Juniperus navicularis - a study of Portuguese population structure and fitness

Juniperus navicularis Gand. is a dioecious endemic conifer that constitutes the understory of seaside pine forests in Portugal, areas currently threatened by increasing urban expansion. The aim of this study is to assess the conservation status of previously known populations of this species located on its core area of distribution. The study was performed in south-west coast of Portugal. Three populations varying in size and pine density were analyzed. Number of individuals, population density, spatial distribution and individual characteristics of junipers were estimated. Female cone, seed characteristics and seed viability were also evaluated. Results suggest that J. navicularis populations are vulnerable because seminal recruitment is scarce, what may lead to a reduction of genetic variability due solely to vegetative propagation. This vulnerability seems to be strongly determined by climatic constraints toward increasing aridity. Ratio between male and female shrubs did not differ from 1:1 in any population. Deviations from 1:1 between mature and non-mature plants were found in all populations, denoting population ageing. Very low seed viability was observed. A major part of described Juniperus navicularis populations have disappeared through direct habitat loss to urban development, loss of fitness in drier and warmer locations and low seed viability. This study is the first to address J. navicularis conservation, and represents a valuable first step toward this species preservation. 

Contemporary Transformations of the Relations between Politics, Culture and Religion in Western Europe. Some Notes on the Spanish Case

According to Tilly, two laws shaped the process of transformation undergone by Western European societies since the Peace of Westphalia until the end of the 20th century: their increasing inner homogenisation and their growing heterogeneity between them. Cultural inner homogenisation affected, fi rst, those ethnic groups living within the territories of the said states. The second phase of homogenisation impinged on those groups that immigrated after World War II. This process followed different models according to the country considered, but the 1973 oil crisis revealed their general lack of success. During the last quarter of the 20th century and onwards, these European societies have been altered by two progressive and contradictory global logics: a process of cultural homogenisation at the world level (rather than society level) and a process of cultural re-creation led by those groups with an immigrant background, who have reacted against their integration shortcomings by searching for new sources of social and personal esteem in their respective cultural and religious traditions. This paper seeks to clarify these processes from a social differentiation and political representation theory perspective. The latter becomes indispensable, as the said processes have happened in a context in which the structure of relations (i.e. communication) between civil society and the democratic political sphere have experienced a radical crisis. In this way, the complex relations that exist between civil society, culture, religion and politics in these Western European societies are depicted.

The effectiveness of community-based interventions to improve maternal and infant health in the Northeast of Brazil

EMOND, Alan et al. The effectiveness of community-based interventions to improve maternal and infant health in the Northeast of Brazil. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/ Pan American Journal of Public Health , v.12, n.2, p.101-110, 2002

The effectiveness of community-based interventions to improve maternal and infant health in the Northeast of Brazil

EMOND, Alan et al. The effectiveness of community-based interventions to improve maternal and infant health in the Northeast of Brazil. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/ Pan American Journal of Public Health , v.12, n.2, p.101-110, 2002

Von der Diagnose zur Entscheidung. Eine Analyse von Entscheidungsprozessen für das Austragen der Schwangerschaft nach der pränatalen Diagnose Down-Syndrom

Werdende Elternschaft heute ist ohne das technologisch gestützte Monitoring natürlicher Wachstumsprozesse kaum noch denkbar. Von Tests und Ultraschall erhoffen sich die zukünftigen Eltern Sicherheit für ein gesundes Kind. Wird jedoch eine als schwerwiegend empfundene Diagnose wie das Down-Syndrom gestellt, finden sie sich mit der schwierigen Aufgabe konfrontiert, über Fortsetzung oder Abbruch der Schwangerschaft entscheiden zu müssen. Aus der Subjektperspektive von zehn Frauen, die einer solchen Entscheidungssituation ausgesetzt waren, analysiert die vorliegende Studie die durch die Diagnose ausgelösten psychodynamischen Prozesse und gesellschaftlichen Zugzwänge. Auf der Basis von Fallrekonstruktionen und fallübergreifenden Analysen werden konkrete Problemlagen der Betroffenen sichtbar und Kettenreaktionen im medizinischen, familiären und sozialen Umfeld aufgezeigt. Deutlich wird, wie die stetig perfektionierte Erfassung betroffener Feten dem - zunehmend privatisierten und kommerzialisierten – Medizinbetrieb eine Definitionsmacht darüber eröffnet, was lebenswert und normal ist. Die Handlungsmaxime lautet: Behinderung gilt es zu vermeiden, Normalität hat Vorrang vor Besonderheit. Mit der Analyse von Entscheidungsverläufen gegen den Selektionskonsens erschließt die Studie neue Sichtweisen auf diesen einseitig geführten Diskurs. Biographische Hintergründe der Frauen und ihre personalen und sozialen Ressourcen werden identifiziert und als Anhaltspunkte für eine professionelle Begleitung verstanden. Abgeleitet aus den Erfahrungen und Deutungsperspektiven der Betroffenen wird ein Modell der Beratung nach einer pränatalen Diagnose entworfen. Damit ist das Buch nicht nur für Professionelle aus Sonderpädagogik und Medizin, sondern auch aus Beratung und Therapie von Interesse. (DIPF/Orig.)

Uterine artery Doppler in the management of early pregnancy loss: a prospective, longitudinal study

The pharmacological management of early pregnancy loss reduced substantially the need for dilation and curettage. However, prognostic markers of successful outcome were not established. Thus the major purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the uterine artery pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI) indices to detect early pregnancy loss patients requiring dilation and curettage after unsuccessful management.

ESTIMATIVAS E TENDÊNCIAS DE ABORTO PROVOCADO NO PIAUÍ: UM ESTUDO ECOLÓGICO NO PERÍODO DE 2000-2010

Objetivo: Estimar o aborto provocado e avaliar sua tendência no estado do Piauí e em seus territórios de desenvolvimento (TD), no período de 2000 a 2010. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo ecológico, de série temporal, utilizando dados secundários de internações hospitalares por complicações de aborto, no período de fevereiro a junho de 2014. A estimativa de abortos induzidos foi calculada por metodologia do Instituto Guttmacher. Empregou-se o método Joinpoint para identificar mudanças significativas nas tendências. Resultados: Analisaramse 55.678 internações hospitalares por aborto e verificou-se decréscimo de 35% entre 2000 e 2010. O número de abortos induzidos decresceu no Piauí entre os extremos da série temporal, passando de 10.362 em 2000 para 6.738 em 2010. Houve tendência de aumento significativo nas razões de aborto nos TD 1 e 7, como também tendência de redução significativa no TD 4. Os demais TD apresentaram tendência estável da razão de aborto. Conclusão: A taxa de internação pós-aborto e as estimativas de aborto induzido foram elevadas no estado do Piauí, com tendência de diminuição da razão de aborto induzido no período estudado.

Influência da alimentação sobre os níveis de retinol no leite caprino

The caprine milk is a product of high biological value and high digestibility. Due to these characteristics it is quite used by newly born children that are not breastfed or that are intolerant to the bovine milk. The vitamin deficiency is a public health problem in underdeveloped areas as the Northeast of Brazil and where areas the caprine ones adapt very well. The present study was led to analyze the influence of the feeding in the vitamin levels in the caprine milk. The animals used were the races Saanen and Murciana, divided in three groups. The first group with 38 animals of race Saanen and the second with 30 animals of race Murciana were, fed with concentrated and voluminous. A third group with 20 animals of the race Saanen was fed exclusively with voluminous. The four group was added with 10. 000 UI of retinol palmitato, administered directly, like capsule, in the mouth of animal. Parallel it was verified the level of retinol of milk in the beginning and final of the sucked, in the goats of the second group (race Murciana n =30). The retinol of caprine milk was determined through the system of liquid cromatografia of high efficiency (HPLC). The retinol levels in the studied groups were respectively: first (38. 5 ± 12. 7 μg/100ml), second (40. 5 ± 9. 7 μg/100ml); third, with 20 animals of race Saanen fed exclusively with voluminous (23. 1 ± 6. 7 μg/100ml) and in the group a, suplementation with 10. 000 UI of retinol palmitato (43,7 ± 18,8 μg/100ml) before, and (61,9 ± 26,9 μg/100ml) after the supplementation. It was not found significant difference between the averages from animals of the first and second group, that were fed with the same concentrate diet and voluminous, showing that the retinol levels in the milk of these two races are equivalent. Already in the animals of the first and third group that they were fed with different diets, in those which diet was just voluminous, a drastic reduction was verified in the retinol levels. In relation to the retinol of the milk in different moments from the same sucked, it was observed in the beginning of the breast-feeding (22. 6 ± 9. 8 μg/100ml) and at the end of the sucked (49. 6 ± 14. 7μg/100ml), being the difference between the averages, statistically significant (p < 0,0001). Already in the animals that were supplemented, a significant increase was observed in the retinol concentration, being obtained a medium response of 41,85%

Estado emocional e satisfação com o suporte social após uma interrupção voluntária da gravidez

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Is the legal protection for the foetus adequate in clinical trials?

In 2009 and 2010, the major drug regulatory bodies, the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration in the USA, issued requests for the generation of information relating to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, efficacy and safety of investigational drugs in pregnant women prior to approval. In the wake of thalidomide, research involving pregnant women other than for obstetric or gynaecologic purposes became rare, and studies of investigational drugs practically unknown. Consequently, none of the legislation applicable in the UK and few of the guidelines introduced in the last 40 years properly addresses the conduct of clinical trials of investigational drugs in this population. This thesis questions whether the legal protection for the foetus is adequate in clinical trials. The answer appears to be a qualified “no”. Arguments persist regarding the moral standing of the foetus, particularly regarding abortion. That will not be the intent of such trials, and a moral case is made for the conduct of clinical trials in this population by analogy with the neonate, and the pregnant woman’s autonomy. Legally, we already recognise the foetus has ‘interests’ which crystallise upon live birth, and that compensation is recoverable for harm inflicted in utero manifesting as congenital injury. The essence of research is quite different from medical practice, and the extent to which this is understood by trial participants is unclear. The approvals processes contain a number of inadequacies which have the potential to expose the foetus to harm and affect the consent of the pregnant woman. The recovery of compensation in the event of children born injured following clinical trials during pregnancy in many ways may be more complex than other personal injury cases.. The conclusions of this thesis are that the existence of a foetus does merit recognition by the law in this setting and that morally such studies are justifiable. However, the present legislation and approval processes potentially expose the foetus to avoidable risk and may not be appropriate to enable the recovery of compensation, thereby creating potential to deter future trial participants. A proposal is made regarding an approach to simplify the process for recovery of compensation, and thereby strengthen the approval and consent processes.

Incidence and Pattern of Pneumonia in Goats Slaughtered at the Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana

This study aimed at determining the incidence and pattern of pneumonia, in slaughtered goats in Kumasi abattoir, Ghana. One thousand three hundred and fifty lungs of goats; (1,012 Sahelian and 338 West Africa Dwarf goats (WAD) lungs) of different ages (less than a year to above 4 years) were used in this study. The frequency of occurrence of pneumonia, the degree of consolidation as a percentage of the total lung volume and histological assessment were determined by standard techniques. Fifty five (55) lungs (39 Sahelian, 16 WAD goats) were pneumonic (4.07% prevalence). The right lungs had a significant higher average lung consolidation percentage (19.11) while the right cranial lobes were more affected (9.37). WAD goats of 1-2 years are mostly affected with an average percentage consolidation of 11.73% while Sahelian goats above 4 years of age were the most affected with 32.59% consolidation. Does of both breeds were more while Sahelian goats had higher consolidation than other breeds. Histological examination revealed the presence of giant cell, fibrinous and suppurative bronchointerstitial pneumonia suggesting complicated viral pneumonia which was observed to be the most important caprine pneumonia in slaughtered goats in Ghana. Transportation and pregnancy stress were the major contributory factor to the pneumonia observed hence effective ante-mortem examinations will help to minimize the slaughter of pregnant does and transportation stress in Ghana.

Miedos relacionados con el proceso de embarazo y parto en adolescentes entre 12 y 19 años del Subcentro de Salud Ricaurte, Cuenca 2015

ANTECEDENTES: El embarazo en adolescentes es un problema de salud pública que va en aumento e implica riesgos, consecuencias y miedos que se enfrentan en el periodo de gestación, los cuales se exponen por cambios físicos y falta de información en las adolescentes. OBJETIVO: Identificar los miedos relacionados con el proceso de embarazo y parto en adolescentes entre 12 y 19 años del Subcentro de Salud Ricaurte. Cuenca, 2015. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Comprende un estudio cuantitativo descriptivo, constituido por 122 adolescentes embarazadas seleccionadas en el Subcentro de Salud a través de la aplicación de encuestas y entrevistas, previo consentimiento de las adolescentes involucradas y de sus padres. Los datos fueron procesados y analizados a través de los programas SPSS, Microsoft Excel, los resultados se presentan en gráficos y tablas simples con sus respectivos análisis. RESULTADOS: El 10% de adolescentes embarazas que asisten al subcentro de salud de Ricaurte a ser atendidas están entre los 12 a 14 años, el 40 % entre los 15 y 17 años, y el 50% se encuentran con edad superior a los 18 años, el 74,08% tienen miedo a sufrir un aborto. CONCLUSIONES: La adolescencia es un conjunto de cambios fisiológicos, sociales y emocionales; dependiendo de la edad de la adolescente y del tiempo que ha transcurrido entre su desarrollo y el embarazo puede haber más o menos complicaciones. A través de las encuestas pudimos determinar que las adolescentes presentan miedos durante el embarazo y el parto.

Objeção da consciência e aborto previsto em lei : vivências em um serviço público de saúde

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Enfermagem, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, 2015.

Estudo de polimorfismos genéticos e da sua associaçäo com capacidades de produçäo leiteira em caprinos de raça Algarvia e ovinos de raça Serra da Estrela

Dissertação de mest. em Química Celular, Unidade de Ciências Exactas e Humanas, Univ. do Algarve, 1996

Molecular detection of Brucella melitensis in sheep and goat milk in Iran

Purpose: To detect Brucella melitensis in the milk of reared sheep and goats from Isfahan and Shahrekord regions, Iran. Methods: A total of 225 milk samples (sheep = 125; goat = 100) were collected from Isfahan and Shahrekord regions, Central Iran. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of B. melitensis in the milk following standard procedures. Results: From 225 milk samples, 20 (8.9 %) were positive for B. melitensis. Out of 125 sheep milk, 12 (9.6 %) had B. melitensis, and of these, 8 (66.6 %) were milk collected from Shahrekord and 4 (33.3 %) from Isfahan region. On the other hand, out of 100 goat milk samples, 18 (18 %) were positive for B. melitensis, out of which 10 (55.5 %) were from Shahrekord and 8 (44.4 %) from Isfahan. Conclusion: The findings show that B. melitensis is present in a significant proportion of caprine and ovine milk in a section of Iran.