Systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia in relation to body mass index: evaluation of a Brazilian population

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in a Brazilian population in relation to body mass index. METHOD: Retrospective evaluation of 1213 adults (mean age: 45.2 ± 12.8; 80.6% females) divided into groups according to body mass index [normal (18.5 - 24.4 kg/m²); overweight (25 - 29.9 kg/m²); grade 1 obesity (30 - 34.9 kg/m²); grade 2 obesity (35 - 39.9 kg/m²), and grade 3 obesity (> 40 kg/m²)]. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were analyzed in each group. The severity of cardiovascular risk was determined. High-risk patients were considered those reporting 2 or more of the following factors: systemic hypertension, HDL < 35 mg/dL, total cholesterol > 240 mg/dL, triglycerides > 200 mg/dL when HDL < 35 mg/dL, and glycemia > 126 mg/dL. Moderate-risk patients were those reporting 2 or more of the following factors: systemic hypertension, HDL < 45, triglycerides > 200 mg/dL, and total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL. RESULTS: The prevalence of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterol levels increased along with weight, but the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia did not. The odds ratio adjusted for gender and age, according to grade of obesity compared with patients with normal weight were respectively 5.9, 8.6, and 14.8 for systemic hypertension, 3.8, 5.8, and 9.2 for diabetes mellitus and 1.2, 1.3, and 2.6 for hypertriglyceridemia. We also verified that body mass index was positively related to cardiovascular high risk (P < .001) CONCLUSION: In our population, cardiovascular risk increased along with body mass index.

The chemistry of Brazilian leguminosae. LXI. (+)-Methyl Vouacapenate from Vouacapoua pallidior

Thz wood of Vouacapoua pallidior (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae) Contains (+)-methyl vouacapenate.

Ficus species of Brazilian Amazonia and the Guianas

In order, to place the new taxa. of Ficus found in Amazonian Brazil and the Guianas (see Vázquez Avila, Berg & Kooy, Acta Amazonica, fallowing article in this volume) in a taxonomic and phytogeographic framework, a key to the taxa provisionally recognized for Amazonia and the Guianas is presented and fallowed by a concise treatment of these taxa.

A new species of Pithecellobiutn (MIMOSACEAE INGEAE) from Brazilian Amazonia

Phithecellobium prancei, related to T. simabifolium Benth. and P. spruceanum Benth., is described and figured from specimens collected on white sand savannas along rio Aracá in northern Amazonas, Brazil. Its relationships within sect. Samanea ser. Coriaceae Benth., a group due for generic segregation from Pithecellobium sens. lat., are discussed.

Arbitragem de consumo no direito brasileiro

This dissertation analyzes how the current Constitution and the Brazilian law establish consumer protection, arbitration and access to justice. Following we try to demonstrate why arbitration is a method rarely used in the resolution of consumer disputes in Brazil. It also examines the doctrinal and jurisprudential aspects of the conflict between the Brazilian Arbitration Law (Law nº. 9.307/96), which allows the arbitration clause in contracts of adhesion, and the Consumer Protection Code (Law nº 8.078/90) that in article 51, VII, considers as abusive the arbitration clause. Furthermore, analyzes new proposed bills under scrutiny by the National Congress on the issue and identifies the causes, in the Brazilian legal system, hampering the use of arbitration in consumer relations. Concludes that there are no principle obstacles preventing consumer litigations to be settled by arbitration. High costs, mistrust, oppression, misinformation of consumers and non-participation of the State, being a totally private institute, are factors that generate distrust, suspicion, and have prevented the development of arbitration in consumer relations in Brazil.

Why further investigation of brazilian Strychnos?

During the past fifteen years, African Strychnos species have been pharmacologically and chemically screened by some European Universities, sometimes with the collaboration of some African Institutes. Strychnos usambarensis will be discussed here because of our interest in it, after the discovery of its use in the preparation arrow poison with curarizing activity.The European studies have show thah the African species of Strychnoschemically are very similar to certain South-American species. Indeed, the occurrence in the African species of curarizing quaternary bases, and in the American species of tetanizing tertiary bases, such as akagerine, emphasizes the unity of genus Strychnos in terms of it alkaloids. Many biological activities (antmicrobial, hypotensive, smasmolytic, amoebicial...) have been detected.Finally, the antimitotic properties of some alkaloids will be presented. Besides know antitumor drugs, e.g. alstonine and ellipticine, African species possess new antimitotic products, e.g. strychnopentamine present in Strychnos usambarensis.Because of these findings, the main reasons why further investigate Brazilian Strychnos species are the lack of knowledge about:- the distribution on the species in the southern part of the great Amazon Basin.Accordin to Krukoff, it is possible that new species may be found there.- the distribution of alkaloids in many of know species. Indeed, there is little information on the variation in compposition of the alkaloidal mixtures in the different parts of the plants.- the biological of alkaloids. In the past, interest has been focused too narrowly on possible curarizing properties.Why should Brazilian species not cantain alkaloids with properties similar to those found in the African species?

Young adult Brazilian beauty consumers perception of Lancôme and the effectiveness of social media relationhips with local celebrities on their purchase intention

The aim of this research is to evaluate if a premium beauty brand, in this case, Lancôme, can influence positively the purchase intention from Brazilian young adults, between 18 and 29 years old, consumers of beauty products, by initiating a relationship with a local celebrity or “it” girl on social media. This hypothesis has not been tested, and this research is a first attempt of evaluating it. Additionally, the consumer behavior, brand preferences and social media activeness of this age segment in Brazil are further studied as important insights for beauty brands to conquer these consumers. Results did not confirm the positive influence of local celebrities on this age segment’s purchase intention but several suggestions are made for future research to revisit this topic. Furthermore, there is a significant brand love for M.A.C., an international Lancôme competitor, amongst this target, as well as a probable price sensitivity facing premium beauty brands.

TWO UNUSUAL NEW GENERA OF PARAMPHISTOMIDAE (TREMATODA, DIGENEA) FROM FRESHWATER FISH OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Two new genera and species of Paramphistomidae (Tremadota, Digenea) are described from freshwater fish of the Brazilian Amazon. Anavilhanatrema robustagen. et sp. nov. is characterized as having a cylindrical body with an anterior expansion, small suckers, a small cirrus sac, large lobate testes, a lobate ovary, long ceca and extensive vitellaria. Pacudistoma turgidagen. et sp. nov., on the other hand, is distinguished by having a stout, cylindrical body, a large oral sucker with internal diverticula, a large genital sucker, smaller lobate testes, a spherical ovary, long ceca and relatively extensive vitellaria. Both species appear to be host specific with A. robustafound in Pristobrycon striolatus(STEINDACHNER) while P. turgidaoccurus in Hyleus pacu(SCHOMBURCK).

THE EFECTS OF SETTLEMENT ON THE PREVALENCE OF AscarisINFECTION IN TWO AMERINDIAN POPULATIONS OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Studies were made of the intestinal parasites of Amerindian populations of the Uaupes River basin of Brazil. Three groups were sampled: 1) Tukano fisher-agriculturalists who live in permanent riverine villages; 2) Maku hunter-horticulturalists who live in close contact with the Tukano fishing villages; and 3) Maku who inhabit the forest interior and have little contact with permanent settlements. Fecal samples were collected from 498 individuals of which 220 were from the first group, 135 from de second and 143 from the third. The samples were analyzed by means of microflotation and centrifugal sedimentation. A total of 18 protozoan and helminth species were recorded based on the presence of cysts or eggs. These included five nematode species that could not be identified. The three common pathogenic nematodes were found to be prevalent: the hookworm, Necator americanus(96%); the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura(77%) and the large roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides(75%). The prevalence of Ascarisamong the villages was found to vary from 56 to 100%. Individuals living in, or associated with, permanent settlements had higher prevalence and intensity rates than those living in the nomadic hunter-gatherer way. This is shown to be directly related to fecal contamination of the environment in and around permanent settlements. The prevalence of Ascarisin a population can be used as an indicator of such environmental contamination.

Miracetyma etimaruya gen. et sp. n. (COPEPODA, POECILOSTOMATOIDA, ERGASILIDAE) FROM FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Miracetyma etimaruyagen. et sp. n. is proposed from the gills filaments of Curimata cyprinoides(Linnaeus, 1758), Potamorhina latior(Spix, 1829) and Psectrogaster essequibensis(Gunther, 1864). The species of the new genus is characterized by having a more complex latching antenna. The claw is greatly reduced and has a groove; the third segment has one or two grooves; the first, second and third segments have one or two cuticular extensions. The legs have pectinate setae and the first endopod is greatly modified, very long, and without setae. The first segment of the first endopod is large, strong and elongate and the second segment is subcylindrical, slender and elongate. These modifications imply in a loss of swimming capacity which is linked to secure fixation on the gill filament. As a result, the leg morphology has evolved other functions.

A NEW SPECIES OF Rhacodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936, FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON (CRUSTACEA:COPEPODA: CALANOIDA)

A new species of Calanoid copepod, Rhacodiaptomus besti,is described from material collected in the Igarapé São Pedro, Rio Jamari, State of Rondônia, and Lago Amanã, Rio Japurá, State of Amazonas, in Western Amazonia. A detailed morphological analysis of the species was undertaken in order to provide a basis for future studies on inter and intrageneric relationships.

NOMENCLATURAL AND CRITICAL NOTES ON SOME BRAZILIAN SPECIES OF Paspalum (POACEAE: PANICEAE)

A critical analysis of the type collections of 39 species names of Paspalum L. (Poaceae: Paniceae) from Brazil described by Swallen is presented along with comments based on more recent gatherings of the species. Eighteen new synonyms are proposed.

Vanamea GEN. NOV. FOR Livoneca symmetricaVAN NAME,1925, (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) AND A REDESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES BASED ON SPECIMENS FROM BRAZILIAN PIRANHAS

Studies of the cymothoid isopod Livoneca symmetricaVan Name, 1925, showed that this species has characters that preclude its inclusion in LivonecaLeach, 1818, or in any other known genus. The species is redescribed on the basis of male and female specimens from the mouth cavities of Amazonian piranhas (Serrasalmus spilopleura(Kner) and S. elongatusKner) and Vanameagen. nov. is proposed for it. The new genus is defined as having: a cephalon that is not immersed in pereonite 1; mandibles that are "foot-shaped" and without incisors, pereopods that are long and unequal in size and shape; a pleon that is not immersed in the pereon; and a pleotelson that is inflated anteriorly and medially.

Anphira branchialis GEN. ET SP. NOV. (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) A GILL CAVITY PARASITE OF PIRANHAS (Serrasalmus SPP.) IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Anphira branchialisgen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is described from the dorsal areas of the gill chambers of three species of piranhas (Serrasalmusspp.). The fishes were caught in rivers near Manaus, Amazonas State and on Maracá island, Federal Territory of Roraima, Brasil. The new genus and species is characterized by having large, flat coxal plates on ail 7 pereonites. These plates usually extend beyond the margins of the following segments and the 7th ones extend nearly to the pleotelson and cover the lateral margins of the pleonites. The mandible of this species is rounded, "foot shaped" and without incisor. The mandibular palp is short and stout. The maxillules have 3 terminal and 2 subterminal spines. The pleopods are simple lamellar structures with rounded tips. Evidence is presented that these parasites feed on gill filaments.