A nova habitação social: concepções inovadoras aplicadas em ZEIS

Discussions on the production of housing for residents of low income, in Brazil, has come a long, but still no great solutions. Not only a political problem, the issue of housing involves also social and economic issues. From the beginning there was a downward grade of the slum villages more sophisticated more precarious, as if the social scale. And that is what this work will be done. In an attempt to produce forms of housing for low-income population, but not to be a mere product of capitalism, or political propaganda, but to try to reach a real solution to the problem. The project will propose new forms of construction, use of renewable energy, reuse of water and other, besides new forms of construction, the project aims to create a sustainable education to future residents

Uber quantitative Bestimmungen wasseriger Losungen mit dem Zeis'schen LEintauchrefraktometer.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universitat Jena.

Epidemiological study of bancroftian filariasis in Recife, Northeastern Brazil

Wuchereria bancrofti in Pernambuco was first documented in 1952 (Azevedo & Dobbin 1952), and since then it has been reported in surveys carried out in selected areas of Recife. Several surveys were carried out from 1981 to 1991 by SUCAM. In the 1985 SUCAM's report the disease is considered under control. The CPqAM Filariasis Research Program was established in 1985 and a filarial survey was carried out in the town of Olinda, Greater Recife. In order to verify the real epidemiological situation, a study was conducted in the city of Recife. 21/36 of the Special Zones of Social Interest (ZEIS), were randomly selected for the present study. From 10,664 persons screened, 683 were positive and the prevalence rate for microfilaraemia (mf) varied from 0.6% to 14.9%. A mean mf prevalence of 6.5%, showed that the infection occurs in a wide geographic distribution in Greater Recife and that the intensity of transmission is a real and potential threat to public health in affected communities. Mf rate among males and females differed significantly. Due to the rapid increase in population, unplanned urban settlements, poor sanitary facilities and the favorable geographical conditions to the development of the vector, filariasis may actually be increasing in Recife.

Metabolic gene expression changes in astrocytes in Multiple Sclerosis cerebral cortex are indicative of immune-mediated signaling.

Emerging as an important correlate of neurological dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), extended focal and diffuse gray matter abnormalities have been found and linked to clinical manifestations such as seizures, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. To investigate possible underlying mechanisms we analyzed the molecular alterations in histopathological normal appearing cortical gray matter (NAGM) in MS. By performing a differential gene expression analysis of NAGM of control and MS cases we identified reduced transcription of astrocyte specific genes involved in the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) and the glutamate-glutamine cycle (GGC). Additional quantitative immunohistochemical analysis demonstrating a CX43 loss in MS NAGM confirmed a crucial involvement of astrocytes and emphasizes their importance in MS pathogenesis. Concurrently, a Toll-like/IL-1β signaling expression signature was detected in MS NAGM, indicating that immune-related signaling might be responsible for the downregulation of ANLS and GGC gene expression in MS NAGM. Indeed, challenging astrocytes with immune stimuli such as IL-1β and LPS reduced their ANLS and GGC gene expression in vitro. The detected upregulation of IL1B in MS NAGM suggests inflammasome priming. For this reason, astrocyte cultures were treated with ATP and ATP/LPS as for inflammasome activation. This treatment led to a reduction of ANLS and GGC gene expression in a comparable manner. To investigate potential sources for ANLS and GGC downregulation in MS NAGM, we first performed an adjuvant-driven stimulation of the peripheral immune system in C57Bl/6 mice in vivo. This led to similar gene expression changes in spinal cord demonstrating that peripheral immune signals might be one source for astrocytic gene expression changes in the brain. IL1B upregulation in MS NAGM itself points to a possible endogenous signaling process leading to ANLS and GGC downregulation. This is supported by our findings that, among others, MS NAGM astrocytes express inflammasome components and that astrocytes are capable to release Il-1β in-vitro. Altogether, our data suggests that immune signaling of immune- and/or central nervous system origin drives alterations in astrocytic ANLS and GGC gene regulation in the MS NAGM. Such a mechanism might underlie cortical brain dysfunctions frequently encountered in MS patients.

Planos diretores participativos e gestão urbana em cidades médias sob o estatuto da cidade

The paper analyzes the implementation of the new regulatory framework of urban policy in Brazil, synthesized by the Constitution of 1988 and its subsequent regulations by the Statute of the City (Federal Law No. 10.257/2001). The empirical analysis focuses on three medium-sized cities in the state of São Paulo (Piracicaba, Bauru and Rio Claro), and addresses three complementary dimensions. First: interprets the participatory processes that resulted in the new Master Plan. Second, analyzes the crisis of the developmental model for understanding the transformations experienced by the Brazilian urban network, through which the medium-sized cities took on increasing economic relevance. Third: examines the inclusion and regulation of Special Zones of Social Interest (ZEIS) and how this instrument has been used in dealing with urban problems and the housing deficit. Apart from normative considerations, the study aims to assess the actual contribution of the City Statute in the democratization of urban management.