The work and health process in the sugarcane agroindustry in Franca, Brazil

This study aimed to discuss the interrelation between social determinants and the health conditions of workers in the sugarcane agroindustry in the region of Franca, in the countryside of São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2005 to 2006, considering the present socio-economic, historical, political and cultural conditions.

Gender and Health Status Response to Long-Term Oxygen Therapy in COPD Patients

Introduction: The association of gender with health status (HS) response to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in very severe COPD is unclear. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare dyspnea perception and HS between male and female with very severe COPD at baseline and (2) to provide a prospective assessment of HS response to LTOT, according to gender.Patients and methods: Hypoxemic COPD (n =97, age: 65.5 +/- 9.6 years, 53% males) were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study over 12 months or until death. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and baseline dyspnea index (BDI) were assessed.Results: At baseline, HS impairment and dyspnea sensation were similar between genders. After 12 months of LTOT, women presented improvement in symptom (64.1 +/- 120.6 versus 40.6 +/- 122.9; P < 0.0001) and total SGRQ scores. Men also showed improvement in symptoms after 12 months (62.7 +/- 23.3 versus 49.6 +/- 22.8; P < 0.0005); however, they presented deterioration of activity, impact and total scores during the study period, with markedly decline of activity domain (68.5 +/- 20.0 versus 75.9 +/- 16.9; P = 0.008). BDI did not show significant difference by gender over the study period.Conclusions: Our results show that the HS course in very severe COPD patients differs according to gender, as females show greater response longitudinally to LTOT. (C) 2010 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Physical disability, recent illnesses and health self-assessment in a population-based study in São Paulo, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise do conteúdo de propagandas de medicamentos psicoativos

O objetivo do estudo foi descrever as figuras humanas retratadas nas propagandas de medicamentos psicoativos quanto ao gênero, a idade, a etnia e o contexto social. Foi realizada análise de conteúdo de 86 impressos publicitários inéditos divulgados em Araraquara (SP) no ano de 2005. A associação entre as categorias foi analisada usando o teste exato de Fisher. Houve predomínio de mulheres (62,8%), sendo quatro vezes mais freqüentes que os homens em propagandas de antidepressivos e ansiolíticos. A maioria era constituída de jovens adultos (72%), de etnia branca (98,8%). As pessoas estavam em lazer (46,5%), em suas casas (29%) ou em contato com a natureza (16,2%). A mensagem transmitida foi que os medicamentos tratam sintomatologias subjetivas de desconforto do dia-a-dia, induzindo a um apelo irracional que pode refletir na prescrição medicamentosa.

The use of the challenge test to analyse preservative efficiency in non-sterile cosmetic and health products: applications and critical points

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of a genetic group and unknown paternity models for growth traits in Nellore cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Studies on double selenates. XI. Thermal decomposition of lanthanides of the ceric group and lithium double selenates

A previous communication [1] described the preparation of the double selenates of lanthanum and the alkali metals; the La-Li compound has the formula La2(SeO4)3 · Li2SeO4 · 8H2O. Subsequent reports [2-4] have shown that it was not possible to prepare the Ce-Li, Pr-Li, Nd-Li and Sm-Li double selenates, using the same method [1]. It was possible to isolate the double selenates of all the cerie group lanthanides and lithium not previously described and, also, a La-Li double selenate having a different stoichiometry, using a modified preparation technique. © 1990.