Occupational safety and health practices among flower greenhouses workers from Alto Tiete region (Brazil)

In this preliminary study the occupational safety and health practices among flower greenhouses workers were evaluated. The study was carried out in the alto Tiete region, located at the Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Inadequate welfare facilities; poor pesticide storage, use and disposal conditions; use of highly toxic pesticides; lack of adequate data regarding pesticide use; and incorrect use and maintenance of PPE were observed in most of the visited greenhouses. These results suggest that, in greenhouses, workers may be at higher risk of pesticide exposure, due to many factors that can intensify the exposure such as the lack of control on reentry intervals after pesticide application. Specific regulations are needed to ensure better OSH practices on pesticide use and to improve working conditions in greenhouses, in order to deal with the peculiarities of greenhouse working environment. Some of the special requirements for greenhouses workers' protection are the establishment of ventilation criteria for restricted entry interval; clear reentry restrictions; and EPI for workers other than applicators that need to enter the greenhouse before expiring REI interval. Another important way to improve OSH practices among workers includes the distribution of simple guidelines on the dos and don'ts regarding OSH practices in greenhouses and extensively training interventions to change the perception of hazards and the behavior towards risk. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhancement of blood-tumor barrier permeability by Sar-[D-Phe8]des-Arg9BK, a metabolically resistant bradykinin B1 agonist, in a rat C6 glioma model

Abstract Background While it is well known that bradykinin B2 agonists increase plasma protein extravasation (PPE) in brain tumors, the bradykinin B1 agonists tested thus far are unable to produce this effect. Here we examine the effect of the selective B1 agonist bradykinin (BK) Sar-[D-Phe8]des-Arg9BK (SAR), a compound resistant to enzymatic degradation with prolonged activity on PPE in the blood circulation in the C6 rat glioma model. Results SAR administration significantly enhanced PPE in C6 rat brain glioma compared to saline or BK (p < 0.01). Pre-administration of the bradykinin B1 antagonist [Leu8]-des-Arg (100 nmol/Kg) blocked the SAR-induced PPE in the tumor area. Conclusions Our data suggest that the B1 receptor modulates PPE in the blood tumor barrier of C6 glioma. A possible role for the use of SAR in the chemotherapy of gliomas deserves further study.

Atitudes dos profissionais de enfermagem relacionadas ao Processo de Enfermagem

Os objetivos do estudo foram descrever a disposição sobre o Processo de Enfermagem (PE) e a percepção de poder clínico dos profissionais de enfermagem; analisar associações entre atitudes relacionadas ao PE e variáveis selecionadas. Participaram 1.605 auxiliares de enfermagem e enfermeiros (86,9% mulheres, idade média 44,12 anos; DP=9,55). O escore médio no instrumento Posições sobre o Processo de Enfermagem (PPE) foi 112,37 (DP=22,28) e no Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool - versão brasileira (PKPCT) foi 281,12 (DP= 38,72). Os escores nos instrumentos foram mais altos para enfermeiros quando comparados aos auxiliares. Houve correlação positiva moderada entre escores do PPE e PKPCT. Para os auxiliares houve associação entre os escores no PPE, sexo e pós-graduação; e entre percepção de poder e sexo. Para os enfermeiros houve associação entre PKPCT e cargo de chefia. Mais estudos devem ser desenvolvidos com vistas a identificar variáveis potencialmente associadas ao uso do Processo de Enfermagem na prática clínica.