A educação do leitor em Machado de Assis: da crítica literária às Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas

Os textos de crítica literária de Machado de Assis mostram a preocupação do autor com o leitor; mas será em Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas que o leitor terá uma participação decisiva na estrutura do romance.

(Des)fetichização do produtivismo acadêmico: desafios para o trabalhador-pesquisador

O trabalhador-pesquisador reclama fazer mais do que quer ou pode. Critica, porém acata. Análises sobre produtivismo acadêmico responsabilizam, não sem razão, organismos internacionais e nacionais e o sistema vigente. Observam-se, no entanto, mudanças escassas e resignação. Examinamos neste trabalho como se estruturou, a partir do século XIX, a complexa engenharia social que comanda o mundo, com a sobreposição de processos históricos de longa duração e decisivos no Ocidente. Destaca-se o surgimento das ciências humanas e sociais e seus compromissos cedo selados com governos e homens de negócio. A eleição de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia como centrais para promover progresso econômico e social reduziram a Universidade, predominantemente, à executora e refém, não autônoma. Enquanto é o capital que precisa do conhecimento gerado pelos trabalhadores-pesquisadores para reproduzir-se, estes vivenciam a intensificação e alienação do seu trabalho; tal dependência aponta para o desafio de exercer seu poder.

Identificação do carbamato de etila durante o armazenamento da cachaça em tonel de carvalho (quercus sp) e recipiente de vidro

The objective of the present study was the identification and quantification of ethyl carbamate (EC), by HPLC-FLD, after different periods of storage in an oak (Quercus sp) barrel and a glass vessel. The concentration of EC in the cachaça samples varied from

Determination of acrolein, ethanol, volatile acidity, and copper in different samples of sugarcane spirits

Seventy-one samples of sugarcane spirits from small and average size stills produced in the northern and southern Minas Gerais (Brazil) were analyzed for acrolein using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Ethanol and copper concentrations and volatile acidity were also determined according to methods established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). A total of 9.85% of the samples tested showed levels of acrolein above the legal limits, while the copper concentrations of 21.00% of the samples and the volatile acidity of 8.85% of the samples were higher than the limits established by the Brazilian legislation. The concentration of acrolein varied from 0 to 21.97 mg.100 mL-1 of ethanol. However, no significant difference at 5% of significance was observed between the samples produced in the northern and southern Minas Gerais. The method used for determination of acrolein in sugarcane spirits involved the formation of a derivative with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) and subsequent analysis by HPLC.

Por uma nova interpretação das doutrinas escritas: a filosofia de Platão é triádica

O presente artigo faz uma crítica da interpretação da filosofia de Platão compreendida como dualista e, a partir do texto dos diálogos, defende que ela deve ser reconhecida como triádica, ao identificar relações de mediação entre os diversos elementos que constituem a realidade.

Atendimento a gestantes no Sistema Único de Saúde

OBJETIVO: Analisar o atendimento ao pré-natal em unidades de saúde, com o intuito de obter uma linha de base que subsidie futuros estudos avaliativos. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo exploratório para avaliação da atenção do Sistema Único de Saúde à saúde de mulheres grávidas, por meio de inquérito auto-aplicado em gestores municipais de saúde sobre amostra probabilística do tipo aleatória estratificada de 627 municípios que, submetida à técnica de expansão, permitiu análises para 5.507 municípios. O período de coleta de dados foi de outubro de 2003 a abril de 2004. O questionário captou informações sobre a prioridade às distintas modalidades de atenção, além de dados sobre a oferta de atenção e estimativa declarada de atendimento de demanda. Foram realizados os testes de qui-quadrado e t de Student para verificação de independência entre variáveis qualitativas e a igualdade entre médias, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Dos municípios analisados, 43,8% (n=2.317) não atendiam ao risco gestacional; 81% (n=4.277) e 30,1% (n=1.592) referiram atender acima de 75% da demanda do pré-natal de baixo e alto risco, respectivamente; 30,1% (n=1.592) atendiam acima de 75% da demanda de alto risco. Atenção ao baixo risco (chi2=282,080; P<0,001 n=4.277) e ao alto risco (chi2=267,924; P<0,001 n=5.280) estiveram associadas à região geográfica, tamanho do município e modalidade de gestão no Sistema Único de Saúde. A garantia de vaga para o parto também esteve associada à modalidade de gestão. CONCLUSÕES: Houve lacunas relacionadas à oferta e qualidade da atenção ao pré-natal no Sistema Único de Saúde. A municipalização amplia a oferta de pré-natal, mas há desigualdades entre regiões e entre municípios de diferentes dimensões populacionais.

Prevalence and determinants of child undernutrition and stunting in semiarid region of Brazil

OBJECTIVE : To analyze the evolution in the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in children in the semiarid region of Brazil. METHODS : Data were collected from two cross-sectional population-based household surveys that used the same methodology. Clustering sampling was used to collect data from 8,000 families in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil, for the years 1987 and 2007. Acute undernutrition was calculated as weight/age < -2 standard deviation (SD); stunting as height/age < -2 SD; wasting as weight/height < -2 SD. Data on biological and sociodemographic determinants were analyzed using hierarchical multivariate analyses based on a theoretical model. RESULTS : A sample of 4,513 and 1,533 children under three years of age, in 1987 and 2007, respectively, were included in the analyses. The prevalence of acute malnutrition was reduced by 60.0%, from 12.6% in 1987 to 4.7% in 2007, while prevalence of stunting was reduced by 50.0%, from 27.0% in 1987 to 13.0% in 2007. Prevalence of wasting changed little in the period. In 1987, socioeconomic and biological characteristics (family income, mother’s education, toilet and tap water availability, children’s medical consultation and hospitalization, age, sex and birth weight) were significantly associated with undernutrition, stunting and wasting. In 2007, the determinants of malnutrition were restricted to biological characteristics (age, sex and birth weight). Only one socioeconomic characteristic, toilet availability, remained associated with stunting. CONCLUSIONS : Socioeconomic development, along with health interventions, may have contributed to improvements in children’s nutritional status. Birth weight, especially extremely low weight (< 1,500 g), appears as the most important risk factor for early childhood malnutrition.

Sensitivity of an immunoenzymatic test for detection of ant-L. brasiliensis antibodies compared to other tests used for the diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis

The diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is frequently based on clinical and epidemiological data associated with the results of laboratory tests. Some laboratory methods are currently being applied for the diagnosis of ACL, among them the indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IIFR), the Montenegro skin test (MST), histopathological examination, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The performance of these methods varies in a considerable proportion of patients. After the standardization of an immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) for the detection of IgG in the serum of patients with ACL using a crude Leishmania braziliensis antigen, the results obtained were compared to those of other tests routinely used for the diagnosis. The tests revealed the following sensitivity, when analyzed separately: 85% for ELISA IgG, 81% for PCR, 64.4% for MST, 58.1% for IIFR, and 34% for the presence of parasites in the biopsy. ELISA was positive in 75% of patients with ACL presenting a negative MST, in 84.8% of ACL patients with negative skin or mucous biopsies for the presence of the parasite, and in 100% of cases with a negative PCR. Thus, ELISA presented a higher sensitivity than the other tests and was useful as a complementary method for the diagnosis of ACL.

L. (L.) chagasi in aids and visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) co-infection

Concomitant skin lesions in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar are rare, being more common the description of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis occurring post treatment of kala-azar. Skin lesions caused by Leishmania donovani are frequently seen in the aids-VL co-infection. In Brazil cutaneous or mucosal forms of tegumentary leishmaniasis concomitant with aids are more commonly registered. Here we present a case of aids-VL co-infection, with unusual cutaneous and digestive compromising attributed to L. (L.) chagasi, with special attention to ecthymatous aspect of the lesion, allied to the absence of parasite on the histological skin biopsy.

Identification of respiratory virus in infants with congenital heart disease by comparison of different methods

Respiratory virus infections are the main cause of infant hospitalization and are potentially severe in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Rapid and sensitive diagnosis is very important to early introduction of antiviral treatment and implementation of precautions to control transmission, reducing the risk of nosocomial infections. In the present study we compare different techniques in the diagnosis of respiratory viruses in CHD infants. Thirty-nine samples of nasopharyngeal aspirate were obtained from CHD infants with symptoms of respiratory infection. The Multiplex PCR (Seeplex® RV 12 ACE Detection) driven to the detection of 12 respiratory viruses was compared with the direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and PCR, both targeting seven respiratory viruses. The positivity found by DFA, Multiplex and PCR was 33.3%, 51.3% and 48.7%, respectively. Kappa index comparing DFA and Multiplex, DFA and PCR and PCR and Multiplex PCR was 0.542, 0.483 and 0.539, respectively. The concordance between techniques was considered moderate. Both Multiplex PCR (p = 0.001) and PCR (p = 0.002) detected significantly more respiratory virus than DFA. As the performance of the tests may vary, the combination of two or more techniques may increase diagnostic sensitivity favoring the diagnosis of co-infections, early introduction of antiviral therapy and implementation of appropriate measures.

Basic sanitation, socioeconomic conditions, and degree of risk for the presence and maintenance of malaria in a low-transmission area in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION:This study aimed to evaluate basic sanitation and socioeconomic indicators, reported cases of malaria, and risk of contracting malaria in the Ananindeua municipality, State of Pará.METHODS:Data on basic sanitation and socioeconomic dimensions were taken from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics [ Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE)] 2010 census. Epidemiological malaria information was taken from the Epidemiological Malaria Surveillance Information System [ Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica de Malária (SIVEP/Malaria)], between 2003 and 2013 of the Ministry of Health and from the SIVEP/Malaria forms of the municipality's Endemic Diseases Unit for 2,013 cases.RESULTS:Our data do not confirm the correlation among indicators of basic sanitation, socioeconomic conditions, and water supply with malaria cases. Of the 1,557 cases evaluated, most were caused by Plasmodium vivax , with rare cases of Plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections. There were 756 notifications in 2003. The number of reported cases was sharply reduced between 2006 and 2012, but a 142-case outbreak occurred in 2013. Ananindeua municipality's Annual Parasite Index indicated low risk in 2003 and no risk in other years, and the 2,013 cases were predominantly male individuals aged ≥40 years.CONCLUSIONS:Our data confirm the non-endemicity of malaria in the Ananindeua municipality, as the Annual Parasite Indices described for the years 2004-2013 classify it as a risk-free area. However, the 2013 outbreak indicates the need to strengthen prevention, surveillance, and control activities to reduce the risk of new outbreaks and consequent economic and social impacts on the population.

Detection of codon 12 mutation in the k-ras oncogene in pancreatic tumors

Mutations at codons 12, 13, or 61 of the H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras have been detected in human neoplasias by a variety of techniques. Some of these techniques are very sensitive and can detect K-ras mutation in 90% of the cases of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. We analyzed 11 samples of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, three samples of pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma, and two samples without tumors in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections. K-ras mutations at codon 12 were detected by a two-step PCR-enriched technique in all the samples of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but not in cystadenoma or control samples. This technique may be useful for early detection of pancreatic cancer.

The Need for Pedagogical Qualifications for Teaching Cardiology to Undergraduate Students

OBJECTIVE: To report a training program in cardiology emphasizing changes in its pedagogical practice. These changes were put into practice by some teachers at the Medical School of Porto Alegre of the University of Rio Grande do Sul (FAMED/UFRGS) aiming to make faculty and student activities more dynamic and to promote more efficacious learning. The training program is directed at 5th semester medical students and aims at a behavioral change in teachers and students to promote more interaction, to favor exchanges, and to make the teaching-learning process easier, always maintaining the patient in the center of the medical activity. METHODS: The program emphasizes the definition of general and specific objectives for each activity to be developed by the students, with training in the area of admission to the cardiology service, with special emphasis on behavioral change in the cognitive, motor, affective, and attitudinal areas. Knowledge was developed by means of interactive seminars with initial and final assessment tests to identify students' and teachers' performance. The students were evaluated in an immediate, continuous, and progressive way in their daily activities and through comparison of the results of 2 tests, one applied at the beginning of the training and the other at its end. These 2 tests contained the same questions. RESULTS: We systematically assessed 560 students over 4 years. The mean grades of the tests performed prior to and after the 244 seminars were 7.38±1.66 and 9.17± 0.82, respectively (p<0.0001). For the tests applied at the beginning and at the end of the training, the mean grades were 5.61±1.61 and 9.37±0.90, respectively (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The program proved to be efficient both for the students' learning and for assessing their performance in a systematic and objective way.

Association of human leukocyte antigen DQ1 and dengue fever in a white Southern Brazilian population

Dengue is an infectious disease of viral etiology transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, and A. scutellaris. It can develop either as a benign form or as a severe hemorrhagic form. Previous work showed an association of the hemorrhagic form with human leukocyte antigens (HLA), suggesting a role of genetic factors in disease susceptibility. Nevertheless, data on HLA association with the classical form of the disease is scarce in literature. Sixty-four patients and 667 normal individuals, living in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil, were used as test and control group, respectively. The patients developed the disease during a virus 1 dengue outbreak either in Maringá city in 1995 (47) or in Paranavaí city in 1999 (17). The diagnostic was confirmed through serology and/or viral culture. HLA class I and II typing was performed by the classical microlynfocitotoxicity test using monoclonal antisera and fluorobeads. Qui-square statistical analysis confirmed a positive association with HLA-DQ1 (76.6% vs 57.7%; p = 0.005243; pc = 0.026215). HLA-DR1 also presented an increased frequency in the test group, not statistically significant after p correction though (32.8% vs 15.9%; p = 0.005729; pc = 0.080206). In conclusion, genetic factors may play a role on the susceptibility to the classical dengue, virus 1, in the Brazilian population. Further independent studies should be performed in the Brazilian population to confirm these preliminary data.