Flor��stica e fitossociologia em parcelas permanentes da Mata Atl��ntica do sudeste do Brasil ao longo de um gradiente altitudinal

Este trabalho resume os dados de flor��stica e fitossociologia de 11, das 14 parcelas de 1 ha, alocadas ao longo do gradiente altitudinal da Serra do Mar, São Paulo, Brasil. As parcelas come��am na cota 10 m (Floresta de Restinga da Praia da Fazenda, munic��pio de Ubatuba) e est��o distribu��das at�� a cota 1100 m (Floresta Ombr��fila Densa Montana da Trilha do rio Itamambuca, munic��pio de São Luis do Paraitinga) abrangendo os N��cleos Picinguaba e Santa Virg��nia do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar. Na Restinga o solo �� Neossolo Quartzar��nico francamente arenoso, enquanto que na encosta o solo �� um Cambisolo H��plico Distr��fico argilo-arenoso, sendo que todas as parcelas apresentaram solo ��cido (pH 3 ��� 4) com alta dilui����o de nutrientes e alta satura����o de alum��nio. Na Restinga e no sop�� da encosta o clima �� Tropical/Subtropical ��mido (Af/Cfa), sem esta����o seca, com precipita����o m��dia anual superior a 2.200 mm e temperatura m��dia anual de 22 ��C. Subindo a encosta mant��m-se a m��dia de precipita����o, mas h�� um gradativo resfriamento, de forma que a 1.100 m o clima �� Subtropical ��mido (Cfa/Cfb), sem esta����o seca, com temperatura m��dia anual de 17 ��C. Destaca-se ainda que, quase diariamente, a parte superior da encosta, geralmente acima de 400 m, �� coberta por uma densa neblina. Nas 14 parcelas foram marcados, medidos e amostrados 21.733 indiv��duos com DAP ��� 4,8 cm, incluindo ��rvores, palmeiras e fetos arborescentes. O n��mero m��dio de indiv��duos amostrados nas 14 parcelas foi de 1.264 ind.ha���1 (�� 218 EP de 95%). Dentro dos par��metros considerados predominaram as ��rvores (71% FOD Montana a 90% na Restinga), seguidas de palmeiras (10% na Restinga a 25% na FOD Montana) e fetos arborescentes (0% na Restinga a 4% na FOD Montana). Neste aspecto destaca-se a FOD Terras Baixas Exploradas com apenas 1,8% de palmeiras e surpreendentes 10% de fetos arborescentes. O dossel �� irregular, com altura variando de 7 a 9 m, raramente as ��rvores emergentes chegam a 18 m, e a irregularidade do dossel permite a entrada de luz suficiente para o desenvolvimento de centenas de esp��cies ep��fitas. Com exce����o da FOD Montana, onde o n��mero de mortos foi superior a 5% dos indiv��duos amostrados, nas demais fitofisionomias este valor ficou abaixo de 2,5%. Nas 11 parcelas onde foi realizado o estudo flor��stico foram encontradas 562 esp��cies distribu��das em 195 g��neros e 68 fam��lias. Apenas sete esp��cies ��� Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae), Calyptranthes lucida Mart. ex DC. e Marlierea tomentosa Cambess (ambas Myrtaceae), Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz (Nyctaginaceae), Cupania oblongifolia Mart. (Sapindaceae) e as Urticaceae Cecropia glaziovii Snethl. e Coussapoa microcarpa (Schott) Rizzini ��� ocorreram da Floresta de Restinga �� FOD Montana, enquanto outras 12 esp��cies s�� n��o ocorreram na Floresta de Restinga. As fam��lias com o maior n��mero de esp��cies são Myrtaceae (133 spp), Fabaceae (47 spp), 125 Fitossociologia em parcelas permanentes de Mata Atl��ntica http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v12n1/pt/abstract?article+bn01812012012 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br Biota Neotrop., vol. 12, no. 1 Introdu����o A Mata Atl��ntica sensu lato (Joly et al. 1999) �� a segunda maior floresta tropical do continente americano (Tabarelli et al. 2005). A maior parte dos Sistemas de Classifica����o da vegeta����o brasileira reconhece que no Dom��nio Atl��ntico (sensu Ab���Saber 1977) esse bioma pode ser dividido em dois grandes grupos: a Floresta Ombr��fila Densa, t��pica da regi��o costeira e das escarpas serranas com alta pluviosidade (Mata Atl��ntica ��� MA ��� sensu stricto), e a Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, que ocorre no interior, onde a pluviosidade, al��m de menor, �� sazonal. Na regi��o costeira podem ocorrer tamb��m Manguezais (Schaeffer-Novelli 2000), ao longo da foz de rios de m��dio e grande porte, e as Restingas (Scarano 2009), crescendo sobre a plan��cie costeira do quatern��rio. No topo das montanhas, geralmente acima de 1500 m, est��o os Campos de Altitude (Ribeiro & Freitas 2010). Em 2002, a Funda����o SOS Mata Atl��ntica em parceria com o INPE (Instituto..., 2002) realizaram um levantamento que indica que h�� apenas 7,6% da cobertura original da Mata Atl��ntica (s.l.). Mais recentemente Ribeiro et al. (2009) refinaram a estimativa incluindo fragmentos menores, que n��o haviam sido contabilizados, e conclu��ram que resta algo entre 11,4 e 16% da ��rea original. Mesmo com esta fragmenta����o, o mosaico da Floresta Atl��ntica brasileira possui um dos maiores n��veis de endemismos do mundo (Myers et al. 2000) e cerca da metade desses remanescentes de grande extensão est��o protegidos na forma de Unidades de Conserva����o (Galindo & C��mara 2005). Entre os dois centros de endemismo reconhecidos para a MA (Fiaschi & Pirani 2009), o bloco das regi��es sudeste/sul �� o que conserva elementos da por����o sul de Gondwana (Sanmartin & Ronquist 2004), tido como a forma����o florestal mais antiga do Brasil (Colombo & Joly 2010). Segundo Hirota (2003), parte dos remanescentes de MA est�� no estado de São Paulo, onde cerca de 80% de sua ��rea era coberta por florestas (Victor 1977) genericamente enquadradas como Mata Atl��ntica ���sensu lato��� (Joly et al. 1999). Dados de Kronka et al. (2005) mostram que no estado restam apenas 12% de ��rea de mata e menos do que 5% são efetivamente florestas nativas pouco antropizadas. Nos 500 anos de fragmenta����o e degrada����o das forma����es naturais, foram poupadas apenas as regi��es serranas, principalmente a fachada da Serra do Mar, por serem impr��prias para pr��ticas agr��colas. Usando o sistema fision��mico-ecol��gico de classifica����o da vegeta����o brasileira adotado pelo IBGE (Veloso et al. 1991), a Floresta Ombr��fila Densa, na ��rea de dom��nio da Mata Atl��ntica, foi subdividida em quatro facia����es ordenadas segundo a hierarquia topogr��fica, que refletem fisionomias de acordo com as varia����es das faixas altim��tricas e latitudinais. No estado de São Paulo, na latitude entre 16 e 24 ��S temos: 1) Floresta Ombr��fila Densa das Terras Baixas - 5 a 50 m de altitude; 2) Floresta Ombr��fila Densa Submontana ��� no sop�� da Serra do Mar, com cotas de altitude variando entre 50 e 500 m; 3) Floresta Ombr��fila Densa Montana ��� recobrindo a encosta da Serra do Mar propriamente dita, em altitudes que variam de 500 a 1.200 m; 4) Floresta Ombr��fila Densa Altimontana ��� ocorrendo no topo da Serra do Mar, acima dos limites estabelecidos para a forma����o montana, onde a vegeta����o praticamente deixa de ser arb��rea, pois predominam os campos de altitude. Nas ��ltimas tr��s d��cadas muita informa����o vem sendo acumulada sobre a composi����o flor��stica e a estrutura do estrato arb��reo dos remanescentes florestais do estado, conforme mostram as revis��es de Oliveira-Filho & Fontes (2000) e Scudeller et al. (2001). Em florestas tropicais este tipo de informa����o, assim como dados sobre a riqueza de esp��cies, reflete n��o s�� fatores evolutivos e biogeogr��ficos, como tamb��m o hist��rico de perturba����o, natural ou antr��pica, das respectivas ��reas (Gentry 1992, Hubbell & Foster 1986). A s��ntese dessas informa����es tem permitido a defini����o de unidades fitogeogr��ficas com diferentes padr��es de riqueza de esp��cies e apontam para uma diferencia����o, entre as florestas paulistas, no sentido leste/oeste (Salis et al. 1995, Torres et al. 1997, Santos et al. 1998). Segundo Bakker et al. (1996) um m��todo adequado para acompanhar e avaliar as mudan��as na composi����o das esp��cies e din��mica da floresta ao longo do tempo �� por meio de parcelas permanentes (em ingl��s Permanent Sample Plots ���PSPs). Essa metodologia tem sido amplamente utilizada em estudos de longa dura����o em florestas tropicais, pois permite avaliar a composi����o e a estrutura florestal e monitorar sua mudan��a no tempo (Dallmeier 1992, Condit 1995, Sheil 1995, Malhi et al. 2002, Lewis et al. 2004). Permite avaliar tamb��m as consequ��ncias para a floresta de problemas como o aquecimento global e a polui����o atmosf��rica (Bakker et al. 1996). No Brasil os projetos/programas que utilizam a metodologia de Parcelas Permanentes tiveram origem, praticamente, com o Projeto Rubiaceae (49) e Lauraceae (49) ao longo de todo gradiente da FOD e Monimiaceae (21) especificamente nas parcelas da FOD Montana. Em termos de n��mero de indiv��duos as fam��lias mais importantes foram Arecaceae, Rubiaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae, Lauraceae e na FOD Montana, Monimiaceae. Somente na parcela F, onde ocorreu explora����o de madeira entre 1960 e 1985, a abund��ncia de palmeiras foi substitu��da pelas Cyatheaceae. O gradiente estudado apresenta um pico da diversidade e riqueza nas altitudes intermedi��rias (300 a 400 m) ao longo da encosta (��ndice de Shannon-Weiner - H��� - variando de 3,96 a 4,48 nats.indiv��duo���1). Diversas explica����es para este resultado são apresentadas neste trabalho, incluindo o fato dessas altitudes estarem nos limites das expans��es e retra����es das diferentes fitofisionomias da FOD Atl��ntica durante as flutua����es clim��ticas do Pleistoceno. Os dados aqui apresentados demonstram a extraordin��ria riqueza de esp��cies arb��reas da Floresta Ombr��fila Densa Atl��ntica dos N��cleos Picinguaba e Santa Virg��nia do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, refor��ando a import��ncia de sua conserva����o ao longo de todo o gradiente altitudinal. A diversidade desta floresta justifica tamb��m o investimento de longo prazo, atrav��s de parcelas permanentes, para compreender sua din��mica e funcionamento, bem como monitorar o impacto das mudan��as clim��ticas nessa vegeta����o.

Morphological aspects of the ovaries of turtle Kinosternon scorpioides raised in captivity

Chaves E.P., Oliveira S.C.R., Araujo L.P.F., Oliveira A.S., Miglino M.A., Abreu-Silva A.L., Melo F.A. & Sousa A.L. 2012. Morphological aspects of the ovaries of turtle Kinosternon scorpioides raised in captivity. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(7):667-671. Departamento das Clinicas, Curso de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade Estadual do Maranhao, Cidade Universitaria Paulo VI, Tirirical, Sao Luis, MA 65050-150, Brazil. E-mail: alana@elo.com.br The swear turtle "jurara" (Kinosternon scorpioides) is a mud turtle of the Amazon region exposed to disordering capture in the rural areas of Maranhao, Brazil. Despite its popularity in these areas, little meaningful information regarding the reproductive morphology is currently available, fact that impedes the adoption of policies for preservation of the species. To obtain more information, we studied the ovarian morphology adult jurara females kept in captivity by morphological and morphometric analysis in the dry and rainy season. The results revealed that all females were sexually mature and were in a vitellogenic period. The ovaries are two irregular structures composed by follicles in different stages of development (primary, secondary and tertiary) scattered in a stroma of loose connective highly vascularized tissue. The ovary weight was 6.25+/-4.23g and 2.27+/-1.42g, for the right and left one respectively. The gonadosomatic indexes were 2.06% for the dry season and 1.79% for the rainy season. The average of the follicles was 29.83 units per ovary. Microscopically, the mature ovaries revealed a basal layer composed by four cellular layers: the inner and outer theca, stratum granulosum with perivitelline membrane and zona radiata with vitelline membrane. No significant differences were observed in the ovaries either in the dry or wet period.

Soropreval��ncia e vari��veis epidemiol��gicas associadas �� leishmaniose visceral canina em ��rea end��mica no Munic��pio de São Lu��s, Maranh��o, Brasil

Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a soropreval��ncia e as vari��veis epidemiol��gicas associadas com a infec����o de Leishmania spp. em c��es de cinco localidades no Distrito do Tirirical no munic��pio de São Lu��s, Maranh��o. Foram visitadas 72 moradias, perfazendo uma amostra de cem c��es domiciliados, e aplicados question��rios com o objetivo de determinar os fatores que poderiam estar relacionados com a ocorr��ncia da infec����o. Utilizaram-se como vari��veis: proximidade da moradia com a mata, exist��ncia de cria����o/abrigo de animais de produ����o e de animais silvestres, sexo, idade, ra��a, al��m de exame cl��nico do animal, com observa����o da presen��a de sinais cl��nicos compat��veis com a doen��a. A an��lise sorol��gica demonstrou que 67 amostras apresentaram-se positivas para Leishmania spp. Os sinais cl��nicos observados foram linfadenopatia localizada, alopecia, pelo opaco, emagrecimento, ��lceras cut��neas, descama����o furfur��cea, ceratoconjuntivite, e onicogrifose. Animais das localidades Cruzeiro de Santa B��rbara e Cajupari, ambas localizadas pr��ximas de matas, t��m 3,4 e 12,0 vezes mais chances de serem soropositivos para Leishmania spp. do que aqueles das outras localidades estudadas. N��o se verificou correla����o entre as outras vari��veis estudadas e soropositividade para Leishmania spp.

Stress urinary incontinence in climacteric women in a northeastern Brazilian municipality: a household survey

Low socioeconomic factors may influence the development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Thus far, there is little research available on SUI in developing countries. We aimed to determine whether the prevalence of SUI in a northeastern Brazilian municipality was higher or lower than in the general female population. Cross-sectional household cluster study of 1,180 climacteric women in the So Luis municipality (Maranho state, Brazil) was conducted using a standardized questionnaire that was previously tested in a pilot study and administered by interviewers to obtain socioeconomic and cultural information, climacteric aspects, and life habits related to SUI. From this population, 15.34% (n = 181) had SUI; this prevalence did not change with age. More than half (57.92%) of the patients replied that they had not consulted a physician for their SUI. The presence of SUI was not associated with any socioeconomic or gynecological variables after multivariate analysis. The prevalence of SUI in So Luis was similar to the rates observed in the general global female population. Socioeconomic and gynecological variables were not associated with SUI.

A transmission problem for beams on nonlinear supports

A transmission problem involving two Euler-Bernoulli equations modeling the vibrations of a composite beam is studied. Assuming that the beam is clamped at one extremity, and resting on an elastic bearing at the other extremity, the existence of a unique global solution and decay rates of the energy are obtained by adding just one damping device at the end containing the bearing mechanism.

Risk factors associated with death in Brazilian children with severe dengue: a case-control study

Objective: The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate risk factors associated with death in children with severe dengue. Methods: The clinical condition of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who died (cases, n���=���18) was compared with that of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who survived (controls, n���=���77). The inclusion criteria for this study were age under 13 years; hospital admission in São Luis, northeastern Brazil; and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of dengue. Results: Severe bleeding (hemoptysis), a defining criterion for dengue severity, was the factor most strongly associated with death in our study. We also found that epistaxis and persistent vomiting, both included as warning signs in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of dengue, were strongly associated with death. No significant association was observed between any of the laboratory findings and death. Conclusions: The finding that epistaxis and persistent vomiting were also associated with death in children with severe dengue was unexpected and deserves to be explored in future studies. Because intensive care units are often limited in resource-poor settings, any information that can help to distinguish patients with severe dengue with a higher risk to progress to death may be crucial.

Possible early foraminiferans in post-Sturtian (716-635 Ma) cap carbonates

Foraminifera are an ecologically important group of modern heterotrophic amoeboid eukaryotes whose naked and testate ancestors are thought to have evolved similar to 1 Ga ago. However, the single-chambered agglutinated tests of these protists appear in the fossil record only after ca. 580 Ma, coinciding with the appearance of macroscopic and mineralized animals. Here we report the discovery of small, slender tubular microfossils in the Sturtian (ca. 716-635 Ma) cap carbonate of the Rasthof Formation in Namibia. The tubes are 200-1300 mu m long and 20-70 mu m wide, and preserve apertures and variably wide lumens, folds, constrictions, and ridges. Their sometimes flexible walls are composed of carbonaceous material and detrital minerals. This combination of morphological and compositional characters is also present in some species of modern single-chambered agglutinated tubular foraminiferans, and is not found in other agglutinated eukaryotes. The preservation of possible early Foraminifera in the carbonate rocks deposited in the immediate aftermath of Sturtian low-latitude glaciation indicates that various morphologically modern protists thrived in microbially dominated ecosystems, and contributed to the cycling of carbon in Neoproterozoic oceans much before the rise of complex animals.

Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.

Alien shrimps in evidence: new records of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 on the coast of So Paulo, southern Brazil (Caridea: Alpheidae)

The occurrence of two alien alpheid shrimps of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 [in Leach 1813-1814], the Indo-West Pacific A. dimorphus Ortmann, 1894 and the Eastern Atlantic A. nitescens (Leach, 1813 [in Leach 1813-1814]), on the coast of the state of So Paulo, Brazil, is reported. The presence of A. dimorphus extends the range of this species in the western Atlantic farther to the south in Brazil, whereas A. nitescens is reported for the first time in the western Atlantic, representing the second alien alpheid species on this side of the Atlantic and the twenty-first decapod crustacean introduced in Brazil. We provide morphological accounts of the material examined and illustrate the most important diagnostic characters of both species. An overview of the possible mechanisms of their introduction on the coast of So Paulo is also provided.

The 1420 Ma Indiavai Mafic Intrusion (SW Amazonian Craton): Paleomagnetic results and implications for the Columbia supercontinent

The configuration and the timing of assembly and break-up of Columbia are still matter of debate. In order to improve our knowledge about the Mesoproterozoic evolution of Columbia, a paleomagnetic study was carried out on the 1420 Ma Indiavai mafic intrusive rocks that crosscut the polycyclic Proterozoic basement of the SW Amazonian Craton, in southwestern Mato Grosso State (Brazil). Alternating field and thermal demagnetization revealed south/southwest ChRM directions with downward inclinations for sixteen analyzed sites. These directions are probably carried by SD/PSD magnetite with high coercivities and high unblocking temperatures as indicated by additional rock magnetic tests, including thermomagnetic data, hysteresis data and the progressive acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization. Different stable magnetization components isolated in host rocks from the basement 10 km NW away to the Indiavai intrusion, further support the primary origin of the ChRM. A mean of the site mean directions was calculated at Dm = 209.8 degrees, Im = 50.7 degrees (alpha(95) = 8.0 degrees, K = 22.1), which yielded a paleomagnetic pole located at 249.7 degrees E, 57.0 degrees S (A(95) = 8.6 degrees). The similarity of this pole with the recently published 1420 Ma pole from the Nova Guarita dykes in northern Mato Grosso State suggests a similar tectonic framework for these two sites located 600 km apart, implying the bulk rigidity of the Rondonian-San Ignacio crust at that time. Furthermore these data provide new insights on the tectonic significance of the 1100-1000 Ma Nova Brasilandia belt-a major EW feature that cuts across the basement rocks of this province, which can now be interpreted as intracratonic, in contrast to previous interpretation. From a global perspective, a new Mesoproterozoic paleogeography of Columbia has been proposed based on comparison of these 1420 Ma poles and a 1780 Ma pole from Amazonia with other paleomagnetic poles of similar age from Baltica and Laurentia, a reconstruction in agreement with geological correlations. (C) 2012 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.

Are mental health problems and depression associated with bruxism in children?

Renner AC, da Silva AAM, Rodriguez JDM, Simoes VMF, Barbieri MA, Bettiol H, Thomaz EBAF, Saraiva MC. Are mental health problems and depression associated with bruxism in children? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011. (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract Objectives: Previous studies have found an association between bruxism and emotional and behavioral problems in children, but reported data are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of bruxism, and of its components clenching and grinding, and its associations with mental problems and depression. Methods: Data from two Brazilian birth cohorts were analyzed: one from 869 children in Ribeirao Preto RP (Sao Paulo), a more developed city, and the other from 805 children in Sao Luis SL (Maranhao). Current bruxism evaluated by means of a questionnaire applied to the parents/persons responsible for the children was defined when the habit of tooth clenching during daytime and/or tooth grinding at night still persisted until the time of the assessment. Additionally, the lifetime prevalence of clenching during daytime only and grinding at night only was also evaluated. Mental health problems were investigated using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and depression using the Childrens Depression Inventory (CDI). Analyses were carried out for each city: with the SDQ subscales (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems, attention/hyperactivity disorder), with the total score (sum of the subscales), and with the CDI. These analyses were performed considering different response variables: bruxism, clenching only, and grinding only. The risks were estimated using a Poisson regression model. Statistical inferences were based on 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: There was a high prevalence of current bruxism: 28.7% in RP and 30.0% in SL. The prevalence of clenching was 20.3% in RP and 18.8% in SL, and grinding was found in 35.7% of the children in RP and 39.1% in SL. Multivariable analysis showed a significant association of bruxism with emotional symptoms and total SDQ score in both cities. When analyzed separately, teeth clenching was associated with emotional symptoms, peer problems, and total SDQ score; grinding was significantly associated with emotional symptoms and total SDQ score in RP and SL. Female sex appeared as a protective factor for bruxism, and for clenching and grinding in RP. Furthermore, maternal employment outside the home and white skin color of children were associated with increased prevalence of teeth clenching in SL. Conclusions: Mental health problems were associated with bruxism, with teeth clenching only and grinding at night only. No association was detected between depression and bruxism, neither clenching nor grinding. But it is necessary to be cautious regarding the inferences from some of our results.

Tectonic implications of the 1419 Ma Nova Guarita mafic intrusives paleomagnetic pole (Amazonian Craton) on the longevity of Nuna

The Nuna supercontinent was probably assembled in the Paleoproterozoic, but its paleogeography and the timing for its demise are stills matter of debate. A paleomagnetic and geochronological study carried out on the Mesoproterozoic Nova Guarita dyke swarm (northern Mato Grosso State, SW Amazonian Craton) provides additional constraints on the duration of this supercontinent. Paleomagnetic AF and thermal treatment revealed south/southwest (northeast) magnetic directions with downward (upward) inclinations for 19 analyzed sites. These directions are carried by PSD magnetite with high unblocking temperatures as indicated by additional magnetic tests, including thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis loops and the progressive acquisition of isothermal remanence in selected samples. A positive contact test with the host granite in one of the studied dykes further attests to the primary origin of the characteristic magnetic component. A mean site direction was calculated at D-m = 220.5 degrees, I-m = 45.9 degrees (alpha(95) = 6.5 degrees, K = 27.7), which yielded a paleomagnetic pole located at 245.9 degrees E, 47.9 degrees S (A(95) = 7.0 degrees). Ar-40/Ar-39 dating carried out on biotites from four analyzed dykes yielded well-defined plateau ages with a mean of 1418.5 +/- 3.5 Ma. The Nova Guarita pole precludes a long-lived Nuna configuration in which Laurentia, Baltica, North China, and Amazonia formed a long and continuous block as previously proposed for the Paleoproterozoic. It is nevertheless fully compatible with a SAMBA (Amazonia-Baltica) link at Mesoproterozoic times. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil, 2005 through 2009: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hepatitis C chronic liver disease is a major cause of liver transplant in developed countries. This article reports the first nationwide population-based survey conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies and associated risk factors in the urban population of Brazil. Methods The cross sectional study was conducted in all Brazilian macro-regions from 2005 to 2009, as a stratified multistage cluster sample of 19,503 inhabitants aged between 10 and 69 years, representing individuals living in all 26 State capitals and the Federal District. Hepatitis C antibodies were detected by a third-generation enzyme immunoassay. Seropositive individuals were retested by Polymerase Chain Reaction and genotyped. Adjusted prevalence was estimated by macro-regions. Potential risk factors associated with HCV infection were assessed by calculating the crude and adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and p values. Population attributable risk was estimated for multiple factors using a case���control approach. Results The overall weighted prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies was 1.38% (95% CI: 1.12%���1.64%). Prevalence of infection increased in older groups but was similar for both sexes. The multivariate model showed the following to be predictors of HCV infection: age, injected drug use (OR���=���6.65), sniffed drug use (OR���=���2.59), hospitalization (OR���=���1.90), groups socially deprived by the lack of sewage disposal (OR���=���2.53), and injection with glass syringe (OR���=���1.52, with a borderline p value). The genotypes 1 (subtypes 1a, 1b), 2b and 3a were identified. The estimated population attributable risk for the ensemble of risk factors was 40%. Approximately 1.3 million individuals would be expected to be anti-HCV-positive in the country. Conclusions The large estimated absolute numbers of infected individuals reveals the burden of the disease in the near future, giving rise to costs for the health care system and society at large. The known risk factors explain less than 50% of the infected cases, limiting the prevention strategies. Our findings regarding risk behaviors associated with HCV infection showed that there is still room for improving strategies for reducing transmission among drug users and nosocomial infection, as well as a need for specific prevention and control strategies targeting individuals living in poverty.