Myiasis in Palate by Cochliomyia hominivorax

Myiasis is the infestation of tissues and organs of animals and humans caused by the larvae of certain dipteran flies. It is more common in undeveloped and tropical countries and usually affects elderly patients, persons who are sick, and patients with mental illness. Oral myiasis is a rare pathologic condition and a risk to the patient's life because of its great destructive potential. Therefore, appropriate treatment is necessary. This article aimed to report a case of myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax in the palate of a patient with primary progressive aphasia, which was successfully treated through mechanical removal of larvae plus administration of ivermectin.

Long-term toxicity following acute administration of nickel

Nickel compounds have high potential risk for the health of populations and for this reason their toxic effects should be urgently established. To determine the effect of nickel monosulfide in the muscle at the injection site on pancreatic, hepatic, and osteogenic lesions and the potential therapeutic effect of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), male Wistar rats received single intramuscular injections of nickel monosulfide (NiS - 7 mg Ni2+/Kg). A group of these experimental rats were injected intraperitoneally, with a single weekly dose of SOD covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (SOD-PEG). Rats were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 months after Ni2+ injection. Nickel monosulfide produced tumors at the injection site. The increased phospholipid, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and amylase levels in serum, in absence of SOD-PEG, reflected the toxic effects on pancreatic, hepatic, and osteogenic tissues of rats. SOD activity was increased in serum of rats receiving SOD-PEG throughout the experiment, and no significant difference was observed in biochemical parameters of control and experimental rats in presence of SOD- PEG. Superoxide radical generated by Ni2+ is of primary importance in the development of tumors at the injection site. Superoxide anion (O2 -) is also an important toxic intermediate with respect to hepatic, pancreatic, and osteogenic injury, since SOD-PEG has a potential therapeutic effect.

Acute and sustained effects of early administration of inhaled nitric oxide to children with acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acute and sustained effects of early inhaled nitric oxide on some oxygenation indexes and ventilator settings and to compare inhaled nitric oxide administration and conventional therapy on mortality rate, length of stay in intensive care, and duration of mechanical ventilation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Children with acute respiratory distress syndrome, aged between 1 month and 12 yrs. INTERVENTIONS: Two groups were studied: an inhaled nitric oxide group (iNOG, n = 18) composed of patients prospectively enrolled from November 2000 to November 2002, and a conventional therapy group (CTG, n = 21) consisting of historical control patients admitted from August 1998 to August 2000. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Therapy with inhaled nitric oxide was introduced as early as 1.5 hrs after acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis with acute improvements in Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio (83.7%) and oxygenation index (46.7%). Study groups were of similar ages, gender, primary diagnoses, pediatric risk of mortality score, and mean airway pressure. Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio was lower (CTG, 116.9 +/- 34.5; iNOG, 62.5 +/- 12.8, p <.0001) and oxygenation index higher (CTG, 15.2 [range, 7.2-32.2]; iNOG, 24.3 [range, 16.3-70.4], p <.0001) in the iNOG. Prolonged treatment was associated with improved oxygenation, so that Fio(2) and peak inspiratory pressure could be quickly and significantly reduced. Mortality rate for inhaled nitric oxide-patients was lower (CTG, ten of 21, 47.6%; iNOG, three of 18, 16.6%, p <.001). There was no difference in intensive care stay (CTG, 10 days [range, 2-49]; iNOG, 12 [range, 6-26], p >.05) or duration of mechanical ventilation (TCG, 9 days [range, 2-47]; iNOG, 10 [range, 4-25], p >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with inhaled nitric oxide causes acute and sustained improvement in oxygenation, with earlier reduction of ventilator settings, which might contribute to reduce the mortality rate in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Length of stay in intensive care and duration of mechanical ventilation are not changed. Prospective trials of inhaled nitric oxide early in the setting of acute lung injury in children are needed.

Survey on tuberculosis teaching in Brazilian nursing schools, 2004

OBJECTIVE: To characterise tuberculosis (TB) teaching in Brazilian nursing schools by state and region and its theoretical and practical contents. METHODOLOGY: In an educational research survey in 2004, 347 nursing schools were identified. Questionnaires were posted to faculties providing training in TB. Data were compiled in a database with a view to descriptive result analysis. Replies to the questionnaire were received by 32% of the nursing schools contacted. RESULTS: Undergraduate TB teaching is heterogeneous. For training in theory, the principle teaching method is through classes in 102 (91.9%) nursing schools. Practical TB teaching is carried out at the primary care level (89.2%). Teachers update their knowledge through events and internet; little reference is made to manuals. The time devoted to practical TB teaching ranges from 10 to 20 hours, although this is not always included in student training. CONCLUSION: Teaching in TB should go beyond the traditional model that focuses only on biological aspects. It should introduce tools that lead to permanent behavioural change, such as a more human approach and social and psychological aspects, such as living conditions, habits and customs. It should involve new partners, such as families, communities and other health professionals, and identify obstacles within the university. © 2006 The Union.

Indoor air quality assessment of elementary schools in Curitiba, Brazil

The promotion of good indoor air quality in schools is of particular public concern for two main reasons: (1) school-age children spend at least 30% of their time inside classrooms and (2) indoor air quality in urban areas is substantially influenced by the outdoor pollutants, exposing tenants to potentially toxic substances. Two schools in Curitiba, Brazil, were selected to characterize the gaseous compounds indoor and outdoor of the classrooms. The concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the isomers xylenes (BTEX); NO2; SO2; O3; acetic acid (HAc); and formic acid (HFor) were assessed using passive diffusion tubes. BTEX were analyzed by gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry and other collected gasses by ion chromatography. The concentration of NO2 varied between 9.5 and 23 μg m-3, whereas SO2 showed an interval from 0.1 to 4.8 μg m-3. Within the schools, BTEX concentrations were predominant. Formic and acetic acids inside the classrooms revealed intermediate concentrations of 1.5 μg m-3 and 1.2 μg m-3, respectively. © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009.

O público não-estatal na gestão da educação básica de Barcarena/PA

Este estudo situa-se na linha de pesquisa de Políticas Públicas Educacionais, do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, da Universidade Federal do Pará. Aborda o público-não estatal a partir da implementação do Programa Escola que Vale na gestão educacional do município de Barcarena, no período de 2000 a 2008. Parte-se da lógica da adoção de novos paradigmas de competência para ação pública, a partir dos anos de 1990, com a reestruturação do estado brasileiro por meio do Plano Diretor de Reforma do Aparelho do Estado, o qual enquadrou a educação como uma ação não-exclusiva do Estado, transferindo-a para o setor público não estatal. Desencadeando novos desdobramentos para o púbico e o privado, materializados, entre outros aspectos, no terceiro setor e nas parcerias público-privadas. A abordagem metodológica adotada foi de cunho qualitativo e teve como técnicas de coleta de dados a pesquisa documental associada à entrevista semi-estruturada, enquanto que a análise de conteúdo constituiu-se na base teórico-metodológica para a análise dos dados. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que a introdução da parceria público-privada, por intermédio do Programa na realidade barcarenense afetou a já frágil estrutura do município permeada por fracos indicadores de qualidade na gestão educacional, tais como, ausência de um Plano Municipal, de um Sistema Municipal de Ensino, de Plano de Carreira, Cargos e Remuneração e de eleição direta para provimento do cargo de diretor, à medida que os princípios do PEQV foram absorvidos pela Secretaria de Educação e transformados em linha de ação para toda a rede municipal. Verificou-se que tal ação encontrou terreno fértil em virtude da ausência de uma política educacional no município, além dos encaminhamentos da SEl\1ED para as escolas da rede ocorrem de forma aleatória, conforme necessidades imediatas surgidas, ou seja, casuisticamente. Observou-se, ainda, que a parceria tinha como principal responsabilidade a focalização de suas ações na melhoria dos índices do ensino fundamental desconsiderando a educação infantil prioridade constitucional de atuação do município. Destaque-se, também que a proposta de formação contínua institucionalizada pelo Programa no município tende a uma certa desqualificação dos professores, em decorrência das prescrições detalhadas, além da não participação dos docentes na elaboração da proposta. Revelou-se, portanto, que com a implernentação da parceria um considerável grau de interferência da Fundação Vale,uma entidade privada, na gestão pública o que pode fragilizar a autonomia municipal.

As prescrições curriculares oficiais para rede de escolas de educação tecnológica do estado do Pará no contexto da implantação do ensino médio integrado no período de 2004 a 2009

O presente estudo teve como objetivo central analisar as prescrições curriculares oficiais para a implantação do ensino médio integrado na Rede de Escolas de Educação Tecnológica do Estado do Pará (EETEPA) no período de 2004 a 2009. Obteve financiamento do CNPq e foi vinculado ao Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa sobre Currículo e Formação de Professores na Perspectiva da Inclusão (INCLUDERE). Trata-se de um estudo caso de caráter documental. A trajetória do estudo foi realizada por meio de pesquisa exploratória em estudos correlatos, com revisão bibliográfica em fontes secundárias da área de educação seguida de pesquisa documental em fontes primárias, como: leis, atos normativos, boletins informativos, proposta pedagógica, plano de curso de informática de uma unidade tecnológica da Rede EETEPA por meio de critério seletivo. Os aspectos discursivos tratados foram: os fundamentos teóricos para implantação do ensino médio integrado à educação profissional; As políticas curriculares para o ensino médio e educação profissional destacando o caráter dual entre a formação geral e profissional. Bem como, foi resgatado o movimento da implantação do ensino médio integrado em nível nacional e localmente no estado paraense mediante as prescrições curriculares oficiais. Os resultados alcançados: referiram-se primeiramente as estratégias adotadas pela SEDUC para implantação do ensino médio integrado nos estabelecimentos de ensino da Rede de EETEPA, a saber: Criação da Diretoria de Ensino Médio, com duas coordenações, a de Ensino Médio e de Educação Profissional; Quebra do contrato com a OSETPP, resgatando para a administração da SEDUC, as 11 (onze) escolas; Criação da Rede EETEPA; Realização de eventos (conferências, fóruns e seminários); Elaboração da proposta educacional para Rede EETEPA; Elaboração do Projeto Político-Pedagógico para Rede EETEPA; Orientações para reestruturação dos projetos políticos-pedagógicos das escolas tecnológicas e construção dos planos de cursos técnicos; Abertura de edital público para oferta de cursos subsequentes, integrado e PROEJA; e, Iniciação das reformas físicas nas unidades tecnológicas. Foi realizada, também, a identificação e análise das prescrições curriculares oficiais para Rede EETEPA, a saber, Proposta Educacional para a Rede EETEPA; Orientações para implantação de cursos técnicos de nível médio na forma integrada para a Rede EETEPA; Diretrizes Específicas II: Orientações Gerais para o Ensino Médio Integrado. Ao analisar esses documentos, constatei que a proposta educacional prescrita para Rede EETEPA pela COEP/DEMP-SEDUC, coaduna com a proposta idealizada pelo Ministério de Educação, ambas resgatam elementos já disseminados pelo pensamento educacional brasileiro desde as décadas dos anos 1980, com a finalidade de se erigir os fundamentos de uma escola unitária e politécnica, deixando explicita a concepção filosófica inspiradora do documento. Contudo, constatou-se que, o plano de curso de informática da Escola Técnica Magalhães Barata (localizada a região metropolitana de Belém do Pará) não conseguiu apresentar uma proposta coerente com os fundamentos do ensino médio integrado.

As associações de alunos das escolas normais do Brasil e de Portugal: apropriação e representação (1906-1927)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of melatonin treatment in primary culture of canine mammary tumors

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

O ensino na atenção primária à saúde em escolas médicas do estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Trabecular bone loss after administration of the second-generation antipsychotic risperidone is independent of weight gain

Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have been linked to metabolic and bone disorders in clinical studies, but the mechanisms of these side effects remain unclear. Additionally, no studies have examined whether SGAs cause bone loss in mice. Using in vivo and in vitro modeling we examined the effects of risperidone, the most commonly prescribed SGA, on bone in C57BL6/J (B6) mice. Mice were treated with risperidone orally by food supplementation at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg daily for 5 and 8 weeks, starting at 3.5 weeks of age. Risperidone reduced trabecular BV/TV, trabecular number and percent cortical area. Trabecular histomorphometry demonstrated increased resorption parameters, with no change in osteoblast number or function. Risperidone also altered adipose tissue distribution such that white adipose tissue mass was reduced and liver had significantly higher lipid infiltration. Next, in order to tightly control risperidone exposure, we administered risperidone by chronic subcutaneous infusion with osmotic minipumps (0.5 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) in 7 week old female B6 mice. Similar trabecular and cortical bone differences were observed compared to the orally treated groups (reduced trabecular BV/TV, and connectivity density, and reduced percent cortical area) with no change in body mass, percent body fat, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. Unlike in orally treated mice, risperidone infusion reduced bone formation parameters (serum P1NP, MAR and BFR/BV). Resorption parameters were elevated, but this increase did not reach statistical significance. To determine if risperidone could directly affect bone cells, primary bone marrow cells were cultured with osteoclast or osteoblast differentiation media. Risperidone was added to culture medium in clinically relevant doses of 0, 2.5 or 25 ng/ml. The number of osteoclasts was significantly increased by addition in vitro of risperidone while osteoblast differentiation was not altered. These studies indicate that risperidone treatment can have negative skeletal consequences by direct activation of osteoclast activity and by indirect non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Our findings further support the tenet that the negative side effects of SGAs on bone mass should be considered when weighing potential risks and benefits, especially in children and adolescents who have not yet reached peak bone mass. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Interactions Between Bone, Adipose Tissue and Metabolism. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.