Territorios baldíos: identidades juveniles indígenas y rurales en América Latina

Las teorías sobre la invención histórica de la infancia y la adolescencia se han basado casi exclusivamente en fuentes occidentales (más exactamente centroeuropeas y anglosajonas), por lo que es urgente una reconceptualización en una óptica diacrónica y transcultural. Una de las conclusiones del encuentro «A criança e o jovem na America Latina», que tuvo lugar en Marilia (Brasil) en noviembre del 2001, organizado por la International Sociological Association, fue la necesidad de reconceptualizar la infancia y la juventud desde una perspectiva latinoamericana (como ámbito geográfico, académico y cultural). En este artículo proponemos retomar, en una perspectiva comparativa y como ejemplo de la riqueza y complejidad de las tareas pendientes, dos casos documentales y etnográficos recabados en nuestras propias indagaciones en México (Feixa, 1998b) y Chile (González, 2004a, 2004b), en la idea de comenzar a cursar esta «asignatura pendiente».

Avaliação nutricional em folhas de bananeira 'Prata-anã' adubadas com composto orgânico

Desenvolveu-se o presente trabalho objetivando avaliar o estado nutricional de plantas cultivadas com diferentes doses de composto orgânico no primeiro ciclo de produção da bananeira 'Prata-Anã', cultivada em Botucatu-SP. Os tratamentos empregados foram constituídos de diferentes doses de composto orgânico: T1 = 0 g de K2O/planta (Testemunha); T2 = 98,5 g de K2O/planta (43 kg de composto/planta); T3 = 197,0 g de K2O/planta (86 kg de composto/planta); T4 = 290,5 g de K2O/planta (129 kg de composto/planta), e T5 = 394,0 g de K2O/planta (172 kg de composto/planta), sendo as doses de composto calculadas de acordo com o teor de potássio presente no mesmo. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, composto de 5 tratamentos, 5 repetições e 2 plantas por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e à análise de regressão. Os efeitos da adubação orgânica foram avaliados por meio de análises químicas de macro e micronutrientes nas folhas, durante o florescimento e na colheita. A adubação orgânica não promoveu diferença nas concentrações de nutrientes nas folhas, contudo verificou-se que os teores foliares de potássio, considerados adequados para a bananeira 'Prata-Anã', podem ser inferiores aos padrões atualmente adotados para a cultura.

Alterações em propriedades de solo adubado com doses de composto orgânico sob cultivo de bananeira

Com o intuito de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes doses de composto orgânico nas propriedades químicas do solo cultivado com bananeira 'Prata-anã' (Musa AAB), foi desenvolvido o presente trabalho na Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - UNESP, Botucatu-SP. O plantio foi realizado no mês de novembro de 2002, com mudas convencionais, adotando-se o espaçamento de 2,5 x 2,5 m. O composto orgânico foi produzido com serragem de madeira e esterco de bovino, sendo os tratamentos empregados constituídos das seguintes doses de composto: T1 = 0 g planta-1 de K2O (dose zero do composto - Testemunha); T2 = 98,5 g planta-1 de K2O (43 kg planta-1 de composto); T3 = 197,0 g planta-1 de K2O (86 kg planta-1 de composto); T4 = 290,5 g planta-1 de K2O (129 kg planta-1 de composto); T5 = 394,0 g planta-1 de K2O (172 kg planta-1 de composto), sendo essas doses calculadas de acordo com o teor de potássio presente no mesmo. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, com 5 tratamentos, 5 repetições e 2 plantas por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e à análise de regressão. Aos quatro meses após a aplicação da última parcela da adubação com composto orgânico, realizou-se amostragem de solo da camada de 0 a 20 cm e foram avaliadas as propriedades químicas do solo. A adubação orgânica promoveu incrementos no pH, matéria orgânica, fósforo, cálcio, soma de bases, CTC e saturação por bases do solo.

'Herbal' but potentially hazardous: an analysis of the constituents and smoke emissions of tobacco-free waterpipe products and the air quality in the cafes where they are served

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the composition and smoke emissions of 'herbal' shisha products and the air quality of establishments where they are smoked. METHODS: Three studies of 'herbal' shisha were conducted: (1) samples of 'herbal' shisha products were chemically analysed; (2) 'herbal' and tobacco shisha were burned in a waterpipe smoking machine and main and sidestream smoke analysed by standard methods and (3) the air quality of six waterpipe cafes was assessed by measurement of CO, particulate and nicotine vapour content. RESULTS: We found considerable variation in heavy metal content between the three products sampled, one being particularly high in lead, chromium, nickel and arsenic. A similar pattern emerged for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Smoke emission analyses indicated that toxic byproducts produced by the combustion of 'herbal' shisha were equivalent or greater than those produced by tobacco shisha. The results of our air quality assessment demonstrated that mean PM2.5 levels and CO content were significantly higher in waterpipe establishments compared to a casino where cigarette smoking was permitted. Nicotine vapour was detected in one of the waterpipe cafes. CONCLUSIONS: 'Herbal' shisha products tested contained toxic trace metals and PAHs levels equivalent to, or in excess of, that found in cigarettes. Their mainstream and sidestream smoke emissions contained carcinogens equivalent to, or in excess of, those of tobacco products. The content of the air in the waterpipe cafes tested was potentially hazardous. These data, in aggregate, suggest that smoking 'herbal' shisha may well be dangerous to health.

Nursing student-patient relationship and associated factors

The purpose of this study was to analyse the nursing student-patient relationship and factors associated with this relationship from the point of view of both students and patients, and to identify factors that predict the type of relationship. The ultimate goal is to improve supervised clinical practicum with a view to supporting students in their reciprocal collaborative relationships with patients, increase their preparedness to meet patients’ health needs, and thus to enhance the quality of patient care. The study was divided into two phases. In the first phase (1999-2005), a literature review concerning the student-patient relationship was conducted (n=104 articles) and semi-structured interviews carried out with nursing students (n=30) and internal medicine patients (n=30). Data analysis was by means of qualitative content analysis and Student-Patient Relationship Scales, which were specially developed for this research. In the second phase (2005-2007), the data were collected by SPR scales among nursing students (n=290) and internal medicine patients (n=242). The data were analysed statistically by SPSS 12.0 software. The results revealed three types of student-patient relationship: a mechanistic relationship focusing on the student’s learning needs; an authoritative relationship focusing on what the student assumes is in the patient’s best interest; and a facilitative relationship focusing on the common good of both student and patient. Students viewed their relationship with patients more often as facilitative and authoritative than mechanistic, while in patients’ assessments the authoritative relationship occurred most frequently and the facilitative relationship least frequently. Furthermore, students’ and patients’ views on their relationships differed significantly. A number of background factors, contextual factors and consequences of the relationship were found to be associated with the type of relationship. In the student data, factors that predicted the type of relationship were age, current year of study and support received in the relationship with patient. The higher the student’s age, the more likely the relationship with the patient was facilitative. Fourth year studies and the support of a person other than a supervisor were significantly associated with an authoritative relationship. Among patients, several factors were found to predict the type of nursing student-patient relationships. Significant factors associated with a facilitative relationship were university-level education, several previous hospitalizations, admission to hospital for a medical problem, experience of caring for an ill family member and patient’s positive perception of atmosphere during collaboration and of student’s personal and professional growth. In patients, positive perceptions of student’s personal and professional attributes and patient’s improved health and a greater commitment to self-care, on the other hand, were significantly associated with an authoritative relationship, whereas positive perceptions of one’s own attributes as a patient were significantly associated with a mechanistic relationship. It is recommended that further research on the student-patient relationship and related factors should focus on questions of content, methodology and education.

Recruitment of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) to the Fibroblast Cell Surface by Lysyl Hydroxylase 3 (LH3) Triggers Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Activation and Fibroblast Differentiation.

Solid tumor growth triggers a wound healing response. Similar to wound healing, fibroblasts in the tumor stroma differentiate into myofibroblasts (also referred to as cancer-associated fibroblasts) primarily, but not exclusively, in response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Myofibroblasts in turn enhance tumor progression by remodeling the stroma. Among proteases implicated in stroma remodeling, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-9, play a prominent role. Recent evidence indicates that MMP-9 recruitment to the tumor cell surface enhances tumor growth and invasion. In the present work, we addressed the potential relevance of MMP-9 recruitment to and activity at the surface of fibroblasts. We show that recruitment of MMP-9 to the fibroblast cell surface occurs through its fibronectin-like (FN) domain and that the molecule responsible for the recruitment is lysyl hydroxylase 3 (LH3). Functional assays suggest that both pro- and active MMP-9 trigger α-smooth muscle actin expression in cultured fibroblasts, reflecting myofibroblast differentiation, possibly as a result of TGF-β activation. Moreover, the recombinant FN domain inhibited both MMP-9-induced TGF-β activation and α-smooth muscle actin expression by displacing MMP-9 from the fibroblast cell surface. Together our results uncover LH3 as a new docking receptor of MMP-9 on the fibroblast cell surface and demonstrate that the MMP-9 FN domain is essential for the interaction. They also show that the recombinant FN domain inhibits MMP-9-induced TGF-β activation and fibroblast differentiation, providing a potentially attractive therapeutic reagent toward attenuating tumor progression where MMP-9 activity is strongly implicated.

Vacuolar SNARE Protein Transmembrane Domains Serve as Nonspecific Membrane Anchors with Unequal Roles in Lipid Mixing.

Membrane fusion is induced by SNARE complexes that are anchored in both fusion partners. SNAREs zipper up from the N to C terminus bringing the two membranes into close apposition. Their transmembrane domains (TMDs) might be mere anchoring devices, deforming bilayers by mechanical force. Structural studies suggested that TMDs might also perturb lipid structure by undergoing conformational transitions or by zipping up into the bilayer. Here, we tested this latter hypothesis, which predicts that the activity of SNAREs should depend on the primary sequence of their TMDs. We replaced the TMDs of all vacuolar SNAREs (Nyv1, Vam3, and Vti1) by a lipid anchor, by a TMD from a protein unrelated to the membrane fusion machinery, or by artificial leucine-valine sequences. Individual exchange of the native SNARE TMDs against an unrelated transmembrane anchor or an artificial leucine-valine sequence yielded normal fusion activities. Fusion activity was also preserved upon pairwise exchange of the TMDs against unrelated peptides, which eliminates the possibility for specific TMD-TMD interactions. Thus, a specific primary sequence or zippering beyond the SNARE domains is not a prerequisite for fusion. Lipid-anchored Vti1 was fully active, and lipid-anchored Nyv1 permitted the reaction to proceed up to hemifusion, and lipid-anchored Vam3 interfered already before hemifusion. The unequal contribution of proteinaceous TMDs on Vam3 and Nyv1 suggests that Q- and R-SNAREs might make different contributions to the hemifusion intermediate and the opening of the fusion pore. Furthermore, our data support the view that SNARE TMDs serve as nonspecific membrane anchors in vacuole fusion.

Factors associated with durable response to infliximab in Crohn's disease 5 years and beyond : a multicenter international cohort

BACKGROUND: Infliximab (IFX) has been used for over a decade worldwide. Less is known about the natural history of IFX use beyond a few years and which patients are more likely to sustain benefits. METHODS: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) exposed to IFX from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, and the Swiss IBD Cohort Study were identified through retrospective and prospective data collection, complemented by chart abstraction of electronic medical records. We compared long-term users of IFX (>5 yr of treatment, long-term users of infliximab [LTUI]), with non-LTUI patients to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: We pooled data on 1014 patients with CD from 3 different databases, of whom 250 were defined as LTUI. The comparison group comprised 290 patients with CD who discontinued IFX: 48 primary nonresponses, 95 loss of responses, and 147 adverse events. Factors associated with LTUI were colonic involvements and an earlier age at the start of IFX. The prevalence of active smokers and obese patients differed markedly, but inversely, between American and European centers but did not impact outcome. The discontinuation rate was stable around 3% to 6%, each year from years 3 to 10. CONCLUSIONS: Young age at start of IFX and colonic CD are factors associated with a beneficial long-term use of IFX. After 5 years of IFX, there is still a 3% to 5% discontinuation rate annually. Several factors associated with a good initial response such as nonsmoker and shorter disease duration at IFX initiation do not seem associated with a longer term response.

Alterações nos teores nutricionais foliares de bananeira 'prata-anã' adubada com composto orgânico em cinco ciclos de produção

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o estado nutricional da bananeira-'Prata-anã' durante cinco ciclos de cultivo com adubação orgânica, no município de Botucatu-SP. As plantas foram adubadas com composto orgânico produzido a partir de serragem de madeira e esterco bovino, em que os tratamentos foram constituídos de doses desse composto (0; 98,5; 197,0; 290,5 e 394,0 g de K2O/planta). Empregou-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. No florescimento das plantas em cada ciclo, foram retiradas amostras foliares de duas plantas por parcela para serem analisados os teores de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, enxofre, boro, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco. A maior parte dos macronutrientes presentes nas folhas não foi influenciada pelo incremento de doses de composto orgânico. No decorrer dos ciclos avaliados, os teores foliares de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, enxofre, boro, ferro e manganês diminuíram, enquanto o cálcio e o magnésio se acumularam nas plantas. Os teores de potássio estavam abaixo dos padrões para a cultura no Estado de São Paulo, em todos os anos avaliados, mesmo assim as plantas não apresentaram sintomas de deficiência ou queda de produção, inferindo-se que a faixa considerada como adequada para a cultivar pode ser inferior aos padrões atualmente adotados.

Crescimento e produção de bananeira prata-anã adubada com composto orgânico durante cinco safras

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da adubação orgânica durante cinco safras, nas características de crescimento e produtividade de plantas de bananeira-'Prata-anã'. O experimento foi instalado no município de Botucatu-SP, em novembro de 2002, com mudas convencionais, adotando-se o espaçamento de 2,5 x 2,5 m, sendo as plantas adubadas com composto orgânico produzido a partir de serragem de madeira e esterco bovino devidamente compostados, que constituíram os tratamentos: 0; 43; 86; 129 e 172 kg de composto por planta, sendo estas doses de composto calculadas de acordo com o teor de potássio presente no composto. No florescimento das plantas em cada ciclo (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 e 2007), foram medidas a circunferência do pseudocaule, a altura de inserção da inflorescência e determinou-se o número de folhas úteis por planta. Na colheita, foram determinados a massa do cacho, o número de frutos por cacho, o número de pencas por cacho, a massa da 2ª penca, o número de frutos na 2ª penca, o comprimento e o diâmetro de frutos da 2ª penca. As doses de composto orgânico não causaram alterações nas características de crescimento das plantas; contudo, em função dos ciclos avaliados, foi possível observar queda no número de folhas a partir do segundo ciclo e alterações na altura de plantas e circunferência do pseudocaule. No presente trabalho, onde as doses de K2O oscilaram entre zero e 394 g por planta, os cachos com massa mais elevada foram obtidos com as duas maiores quantidades de compostos aplicadas, o que, economicamente, indica como a melhor dose a ser recomendada a de 129 kg de composto por planta, que fornece 290,5 g de K2O por planta.

Lisäainetehtaan tuotantoprosessin kehittäminen

Tämän diplomityön tarkoituksena oli Finnsementti osakeyhtiöön kuuluvan betonin lisäaineita valmistavan tehtaan tuotantoprosessin kehittäminen. Työssä laadittiin myynnin kasvuennusteen perusteella suunnitelma, jonka mukaan määriteltiin betonin lisäaineille ja raaka-aineille sopivat varastosäiliöt. Suunnitelman perusteella määriteltiin kiinteät putkilinjat sekä kirkkaille että tummille nesteille, jolloin materiaalihäviöt saatiin pienemmiksi ja putkilinjojen pesun tarve väheni. Lisäksi työssä otettiin huomioon tuotantoprosessin automatisointi. Suunnitellusta projektista laadittiin alustava kustannusarvio, toteutusaikataulu sekä sijoituspiirustus, putkisto-instrumentointikaavio ja 3D-piirrokset. Projektin kustannusarvioksi saatiin noin 290 tuhatta markkaa ja projektin pituudeksi noin 11 viikkoa.

The Effects of a Nematode Lungworm (Rhabdias hylae) on its Natural and Invasive Anuran Hosts.

Biological invasions can bring both the invader and native taxa into contact with novel parasites. As cane toads ( Rhinella marina ) have spread through Australia, they have encountered lungworms (Rhabdias hylae) that occur in native frogs. Field surveys suggest that these lungworms have not host-switched to toads. In our laboratory studies, R. hylae infected cane toads as readily as it infected native frogs, but failed to reach the lungs of the novel host (i.e., were killed by the toads' immune response). Plausibly, then, R. hylae might reduce the viability both of their native hosts (frogs, that can exhibit high parasite burdens) and cane toads (that must deal with infective larvae traveling through the host body). Our laboratory trials suggest, however, that the impacts of the parasite on infected anuran hosts (both frogs and toads) were minimal, with no significant decrements to host survival, activity, growth, or locomotor performance. Ironically, the lack of impact of the parasite on its native hosts appears to be an outcome of co-evolution (frogs tolerate the lungworm), whereas the lack of impact on the novel host is due to a lack of co-evolution (toads can recognize and eliminate the lungworm).