Soroepidemiologia e caracterização molecular da infecção pelo Vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas 1 e 2 (HTLV-1/2) em mulheres gestantes na cidade de Belém, Pará

A infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 já foi investigada em diversas populações, mostrando prevalência variável conforme a área geográfica, grupos étnicos e subpopulações analisadas. Em estudos brasileiros foi observada uma maior prevalência nos Estados da Bahia e do Pará. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência do HTLV em mulheres grávidas na cidade de Belém, Pará, por meio de técnicas sorológicas e moleculares. Foram coletadas 1.027 amostras de sangue e alíquotas de plasmas foram testadas para a presença de anticorpos anti-HTLV-1/2, utilizando o método imunoenzimático do tipo ELISA. A confirmação da infecção e diferenciação dos tipos e subtipos virais foi realizada por meio da Reação em Cadeia mediada pela Polimerase em duas etapas (Nested PCR) através da amplificação gênica das regiões pX, env e 5’LTR seguido da análise de RFLP e seqüenciamento. Foram detectados seis (0,58%) casos de sororreatividade para o HTLV que posteriormente foram confirmados pela amplificação de um fragmento de 159 pb da região pX. A análise de RFLP com a enzima TaqI mostrou que quatro (66,7%) amostras eram positivas para HTLV-1 e duas (33,3%) para HTLV-2. Uma das amostras HTLV-2 teve o fragmento de 630 pb do gene env amplificado. A análise com a endonuclease XhoI mostrou a presença de um perfil de RFLP característico dos subtipos HTLV-2a/2c. Duas amostras HTLV-1 e uma HTLV-2 tiveram a região 5’LTR amplificada e seqüenciada. Por meio da análise filogenética foi possível classificar as amostras HTLV-1 como Cosmopolita Transcontinental e a HTLV-2 como pertencente ao subtipo HTLV-2c. Esse estudo mostra a relevância de se introduzir o teste para HTLV na triagem pré-natal, a fim de reduzir transmissão vertical e horizontal em nosso estado.

Álvaro Vieira Pinto: massas, nacionalismo e cultura na realidade nacional

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Entretempos: experiências de vida e resistência entre os Kaiowá e Guarani a partir de seus jovens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Abrindo uma matriochka no arquivo: lições de método de Mário de Andrade

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da experiência de contato com o Arquivo Mário de Andrade, no Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros da Universidade de São Paulo, com vistas a contribuir para a edição de um volume das Obras Completas do autor. A análise de alguns textos do livro em que Mário pretendia reunir suas crônicas críticas demonstra não apenas sua ampla erudição e capacidade de buscar instrumentos de pesquisa, como também aponta a argúcia intelectual, por vezes misturada ao bom humor ou às considerações polêmicas, traços da personalidade do escritor paulistano.

Crônicas de Graciliano Ramos em Cultura política (1941- 1944): estudo crítico

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

A relação entre tabagismo e habilidades sociais: uma revisão da literatura

The literature suggests an association between drug use and addiction and the repertoire of social skills of the individual. However, there are still relatively few studies focusing specifically on the relationship between smoking and social skills. Moreover, Brazilian studies on the subject are scarce. This paper presents a review of the literature about smoking and social skills, emphasizing the theoretical underpinning research, as well as the main data obtained so far. One of the most investigated issues is the relationship between assertiveness and smoking. It is assumed that the lack of assertiveness and in particular the ability to refuse the supply of drugs and / or peer pressure to consumption can be a risk factor for smoking initiation, especially in adolescents. However, the literature on this issue is still controversial. It is assumed that further studies to elucidate these associations could contribute to prevention programs and intervention for tobacco use, using social skills training as a strategy.

Atitudes sociais em relação à inclusão: estudos brasileiros

An important component of the Inclusive Education can be the social attitudes toward inclusion presented by teachers, students and other members of the school community. The aim of this paper is to systematize main fidings of some Brazilian studies concerning that theme. The results of studies in which the Likert Scale of Social Attitudes toward Inclusion was used are summarized. Twelve studies were analyzed, examining the relationship between the social attitudes toward inclusion and some subjects characteristics, highlighting the chronological age, formation area, educational experience and previous experience with people with deficiency. The results were not able to demonstrate in a conclusive way the nature of the relationship between each of these variables and the social attitudes toward inclusion. These seem to be affected by a group of complexly related variables of the subjects and of the target of social attitudes.

Arquivo e literatura: perspectivas de acesso e difusão da memória literária no Brasil

Besides storing, the culture and science institutions in charge of the of Brazilian writers’ personal archives play such an important role on the organization and representation of the country’s literary information. In general, the target public for these collections is composed by researchers from the field of Literature once the documents produced by the writers throughout his/her life and career constitute primary research source for the artistic, historical and literary investigation. However, it is still convenient to stand out those users with no academic instruction, whose interest in such collections is justified by their looking up to the individual. In this sense, literary memory places, such as the Brazilian Literature Archive Museum – AMLB (RJ) -, the Brazilian Literature Academy – ABL – (RJ) and the Brazilian Studies Institute – IEB – (SP) turn out to be responsible for offering access to the literary archives and literary information. Thus, it is necessary to consider that databases demonstrate themselves as utter disseminators of the preservation and diffusion of the literary memory, coming up with several possibilities for cultural and scientific action in Literature. This study focuses on showing the contributions of databases towards the literary archives, the challenges and perspectives observed according to the mentioned institutions’ reality, in whose missions the discourse of the literary memory preservation is inserted.

Caio Prado Jr. e o intelectual marxista hoje

This article proposes to engage in dialogue with the work and the trajectory of Caio Prado Júnior, one of the most influential historians and Marxist intellectuals of Brazil. The intention is not to evaluate his production in detail, nor follow the relationships she had with the Brazilian society and the historian’s political options, something already conducted by several researchers. Instead, its intention is to “use” his trajectory and style to freely reflect on some traces of Marxism in Brazil and especially on certain dilemmas inherent in the performance of the Marxist intellectuality. Caio Prado Jr. will, therefore, be treated here as a parameter for a broader reflection on the intellectuals.

O papel do NGAL urinário como preditor diagnóstico e prognóstico da lesão aguda associada a sepse em pacientes admitidos na emergência clínica

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Integrale, Longueur, Aire de Henri Lebesgue

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

Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension Among Seventh-Day Adventists of the Sao Paulo State Capital and Inner Area

Background: Inadequate life habits are known to favor hypertension, and Adventists recommend healthy life habits. Objective: To assess the prevalence of hypertension among Seventh-Day Adventists from the inner Sao Paulo state and Sao Paulo state capital. Methods: This study assessed 264 Adventists (mean age, 41.17 +/- 15.27 years; women, 59.8%) with a high religiosity level assessed by use of the Duke University Religion Index. Blood pressure was measured with a validated automatic device. The significance level adopted was p < 0.05. Results: The total prevalence of hypertension was 22.7% (27.4% in the inner state and 15% in the capital). The Adventists from the capital differed from those of inner state as follows (p < 0.05), respectively: higher education (62% vs 36.6%); employed by a third party (44%) vs self-employed (40.9%); family income (8.39 +/- 6.20 vs 4.59 +/- 4.75 minimum wages); individual income (4.54 +/- 5.34 vs 6.35 +/- 48; couple responsible for family income (35% vs 39.6%); vegetarianism (11% vs 3%); blood pressure (115.38 +/- 16.52/68.74 +/- 8.94 vs 123.66 +/- 19.62/74.88 +/- 11.85 mmHg); white ethnicity (65% vs 81.1%); married (53% vs 68.9%); lower tangible support in the social aspect (15.7 +/- 5.41 vs 16.9 +/- 4.32); and recalling the last time one's blood pressure was measured (65% vs 48.8%). On multivariate analysis, hypertension associated with the following: 1) vegetarianism (OR 0.051; 95% CI: 0.004-0.681); 2) educational level (OR 5.317; 95% CI: 1.674-16.893); 3) recalling the last time one's blood pressure was measured (OR 2.725; 95% CI: 1.275-5.821); 4) being retired (OR 8.846; 95% CI: 1.406-55.668); and 5) being responsible for family income (OR 0.422; 95% CI: 0.189-0.942). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among Adventists was lower as compared with that reported in Brazilian studies, and it was lower in the Sao Paulo state capital as compared with that in the inner Sao Paulo state, possibly because of the better socioeconomic conditions and life habits of the former. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012; 98(4): 329-337)

Correlates of the incidence of disability and mortality among older adult Brazilians with and without diabetes mellitus and stroke

Background: The combined effect of diabetes and stroke on disability and mortality remains largely unexplored in Brazil and Latin America. Previous studies have been based primarily on data from developed countries. This study addresses the empirical gap by evaluating the combined impact of diabetes and stroke on disability and mortality in Brazil. Methods: The sample was drawn from two waves of the Survey on Health and Well-being of the Elderly, which followed 2,143 older adults in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2006. Disability was assessed via measures of activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, severe ADL limitations, and receiving assistance to perform these activities. Logistic and multinomial regression models controlling for sociodemographic and health conditions were used to address the influence of diabetes and stroke on disability and mortality. Results: By itself, the presence of diabetes did not increase the risk of disability or the need for assistance; however, diabetes was related to increased risks when assessed in combination with stroke. After controlling for demographic, social and health conditions, individuals who had experienced stroke but not diabetes were 3.4 times more likely to have ADL limitations than those with neither condition (95% CI 2.26-5.04). This elevated risk more than doubled for those suffering from a combination of diabetes and stroke (OR 7.34, 95% CI 3.73-14.46). Similar effects from the combination of diabetes and stroke were observed for severe ADL limitations (OR 19.75, 95% CI 9.81-39.76) and receiving ADL assistance (OR 16.57, 95% CI 8.39-32.73). Over time, older adults who had experienced a stroke were at higher risk of remaining disabled (RRR 4.28, 95% CI 1.53, 11.95) and of mortality (RRR 3.42, 95% CI 1.65, 7.09). However, risks were even higher for those who had experienced both diabetes and stroke. Diabetes was associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: Findings indicate that a combined history of stroke and diabetes has a great impact on disability prevalence and mortality among older adults in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Amphetamine, cocaine and cannabinoids use among truck drivers on the roads in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Drugs are important risk factors for traffic accidents. In Brazil, truck drivers report using amphetamines to maintain their extensive work schedule and stay awake. These drugs can be obtained without prescription easily on Brazilian roads. The use of these stimulants can result in health problems and can be associated with traffic accidents. There are Brazilian studies that show that drivers use drugs. However, these studies are questionnaire-based and do not always reflect real-life situations. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of drug use by truck drivers on the roads of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, during 2009. Drivers of large trucks were randomly stopped by police officers on the interstate roads during morning hours. After being informed of the goals of the study, the drivers gave written informed consent before providing a urine sample. In addition, a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic characteristics and health information was administered. Urine samples were screened for amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabinoids by immunoassay and the confirmation was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Of the 488 drivers stopped, 456 (93.4%) provided urine samples, and 9.3% of them (n = 42) tested positive for drugs. Amphetamines were the most commonly found (n = 26) drug, representing 61.9% of the positive samples. Ten cases tested positive for cocaine (23.8%), and five for cannabinoids (11.9%). All drivers were male with a mean age of 40 +/- 10.8 years, and 29.3% of them reported some health problem (diabetes, high blood pressure and/or stress). A high incidence of truck drivers who tested positive for drug use was found, among other reported health problems. Thus, there is an evident need to promote a healthier lifestyle among professional drivers and a need for preventive measures aimed at controlling the use of drugs by truck drivers in Brazil. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of psychosocial risk factors on the trajectory of mental health problems from childhood to adolescence: a longitudinal study

Background Longitudinal epidemiological studies involving child/adolescent mental health problems are scarce in developing countries, particularly in regions characterized by adverse living conditions. We examined the influence of psychosocial factors on the trajectory of child/adolescent mental health problems (CAMHP) over time. Methods A population-based sample of 6- to 13-year-olds with CAMHP was followed-up from 2002–2003 (Time 1/T1) to 2007–2008 (Time 2/T2), with 86 out of 124 eligible children/adolescents at T1 being reassessed at T2 (sample loss: 30.6%). Outcome: CAMHP at T2 according to the Child Behavior Checklist/CBCL’s total problem scale. Psychosocial factors: T1 variables (child/adolescent’s age, family socioeconomic status); trajectory of variables from T1 to T2 (child/adolescent exposure to severe physical punishment, mother exposure to severe physical marital violence, maternal anxiety/depression); and T2 variables (maternal education, child/adolescent’s social support and pro-social activities). Results Multivariate analysis identified two risk factors for child/adolescent MHP at T2: aggravation of child/adolescent physical punishment and aggravation of maternal anxiety/depression. Conclusions The current study shows the importance of considering child/adolescent physical punishment and maternal anxiety/depression in intervention models and mental health care policies.