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Objective: Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is an occupational illness caused by dermal absorption of nicotine from tobacco leaves. It affects thousands of farm workers worldwide. Brazil is the second tobacco producer in the world; despite this, there are few studies on GTS among Brazilian harvesters. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GTS among a population of tobacco workers from a producing area in northeastern Brazil and investigate whether the occurrence of the disease was influenced by factors such age, gender and smoking status. In addition, it was investigated if there was association between the onset of GTS and genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode some detoxification enzymes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, behavioral and occupational data from the referred workers. Polymorphisms were tested through the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Results: The total prevalence of GTS found was 56.9%, with a significant difference between genders (71.7% for women and 35.3% for men, p < 0.0001). No association was identified between the investigated polymorphisms and GTS. This study confirms the occurrence of GTS among tobacco harvesters in Brazil with high prevalence. The investigation suggests the need to take preventive measures to protect tobacco workers against this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sabicea species are used in the Amazon for treatment of fever and malaria, which suggests that its chemical constituents may have some effect on pain and inflammation. Phytochemical analysis of the hexane fraction obtained from the crude ethanol extract from Sabicea grisea var. grisea Cham. & Schltdl (Rubiaceae), an endemic plant in Brazil, resulted in the isolation of octacosanol. This study investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the octacosanol in different experimental models. The crude ethanolic extract and hexane fraction obtained from the leaves of S. grisea produced an inhibition of acetic acid-induced pain. Moreover, octacosanol isolated from the hexane fraction produced a significant inhibition of pain response elicited by acetic acid. Pre-treatment with yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, notably reversed the antinociceptive activity induced by octacosanol in the abdominal constriction test. Furthermore, mice treated with octacosanol did not exhibit any behavioral alteration during the hot plate and rota-rod tests, indicating non-participation of the supraspinal components in the modulation of pain by octacosanol with no motor abnormality. In the formalin test, octacosanol did not inhibit the licking time in first phase (neurogenic pain), but significantly inhibited the licking time in second phase (inflammatory pain) of mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of octacosanol was evaluated using carrageenan-induced pleurisy. The octacosanol significantly reduced the total leukocyte count and neutrophils influx, as well as TNF-α levels in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy. This study revealed that the mechanism responsible for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the octacosanol appears to be partly associated with an inhibition of alpha 2-adrenergic transmission and an inhibition of pathways dependent on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, these results demonstrated that the octacosanol from the leaves of S. grisea possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, which could be of relevance for the pharmacological control of pain and inflammatory processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ethanolic extract of coconut husk fiber (EEYD) showed photoprotective and antiglycation activities. • Formulations with EEYD presented excellent sun protection factor values. • The viability of macrophage is not decreased by EEYD. • In the sunscreen, the active ingredient is EEYD. • Extra value to an environmental-unfriendly residue is given. Underutilized parts of some abundant crops can be valuable and the search for additional uses, mainly in healthy and for social purposes are very attractive. This is the case of Cocos nucifera Linn., an important source of phenolic compounds and a native plant of tropical countries, widely distributed in the Northeast and North of Brazil. The objectives of this study were to determine the phenolic chemical composition, the photoprotection capacity, represented by sun protector factor (SPF), of the ethanol extract of coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk fiber of the yellow dwarf variety (EEYD) against UVB rays and after its incorporation into sunscreen formulations. Antiglycation activity [represented by bovine serum albumin (BSA) – glucose/fructose, Collagen – glucose/fructose and BSA-Methylglyoxal (MG) assays], using aminoguanidine (AG) as a positive control, and cytotoxic effects toward macrophages, were also evaluated. The identification of non-toxic antiglycation agents holds great promise in the development of alternative therapies for diseases, such as diabetes and their complications and is not often, reported in the literature. The determination of the SPF of the EEYD together with its sunscreen formulations was performed by in vitro method. A total of seven phenolic compounds, quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, vanillic, caffeic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and chlorogenic acids were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV/Vis and ultra high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometer UHPLC-MS/MS. The present extract (EEYD) presented photoprotective activity with SPF values equivalent to the standards, benzophenone-3 and quercetin. The formulations prepared in different concentrations of the extract (5–20 % w/w) showed maximum SPF values of 15.94. The extract presented promising antiglycation activity, higher than the positive control, the pure compound aminoguanidine (AG), except for BSA/MG, with values for BSA/glucose/fructose of 9.61 μg/mL (vs. AG 18.30 μg/mL); for collagen/glucose/fructose of 4.50 μg/mL (vs. AG 82.87 μg/mL) and 34.76 μg/mL (vs. AG ,13.19 μg/mL). The present ethanol extract does not decrease macrophage viability and presents a plethora of biologically active compounds. The combined results have shown the possibility of using non-toxic EEYD, as an active ingredient in sunscreen formulations and in the nutrition/medicinal areas, giving extra value to an environmental-unfriendly residue, with strong prospects for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, temporal, and spatial dynamics ofleprosy in a municipality in northeastern Brazil., Methods: This is an ecological study on new leprosy cases in the population of Arapiraca (Alagoas, Northeast Region, Brazil), from 2008 to 2017. Data extracted from a national database were analyzed forepidemiological indicators, factors associated with physical disabilities, and spatialanalysis in the neighborhoods of Arapiraca., Results: A total of 292 new cases of leprosy were recorded, particularly occurring among the following groups: women, the age group of 46-59 years, brown-skinned individuals, people with less than eight years of schooling, and urban residents; the new cases were also predominantly the tuberculoid form and were of the paucibacillary classification of the disease. Almost 1/3 of the people had some degree of physical disability, which was mainly associated with the group 60 years of age and older, black ethnicity, and the multibacillary clinical form of leprosy. The joinpoint regression showed a stationary temporal behavior of indicators. There was a heterogeneous spatial distribution with active transmission areas, especially in the neighborhoods Primavera, Baixão, Ouro Preto, and downtown., Conclusions: The epidemiological indicators revealed complexity in the process of leprosy development. These spatial and temporal studies are relevant to help in the planning, monitoring, and guidance of interventions in the municipality. The spatial analysis showed heterogeneous distribution in the analyzed neighborhoods.