Surface Liming and Zinc Availability in a Long-Term Experiment under No-Till System

No-till (NT) system with crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies to improve agricultural sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. To control soil acidity in NT, lime is broadcast on the surface without incorporation. The increase in soil pH due to surface liming may decrease zinc (Zn) availability and its uptake by crops. A field experiment was performed in Parana State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate Zn bioavailability in a NT system after surface liming and re-liming. Dolomitic lime was surface applied on the main plots in July 1993 at the rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha-1. In June 2000, the main plots were divided in two subplots to study of the effect of surface re-liming at the rates of 0 and 3 Mg ha-1. The cropping sequence was soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] (2001-2 and 2002-3), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (2003), soybean (2003-4), corn (Zea mays L.) (2004-5), and soybean (2005-6). Soil samples were collected at the following depths: 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20m, 10 years after surface liming and 3 years after surface re-liming. Soil Zn levels were extracted by four extractants: (i) 0.005molL-1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) + 0.1molL-1 triethanolamine (TEA) + 0.01molL-1 calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution at pH7.3 (DTPA-TEA), (ii) 0.1molL-1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, (iii) Mehlich 1 solution, and (iv) Mehlich 3 solution. Zinc concentrations in leaves and grains of soybean, wheat, and corn were also determined. Soil pH (0.01molL-1 CaCl2 suspension) varied from 4.4 to 6.1, at the 0- to 0.05-m depth, from 4.2 to 5.3 at the 0.05- to 0.10-m depth, and from 4.2 to 4.8 at the 0.10- to 0.20-m depth, after liming and re-liming. Zinc concentrations evaluated by DTPA-TEA, 0.1molL-1 HCl, Mehlich 1, and Mehlich 3 solutions were not changed as a result of lime rate application. Re-liming increased Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1molL-1 HCl at 0-0.05m deep and by DTPA-TEA at 0.05-0.10m deep. Surface-applied lime promoted a decrease in Zn concentrations of the crops, mainly in grains, because of increased soil pH at the surface layers. Regardless of the liming treatments, levels of Zn were sufficient to soybean, wheat, and corn nutrition under NT.

Características sociodemográficas da mortalidade por câncer de boca em Bauru, SP, no período de 1991 a 2001: uso de geoprocessamento

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca no período de 1991-2001, no município de Bauru-SP. A fonte de informação utilizada para o reconhecimento e seleção da população-alvo foram Certidões de Óbito dos Cartórios do município de Bauru com dados relativos ao período 1991-2001. Foram coletadas informações referentes a sexo, idade, localização da lesão e endereço. A coleta dos endereços visou à identificação no mapa do município de Bauru da localização geográfica do domicílio. Utilizando ferramentas do geoprocessamento, foi feita a inserção no mapa dos casos identificados. Foram registrados 67 casos de morte por câncer de boca na cidade de Bauru entre 1991 e 2001, com maiores taxas no sexo masculino e sexta década de vida. A análise da distribuição espacial mostra que a maioria dos casos encontra-se próxima à linha férrea que corta o município e foi responsável, em grande parte, pela ocupação territorial pela população, sendo esta também uma área que abrange os bairros mais antigos do município. O câncer de boca constitui importante causa de óbito no município, requerendo um planejamento de ações georreferenciadas pelo sistema local de saúde.

Exposição ocupacional à sílica no Brasil no ano de 2001

OBJETIVO: Estimar o número de trabalhadores brasileiros expostos à sílica no ano de 2001. MÉTODO: Informações sobre ocupações e setores econômicos foram reunidas em uma matriz de exposição ocupacional (MEO) com 347 categorias ocupacionais por 25 subsetores econômicos. Informações sobre o número de trabalhadores por ocupação foram extraídas da base de dados Relatório Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS) do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego. A exposição à sílica foi avaliada e classificada por dois peritos em quatro categorias, de acordo com a freqüência semanal de exposição no ambiente de trabalho. RESULTADOS: Foram considerados não expostos 31.451.594 trabalhadores (85,7%), possivelmente expostos 976.939 (2,65%), provavelmente expostos 2.404.955 (6,52%) e definitivamente expostos à sílica 2.065.929 (5,6%). Os setores com a maior prevalência de exposição foram: construção civil 65%, extração de pedras 59%, indústria de mineral não metálico 55% e indústria metalúrgica 24%. No setor de serviços de terceiros, a prevalência foi de 2%. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de trabalhadores brasileiros definitivamente expostos à sílica é mais alta do que aquela observada em países europeus, onde estudos semelhantes foram conduzidos.

Phlebotomines (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Speleological Province of the Ribeira Valley: 2. Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), São Paulo State, Brazil

The Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR) with about 250 caves, in an Atlantic forest reserve, is an important ecotourist attraction in the Ribeira Valley, an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). With the purpose of investigating Leishmania vector species bothersome to humans the sandfly fauna was identified and some of its ecological aspects in the Santana nucleus, captures were undertaken monthly with automatic light traps in 11 ecotopes, including caves, forests, a camping site and domiciliary environments, and on black and white Shannon traps, from January/2001 to December/2002. A total of 2,449 sandflies representing 21 species were captured. The highest values of abundance obtained in the captures with automatic light traps were for Psathyromyia pascalei and Psychodopygus ayrozai. A total of 107 specimens representing 13 species were captured on black (12 species) and white (6 species) Shannon traps set simultaneously. Psychodopygus geniculatus females predominated on the black (43.75%), and Psathyromyia lanei and Ps. ayrozai equally (32.4%) on the white. Nyssomyia intermedia and Nyssomyia neivai, both implicated in the transmission of ACL in the Brazilian Southeastern region, were also captured. Ny. intermedia predominated in the open camping area. Low frequencies of phlebotomines were observed in the caves, where Evandromyia edwardsi predominated Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of the American visceral leishmaniasis, was aslo present. This is its most southernly reported occurrence in the Atlantic forest.

Estimating cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes: a national multicenter study in Brazil

According to Brazilian National Data Survey diabetes is the fifth cause for hospitalization and is one of the ten major causes of mortality in this country. Aims to stratify the estimated cardiovascular risk (eCVR) in a population of type 2 diabetics (T2DM) according to the Framingham prediction equations as well as to determine the association between eCVR with metabolic and clinical control of the disease. Methods From 2000 to 2001 a cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in 13 public out-patients diabetes/endocrinology clinics from 8 Brazilian cities. The 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) was estimated by the prediction equations described by Wilson et al (Circulation 1998). LDL equations were preferably used; when patients missed LDL data we used total cholesterol equations instead. Results Data from 1382 patients (59.0% female) were analyzed. Median and inter-quartile range (IQ) of age and duration of diabetes were 57.4 (51-65) and 8.8 (3-13) years, respectively without differences according to the gender. Forty-two percent of these patients were overweight and 35.4% were obese (the prevalence of higher BMI and obesity in this T2DM group was significantly higher in women than in men; p < 0.001). The overall estimated eCVR in T2DM patients was 21.4 (13.5-31.3). The eCVR was high (> 20%) in 738 (53.4%), intermediate in 202 (14.6%) and low in 442 (32%) patients. Men [25.1(15.4-37.3)] showed a higher eCVR than women [18.8 (12.4-27.9) p < 0.001]. The most common risk factor was high LDL-cholesterol (80.8%), most frequently found in women than in men (p = 0.01). The median of risk factors present was three (2-4) without gender differences. Overall we observed that 60 (4.3%) of our patients had none, 154(11.1%) one, 310 (22.4%) two, 385 (27.9%) three, 300 (21.7%) four, 149 (10.5%) five and six, (2%) six risk factors. A higher eCVR was noted in overweight or obese patients (p = 0.01 for both groups). No association was found between eCVR with age or a specific type of diabetes treatment. A correlation was found between eCVR and duration of diabetes (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001) and triglycerides levels (p < 0.001) but it was not found with HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and postprandial glucose. A higher eCVR was observed in patients with retinopathy (p < 0.001) and a tendency in patients with microalbuminuria (p = 0.06). Conclusion: our study showed that in this group of Brazilian T2DM the eCVR was correlated with the lipid profile and it was higher in patients with microvascular chronic complications. No correlation was found with glycemic control parameters. These data could explain the failure of intensive glycemic control programs aiming to reduce cardiovascular events observed in some studies.

The Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) - Part 2: Model sensitivity to the biomass burning

We describe an estimation technique for biomass burning emissions in South America based on a combination of remote-sensing fire products and field observations, the Brazilian Biomass Burning Emission Model (3BEM). For each fire pixel detected by remote sensing, the mass of the emitted tracer is calculated based on field observations of fire properties related to the type of vegetation burning. The burnt area is estimated from the instantaneous fire size retrieved by remote sensing, when available, or from statistical properties of the burn scars. The sources are then spatially and temporally distributed and assimilated daily by the Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) in order to perform the prognosis of related tracer concentrations. Three other biomass burning inventories, including GFEDv2 and EDGAR, are simultaneously used to compare the emission strength in terms of the resultant tracer distribution. We also assess the effect of using the daily time resolution of fire emissions by including runs with monthly-averaged emissions. We evaluate the performance of the model using the different emission estimation techniques by comparing the model results with direct measurements of carbon monoxide both near-surface and airborne, as well as remote sensing derived products. The model results obtained using the 3BEM methodology of estimation introduced in this paper show relatively good agreement with the direct measurements and MOPITT data product, suggesting the reliability of the model at local to regional scales.

Incidence of dementia and cause of death in elderly Japanese emigrants to Brazil before World War II

In 1997 we examined the prevalence of dementia among the Japanese elderly immigrants living in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area (n = 166). Herein, we followed up on these subjects for causes of death and dementia incidence. We were able to contact 108 subjects: 54 were already dead. The most common cause of death was cardiac disease. For dementia, 31.6% of the dead subjects were found to have developed dementia before they died, and 20.8% of the living subjects were demented. As for the baseline the clinical dementia rating (CDR), 20.8% of CDR 0 and 50.0% of CDR 0.5 subjects developed dementia in the dead group; whereas in the living group, 23.9% of CDR 0 and 52.6% of CDR 0.5 developed dementia. As a whole, the incidence was 34.2% per 1000 person-years. Cardiac disease as the most common cause of death was probably due to the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Compared with the previous study, the lower incidence of dementia from the CDR 0.5 group may have been due to a higher mortality rate. This is the first study on the incidence of dementia in elderly Japanese immigrants in Brazil. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal expansion of the V(5)Si(3) and T(2) phases of the V-Si-B system investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction

The thermal expansion anisotropy of the V(5)Si(3) and T(2)-phase of the V-Si-B system were determined by high-temperature X-ray diffraction from 298 to 1273 K. Alloys with nominal compositions V(62.5)Si(37.5) (V5Si3 phase) and V(63)Si(12)B(25) (T(2)-phase) were prepared from high-purity materials through arc-melting followed by heat-treatment at 1873 K by 24 h, under argon atmosphere. The V(5)Si(3) phase exhibits thermal expansion anisotropy equals to 1.3, with thermal expansion coefficients along the a and c-axis equal to 9.3 x 10(-6) K(-1) and 11.7 x 10(-6) K(-1), respectively. Similarly, the thermal expansion anisotropy value of the T(2)-phase is 0.9 with thermal expansion coefficients equal to 8.8 x 10(-6) K(-1) and 8.3 x 10(-6) K(-1) along the, a and c-axis respectively. Compared to other isostructural silicides of the 5:3 type and the Ti(5)Si(3) phase, the V(5)Si(3) phase presents lower thermal expansion anisotropy. The T(2)-phase present in the V-Si-B system exhibits low thermal expansion anisotropy, as the T(2)-phase of the Mo-Si-B, Nb-Si-B and W-Si-B systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous infiltrations of compound systems of Y(2)O(3), Sm(2)O(3), RE(2)O(3), Al(2)O(3) and AIN in SiC ceramics

Silicon carbide ceramics (SiC) are used in different applications in the engineering area due to the excellent properties, mainly in high temperatures. They are usually obtained by liquid-phase sintering enabling to form volatile products and, consequently, defects. The present work aims at studying the obtention of SiC ceramics by spontaneous infiltration using a eutectic composition of the Al(2)O(3)/Y(2)O(3), AIN/Y(2)O(3), Al(2)O(3)/Sm(2)O(3), AlN/Sm(2)O(3), Al(2)O(3)/RE(2)O(3) and AlN/RE(2)O(3) Systems. RE(2)O(3) is the concentrate of the rare-earth oxide obtained from Xenotime ore. Infiltration tests were carried out in argon atmosphere, graphite crucibles, in several temperatures near the melting point of each system, varying from 2.5 to 60 min. It was observed that Al(2)O(3)/Y(2)O(3), Al(2)O(3)/SM(2)O(3), AlN/SM(2)O(3) and Al(2)O(3)/RE(2)O(3) systems do not infiltrate appropriately and the AlN/Y(2)O(3) and AlN/RE(2)O(3) systems infiltrated spontaneously more than 20 mm; however, the first one presented a higher degree of infiltration, approximately 97%. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

The Protective Role of Lychnophora ericoides Mart. (Brazilian Arnica) in 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colon rectal mucosal epithelial cell proliferation have been shown to be increased in patients with colon cancer and have been largely used for early detection of factors that influence colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The groups G1 to G4 were given 4 injections of the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). The G2 group received Lychnophora ericoides (LE) extracts for 6 wk. The groups G3 and G4 received LE for 4 wk and 2 wk, respectively, at the postinitiation and initiation phases of colonic carcinogenesis. The group G5 was the control. Forty-two days after the first injections of DMH for the neoplasic induction, we observed a statistically significant decrease in the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and an attenuation of the increase in cell proliferation induced by DMH in all the LE-treated groups. Thus, we concluded that Lychnophora ericoides extracts were effective against the development of cancer. These data suggest that LE has a protective influence on the process of colon carcinogenesis, suppressing both the initiation and the promotion of colonic carcinogenesis.

Factors Related to the Selection of Surgical Versus Percutaneous Revascularization in Diabetic Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in the BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes) Trial

Objectives We evaluated demographic, clinical, and angiographic factors influencing the selection of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in the BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes) trial. Background Factors guiding selection of mode of revascularization for patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel CAD are not clearly defined. Methods In the BARI 2D trial, the selected revascularization strategy, CABG or PCI, was based on physician discretion, declared independent of randomization to either immediate or deferred revascularization if clinically warranted. We analyzed factors favoring selection of CABG versus PCI in 1,593 diabetic patients with multivessel CAD enrolled between 2001 and 2005. Results Selection of CABG over PCI was declared in 44% of patients and was driven by angiographic factors including triple vessel disease (odds ratio [OR]: 4.43), left anterior descending stenosis >= 70% (OR: 2.86), proximal left anterior descending stenosis >= 50% (OR: 1.78), total occlusion (OR: 2.35), and multiple class C lesions (OR: 2.06) (all p < 0.005). Nonangiographic predictors of CABG included age >= 65 years (OR: 1.43, p = 0.011) and non-U.S. region (OR: 2.89, p = 0.017). Absence of prior PCI (OR: 0.45, p < 0.001) and the availability of drug-eluting stents conferred a lower probability of choosing CABG (OR: 0.60, p = 0.003). Conclusions The majority of diabetic patients with multivessel disease were selected for PCI rather than CABG. Preference for CABG over PCI was largely based on angiographic features related to the extent, location, and nature of CAD, as well as geographic, demographic, and clinical factors. (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes [BARI 2D]; NCT00006305) (J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2009;2:384-92) (C) 2009 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Molecular Characterization of Strains of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Identified in a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Outpatient Unit Over 2 Years: Community or Nosocomial Infection?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recognized as the leading cause of nosocomial respiratory infection among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. RSV is easily transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces, and in HSCT units, more than 50% of RSV infections have been characterized as of nosocomial origin. From April 2001 to October 2002, RSV was identified by direct immunofluorescent assay in 42 symptomatic HSCT recipients. Seven RSV strains from 2001 and 12 RSV strains from 2002 were sequenced. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers complementary to RSV genes G and F were pet-formed. PCR products were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing of the C-terminal region of gene G for typing (in group A or B). Of the 7 strains analyzed in 2001, only 2 belonged to group B; the other 5 belonged to group A. Of these 7 strains, 3 were identical and were from recipients receiving outpatient care. In 2002, of the 12 strains analyzed, 3 belonged to group A and the other 9 belonged to group B. Of these 9 strains, 7 were genetically identical and were also from recipients receiving outpatient care. Therefore, multiple strains of RSV cocirculated in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant units (ward and outpatient units) between 2001 and 2002. Nosocomial transmission was more likely to occur at the HSCT outpatient unit than in the HSCT ward. Infection control practices should also be implemented in the outpatient setting.

Skin cancer in Taubate (SP) - Brazil, from 2001 to 2005: a prevalence study

BACKGROUND - Cancer represents the third principal cause of death in Brazil. Skin is the most frequent location and about 50% of caucasian patients older than sixty years will develop some type of cutaneous cancer OBJECTIVE - To describe the profile of the individuals with skin cancer assisted at the University Hospital of Taubate in the period between 2001 and 2005. METHODS - A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving individuals assisted at the Dermatology Department at the University Hospital of Taubate in the period between January 2001 to December 2005 was performed. Study variables were gender, age, skin color, location and clinical type of the tumor basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, combined and melanoma. Statistical analyses were performed using qui-square, Student`s t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS - A total of 639 individuals were included in the study. Prevalence was 50 cases/100.000 inhabitants. The most prevalent age group was that of individuals older than sixty years of age, gender distribution was higher among females than males (57.2% / 42.8%) and the proportion of white to non-white was of 4:1. CONCLUSION - This study fills a gap that was due to the inexistence of studies in the region and also to the small number of studies in the state of Sao Paulo, and its results are in accordance with, those in the literature.

Modulation of B-1 and B-2 kinin receptors expression levels in the hippocampus of rats after audiogenic kindling and with limbic recruitment, a model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are hypersynchronous, paroxystic and abnormal neuronal discharges. Epilepsies are characterized by diverse mechanisms involving alteration of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission that result in hyperexcitability of the central nervous system (CNS). Enhanced neuronal excitability can also be achieved by inflammatory processes, including the participation of cytokines, prostaglandins or kinins, molecules known to be involved in either triggering or in the establishment of inflammation. Multiple inductions of audiogenic seizures in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain are a model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), due to the recruitment of limbic areas such as hippocampus and amygdata. In this study we investigated the modulation of the B-1 and B-2 kinin receptors expression levels in neonatal WARs as well as in adult WARs subjected to the TLE model. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1 beta) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines were also evaluated, as well as cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Our results showed that the B-1 and B-2 kinin receptors mRNAs were up-regulated about 7- and 4-fold, respectively, in the hippocampus of kindled WARs. On the other hand, the expressions of the IL-1 beta, IL-10 and COX-2 were not related to the observed increase of expression of kinin receptors. Based on those results we believe that the B, and B2 kinin receptors have a pivotal role in this model of TLE, although their participation is not related to an inflammatory process. We believe that kinin receptors in the CNS may act in seizure mechanisms by participating in a specific kininergic neurochemical pathway. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sexual differentiation of cortical spreading depression propagation after acute and kindled audiogenic seizures in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR)

Brain excitability diseases like epilepsy constitute one factor that influences brain electrophysiological features. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a phenomenon that can be altered by changes in brain excitability. CSD propagation was presently characterized in adult mate and female rats from a normal Wistar strain and from a genetically audiogenic seizure-prone strain, the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR), both previously submitted (RAS(+)), or not (RAS(-)), to repetitive acoustic stimulation, to provoke audiogenic kindling in the WAR-strain. A gender-specific change in CSD-propagation was found. Compared to seizure-resistant animals, in the RAS- condition, mate and female WARs, respectively, presented CSD-propagation impairment and facilitation, characterized, respectively, by lower and higher propagation velocities (P<0.05). In contraposition, in the RAS(+) condition, mate and female WARs displayed, respectively, higher and tower CSD-propagation rates, as compared to the corresponding controls. In some Wistar and WAR females, we determined estrous cycle status on the day of the CSD-recording as being either estrous or diestrous; no cycle-phase-related differences in CSD-propagation velocities were detected. In contrast to other epilepsy models, such as Status Epilepticus induced by pilocarpine, despite the CSD-velocity reduction, in no case was CSD propagation blocked in WARs. The results suggest a gender-related, estrous cycle-phase-independent modification in the CSD-susceptibility of WAR rats, both in the RAS(+) and RAS(-) situation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.