Efeito da irrigacao e adubacao sobre algumas caracteristicas quimicas de um vertissolo.

Em um Vertissolo, cultivado com videira, avaliou-se o efeito da irrigacao e da adubacao NPK aplicadas naulamente, durante 17 anos, sobre algumas caracteristicas quimicas do solo. O sistema de irrigacao foi em bacia de infiltracao, onde tambem foram aplicados os fertilizantes e incorporados ao solo ate a profundidade de 5 cm. A amostragem do solo foi feite em 18 pontos da area cultivada e em sete pontos da area de solo virgem, em torno do parreiral, as profundidades de 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, 30-60 cm, 60-90 cm e 90-120 cm. Os resultados analiticos mostraram que praticamente nao ocorreram variacoes perceptiveis nos teores de Ca2+, Mg2+ e Na+ trocaveis, materia organica, N-HN4+ e Zn, em relacao ao solo virgem, em resposta aos tratamentos. Quanto aos outros parametros, constatou-se que nas camadas superiores houve diminuicao do pH e aumento da condutividade eletrica (CEe) e dos teores de K+ trocavel, P, N total, N-NO3-, Cu, Mn e Fe. Estas diferencas, com excecao do Fe, diminuiram com a profundidade. Teores mais elevados de Cu e Mn devem ter sido consequencia da aplicacao anual de fungicidas e da solubilizacao de compostos contendo estes elementos. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que as variacoes ocorridas em alguns parametros, decorrentes da irrigacao e aplicacao de fertilizantes, principalmente aquelas relacionadas com o aumento da salinidade, nao devem comprometer a capacidade produtiva do solo.

A industria de hedge funds: caracteristicas, estratégias e divulgação de informação

Os hedge funds encontram-se presentes nos mercados financeiros há cerca 60 anos. Porém, recentemente, tem-se assistido a transformações consideráveis no sector, particularmente no que concerne ao segmento alvo. Inicialmente, este tipo de investimento era sobretudo dedicado a investidores particulares de vastos recursos; recentemente tem sido alvo da crescente atenção de investidores institucionais, ligados aos mais variados ramos, como entidades seguradoras, fundos de pensões, entres outros. Este trabalho tem, porém, objetivos mais amplos, os quais passam pela caraterização da indústria de hedge funds, pela identificação dos principais investidores e das estratégias de investimento prosseguidas, bem como pela avaliação do impato que aumento do nível de transparência dos retornos obtidos poderá ter ao nível do crescimento deste segmento do mercado financeiro, o qual acarretará, necessariamente, transformações ao nível dos dispositivos de regulação, Em termos metodológicos, recorreu-se, essencialmente, à sistematização de informação, a qual permitiu construir um discurso autónomo, abrangente e crítico. O trabalho permitiu evidenciar algumas conclusões, entre as quais se destacam a especificidade em matéria de estratégias de investimento conduzidas e a existência de conflitos latentes entre os gestores de hedge funds e os investidores neste instrumento financeiro.

ANÁLISE DAS CARACTERISTICAS FÍSICAS E QUIMICAS DA ÁGUA DO RIO DOCE A MONTANTE DA PEQUENA CENTRAL HIDROELÉCTRICA DE IRARA – GO

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as características físicas e químicas das águas do rio Doce (GO), a montante da PCH Irara. Foram realizadas seis amostragens bimestrais em cinco pontos de coleta, no período de julho/09 a junho/10 para variáveis: pH, temperatura, condutividade elétrica, salinidade, turbidez e total de sólido dissolvido. As características físicas e químicas observadas evidenciaram uma boa qualidade da água do rio Doce, considerando-se os padrões Resolução CONAMA N0 357, de 17 de março de 2005.

Melhoria da Atenção à Saúde das Pessoas com Hipertensão E/Ou Diabetes Mellitus na UBS Ambulatório Clinicas, São Sepé/Rs.

TELLEZ, Laritza Benitez. Melhoria da Atenção à Saúde das Pessoas com Hipertensão e/ou Diabetes Mellitus na UBS Ambulatório Clínicas, São Sepé/RS. 89f. Trabalho De Conclusão De Curso (Curso De Especialização Em Saúde Da Família) - Departamento De Medicina Social, Faculdade De Medicina, Universidade Federal De Pelotas, Pelotas, 2015. A Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) e o Diabetes Mellitus (DM) são problemas de saúde pública de grande magnitude na atualidade onde sua elevada prevalência e incidência vem causando consequências na população com repercussões socioeconômicas, traduzidas em mortes prematuras, em incapacidade para o trabalho e ainda elevados custos relacionados ao controle e tratamento de suas complicações. A intervenção na Unidade Básica de Saúde da Família (UBSF) Ambulatório Clínicas do município de São Sepé, Rio Grande do Sul, foi realizada durante o período de Março ate Junho e teve como objetivo melhorar a atenção à saúde da pessoa com HAS e/ou DM. Na área de abrangência da unidade de saúde existem registros de 2810 usuários com mais de 20 anos. Destes, 496 tem diagnóstico de HAS, o que representa 56% de cobertura da área de abrangência. Em relação ao DM existem 163 usuários cadastrados diagnosticados com a doença, o que representa uma cobertura de 64%. Observamos uma cobertura baixa em relação á atenção dessas doenças, evidenciando que é necessário melhorar a captação desses usuários. Desenvolvemos ações nos quatro eixos temáticos (monitoramento e avaliação gestão; organização do serviço; engajamento público e qualificação da prática cínica) a fim de melhorar a cobertura e qualidade da atenção a estes usuários. Após três meses de intervenção conseguimos cadastrar e acompanhar 178 usuários hipertensos (35,9%) e 53 usuários diabéticos (32,5%). Todos os usuários cadastrados receberam orientações em relação à adoção de alimentação saudável, prática de atividade física, riscos do tabagismo e importância da higiene bucal e quase a totalidade tiveram exames clínicos e laboratoriais em dia de acordo com o protocolo, tiveram avaliação do risco para doença cardiovascular e prescrição de medicamentos prioritariamente da Farmácia Popular/Hiperdia. Todos os registros estão sendo atualizados e monitorados regularmente. A intervenção desenvolvida representa qualificação da atenção aos usuários com HAS e/ou DM e esta intervenção está incorporada na rotina do processo de trabalho da equipe.

Aspectos médicos e sociais no atendimento oftalmológico de urgência

Purpose: A survey was carried out on one hundred patients of the Emergency Service of the Ophthalmology Department of the Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), in order to analyze the personal characteristics and the barriers against getting resolving ophthalmologic assistance. Variables, were the following: sex, age, home town, average distance between the place of initial symptoms and first visit to the hospital, time spent between the first examination (if performed in any other service) and the examination performed at the Hospital das Clinicas of University of Campinas, diagnosis, veracity of emergency, need to refer patients previously seen in other services to our Service and possibility of assistance and treatment at a secondary level. Methods: The sample showed the following characteristics: distances between 20 and 100 kilometers covered by 50.0% of the patients to be seen at University of Campinas. 75.0% of those patients needed someone to stay with them and 67.0% came from other municipalities. The long distances covered meant additional expenses for the treatment of diseases which should be treated locally. Results: Among the patients referred to University of Campinas by ophthalmologists of other services, 87.5% could have their diseases treated at a secondary level of assistance and 66.7% of real emergencies and 60% of false emergencies took longer than 7 days to reach the emergency room of University of Campinas. This shows the poor infrastructure of secondary services regarding excellence of emergency care and education of patients. Conclusions: We recommend education of general physicians and ophthalmologists for emergency eye care and also the supply of both secondary and tertiary public services or medicare, strategically setup in the whole state of Sao Paulo.

Indicadores de saude em mulheres acima de 50 anos de idade participantes de um programa de atividades fisicas no complexo da Mare-RJ

Univesidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from dental office environments and units in Barretos, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and analysis of their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs

A wide variety of opportunistic pathogens has been detected in the tubing supplying water to odontological equipment, in special in the biofilm lining of these tubes. Among these pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections, is frequently found in water lines supplying dental units. In the present work, 160 samples of water, and 200 fomite samples from forty dental units were collected in the city of Barretos, State of São Paulo, Brazil and evaluated between January and July, 2005. Seventy-six P. aeruginosa strains, isolated from the dental environment (5 strains) and water system (71 strains), were tested for susceptibility to six antimicrobial drugs most frequently used against P. aeruginosa infections. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, followed by meropenem was the predominant profile. The need for effective means of reducing the microbial burden within dental unit water lines is emphasized, and the risk of exposure and cross-infection in dental practice, in special when caused by opportunistic pathogens like P. aeruginosa, are highlighted.

Vaccination in Brazilian HIV-infected adults: A cross-sectional study

HIV-infected patients are at risk for vaccine-preventable infections. The Brazilian National Immunization Program provided recommendations for this population. However, the vaccine coverage reached by this program is unknown. This study aimed at evaluating the vaccine coverage of HIV-infected adults followed at Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine. Data were collected on age, gender, mode of HIV transmission, Centers for Disease Classification 1993 classification (CDC/93), antiretrovirals, CD4 count, HIV viral load, and immunization charts, from April 2003 to August 2004. We interviewed 144 randomly selected patients, 74% male; mean age, 39.95 years; CDC classification: A, 40.6%; B, 19.6%; and C, 39.9%. Most of patients were undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART; 86.8%). Mean CD4 count 442.6 cells/mm(3). Viral load less than 400 copies per milliliter in 59.4% of patients. Only 36.1% of patients were adequately immunized for diphtheria/tetanus, 54.9% for pneumococcus, 24.3% for flu, and 76.9% for hepatitis B. In relation to live attenuated vaccines, 5 patients received measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and 7 patients yellow fever vaccine. Two patients were vaccinated against yellow fever despite CD4 less than 200 cell/mm(3). We verified poor vaccine coverage in HIV-infected patients. Vaccination campaigns and incorporation of vaccine rooms in sexually transmitted disease (STD)/AIDS clinics could improve this situation.

A Method for Generation of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages from Cryopreserved Mouse Bone Marrow Cells

The broad use of transgenic and gene-targeted mice has established bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) as important mammalian host cells for investigation of the macrophages biology. Over the last decade, extensive research has been done to determine how to freeze and store viable hematopoietic human cells; however, there is no information regarding generation of BMDM from frozen murine bone marrow (BM) cells. Here, we establish a highly efficient protocol to freeze murine BM cells and further generate BMDM. Cryopreserved murine BM cells maintain their potential for BMDM differentiation for more than 6 years. We compared BMDM obtained from fresh and frozen BM cells and found that both are similarly able to trigger the expression of CD80 and CD86 in response to LPS or infection with the intracellular bacteria Legionella pneumophila. Additionally, BMDM obtained from fresh or frozen BM cells equally restrict or support the intracellular multiplication of pathogens such as L. pneumophila and the protozoan parasite Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Although further investigation are required to support the use of the method for generation of dendritic cells, preliminary experiments indicate that bone marrow-derived dendritic cells can also be generated from cryopreserved BM cells. Overall, the method described and validated herein represents a technical advance as it allows ready and easy generation of BMDM from a stock of frozen BM cells.

Apoptosis in Glioma Cells Treated with PDT

Background: Despite significant advances in neurosurgical techniques, the median survival time of patients with glioblastoma has improved little over the past 50 years and remains less than one year. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is presently established as a widely accepted modality for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of PDT-Photogem (R) on five glioma cell lines (U87, U138, U251, U343, and T98G). Methods: The experiments were carried out in 25-cm(3) flasks with different groups of cells seeded at a density of 1 x 10(5) cells per flask. After 3 h, the medium was removed, and the cells were incubated for 4 h with Photogem (5 mu g/mL). After the incubation time, the photosensitizer-containing medium was removed and the cells were irradiated with LED (630 nm, 25 mW/cm(2), 25 J/cm(2)) devices for 17 min. For the final steps of the PDT, the cells were returned to the incubator and kept at 37 degrees C with 5% CO(2) for 24 h, the cell viability assay was assessed using the trypan blue method, and the expression of Caspase 3 mRNA levels was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: Upon PDT-Photogem (R) treatment, viable cells, as evaluated by the trypan blue dye-exclusion method, decreased in two cell lines (U87 and U138) but not in the other three. Apoptosis, as assessed by the expression of caspase-3 mRNA levels, was at least partly involved in the death mechanism of the cell lines. Conclusions: Collectively, our results indicated that PDT-Photogem (R) can act in glioma cells, thus encouraging new experiments in this field.

Vascular relaxation of canine visceral arteries after ischemia by means of supraceliac aortic cross-clamping followed by reperfusion

Background: The supraceliac aortic cross-clamping can be an option to save patients with hipovolemic shock due to abdominal trauma. However, this maneuver is associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury strongly related to oxidative stress and reduction of nitric oxide bioavailability. Moreover, several studies demonstrated impairment in relaxation after I/R, but the time course of I/R necessary to induce vascular dysfunction is still controversial. We investigated whether 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion do not change the relaxation of visceral arteries nor the plasma and renal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite plus nitrate (NOx). Methods: Male mongrel dogs (n = 27) were randomly allocated in one of the three groups: sham (no clamping, n = 9), ischemia (supraceliac aortic cross-clamping for 60 minutes, n = 9), and I/R (60 minutes of ischemia followed by reperfusion for 30 minutes, n = 9). Relaxation of visceral arteries (celiac trunk, renal and superior mesenteric arteries) was studied in organ chambers. MDA and NOx concentrations were determined using a commercially available kit and an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay, respectively. Results: Both acetylcholine and calcium ionophore caused relaxation in endothelium-intact rings and no statistical differences were observed among the three groups. Sodium nitroprusside promoted relaxation in endothelium-denuded rings, and there were no inter-group statistical differences. Both plasma and renal concentrations of MDA and NOx showed no significant difference among the groups. Conclusion: Supraceliac aortic cross-clamping for 60 minutes alone and followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion did not impair relaxation of canine visceral arteries nor evoke biochemical alterations in plasma or renal tissue.

GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism in astrocytomas and glioblastomas

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a superfamily of ubiquitous multifunctional enzymes that are involved in the cellular detoxification of a large number of endogenous and exogenous chemical agents that have electrophilic functional groups. People who have deficiencies in this family of genes are at increased risk of developing some types of tumors. We examined GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism using PCR-RFLP in 80 astrocytoma and glioblastoma samples. Patients who had the Val allele of the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism had an increased risk of tumor development (odds ratio = 8.60; 95% confidence interval = 4.74-17.87; P < 0.001). Overall survival of patients did not differ significantly. We suggest that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms are involved in susceptibility to developing astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Polymorphisms and DNA methylation of gene TP53 associated with extra-axial brain tumors

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer; this gene is mutated in up to 50% of human tumors. It has a critical role in the cell cycle, apoptosis and cell senescence, and it participates in many crucial physiological and pathological processes. Polymorphisms of p53 have been suggested to be associated with genetically determined susceptibility in various types of cancer. Another process involved with the development and progression of tumors is DNA hypermethylation. Aberrant methylation of the promoter is an alternative epigenetic change in genetic mechanisms, leading to tumor suppressor gene inactivation. In the present study, we examined the TP53 Arg72Pro and Pro47Ser polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and the pattern of methylation of the p53 gene by methylation-specific PCR in 90 extra-axial brain tumor samples. Patients who had the allele Pro of the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism had an increased risk of tumor development ( odds ratio, OR = 3.23; confidence interval at 95%, 95% CI = 1.71-6.08; P = 0.003), as did the allele Ser of TP53 Pro47Ser polymorphism (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.03-2.10; P = 0.01). Comparison of overall survival of patients did not show significant differences. In the analysis of DNA methylation, we observed that 37.5% of meningiomas, 30% of schwannomas and 52.6% of metastases were hypermethylated, suggesting that methylation is important for tumor progression. We suggest that TP53 Pro47Ser and Arg72Pro polymorphisms and DNA hypermethylation are involved in susceptibility for developing extra-axial brain tumors.

Detection of Human Bocavirus mRNA in Respiratory Secretions Correlates with High Viral Load and Concurrent Diarrhea

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a parvovirus recently identified in association with acute respiratory infections (ARI). Despite its worldwide occurrence, little is known on the pathogenesis of HBoV infections. In addition, few systematic studies of HBoV in ARI have been conducted in Latin America. Therefore, in order to test whether active viral replication of human bocavirus is associated with respiratory diseases and to understand the clinical impact of this virus in patients with these diseases, we performed a 3-year retrospective hospital-based study of HBoV in outpatients and inpatients with symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Brazil. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from 1015 patients with respiratory symptoms were tested for HBoV DNA by PCR. All samples positive for HBoV were tested by PCR for all other respiratory viruses, had HBoV viral loads determined by quantitative real time PCR and, when possible, were tested by RT-PCR for HBoV VP1 mRNA, as evidence of active viral replication. HBoV was detected in 4.8% of patients, with annual rates of 10.0%, 3.0% and 3.0% in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The range of respiratory symptoms was similar between HBoV-positive and HBoV-negative ARI patients. However, a higher rate of diarrhea was observed in HBoV-positive patients. High HBoV viral loads (> 10(8) copies/mL) and diarrhea were significantly more frequent in patients with exclusive infection by HBoV and in patients with detection of HBoV VP1 mRNA than in patients with viral co-infection, detected in 72.9% of patients with HBoV. In summary, our data demonstrated that active HBoV replication was detected in a small percentage of patients with ARI and was correlated with concurrent diarrhea and lack of other viral co-infections.

T cells, adhesion molecules and modulation of apoptosis in visceral leishmaniasis glomerulonephritis

Background: Immune complex deposition is the accepted mechanism of pathogenesis of VL glomerulopathy however other immune elements may participate. Further in the present study, no difference was seen between immunoglobulin and C3b deposit intensity in glomeruli between infected and non-infected dogs thus T cells, adhesion molecules and parameters of proliferation and apoptosis were analysed in dogs with naturally acquired VL from an endemic area. The dog is the most important domestic reservoir of the protozoa Leishmania (L.) chagasi that causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The similarity of VL manifestation in humans and dogs renders the study of canine VL nephropathy of interest with regard to human pathology. Methods: From 55 dogs with VL and 8 control non-infected dogs from an endemic area, kidney samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for immunoglobulin and C3b deposits, staining for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, ICAM-1, P-selectin and quantified using morphometry. Besides proliferation marker Ki-67, apoptosis markers M30 and TUNEL staining, and related cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha were searched and quantified. Results: We observed similar IgG, IgM and IgA and C3b deposit intensity in dogs with VL and non-infected control dogs. However we detected the Leishmania antigen in cells in glomeruli in 54, CD4+ T cells in the glomeruli of 44, and CD8+ T cells in 17 of a total of 55 dogs with VL. Leishmania antigen was absent and T cells were absent/scarse in eight non-infected control dogs. CD 4+ T cells predominate in proliferative patterns of glomerulonephritis, however the presence of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were not different in intensity in different patterns of glomerulonephritis. The expression of ICAM-1 and P-selectin was significantly greater in the glomeruli of infected dogs than in control dogs. In all patterns of glomerulonephritis the expression of ICAM-1 ranged from minimum to moderately severe and P-selectin from absent to severe. In the control animals the expression of these molecules ranged from absent to medium intensity. It was not observed any correlation between severity of the disease and these markers. There was a correlation between the number of Leishmania antigen positive cells and CD4+ T cells, and between the number of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. In dogs presenting different histopathological patterns of glomerulonephritis, parameters of proliferation and apoptosis were studied. Ki-67, a proliferative marker, was not detected locally, but fewer apoptotic cells and lower TNF-alpha expression were seen in infected animals than in non-infected controls. Conclusion: Immunopathogenic mechanisms of VL glomerulonephritis are complex and data in the present study suggest no clear participation of immunoglobulin and C3b deposits in these dogs but the possible migration of CD4+ T cells into the glomeruli, participation of adhesion molecules, and diminished apoptosis of cells contributing to determine the proliferative pattern of glomerulonephritis in VL.