A inadequação dos valores dos limites de tolerância biológica para a prevenção da intoxicação profissional pelo chumbo no Brasil

São revisados os trabalhos que, a partir de 1975,estudaram a ocorrência de manifestações neurológicas centrais e periféricas em trabalhadores ocupacionalmente expostos ao chumbo, que apresentavam níveis de exposição supostamente insuficientes para causarem Saturnismo. A partir da revisão realizada é sugerido que os limites de tolerância biológica utilizados em nosso meio para firmar o diagnóstico de intoxicação profissional pelo chumbo devam ser revistos. Tal sugestão baseia-se na existência de evidências bem estabelecidas que apontam disfunções da condução nervosa periférica e central, além de alterações de várias funções nervosas superiores, em trabalhadores profissionalmente expostos ao chumbo que apresentam indicadores de efeito biológico e indicadores de exposição inferiores aos limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira.

Trabalho, violência e morte em Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

Neste estudo epidemiológico foram analisados óbitos decorrentes de causas externas, ocorridos nos anos 1999 e 2000 entre moradores masculinos da Cidade de Campinas falecidos com idade entre 15 e 64 anos, por intermédio de entrevistas com familiares. Buscou-se correlacionar esta incidência com a história ocupacional dos indivíduos, permitindo a caracterização de tais eventos como acidentes de trabalho. A mortalidade proporcional devido a acidentes de trabalho foi estimada em 27,0% neste grupo. em nenhuma das Declarações de Óbito analisadas estava assinalado com sim o campo Acidente de Trabalho. Com base nos resultados, estimou-se que a informação oficial do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego sobre o número de óbitos decorrentes de acidentes de trabalho no período no Estado de São Paulo esteja subestimada em 83,4%. Constatou-se ainda que a imensa maioria dos acidentes de trabalho fatais identificados era de homicídios e acidentes de transporte, refletindo o aumento da violência nas grandes cidades brasileiras.

Violência, sociedade e escola: da recusa do diálogo à falência da palavra

Esse artigo aborda a violência na sociedade capitalista e na escola, permitindo uma discussão sobre como ela é veiculada pelos meios de comunicação e pela maneira como os professores a enfrentam. Enfoca a necessidade da comunicação e aponta as dificuldades vivenciadas na construção do indivíduo, do aluno em particular, quando a escola e o professor não possuem clareza da importância da comunicação como forma de simbolização e representação que, em muitos casos, permitem que os atos violentos possam ser substituídos pela palavra. A escola é um lugar privilegiado para a palavra e denúncia de um problema social. Ao se desejar eliminar a violência, acaba-se por naturalizá-la, através das banalizações sofridas pelos meios de comunicação e de um Estado que legitima e violenta seus cidadãos em seus direitos básicos.

Avaliação do efeito antiparasitário do omeprazol na prevenção do desenvolvimento de lesões cutâneas em hamsters infectados por Leishmania brasiliensis

FUNDAMENTOS: A leishmaniose tegumentar americana permanece doença endêmica em diversas regiões brasileiras. A sobrevivência do parasita no interior dos macrófagos se deve, em parte, pela atividade de uma K+/H+-ATPase de membrana que pode ser inibida pelo omeprazol. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia do omeprazol na prevenção do desenvolvimento de lesões de leishmaniose em hamsters. MÉTODOS: Empregaram-se 18 hamsters, divididos em três grupos: o grupo L recebeu apenas a inoculação de L. brasiliensis na pata anterior direita, o grupo O recebeu apenas doses diárias de 0,4mg de omeprazol subcutâneo, e o grupo L+O recebeu o inóculo de leishmanias e o tratamento com omeprazol desde o dia da inoculação. O estudo foi conduzido por 42 dias, realizaram-se medidas dos diâmetros das patas semanalmente, e, ao final do estudo, foram realizados esfregaços das lesões para verificação dos parasitas. RESULTADOS: Os hamsters dos grupos L e L+O desenvolveram lesões de leishmaniose tegumentar havendo ulceração em duas patas do grupo L e uma do grupo L+O. Ao final do estudo, a mobilidade e vitalidade no grupo L foram menores que em L+O, e estas menores que no grupo O. Os diâmetros das patas inoculadas nos grupos L e L+O foram significativamente maiores que no início do estudo (p<0.05). Não houve diferença significativa entre os diâmetros das patas dos grupos L e L+O ao final do estudo (p0,05), sendo detectados parasitas no esfregaço das lesões dos dois grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Omeprazol, no protocolo utilizado, não evitou o desenvolvimento de lesões de leishmaniose tegumentar em hamsters.

Fortificação do leite fluido na prevenção e tratamento da anemia carencial ferropriva em crianças menores de 4 anos

The effectiveness of the use of chelate aminoacid iron fortified fluid milk in the treatment of iron deficiency in children under four years of age was studied. The 269 children included in this trial received 1 liter/day of fluid milk fortified with 3 mg of chelate aminoacid iron and were evaluated at six monthly intervals. At the beginning of the study 62.3% of the children presented anemia. After 6 months, this percentage had decreased to 41.8% and at the end of one year to 26.4%. The greatest decreases occurred in the groups comprising the subjects who were of 12 to 23 months of age and those under one year of age. Among the children who presented initial hemoglobin levels under 9.5 g/ dl, 59.3% were free of anemia after one year of follow-up. Of those presenting initial hemoglobin levels between 9.5 and 10.9 g/dl, 66.7% recovered from their anemia. There was also greater hematological improvement in the children that ingested over 750 ml/day of fortified milk in those families that did not share the supply of supplement among their other members and in those families that had only one child under five years of age. These findings led to the conclusion that the fortification of fluid milk is a viable and effective method for the treatment of iron deficiency in pre-school children.

Prevenção de hemoglobinopatias a partir do estudo em gestantes

The Brazilian population, presents genes for abnormal hemoglobins with variable frequencies, which are influenced by the founding racial groups. Thus, the detection of carriers of the genetic alterations is important for public health, since they represent sources of new beterozygotes and possible homozygotes. The control of the hemoglobin pathologies has been possible by means of genetic counseling and early diagnosis. The clinical follow-up of the homozygotes and the orientation of the beterozygotes and especially the couples at risk represent a more effective mode of acting to avoid the birth of children who are carriers of a genetic disease, that is frequently lethal. For these reasons this work had as its objectives: to evaluate the importance of testing in pregnant women for the detection of hemoglobin pathologies with the purpose of investigating the prevalence, attaining prevention, a familial study and awareness; for the positive cases such as couples at risk, orient as to appropriate medical attendance; and to evaluate the response to the program. Of the total of 696 pregnant women analysed, 10.7% revealed hemoglobin pathologies with the following rates: alpha Thalassemia 6.75%; Hb AS 2.01%; beta minor Thalassemia 1.29%; Hb AC 0.28%; Hb AJ 0.14%; Hb AS/Alpha Thalassemia 0.14% and P.H.H.F. 0.14%. The high rates of hemoglobin pathologies encountered in the population of pregnant women studied shows the necessity of the implantation of tests for these abnormalities in the pre-natal routine, since in this period the mothers are more apt to be preoccupied with their own health and that of their babies and, however earlier diagnosed the alterations in the hemoglobins, better and more adequate will be the orientations given the couple.

Estudo do extrato de Ginkgo biloba na prevenção de malformações em recémnascidos de ratas diabéticas

The pregnant women presenting Diabetes mellitus develop metabolic alterations, that may cause damage to the fetal well-being and provoke anomalies and/or malformations. The antioxidant treatment has improved the embryonic development from streptozotocin diabetic rats. Several studies have shown that a Gingko biloba extract presents antioxidant effects and, in the present study, one of the G. biloba extract formulations was used (EGb761) - Tebonin (200 mg/Kg/day), given to the diabetic pregnant female rats. The aim was to evaluate the effect of the EGb761 treatment on the of anomalies and/ or malformations incidence of the offspring. Diabetes was induced in female rats using streptozotocin in a dose of 40 mg/kg. The rats were mated, and the pregnant animals were divided in two groups: Control (water) and experimental (G. biloba). At day 21 of pregnancy, the rats were killed, and their fetuses were analyzed and processed for anomalies and/or malformations incidence. The results demonstrated that control and experimental groups presented no external anomalies and malformations; increased incidence of skeletal anomalies and of visceral malformations, and lower rate of visceral anomalies and skeletal malformations. These data confirm no statistical difference and, therefore, EGb761 treatment did not cause changes. Thus, a dose of 200 mg/Kg/day of a Gingko biloba extract given during the pregnancy rat was ineffective in the prevention of the anomalies and/or malformations related to the diabetes.

Intervenções benéficas no pré-natal para prevenção da mortalidade materna

Maternal mortality rate (MM) is a health quality indicator that is directly influenced by the economic, cultural and technological level of a country. Official data of MM in Brazil, although underestimated, point to the lack of quality in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium care services. This characteristic is common in developing countries, where poorer pregnant women as well as those facing greater difficulty to quality care access are found. Prenatal care cannot prevent major childbirth complications, which are important causes of MM; however, some interventions during the prenatal period can favor maternal prognosis and prevent MM. In this setting, this study brings a scientifically based update concerning effective interventions for maternal mortality prevention during the prenatal period. The most important strategies consist of a tripod with specific interventions related to maternal health promotion, risk prevention and assurance of nutritional support during gestation, in addition to criteria to investigate gestational risk and inclusion of the pregnant woman in the basic component of the prenatal care model. It ends with the definition of priorities in the prevention of MM related to eclampsia/preeclampsia and reinforces the importance of normalization of reference systems for obstetric emergency cases.

Deficiência de ferro: Conseqüências biológicas e propostas de prevenção

Iron deficiency is the commonest nutritional deficiency in the world. Although it affects adults, particularly women of reproductive age and during gestation, the most vulnerable group is children under two years of age. It affects mainly people living in developing countries, who have less access to balanced diets and health services and are exposed to precarious sanitary conditions. Iron deficiency has an impact on the immunity, adult work capacity and the cognitive development of children. Combating and preventing iron deficiency is one of the priorities in promoting public health. The strategies to achieve this end include the evaluation and correction of iron deficiency in pregnant women, the encouragement of breast feeding, oral iron supplementation in premature and newborn babies of low birth-weight, food enrichment and mobilization of the community.

Violência na infância: Londrina (1930-1970)

Based on criminal processes regarding child sexual abuse from the early 1940s to the late 1970s, this article intents to analyze both the conception of innocence and childhood held at that time, and the influence of such on the local judiciary.

Oxidação lipídica em peixes: mecanismo de ação e prevenção

Aquaculture produces food with high nutritive value, however its environmental conditions and management increase the stress reaction of fishes, prejudicing the quality of their products. The lipid oxidation is one of the main causes of the fishery deterioration, due the high unsaturated value of fatty acid of aquatic organisms. This review describes lipid oxidation mechanisms, their analysis methodology and some preventive ways, emphasizing the antioxidants effects of vitamin E utilization in fish's diet.

Período total de prevenção a interferência das plantas daninhas na cultura da alface cultivar Solaris

This research work aimed to determine the total period of interference of weeds prevention of lettuce cultivar Solaris. The experiment was conducted in Universidade Estadual de Londrina, in the period of autumn/ winter of 2008. The lettuce crop remained free from weed interference from emergence up to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 days. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The weed community was composed by Bidens pilosa, Amaranthus hybridus, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia heterophylla, Spinacia oleracea, Commelina benghalensis e Lepidium virginicum. It was determined dry and fresh matter of weeds, and number of lettuce leaves. Assuming a tolerance of 5% for crop production decrease, it was verified that the total period of interference prevention (TPIP) occurred up to 21 days after transplanting. Weed interference throughout the crop cycle reduced 25% of its yield.

Violência denunciada: ocorrências de maus tratos contra crianças e adolescentes registradas em uma unidade policial.

This study aimed to investigate the profile of the occurrence of abuse against children and adolescents. We analyzed the data recorded in police reports from the Department of Women's Defense, Araçatuba-SP, in 2008, relating to assault, victim-offender relationship, sociodemographic characteristics of offenders and victims, and victims' demand for health services. Among the accusations, there was a higher prevalence of physical abuse, being the residence the place of higher incidence of aggression. In most cases, the aggressor was the mother of the child, being the subject of aggression not reported, in most cases. Thus, we can define the profile of violent incidents against children, contributing to the visualization, knowledge and to deal with the problem.

Cloreto de sódio a 0,9%, adicionado ou não de dexametasona, intrapleural, na prevenção de aderências pulmonares após toracotomia intercostal em cães

Pulmonary adhesions in dogs are a common sequel after surgical intervention, undermining any interventions. This study aimed to determine in dogs, the efficacy of sodium chloride solution 0.9% with or without dexamethasone in order to prevent adhesions after intercostal thoracotomy. Fifteen dogs were separated into three groups of five animals, A, B and C and underwent thoracotomy in the fifth left intercostal space. Three other dogs were submitted to a previous study. In the dogs of Group A it was performed only a thoracotomy and thoracorraphy; in group B, it was performed a thoracotomy, thoracorraphy and injection into the pleural cavity of isotonic sodium chloride (10ml) and dexamethasone (1mg kg-1). In the dogs of the group C, it was performed the thoracotomy thoracorraphy and injected isotonic sodium chloride (10ml kg-1) into the pleural cavity. After 15 days of thoracotomy, it was performed transdiaphragmatic thoracocospy to determine the presence and score of adhesions between the lung and chest wall. The results demonstrated the presence of adhesions in the majority of group A and reduced or no adhesions in the other groups. For statistical evaluation, it was pplied the chi-square test with significance level of 5% (P≤0.05). The sodium chloride solution 0.9% with or without dexamethasone in the pleural space prevented or reduced lung adhesions after intercostal thoracotomy.