bacterial translocation, contrast media, and other patient or procedure-related characteristics have not been linked to an increased risk of PIS. CONCLUSION: PIS is a common finding after EVAR. Universal diagnostic criteria for diagnosis are required. Polyester-based stent grafts present the highest risk of developing this syndrome. Aneurysm thrombus load may also relate to this increased risk. The impact of other clinical or anatomical factors remains undetermined.

INTRODUCTION: Portuguese estimates point out that nearly 20% of aortic aneurysms are treated in a ruptured setting, with in-hospital mortality reaching up to 50%. Although unfractionated heparin (UFH) is routine during elective surgery, this technical point is debatable when treating ruptured aneurysms. The authors aimed to review the literature on the topic of intraoperative heparinization with UFH within the intraoperative period of ruptured aortic aneurysms. METHODS: A MEDLINE and Scopus database search using the terms “unfractionated heparin," “aortic aneurysm," and “ruptured aortic aneurysm” was performed. No time or language limitations were imposed. The last search was run in July 2023. Manuscripts were considered irrespective of study design. Additional articles of scientific interest for the purpose of this non-systematic review were included by cross-referencing. RESULTS: In the rupture setting, UFH usage rates have widely varied throughout time and geographical sites, and they are reported to be as low as 16%. Overall, the evidence of UFH in clinical practice in this scenario is limited. Notwithstanding, there is some evidence from observational studies of an increased pro-coagulant activity in this clinical scenario, favoring a theoretical physiologic benefit. A prospective, non-randomized study of 131 OSR patients found that patients treated with UFH had improved 30-day survival (84% vs 67%, P=0.001). Non-significant differences in blood product usage were noted. Therefore, societal guideline recommendations about intraoperative UFH in ruptured aortic aneurysms are often missing. CONCLUSION: UFH may potentially reduce death after open repair of rAAA. These findings should be carefully interpreted, as the evidence is scarce and heterogeneous and only portrays open repair.

BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations are a heterogeneous group of vascular development disorders with historically few treatment options. Recent studies have shown the potential benefit of mTOR inhibitors—such as sirolimus—in their treatment, particularly in low-flow malformations. However, reports on their efficacy in highflow malformations are scarce and controversial. We report the case of a patient with a combined malformation who benefited from treatment with sirolimus. REPORT: A three-year-old patient was referred to our center with a diffuse and progressive vascular malformation on her right leg, difficult to classify according to ISSVA, with disabling pain, limb deformity, and walking impairment. The initial MRI showed a diffuse malformation on the deep subcutaneous tissue without muscle or bone involvement, measuring 18cm on the largest axis. A progressive clinical worsening occurred, and after discussion with an international reference center in vascular malformations, it was classified as a diffuse vascular malformation with the involvement of contiguous structures without defined borders, with both a low and high-flow component. The high-flow component now behaves like a type IV Yakes AVM. Nevertheless, longterm therapy with sirolimus was instituted when the patient was nine years old, resulting in complete remission of pain, recovery of walking ability, and partial recovery of knee valgus. No side effects were reported. With 38 months of follow-up, the 13-year-old remains pain-free and has improved quality of life despite no imagological improvement. CONCLUSION: Although the available evidence for mTOR inhibitors is mainly for low-flow malformations, it may be a safe and effective option for selected high-flow malformations when intervention is not possible or carries significant morbidity risks. Some studies showed a reduction in the size of the malformation with treatment; however, this was not the case in our patient, notwithstanding the clear improvement in quality of life for four years without other intervention.

Complex anatomical restrictions can lead to further interventions after the emergence of a postoperative aneurysm enlargement in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). A 75-year-old male underwent a TEVAR for a Crawford extent I TAAA. The main device and the distal extension were placed using a fenestrated technique, outside of the instructions for use. The aneurysm expanded because of an endoleak and stent graft migration; and was surgically repaired by fully salvaging the previous endografts 38 months after the first TEVAR. However, the distal extension, which was the proximal anastomosis site with a prosthetic graft, became completely dislocated from the main device eight months after the open surgical conversion, resulting again in the enlargement of the aneurysm. An additional TEVAR was successfully performed to correct the dislocated stent graft. An appropriate treatment strategy is crucial to prevent multiple reinterventions for TAAA with complex anatomical restrictions.

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Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Turtles are an evolutionarily unique and morphologically distinctive order of reptiles, and many species are globally endangered. Although a high diversity of adenoviruses in scaled reptiles is well-documented, turtle adenoviruses remain largely understudied. To investigate their molecular diversity, we focused on the identification and characterisation of adenoviruses in turtle-derived organ, swab and egg samples. Since reptile circoviruses have been scarcely reported and no turtle circoviruses have been documented to date, we also screened our samples for circoviruses. Host-virus coevolution is a common feature of these viral families, so we aimed to investigate possible signs of this as well. Two screening projects were conducted: one on Brazilian samples collected from animals in their natural habitat, and the other on Hungarian pet shop samples. Nested PCR systems were used for the detection of adeno- and circoviruses and purified PCR products were Sanger sequenced. Phylogenetic trees for the viruses were reconstructed based on the adenoviral DNA polymerase and hexon genes, circoviral Rep genes, and for the turtle hosts based on mitochondrial cytochrome b amino acid sequences. During the screening, testadeno-, siadeno-, and circovirus strains were detected. The circovirus strains were classified into the genus Circovirus, exhibiting significant evolutionary divergence but forming a monophyletic clade within a group of fish circoviruses. The phylogenetic tree of turtles reflected their taxonomic relationships, showing a deep bifurcation between suborders and distinct monophyletic clades corresponding to families. A similar clustering pattern was observed among the testadenovirus strains in their phylogenetic tree. As a result, this screening of turtle samples revealed at least three new testadenoviruses, including the first sea turtle adenovirus, evidence of coevolution between testadenoviruses and their hosts, and the first turtle associated circoviruses. These findings underscore the need for further research on viruses in turtles, and more broadly in reptiles, to better understand their viral diversity and the evolutionary processes shaping host-virus interactions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This ecological study of time trends and multiple groups evaluated incompleteness in the race/colour field of Brazilian health information system records and the related time trend, 2009-2018, for the diseases and disorders most prevalent in the black population. The Romero and Cunha (2006) classification was applied in order to examine incompleteness using secondary data from Brazil's National Notifiable Diseases System, Hospital Information System and Mortality Information System, by administrative regions of Brazil, while percentage underreporting and time trend were calculated using simple linear regression models with Prais-Winsten correction (p-value<0.05). All records scored poorly except those for mortality from external causes (excellent), tuberculosis (good) and infant mortality (fair). An overall downward trend was observed in percentage incompleteness. Analysis by region found highest mean incompleteness in the North (30.5%), Northeast (33.3%) and Midwest (33.0%) regions. The Southeast and Northeast regions showed the strongest downward trends. The findings intended to increase visibility on the implications of the race/color field for health equity.

Background: This review aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile health applications (apps) use on medication adherence in heart failure (HF) patients, and to verify their quality of use., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS, Cochrane, Clinical Trial Registries, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Open Access Theses and dissertations (OATD), Annual Symposium Proceedings of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)., Results: Of the 836 records identified, eight studies (five randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and three observational studies) were included, totaling 484 participants, with a mean age ranging from 51.1 to 72 years and 65% were male. The apps improved medication adherence when compared with their comparators in only two RCTs (n = 111, Cohen d = 3.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.66; 3.80 and n = 80, d = 1.20, 95% CI 0.71; 1.66), and two observational studies, one of them with large effect size (n = 142, Cohen d = 1.51, 95% CI 1.12; 1.90). Apps proved to be more effective interventions than their comparators allowed continuous monitoring of patients. All included studies used self-report measures to assess medication adherence behaviors and their results should be interpreted with caution, as such tools may cause social desirability bias or recall bias., Conclusion: The included studies indicate a possible outcome in favor of the use of apps to improve medication adherence in HF patients, but with very low quality level of evidence. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of the use of apps, optimal frequency and duration of its use in HF patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This systematic review aimed to identify the influence of occupational stress on the body mass index of hospital workers. After registering the protocol at PROSPERO (CRD42022331846), we started this systematic review following a search in seven databases, gray literature, as well as manual search and contact with specialists. The selection of studies was performed independently by two evaluators following the inclusion criteria: observational studies evaluating adult hospital workers, in which occupational stress was considered exposure and body composition as a result. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to grade the certainty of the evidence. Qualitative results were presented and synthesized through a qualitative approach, with simplified information in a narrative form. A total of 12 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. This review comprised 10,885 workers (2312 men; 1582 women; and 6991 workers whose gender was not identified). Ten studies were carried out only with health workers, and two included workers from other sectors besides health workers. This review showed a relationship between occupational stress and changes in body mass index in hospital workers. However, most studies presented a moderate or high risk of bias and low quality of the evidence. These findings can be useful for clinical practice, administrators and leaders and provide insights for future research in the field of worker health in the hospital setting.

Four new species, namely Heilus rosadonetoi Lira, De Sousa & Marques sp. nov., Heilus christinae Lira, De Sousa & Marques sp. nov., Heilus vanini Lira, De Sousa & Marques sp. nov., and Heilus obrieni Lira, De Sousa & Marques sp. nov., are described from Brazil. The new species are illustrated with habitus photographs and drawings of male and female genitalia. The present study expands the diversity of the genus Heilus to include 22 species in the Neotropical region, with the highest number of species (16 species) distributed in Brazil.

This is an analysis of state management of Primary Health Care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bahia. It is a qualitative case study with interviews with managers and regulatory documents analyzed according to the categories of government project and government capacity. State PHC proposals were debated in the Bipartite Intermanagerial Commission and in the Public Health Operational Emergency Committee. The scope of the PHC project focused on the definition of specific actions to manage the health crisis with the municipalities. The institutional support of the state to the municipalities modulated inter-federative relations and was decisive in the elaboration of municipal contingency plans, training of teams and production and dissemination of technical standards. The capacity of the state government was dependent upon the degree of municipal autonomy and the availability of state technical references in the regions. The state strengthened institutional partnerships for dialogue with municipal managers, but mechanisms for articulation with the federal level and social control were not identified. This study contributes to the analysis of the role of states in the formulation and implementation of PHC actions mediated by inter-federative relationships in emergency public health contexts.

This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and the body composition of hospital workers subjected to occupational stressors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle, anthropometric, food consumption and occupational stress were collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 218 workers from a private hospital in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil were included in the study. After evaluating the normality of the data, parametric or non-parametric tests were used to characterize the sample. Dietary pattern was defined with Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the desired association. During the pandemic, work per shift increased by 8.2% ( p = 0.004) and working hours > 40 h/week increased by 9.2% ( p = 0.006). Despite the higher prevalence of low occupational stress (85.8% vs. 72.1%), high stress increased by 13.7% from 2019 to 2020 ( p < 0.001) and 30.3% reported a positive mediating effect on the variables of body composition, body mass index (b = 0.478; p < 0.001), waist circumference (b = 0.395; p = 0.001), fat-free mass (b = 0.440; p = 0.001) and fat mass (b = -0.104; p = 0.292). Therefore, a dietary pattern containing high-calorie foods was associated with changes in the body composition of hospital workers, including occupational stressors as mediators of this relationship.

Background: College students experience high stress levels during emergency remote classes in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is not clear whether this is due to the summation effect of both stressors (classes and pandemic). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate predictors of stress in college students before and during remote classes five months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: The study was conducted before (BRC, July-August 2020) and during remote classes (DRC, October-November 2020). The sample consisted of 177 individuals (80 in BRC, 97 in DRC). Students were asked to self-collect saliva for cortisol analysis at each moment of the study, and to fill out a form to characterize the individual and assess the chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and the stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10)., Results: There was no difference between the evaluated periods for cortisol, perceived stress or sleep quality. Predictors for cortisol levels were gender, academic semester, chronotype, sleep quality and sadness due to pandemic ( p <0.001)., Limitations: Short interval between BRC and DRC assessments of perceived stress and salivary cortisol., Conclusions: Age, sex, income, academic semester, chronotype, and the impact of the pandemic on mood are predictors of stress among college students. In addition, emergency remote classes and sleep quality contribute to less stress., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests related to this study., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Eating behavior is regulated by central and peripheral signals, which interact to modulate the response to nutrient intake. Central control is mediated by the hypothalamus through neuropeptides that activate the orexigenic and anorexigenic pathways. Energy homeostasis depends on the efficiency of these regulatory mechanisms. This neuroendocrine regulation of hunger and appetite can be modulated by nutritional sensors such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Thus, this systematic review discusses the literature on correlations between AMPK and hypothalamic neuropeptides regarding control of eating behavior. Lilacs, PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were searched for articles published from 2009 to 2021 containing combinations of the following descriptors: "eating behavior," "hypothalamus," "neuropeptide," and "AMPK." Of the 1330 articles found initially, 27 were selected after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the selected articles, 15 reported decreased AMPK activity, due to interventions using angiotensin II infusion, fructose, glucose, cholecystokinin, leptin, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection; dietary control through a low-protein diet or a high-fat diet (60 % fat); induction of hyperthyroidism; or injection of AMPK inhibitors. Seven studies showed a decrease in neuropeptide Y (NPY) through CV4 AICAR administration; fructose, glucose, leptin, or angiotensin II injections; or infusion of LPS from Escherichia coli and liver kinase B1 (LKB1) overexpression. Eleven studies reported a decrease in food consumption due to a decrease in AMPK activity and/or hypothalamic neuropeptides such as NPY. The results indicate that there is a relationship between AMPK and the control of eating behavior: a decrease in AMPK activity due to a dietary or non-dietary stimulus is associated with a consequent decrease in food intake. Furthermore, AMPK activity can be modulated by glucose, thyroid hormones, estradiol, leptin, and ghrelin., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two new Brazilian species of the genus Coelocephalapion Wagner, 1914 placed in the C. nodicorne species-group (Brentidae: Apioninae) reared from Euphorbiaceae are described and illustrated: Coelocephalapion paleariae sp. n. (Type locality: Botucatu, São Paulo state; reared from seeds Croton glandulosus L.) and Coelocephalapion geraldinhoi sp. n. (Type locality: Dores do Indaiá, Minas Gerais state; reared from leaf galls on Croton antisyphiliticus Mart.). Aside from species descriptions, we also provide a key to species of the C. nodicorne species-group.

Helminths possibly down-modulate immune responses to airborne allergens through the induction of a regulatory network. The identification of helminths bioactive molecules is highly desirable, given their immunomodulatory potential which could be used in immunotherapies for allergy and autoimmune diseases. To investigate the immunoregulatory potential of the adult Toxocara canis crude extract and ten protein fractions of its extract, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 10 allergic and 9 non-allergic individuals were cultivated, in vitro, in the presence or absence of these antigens, and their supernatants were evaluated for cytokine production (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-5, IL13, and IL-17). To determine the cell viability, the PBMC were cultivated for 24 h in the presence of the antigens and, following, they were subjected to a cytotoxicity assay. The viability of the PBMC was not affected by incubation with the T. canis antigens. As some fractions stimulated the production of immunoregulatory (TGF-β and/or IL-10), IL-12 and Th1 (TNF-α) cytokines, without stimulating Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL13) and IL-17, it was proposed that they would be potential candidates for further studies, especially involving the purification and characterization of specific proteins, which could be tested separately to evaluate their specific role as adjuvants in immunotherapy for inflammatory diseases., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study displays an assessment of SUS management in a Brazilian interstate health region. An evaluative study was conducted with levels of regional analysis and data production, combining interviews with key informants and documentary analysis. Sources and data were compared and linked to analytical categories of the Government Triangle, showing a cutout of the outcomes and the government's capacity assessment. There is a low capacity for government in interstate health regions when managers and co-management spaces are unable to influence regional political decisions, limiting themselves to normative and ratifying government strategies. Disparities in the management capacity among the border states prevent the sustainability of coordinating state decision-making goals, exposing that management strategies are not enough to institutionalize interstate regionalization. There is a predominance of low SUS governance capacity in interstate health regions, and its political pattern becomes an unclear project restricted to the ideological level. The broad documentary appreciation with the use of powerful theoretical referential are methodological contributions of this research for the political analysis of SUS management in spaces that were the least examined, such as interstate borders.

The polymorphisms of fatty acid desaturase genes FADS1 and FADS2 have been associated with an increase in weight gain. We investigated FADS1 and FADS2 gene polymorphisms and the relation between ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid plasma concentrations and gestational weight gain. A prospective cohort study of 199 pregnant women was followed in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Brazil. Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were measured at baseline and gestational weight gain during the first, second, and third trimesters. Fatty acid recognition was carried out with the aid of gas chromatography. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using real-time PCR. Statistical analyses included Structural Equation Modelling. A direct effect of FADS1 and FADS2 gene polymorphisms on gestational weight was observed; however, only the SNP rs174575 (FADS2) showed a significant positive direct effect on weight over the course of the pregnancy (0.106; p = 0.016). In terms of the influence of SNPs on plasma levels of PUFAs, it was found that SNP rs174561 (FADS1) and SNP rs174575 (FADS2) showed direct adverse effects on plasma concentrations of ω-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid and alpha-linoleic acid), and only SNP rs174575 had positive direct effects on plasma levels of ARA and the ARA/LA (arachidonic acid/linoleic acid) ratio, ω-6 products, while the SNP rs3834458 (FADS2) had an adverse effect on plasma concentrations of EPA, leading to its increase. Pregnant women who were heterozygous and homozygous for the minor allele of the SNP rs3834458 (FADS2), on the other hand, showed larger concentrations of series ω-3 substrates, which indicates a protective factor for women's health.

Abstract: This study aimed to review the scientific literature on the quality and safety of beef sold in retail, methodologies used for quality evaluation, and proposed interventions for the sector. Bibliographical research was performed to identify scientific articles using the electronic databases Ovid, PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, Scopus, and Embase. Thirty-three articles were included in the review. Given the different dimensions of the studies, the results were organized into three categories, according to the following approaches: food, environment, and handlers; consumers and selection criteria; and intervention strategies for the retail sector. The applied methodological strategies revealed inadequate conditions and neglect in several processing and operation stages that are fundamental to the maintenance of quality standards. The results confirm a worrying scenario and the presence of risks to consumers. Based on the studies evaluated, it is necessary to emphasize consumer concern about the importance of the integrated information chain-all stages involved in the production process and meat distribution for retail meat stores. The reported conditions from different studies indicate the need for interventions with a view to prevention of health risks, continued training of food handlers, and transformation of evidenced realities. In this context, it is possible to point out the predominance of diagnostic studies, in contrast with interventional studies focused on the training and qualification of food handlers., (Copyright ©, International Association for Food Protection.)