Fortune Homsani

O uso racional de medicamentos é um componente-chave das recomendações da OMS para a assistência à saúde. Logo, ações de educação em saúde que o promovam são fundamentais para melhores indicadores de saúde, qualidade de vida e redução de gastos públicos. O presente trabalho descreve as experiências da ação “O remédio é a informação”, cujas atividades em escolas públicas do estado do Rio de Janeiro integram o projeto de extensão multidisciplinar “Estabelecimento de uma relação multidisciplinar construtiva com as escolas públicas: uma contribuição da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro”. Três escolas receberam a equipe de pesquisa e, com base nas demandas levantadas por seus docentes, os estudantes da Farmácia Universitária da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro produziram materiais educativos e, em parceria com seus professores, planejaram campanhas educativas. As oficinas foram realizadas entre os anos 2016 e 2019. As ações reuniram 23 professores e cerca de 2900 alunos do ensino fundamental e médio. Ademais, a Farmácia Universitária recebeu cerca de 150 escolares no mesmo período em seus laboratórios. A experiência de participar de atividades pedagógicas para além dos limites da universidade criou novas oportunidades de aprendizagem e ensino para os estudantes. A atividade de extensão através do intercâmbio de vivências trouxe benefícios para todos os participantes e promoveu a conscientização da comunidade a respeito do uso racional de medicamentos. Palavras-chave: Promoção da saúde; Educação básica; Automedicação Health education as an articulated strategy between university pharmacy and public schools in the state of Rio de Janeiro to promote the rational use of medicines Abstract:  The rational use of medicines is a crucial component of the WHO health care recommendations. Therefore, its promotion through health education is essential for better health indicators, quality of life, and reduce public expenses. This work describes the experiences of the project called 'Information is the medicine', whose activities in public schools in the state of Rio de Janeiro are part of the multidisciplinary extension project entitled "Establishment of a constructive multidisciplinary relationship with public schools: a contribution from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro." The research team visited three schools and, based on the demands raised by their teaching staff, the University Pharmacy interns produced educational materials and, in partnership with their professors, planned educational campaigns. The workshops were held between 2016 and 2019. The actions brought together 23 teachers and about 2900 elementary and high school students. In addition, the University Pharmacy laboratories were visited by about 150 students in the same period. The experience in pedagogical activities beyond the confines of the university has created novel learning and teaching opportunities for students. The extension activity through the exchange of experiences benefited all participants and promoted community awareness toward the rational use of medicines. Keywords: Health promotion; Basic education; Self-medication

Homeopathic medicine is defined as the pharmaceutical form obtained by the method of dilutions followed by successive succussions or crushing. Clinical homeopathic results have proven the efficacy of these drugs by different experimental models. However, with regard to the dynamics of solid systems, scientific knowledge is still very undeveloped. In this context, in 2013, a Multicentric Project (Brazil-Italy) was started with the objective of expanding the studies of this system using dynamized solid systems prepared with metallic zinc in lactose (ZnMet). In this way, the present work evaluated the physical-chemical and structural changes resulting from the trituration process. The X-ray diffraction results indicated no changes in the crystalline structure of the lactose after the grinding process and also the presence of the zinc signal in the first potency (ZnMet 1dH). Evaluation of differential exploratory calorimetry data shows that both the presence of zinc and the dynamization process alter the enthalpy values of the solid system as well as the dehydration temperature. In the Raman spectroscopy analysis, the amplitude and area of ZnMet (3 dH and 6 dH) samples were observed, especially in the region with the highest truss vibration (from 200 cm⁻¹ to 500 cm⁻¹). In the infrared spectroscopy analyses, a decrease in signal intensity due to the dynamization process and the presence of zinc was observed, suggesting the formation of a complex between the metal and lactose. The scanning electron microscopy evaluation showed small particles with rough appearance on the lactose surface, indicating the adsorption of zinc to lactose. This set of results suggests that the presence of zinc and the grinding process alter the enthalpy, polarization and vibration of chemical bonds of the dynamized solid system, and these methodologies are sensitive enough to characterize these homeopathic systems. Keywords: Physical-chemistry, Homeopathy, Zinc, lactose, dynamization

Available treatments against human fungal pathogens present high levels of resistance, motivating the development of new antifungal therapies. In this context, the present work aimed to analyze direct electric current (DC) antifungal action, using an in vitro apparatus equipped with platinum electrodes. Candida albicans yeast cells were submitted to three distinct conditions of DC treatment (anodic flow—AF; electroionic flow—EIF; and cathodic flow—CF), as well as different charges, ranging from 0.03 to 2.40 C. Our results indicated C. albicans presented distinct sensibility depending on the DC intensity and polarity applied. Both the colony‐forming unit assay and the cytometry flow with propidium iodide indicated a drastic reduction on cellular viability after AF treatment with 0.15 C, while CF‐ and EIF‐treated cells stayed alive when DC doses were increased up to 2.40 C. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy revealed important ultrastructural alterations in AF‐treated yeasts, including cell structure disorganization, ruptures in plasmatic membrane, and cytoplasmic rarefaction. This work emphasizes the importance of physical parameters (polarity and doses) in cellular damage, and brings new evidence for using electrotherapy to treat C. albicans pathology process. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:95–108, 2017.