COMPETENCY-BASED TRAINING IN NURSING: LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES

Objective To analyze the possibilities and limits of competency-based training in nursing. Method An integrative review of the literature on the subject was carried out, and an analysis was made of the results of a survey evaluating a nursing course based on areas of competency. A dialog was then established between the review and the results of the research. Results On the question of which theoretical type of competency the articles from the literature relate to, there is a predominance of the constructivist perspective, followed by the functionalist approach and the dialog-based approach. In the dialog between the literature and the research, limits and possibilities were observed in the development of a training by areas of competency. Conclusion The dialog-based approach to competency is the proposition that most approximates to the profile defined by the National Curriculum Guidelines for training in nursing, and this was also identified in the evaluation survey that was studied. However, it is found that there are aspects on better work is needed, such as: partnership between school and the workplace, the role of the teacher, the role of the student, and the process of evaluation.

Land-use systems affect Archaeal community structure and functional diversity in western Amazon soils

The study of the ecology of soil microbial communities at relevant spatial scales is primordial in the wide Amazon region due to the current land use changes. In this study, the diversity of the Archaea domain (community structure) and ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (richness and community composition) were investigated using molecular biology-based techniques in different land-use systems in western Amazonia, Brazil. Soil samples were collected in two periods with high precipitation (March 2008 and January 2009) from Inceptisols under primary tropical rainforest, secondary forest (5-20 year old), agricultural systems of indigenous people and cattle pasture. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA (PCR-DGGE) using the 16S rRNA gene as a biomarker showed that archaeal community structures in crops and pasture soils are different from those in primary forest soil, which is more similar to the community structure in secondary forest soil. Sequence analysis of excised DGGE bands indicated the presence of crenarchaeal and euryarchaeal organisms. Based on clone library analysis of the gene coding the subunit of the enzyme ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) of Archaea (306 sequences), the Shannon-Wiener function and Simpson's index showed a greater ammonia-oxidizing archaeal diversity in primary forest soils (H' = 2.1486; D = 0.1366), followed by a lower diversity in soils under pasture (H' = 1.9629; D = 0.1715), crops (H' = 1.4613; D = 0.3309) and secondary forest (H' = 0.8633; D = 0.5405). All cloned inserts were similar to the Crenarchaeota amoA gene clones (identity > 95 %) previously found in soils and sediments and distributed primarily in three major phylogenetic clusters. The findings indicate that agricultural systems of indigenous people and cattle pasture affect the archaeal community structure and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing Archaea in western Amazon soils.

Sooty blotch and flyspeck control with fungicide applications based on calendar, local IPM, and warning system

The objective of this work was to compare fungicide application timing for the control of sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) of 'Fuji' apples in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The following treatments were evaluated in two growing seasons: two warning system-based (modified version of the Brown-Sutton-Hartmann system) spray of captan plus thiophanate methyl, with or without summer pruning; two calendar/rain-based spray of captan or a mixture of captan plus thiophanate methyl; fungicide spray timing based on a local integrated pest management (IPM) for the control of summer diseases; and a check without spraying. Sooty blotch and flyspeck incidence over time and their severity at harvest were evaluated. The highest number of spray was required by calendar/rain-based treatments (eight and seven sprays in the sequential years). The warning system recommended five and three sprays, in the sequential years, which led to the highest SBFS control efficacy expressed by the reduced initial inoculum and disease progress rate. Summer pruning enhanced SBFS control efficacy, especially by suppressing SBFS signs which tended to be restrained to the peduncle region of the fruit. Sooty blotch and flyspeck can be managed both with calendar and the grower-based IPM practices in Brazil, but a reduced number of sprays is required when the warning system is used.

Cu and Co exchanged ZSM-5 zeolites: activity towards no reduction and hydrocarbon oxidation

|Cu x|[Si yAl]-MFI and |Co x|[Si yAl]-MFI catalysts were prepared by ion exchange from |Na|[Si yAl]-MFI zeolites (y = 12, 25 and 45). The activity of the catalysts was evaluated in the reduction of NO to N2 in an oxidative atmosphere using propane or methane as reducing agents. The Cu catalysts were only active with propane and they presented higher activity than the Co-based catalysts, the latter being active with both hydrocarbons. H2-TPR and DRS-UV/Vis data allowed correlation between the activity towards NO reduction and the presence of cationic charge-compensating species in the zeolite. It was also verified that the hydrocarbons are preferentially oxidised by O2, a reaction that occurs simultaneously with their oxidation with NO.

DI-HIDROCUCURBITACINA B: SEMI-SÍNTESE DE NOVOS DERIVADOS GLICOSILADOS

In the last ten years, the interest in natural and semi-synthetic cucurbitacin derivatives has increased, primarily due their cytotoxic and anti-tumoral activities. However, the isolation of glycosylated cucurbitacins has been difficult due the presence of β-glucosidase enzyme. With the aim of obtaining new glycosylated derivatives, the glycosylation of dihydrocucurbitacin B under Köenigs-Knorr and imidate reaction conditions was studied. Novel glycoside derivatives 16-(1,2-orthoacetate-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-dihydrocucurbitacin B (2), 2-O-β-D-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-galactopyranosyl dihydrocucurbitacin B (3) and 2-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl dihydrocucurbitacin B (4) were synthesized for the first time in 17% (2 and 3) and 48% (4) yields.

Analyses of the development and glycoproteins present in the ovarian follicles of Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae)

The morphofunctional aspects of oogenesis of Poecilia vivipara were studied aiming to understand the reproductive biology and development of species with internal fertilization, particularly those belonging to the family Poeciliidae. The stages of gonadal maturation and follicular development were characterized using mesoscopic, histological, histochemical, and lectin cytochemical analyses. Through mesoscopic evaluation the ovarian development was classified in six phases of development: immature, in maturation I, in maturation II, mature I, mature II, and post-spawn. Based on microscopic examination of the ovaries, we identified the presence of oocytes types I and II during the previtellogenic phase and types III, IV, and V during the vitellogenic phase. As oogenesis proceeded the oocyte cytosol increased in volume and presented increased cytoplasmic granule accumulation, characterizing vitellogenesis. The zona radiata (ZR) increased in thickness and complexity, and the follicular epithelium, which was initially thin and consisting of pavimentous cells, in type III oocytes exhibited cubic simple cells. The histochemical and cytochemical analyses revealed alterations in the composition of the molecular structures that form the ovarian follicle throughout the gonadal development. Our study demonstrated differences in the female reproductive system among fish species with internal and external fertilization and we suggest P. vivipara can be used as experimental model to test environmental toxicity.

Soils associated with rock outcrops in the Brazilian mountain ranges Mantiqueira and Espinhaço

Espinhaço and Mantiqueira are two mountain ranges of great importance in Brazil. In the uppermost parts of these areas, unique ecosystems occur, generally associated with rock outcrops, they are collectively called High Altitude Rocky Complexes. These environments show distinct soil and biota characteristics in relation to the surrounding biome. The soils are generally shallow, coarse textured, with high Al3+ and varying amounts of organic matter. Entisols, Inceptsols and Histosols are dominant, directly associated with the rock outcrops, and forming a complex mosaic of soils. Some of these soils are endemic, based on peculiar conditions of parent materials, topography and vegetation, and this pedodiversity is important for detecting unique and endangered soils. In these soils, organic matter is highly humified, with a great amount of soluble forms and conspicuous presence of charcoal. Spodic horizons and dark water rivers are typically associated with quartzite and quartzite outcrops, formed by illuviation of organic compounds, being less common in granitic rocks. The very low nutrient content of these soils and other environmental limitations required the development of specific physiological and morphological plant adaptations. Most high altitude environments are unstable under current climatic conditions, and anthropic interventions may be accelerating this process. Detailed soil surveys are necessary for a better understanding of the role of these soils in ecological processes and for the development of adequate conservation policies.

Habitat utilization and CAM occurrence among epiphytic bromeliads in a dry forest from southeastern Brazil

We studied the community and habitat occupation of epiphytes to understand how these plants cope with a supposedly stressful habitat: i) how general epiphytes occupy tree trunks, ii) how epiphytic bromeliads, occupy their supportive trees, iii) how CAM bromeliads are spatially distributed. The study was done in the dry forest of Jacarepiá, State of Rio de Janeiro. Data collection on epiphytes, phorophytes, and trees was based on the point-center quarter method. The photosynthetic pathway of the bromeliad species was determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The presence of Gesneriaceae, Araceae, and Cactaceae indicates that some humidity is present in the area allowing the presence of supposedly less-specialized epiphytes. There was no correlation between epiphyte abundance and phorophyte diameter, and phorophytes had larger sizes than trees that do not host epiphytes. There was correlation between tree diameter and bromeliad abundance, and lack of correlation between diameter and bromeliad richness. Only one species was typical of the understorey and one was typical of the canopy, while intermediate heights were occupied by different species. The only C3 bromeliad species (Vriesea procera (Mart. ex Schult.f.) Wittm.) was significantly more exposed than the other species. If CAM occurrence is related to water economy, the fact that a C3 species is subjected to more exposed conditions is remarkable. Further comments are presented on the proportion between CAM bromeliad species and abundance in dry forest. Regarding life forms, holoepiphytes, as opposed to hemiepiphytes, showed not to be restricted by the phorophyte's diameter suggesting a more successful establishment of this life form.

Are there evidences of a complex mimicry system among Asclepias curassavica (Apocynaceae), Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae), and Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in Southern Brazil?

The goal of this paper was to test the presence of mimicry in Asclepias curassavica L., Epidendrum fulgens Brong., and Lantana camara L. The study was carried out at the Parque Estadual de Itapeva, RS, southern Brazil, from 2004 to 2006. Flowering period of each of the three species was followed up; focal observations of butterflies visiting flowers, from fixed point and during random walks were carried out. We also estimated the frequency of pollinaria removal in the orchid, as well as its mode of reproduction. All these variables were important for testing the mimicry hypothesis. Despite some temporal coincidences in the flowering period of two plants in the system, there was no statistical association among the three plants as to flowering period. Twenty-nine species of butterflies, as potential pollinators, were recorded, particularly Agraulis vanillae maculosa, Dryas iulia alcionea, Urbanus simplicius, Tegosa claudina, and Heliconius erato phyllis, which were the more frequent visitors of the three plants. There was association between the number of visits to L. camara and E. fulgens, based on Pearson correlation (r = 0.4603; n = 19; P = 0.0473). Pollinaria removal of E. fulgens was low, as measured by the percentage of removal (range: 0 - 10%). The analysis of the mode of reproduction of this orchid showed its pollinator-dependence, since no fruits were formed by spontaneous self-pollination. In contrast, the percentage of fruit set that resulted from geitonogamy and xenogamy was, in average, 86%. The results here shown are not conclusive as to the occurrence of a mimicry system among the three plants.

Main features of DNA-based immunization vectors

DNA-based immunization has initiated a new era of vaccine research. One of the main goals of gene vaccine development is the control of the levels of expression in vivo for efficient immunization. Modifying the vector to modulate expression or immunogenicity is of critical importance for the improvement of DNA vaccines. The most frequently used vectors for genetic immunization are plasmids. In this article, we review some of the main elements relevant to their design such as strong promoter/enhancer region, introns, genes encoding antigens of interest from the pathogen (how to choose and modify them), polyadenylation termination sequence, origin of replication for plasmid production in Escherichia coli, antibiotic resistance gene as selectable marker, convenient cloning sites, and the presence of immunostimulatory sequences (ISS) that can be added to the plasmid to enhance adjuvanticity and to activate the immune system. In this review, the specific modifications that can increase overall expression as well as the potential of DNA-based vaccination are also discussed.

Sensory acceptability and physical stability evaluation of a prebiotic soy-based dessert developed with passion fruit juice

The aim of this study was to use a factorial design approach for developing a palatable and stable soy-based dessert with the addition of Soy Protein (SP), oligofructose, and Passion Fruit Juice (PFJ). Panelists (n = 50) used a seven-point hedonic scale to assess the overall liking, degree of liking of creaminess, taste, and color of the desserts. In addition, the samples were submitted to a preference ranking test in order to evaluate the products' preference. Water Holding Capacity (WHC) and backscattering (BS) measures were also determined to assess the physical stability of the trials. Sample F3 (35% PFJ and 2% SP) was the only one that presented a WHC index of 94.8%; moreover, none of the developed samples had synerisis after 72 hours of storage indicating adequate physical stability of the emulsion process. Samples F2 (25% PFJ, and 3.0% SP), F4 (35% PFJ, and 3.0% SP), and F5 (30% PFJ, and 2.5% SP) presented mean hedonic scores above 'slightly liked' for all sensory attributes. The acceptance index of samples varied from 62.50 to 88% showing the great sensory potential of such products.