Cobertura de linhas telefônicas residenciais e vícios potenciais em estudos epidemiológicos

OBJETIVO: Estimar o efeito da taxa de cobertura de linhas telefônicas residenciais em potenciais vícios de informação em inquéritos epidemiológicos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas as bases de dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios no período de 1998 a 2003 para a estimativa das taxas de cobertura de linhas telefônicas residenciais nas cinco regiões geográficas brasileiras. Utilizou-se a regressão logística múltipla para identificar os fatores associados à posse de linha telefônica fixa. O impacto do vício nos intervalos com 95% de confiança foi avaliado em função da precisão alcançada em cada situação. RESULTADOS: Nas regiões metropolitanas Sudeste, Sul e Centro-Oeste com 70% e mais de cobertura, os vícios associados foram considerados desprezíveis. Nas demais regiões, os vícios relativos estavam acima do limite aceitável (0,4), indicando possíveis erros nas inferências construídas sob intervalo com 95% de confiança. A chance de acesso à linha telefônica residencial foi maior para população com cor da pele branca e maior escolaridade. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados mostram que o uso de cadastro de linhas telefônicas residenciais é indicado para a realização de inquéritos epidemiológicos apenas para estados com cobertura acima de 70%. Metodologias específicas para o tratamento de estimativas obtidas em localidades com taxas inferiores, precisam ser estudadas e divulgadas

Efetividade da suplementação diária ou semanal com ferro na prevenção da anemia em lactentes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade da suplementação universal profilática com sulfato ferroso, em administração diária ou semanal, na prevenção da anemia em lactentes. MÉTODOS: Ensaio de campo randomizado com crianças de seis a 12 meses de idade, atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro, em 2004-2005. Foram formadas três coortes concorrentes com suplementação universal com sulfato ferroso com grupos: diário (n=150; 12,5mgFe/dia), semanal (n=147; 25mgFe/semana) e controle (n=94). A intervenção durou 24 semanas e foi acompanhada por ações educativas promotoras de adesão. A concentração de hemoglobina sérica foi analisada segundo sua distribuição, média e prevalência de anemia (Hb<110,0g/L) aos 12 meses de idade. A avaliação da efetividade foi realizada segundo intenção de tratar e adesão ao protocolo, utilizando-se análises de regressão múltipla (linear e de Poisson). RESULTADOS: Os grupos mostraram-se homogêneos quanto às variáveis de caracterização. A intervenção foi operacionalizada com sucesso, com elevada adesão ao protocolo em ambos os grupos expostos a ela, sem diferença estatística entre eles. Após ajuste, somente o esquema diário apresentou efeito protetor. Na análise por adesão, o esquema diário apresentou evidente efeito dose-resposta para média de hemoglobina sérica e prevalência de anemia, não sendo observado nenhum efeito protetor do esquema semanal. CONCLUSÕES: Apenas o esquema diário de suplementação universal com sulfato ferroso dos seis aos 12 meses de idade foi efetivo em aumentar a concentração de hemoglobina sérica e em reduzir o risco de anemia

Renda familiar, preço de alimentos e aquisição domiciliar de frutas e hortaliças no Brasil

OBJETIVO: Analisar a influência da renda familiar e do preço de alimentos sobre a participação de frutas e hortaliças dentre os alimentos adquiridos pelas famílias brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, com amostra probabilística de 48.470 domicílios brasileiros entre 2002 e 2003. A participação de frutas e hortaliças no total de aquisições de alimentos foi expressa como percentual do total de calorias adquiridas e como calorias provenientes desses alimentos ajustadas para o total de calorias adquirido. Empregaram-se técnicas de análise de regressão múltipla para estimação de coeficientes de elasticidade, controlando-se variáveis sociodemográficas e preço dos demais alimentos. RESULTADOS: Observou-se aumento da participação de frutas e hortaliças no total de aquisições de alimentos com a diminuição de seu próprio preço ou com o aumento da renda. A diminuição do preço de frutas e hortaliças em 1 por cento aumentaria sua participação em 0,79 por cento do total calórico; o aumento de 1 por cento na renda familiar aumentaria essa participação no total calórico em 0,27 por cento. O efeito da renda tendeu a ser menor nos estratos de maior renda. CONCLUSÕES: A redução do preço de frutas e hortaliças, tanto pelo apoio à cadeia de produção dos alimentos quanto por medidas fiscais, é um promissor instrumento de política pública capaz de aumentar a participação desses alimentos na dieta brasileira

Performance of young male swimmers in the 100-meters front crawl

Youth swimming performance may be influenced by anthropometric, physiology and technical factors. The present paper examined the role of these factors in performance of 100m freestyle in swimmers 12-14 years of age (n = 24). Multiple regression analysis (forward method) was used to examine the variance of the 100 meters front crawl. Anaerobic power, swimming index and critical speed explained 88% (p < .05) of the variance in the average speed of 100 meters front crawl among young male pubertal swimmers. To conclude, performance of young swimmers in the 100 meters front crawl is determined predominantly by physiological factors and swimming technique.

Análise proposicional quantitativa aplicada à pesquisa em administração

The analysis of interviews with open-ended questions is a common practice amongst researchers in the field of Management. The difficulty therein is to convert the linguistic data into categories or quantitative values for subsequent statistical treatment. Proposals made to this end generally entail counting lexical occurrences which, since they are founded on previously established meanings, fail to include semantic associations made by interviews. This article aims to present an analysis tool comprising a set of techniques apt to generate linguistic units that can be statistically described, compared, modeled and inferred: the Quantitative Propositional Analysis (QPA), Its main difference from other such methods lies in the choice of a proposition - and not the lexical unit - as analysis unit. We present the application of this method through a study about the international expansion of retail firms.

Short-term nutritional counseling reduces body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold and triglycerides in women with metabolic syndrome

Background: It is recognized that the growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome is related to dietary and lifestyle changes. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term application of nutritional counseling in women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This follow-up study was conducted from September to November 2008 with thirty three women >= 35 years old screened clinically for nutritional counseling. Dietary intake was reported, and biochemical and body composition measures were taken at baseline and after three months of follow-up. Results: Of the 33 women evaluated, 29 patients completed the study. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity was high at 38%, 72.4%, 55.2%, and 75.8%, respectively. At the end of three-months of follow-up, a significant decline in body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and triglycerides was observed, as was an increase in calcium and vitamin D intake. The multiple regression analysis showed that changes in body mass index, triceps skinfold, waist circumference and triglyceride levels after nutritional intervention were positively associated with changes in anthropometric (loss of body weight) and biochemical (decrease of TG/HDL-c ratio) parameters. Moreover, waist circumference changes were negatively associated with changes in calcium and vitamin D intake. Conclusion: Short-term nutritional counseling improved some factors of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the increases in calcium and vitamin D consumption can be associated with the improvement in markers of metabolic syndrome.

The Influence of Different Land Uses on the Structure of Archaeal Communities in Amazonian Anthrosols Based on 16S rRNA and amoA Genes

Soil from the Amazonian region is usually regarded as unsuitable for agriculture because of its low organic matter content and low pH; however, this region also contains extremely rich soil, the Terra Preta Anthrosol. A diverse archaeal community usually inhabits acidic soils, such as those found in the Amazon. Therefore, we hypothesized that this community should be sensitive to changes in the environment. Here, the archaeal community composition of Terra Preta and adjacent soil was examined in four different sites in the Brazilian Amazon under different anthropic activities. The canonical correspondence analysis of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms has shown that the archaeal community structure was mostly influenced by soil attributes that differentiate the Terra Preta from the adjacent soil (i.e., pH, sulfur, and organic matter). Archaeal 16S rRNA gene clone libraries indicated that the two most abundant genera in both soils were Candidatus nitrosphaera and Canditatus nitrosocaldus. An ammonia monoxygenase gene (amoA) clone library analysis indicated that, within each site, there was no significant difference between the clone libraries of Terra Preta and adjacent soils. However, these clone libraries indicated there were significant differences between sites. Quantitative PCR has shown that Terra Preta soils subjected to agriculture displayed a higher number of amoA gene copy numbers than in adjacent soils. On the other hand, soils that were not subjected to agriculture did not display significant differences on amoA gene copy numbers between Terra Preta and adjacent soils. Taken together, our findings indicate that the overall archaeal community structure in these Amazonian soils is determined by the soil type and the current land use.

Performance of different immobilized lipases in palm oil biodiesel synthesis

Performance of different immobilized lipases in palm oil biodiesel synthesis. Optimized conditions for palm oil and ethanol enzymatic biodiesel synthesis were determined with different immobilized lipases SiO(2)-PVA-immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens and acrylic resin-immobilized lipase, Novozym (R) 435, from Candida antartica, in solvent-free medium. A full factorial design assessed the influence of temperature (42 - 58 degrees C) and ethanol: palm oil (6:1 - 18:1) molar ratio on the transesterification yield. Main effects were adjusted by multiple regression analysis to linear models and the maximum transesterification yield was obtained at 42 degrees C and 18:1 ethanol: palm oil molar ratio. Mathematical models featuring total yield for each immobilized lipase were suitable to describe the experimental results.

Evaluation of carcass characteristics of Bos indicus and tropically adapted Bos taurus breeds selected for postweaning weight

Data from 9 studies were compiled to evaluate the effects of 20 yr of selection for postweaning weight (PWW) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in experimental herds of control Nellore (NeC) and selected Nellore (NeS), Caracu (CaS), Guzerah (GuS), and Gir (GiS) breeds. These studies were conducted with animals from a genetic selection program at the Experimental Station of Sertaozinho, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. After the performance test (168 d postweaning), bulls (n = 490) from the calf crops born between 1992 and 2000 were finished and slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality. Treatments were different across studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with a random coefficients model in which herd was considered a fixed effect and treatments within year and year were considered as random effects. Either calculated maturity degree or initial BW was used interchangeably as the covariate, and least squares means were used in the multiple-comparison analysis. The CaS and NeS had heavier (P = 0.002) carcasses than the NeC and GiS; GuS were intermediate. The CaS had the longest carcass (P < 0.001) and heaviest spare ribs (P < 0.001), striploin (P < 0.001), and beef plate (P = 0.013). Although the body, carcass, and quarter weights of NeS were similar to those of CaS, NeS had more edible meat in the leg region than did CaS bulls. Selection for PWW increased rib-eye area in Nellore bulls. Selected Caracu had the lowest (most favorable) shear force values compared with the NeS (P = 0.003), NeC (P = 0.005), GuS (P = 0.003), and GiS (P = 0.008). Selection for PWW increased body, carcass, and meat retail weights in the Nellore without altering dressing percentage and body fat percentage.

Evaluation of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance data for predicting lean tissue mass in beef cattle

Multifrequency bioimpedance analysis has the potential to provide a non-invasive technique for determining body composition in live cattle. A bioimpedance meter developed for use in clinical medicine was adapted and evaluated in 2 experiments using a total of 31 cattle. Prediction equations were obtained for total body water, extracellular body water, intracellular body water, carcass water and carcass protein. There were strong correlations between the results obtained through chemical markers and bioimpedance analysis when determined in cattle that had a wide range of liveweights and conditions. The r(2) values obtained were 0.87 and 0.91 for total body water and extracellular body water respectively. Bioimpedance also correlated with carcass water, measured by chemical analysis (r(2) = 0.72), but less well with carcass protein (r(2) = 0.46). These correlations were improved by inclusion of liveweight and sex as variables in multiple regression analysis. However, the resultant equations were poor predictors of protein and water content in the carcasses of a group of small underfed beef cattle, that had a narrow range of liveweights. In this case, although there was no statistical difference between the predicted and measured values overall, bioimpedance analysis did not detect the differences in carcass protein between the 2 groups that were apparent following chemical analysis. Further work is required to determine the sensitivity of the technique in small underfed cattle, and its potential use in heavier well fed cattle close to slaughter weight.

Regional and total body bone mineral density in elite collegiate male swimmers

Back,ground To examine the role of long-term swimming exercise on regional and total body bone mineral density (BMD) in men. Methods. Experimental design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Musculoskeletal research laboratory at a medical center, Participants:We compared elite collegiate swimmers (n=11) to age-, weight-, and height-matched non-athletic controls (n=11), Measures: BMD (g/cm(2)) of the lumbar spine L2-4, proximal femur (femoral neck, trochanter, Ward's triangle), total body and various subregions of the total body, as well as regional and total body fat and bone mineral-free lean mass (LM) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic QDR 1000/W). Results. Swimmers, who commenced training at 10.7+/-3.7 yrs (mean+/-SD) and trained for 24.7+/-4.2 hrs per week, had a greater amount of LM (p<0.05), lower fat mass (p<0.001) and percent body fat (9.5 vs 16.2 %, p<0.001) than controls. There was no significant difference between groups for regional or total body BRID, In stepwise multiple regression analysis, body weight was a consistent independent predictor of regional and total body BMD, Conclusions. These results suggest that long-term swimming is not an osteogenic mode of training in college-aged males. This supports our previous findings in young female swimmers who displayed no bone mass benefits despite long-standing athletic training.

Placental growth hormone (GH), GH-binding protein, and insulin-like growth factor axis in normal, growth-retarded, and diabetic pregnancies: Correlations with fetal growth

We previously described significant changes in GH-binding protein (GHBP) in pathological human pregnancy. There was a substantial elevation of GHBP in cases of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a reduction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. GHBP has the potential to modulate the proportion of free placental GH (PGH) and hence the impact on the maternal GH/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis, fetal growth, and maternal glycemic status. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship among glycemia, GHBP, and PGH during pregnancy and to assess the impact of GHBP on the concentration of free PGH. We have extended the analysis of specimens to include measurements of GHBP, PGH, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), IGFSP-2, and IGFBP-3 and have related these to maternal characteristics, fetal growth, and glycemia. The simultaneous measurement of GHBP and PGH has for the first time allowed calculation of the free component of PGH and correlation of the free component to indexes of fetal growth and other endocrine markers. PGH, free PGH, IGF-I, and IGF-II were substantially decreased in IUGR at 28-30 weeks gestation (K28) and 36-38 weeks gestation (K36). The mean concentration (+/-SEM) of total PGH increased significantly from K28 to K36 (30.0 +/- 2.2 to 50.7 +/- 6.2 ng/mL; n = 40), as did the concentration of free PGH (23.4 +/- 2.3 to 43.7 +/- 6.0 ng/mL; n = 38). The mean percentage of free PGH was significantly less in IUGR than in normal subjects (67% vs. 79%; P < 0.01). Macrosomia was associated with an increase in these parameters that did not reach statistical significance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that PGH/IGF-I and IGFBP-5 account for 40% of the variance in birth weight. IGFBP-3 showed a significant correlation with IGF-I, IGF-II, and free and total PGK at K28 and K36. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients had a lower mean percentage of free PGH (65%; P < 0.01), and insulin-dependent diabetics had a higher mean percentage of free PGH (87%; P < 0.01) than normal subjects. Mean postprandial glucose at K28 correlated positively with PGH and free PGH (consistent with the hyperglycemic action of GH). GHBP correlated negatively with both postprandial and fasting glucose. Although GHBP correlated negatively with PGH (r = -0.52; P

Homicide mortality, socioeconomic development, and police violence in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective. To analyze the association between police violence and homicide mortality rates taking into consideration the effect of contextual variables. Methods. This was an environmental, cross-sectional study that included the 96 census districts in the City of Sao Paulo. The association between the variables was analyzed using Spearman`s rank correlation and simple and multiple regression analysis. Results. Univariate analysis revealed a strong and significant association between homicide mortality coefficients and all the indicators of socioeconomic development and police violence. After controlling for potential confounding factors, the association between police violence and homicide mortality coefficients remained strong and significant. This significance was lost only after control for the size of the resident population. Conclusion. The results indicate that police action that violates basic human rights is not the right answer to urban violence. The combination of homicides from interpersonal violence and deaths from police violence results in negative socialization and promotes further violence.

Age-dependent increase in blood pressure in two different Native American communities in Brazil

Objective Cardiovascular risk factors were surveyed in two Indian populations (Guarani, n=60; Tupinikin, n=496) and in a non-Indian group (n=114) living in the same reserve in southeast Brazilian coast. The relationship between an age-dependent blood pressure (BP) increase with salt consumption was also investigated. Methods Overnight (12 h) urine was collected to evaluate Na excretion. Fasting glucose and lipids, anthropometry, BP, ECG and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured in a clinic visit. Participation (318 men/352 women, age 20-94 years; mean=37.6 +/- 14.9 years) comprised 80% of the eligible population. Results The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol was similar in Tupinikins and in non-Indians and higher than in Guaranis. The prevalence of smoking and obesity was higher in the latter group. Hypertension and diabetes were detected in only one individual of the Guarani group. Mean BP adjusted to age and BMI was significantly lower (P<0.01) in Guaranis (82.8 +/- 1.6 mmHg) than in Tupinikins (92.3 +/- 0.5 mmHg) and non-Indians (91.6 +/- 1.1 mmHg). Urinary Na excretion (mEq/12h), however, was similar in the three groups (Guarani=94 +/- 40; Tupinikin=105 +/- 56; non-Indian=109 +/- 55; P>0.05). PWV (m/s) was lower (P<0.01) in Guarani (7.5 +/- 1.4) than in Tupinikins (8.8 +/- 2.2) and non-Indians (8.4 +/- 2.0). Multiple regression analysis showed that age and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were independent predictors of SBP and DBP (r(2)=0.44) in Tupinikins, whereas the WHR was the unique independent predictor of BP variability in Guaranis (r(2)=0.22). Conclusion Lower BP levels in Guaranis cannot be explained by low salt intake observed in other primitive populations. J Hypertens 27:1753-1760 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Echocardiographic predictors of functional capacity in endomyocardial fibrosis patients

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a restrictive cardiomyopathy manifested mainly by diastolic heart failure. It is recognized that diastole is an important determinant of exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether resting echocardiographic parameters might predict oxygen consumption (VO(2p)) by ergoespirometry and the prognostic role of functional capacity in EMF patients. A total of 32 patients with biventricular EMF (29 women, 55.3 +/- 11.4 years) were studied by echocardiography and ergoespirometry. The relationship between the echocardiographic indexes and the percentage of predicted VO(2p) (%VO(2p)) was investigated by the `stepwise` linear regression analysis. The median VO(2p) was 11 +/- 3 mL/kg/min and the %VO(2p) was 53 +/- 9%. There was a correlation of %VO(2p) with an average of A` at four sites of the mitral annulus (A` peak, r = 0.471, P = 0.023), E`/A` of the inferior mitral annulus (r = -0.433, P = 0.044), and myocardial performance index (r = -0.352, P = 0.048). On multiple regression analysis, only A` peak was an independent predictor of %VO(2p) (%VO(2p)= 26.34 + 332.44 x A` peak). EMF patients with %VO(2p)< 53% had an increased mortality rate with a relative risk of 8.47. In EMF patients, diastolic function plays an important role in determining the limitations to exercise and %VO(2p) has a prognostic value.