Divulgação da informação contabilística na campanha eleitoral autárquica: estudo exploratório

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a divulgação da informação contabilística por parte dos políticos locaisna campanha eleitoral autárquica das últimas eleições (2013) e identificar os fatores que potencialmente explicam essa divulgação, tomando como referência o caso específico dos municípios de Trás os Montes e Alto Douro. Os resultados mostram que os políticos locais tendem a divulgar a informação contabilística para fins de campanha eleitoral autárquica. O valor dos investimentos realizados e das dívidas por pagar revelam ser os tipos de informação divulgados em maior número. Os resultados permitiram ainda concluir que a divulgação da informação contabilística na campanha eleitoral autárquica é influenciada pela dimensão do município, pelo tipo de governação (maioria ou minoria) do partido político do executivo e pelo montante das dívidas a pagar

Digital Radiography for Determination of Primary Tooth Length: In Vivo

Background. Methods for determining the root canal length of the primary tooth should yield accurate and reproducible results. In vitro studies show some limitations, which do not allow their findings to be directly transferred to a clinical situation. Aim. To compare the accuracy of radiographic tooth length obtained from in vivo digital radiograph with that obtained from ex vivo digital radiograph. Method. Direct digital radiographs of 20 upper primary incisors were performed in teeth (2/3 radicular resorption) that were radiographed by an intraoral sensor, according to the long-cone technique. Teeth were extracted, measured, and mounted in a resin block, and then radiographic template was used to standardise the sensor-target distance (30 cm). The apparent tooth length (APTL) was obtained from the computer screen by means of an electronic ruler accompanying the digital radiography software (CDR 2.0), whereas the actual tooth length (ACTL) was obtained by means of a digital calliper following extraction. Data were compared to the ACTL by variance analysis and Pearson’s correlation test. Results. The values for APTL obtained from in vivo radiography were slightly underestimated, whereas those values obtained from ex vivo were slightly overestimated. No significance was observed (P≤0.48) between APTL and ACTL. Conclusion. The length of primary teeth estimated by in vivo and ex vivo comparisons using digital radiography was found to be similar to the actual tooth length

Spatial distribution of the risk of dengue fever in southeast Brazil, 2006-2007

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-355.Background Many factors have been associated with circulation of the dengue fever virus and vector, although the dynamics of transmission are not yet fully understood. The aim of this work is to estimate the spatial distribution of the risk of dengue fever in an area of continuous dengue occurrence. Methods This is a spatial population-based case-control study that analyzed 538 cases and 727 controls in one district of the municipality of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2006-2007, considering socio-demographic, ecological, case severity, and household infestation variables. Information was collected by in-home interviews and inspection of living conditions in and around the homes studied. Cases were classified as mild or severe according to clinical data, and they were compared with controls through a multinomial logistic model. A generalized additive model was used in order to include space in a non-parametric fashion with cubic smoothing splines. Results Variables associated with increased incidence of all dengue cases in the multiple binomial regression model were: higher larval density (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3 (95%CI: 2.0-2.7)), reports of mosquito bites during the day (OR = 1.8 (95%CI: 1.4-2.4)), the practice of water storage at home (OR = 2.5 (95%CI: 1.4, 4.3)), low frequency of garbage collection (OR = 2.6 (95%CI: 1.6-4.5)) and lack of basic sanitation (OR = 2.9 (95%CI: 1.8-4.9)). Staying at home during the day was protective against the disease (OR = 0.5 (95%CI: 0.3-0.6)). When cases were analyzed by categories (mild and severe) in the multinomial model, age and number of breeding sites more than 10 were significant only for the occurrence of severe cases (OR = 0.97, (95%CI: 0.96-0.99) and OR = 2.1 (95%CI: 1.2-3.5), respectively. Spatial distribution of risks of mild and severe dengue fever differed from each other in the 2006/2007 epidemic, in the study area. Conclusions Age and presence of more than 10 breeding sites were significant only for severe cases. Other predictors of mild and severe cases were similar in the multiple models. The analyses of multinomial models and spatial distribution maps of dengue fever probabilities suggest an area-specific epidemic with varying clinical and demographic characteristics

Estudio exploratorio de validez y consistencia interna del índice de capacidad para el trabajo entre trabajadores de la salud

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la validez y la consistencia interna del índice de capacidad para el trabajo (ICT) entre trabajadores de la salud en Bahía, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio de validez con base en un corte transversal de una muestra de 3.084 trabajadores de la salud. El análisis de componentes principales extrajo tres factores del instrumento con varianza total acumulada del 53,9%. A través del ICT se identificaron grupos de trabajadores por edad y se correlacionaron de forma positiva con el control en el trabajo, el apoyo social y la autopercepción del estado de salud y, de forma negativa con los trastornos mentales comunes, la demanda psicológica, física y emocional y el desequilibrio esfuerzo-recompensa. El alfa de Cronbach subestimó los coeficientes de cada factor en comparación con el omega de McDonald. El ICT presentó propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias, tanto para medir la capacidad física y mental para el trabajo en grupos de trabajadores por edad y correlacionar a los aspectos relacionados con la salud.The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and internal consistency of the Work Ability Index (WAI) among health workers in Bahia, Brazil. An exploratory validity study was conducted based on a cross-sectional sample of 3,084 health workers. The principal component analysis extracted three factors of the instrument with a total accumulated variance of 53.9%. The WAI was able to identify groups of workers by age and show positive correlations with job control, social support and self-perceived health status as well as negative correlations with common mental disorders, psychological, physical and emotional demand and the effort-reward imbalance. The Cronbach’s alpha underestimated the coefficients of each factor compared to McDonald’s omega. The WAI showed satisfactory psychometric properties to measure physical and mental work ability in groups of workers according to age

Cyanobacteria, microcystins and cylindrospermopsin in public drinking supply reservoirs of Brazil

Brazil has a history of blooms and contamination of freshwater systems by cyanobacterial toxins. The monitoring relevance of toxins from cyanobacteria in reservoirs for public supply is notorious given its high toxicity to mammals, included humans beings. The most recurrent toxins in Brazilian water bodies are microcystins (MC). However, the recent record of cylindrospermopsin (CYN) in northeastern Brazil, Pernambuco state, alerts us to the possibility that this could be escalating. This study reports occurrence of MC and CYN, quantified with ELISA, in 10 reservoirs, devoted to public drinking supply in northeastern Brazil. The composition and quantification of the cyanobacteria community associated with these water bodies is also presented. From 23 samples investigated for the presence of MC, and CYN, 22 and 8 out were positive, respectively. Considering the similarity of the cyanobacteria communities found in reservoirs from Pernambuco, including toxin-producing species associated to MC and CYN, we suggest that geographic spreading can be favored by these factors. These issues emphasize the need for increased monitoring of MC and CYN in drinking supply reservoirs in Brazil861297309O Brasil tem um histórico de florações e contaminações por toxinas de cianobactérias nos seus ecossistemas de água doce. A relevância do monitoramento de toxinas de cianobactérias em reservatórios de abastecimento público é notória, devido à sua alta toxicidade para mamíferos, inclusive seres humanos. As cianotoxinas mais recorrentes em corpos de água brasileiros são microcistinas (MC). No entanto, o registro recente de cilindrospermopsina (CYN) no nordeste, estado de Pernambuco, nos alerta para a possibilidade do aumento de novas ocorrências. Este estudo relata a ocorrência de MC e CYN, quantificadas por ELISA, em 10 reservatórios destinados ao abastecimento público do nordeste do Brasil. Também são apresentadas a composição e a quantificação da comunidade de cianobactérias associadas a estes corpos de água. Das 23 amostras investigadas, 22 e 8 foram positivas em relação, respectivamente, a MC e CYN. Considerando a similaridade das comunidades de cianobactérias encontradas nos reservatórios de Pernambuco e a presença de espécies potencialmente produtoras de MC e CYN, nós sugerimos que uma expansão geográfica possa ser favorecida por esses fatores. Estas questões enfatizam a necessidade de aumentar o monitoramento de MC e CYN em reservatórios de abastecimento público no Brasi

X-linked Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita: report of two families and a new NR0B1 mutation

Background: X-linked Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita (X-linked AHC) tipically manifests as adrenal insufficiency in a bimodal clinical presentation (5–60 days and 2–13 years) and, at pubertal age, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in males. It is caused by mutations in NR0B1 (present in Xp21.2), a gene with a critical role in the development of adrenals and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. It represents ~1% of all causes of primary adrenal insufficiency under age 18. We present two kindreds with NR0B1 mutations, one with a previously unreported mutation. Clinical case - family A: The proband presented with adrenal crisis at day 18 of life. Family history was relevant for an uncle death as a newborn. Hormonal assays revealed elevated ACTH (34,5 pmol/L, reference: T, leading to a premature stop codon, p.Lys362*, in exon 1. His mother and sister were both asymptomatic carriers for this mutation. This mutation, not described previously, leads probably to a non-functional truncated protein. Clinical case - family B: Kindred B had two males who presented with adrenal crisis at the newborn age (proband: 14 days; brother: 16 days). At 6 months of age, the proband had elevated ACTH (193.2 pmol/L, reference: G; p.Tyr81*, in exon 1, present in the two affected males. His mother and one sister were also asymptomatic carriers. Conclusion: Our kindreds highlights the clinical aspects of the rare X-linked AHC and its challenging differential diagnosis. The diagnosis was based on …. Completar … and an apparently X-linked mode of inheritance. Molecular analysis of the NR0B1 gene allowed the identification of the molecular defect in both families. Two different nonsense mutation in exon 1 were identified, giving rise most probably to truncated non-functional proteins, confirming the disease severity or the clinical phenotype of the affected boys. Mutation identification was relevant for genetic counseling of the parents, as well as for the patient’s sisters

Reading a Scientific Paper for Psychology and the Social Sciences: A Critical Guide

Aim: A critical review of a journal article is a comprehensive evaluation of the article content, formal structure and methodological approach. Success in this task requires students to develop analytic and reflexive skills as pre-requisites to identify key research question(s), relevant findings and main conclusions reached. Critical skills are also an important aspect of a student’s academic and future professional life, yet this has been a largely overlooked component of academic training. This paper aims to provide undergraduate students with a simple and straightforward set of guidelines for reading, analysing and interpreting research articles. Content, structure and common mistakes in research papers are addressed, along with the most relevant standards for review. Conclusion: With this reference guide we hope students will be able to more thoroughly analyse and critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a research article.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anticholinesterase activity evaluation of alkaloids and coumarin from stems of Conchocarpus fontanesianus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conchocarpus fontanesianus (A. St.-Hill.) Kallunki & Pirani, Rutaceae, popularly known as pitaguara, is a native and endemic tree from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States, Brazil. Based in the information that anticholinesterasic derivatives could act as new prototypes to treatment of Alzheimer disease, this work describes the fractionation guided by evaluation of the anticholinesterase activity of the ethanolic stems extract from C. fontanesianus. This procedure afforded the alkaloids dictamnine (1), gamma-fagarine (2), skimianine (3), and 2-phenyl-1-methyl-4-quinolone (4), as well as the coumarin marmesin (5).222374380Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Composição química e atividade inibidora de acetilcolinesterase de óleos voláteis de Myrceugenia myrcioides(Cambess.) O. Berg and Eugenia riedeliana O. Berg, Myrtaceae

The chemical composition of volatile oils from two Myrtaceae species, Myrceugenia myrcioidesand Eugenia riedeliana, both native from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest, was analyzed by GC-MS. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was colorimetrically evaluated for these oils. For M. myrcioides, monoterpene hydrocarbons represented the major class in the volatile oil, with α-pinene as the most abundant component and a weak inhibitory activity was observed, whilst for E. riedeliana sesquiterpenes were found in higher amounts, being valerianol the major compound, and this oil presented a strong acetylcholinesterase inhibition.A composição química dos óleos voláteis de duas espécies de Myrtaceae, Myrceugenia myrcioidese Eugenia riedeliana, ambas nativas da Mata Atlântica, foi analisada por CG-EM. A atividade inibidora de acetilcolinesterase foi determinada colorimetricamente para estes óleos. Em M. myrcioides, hidrocarbonetos monoterpênicos representaram a classe majoritária de compostos presentes no óleo volátil, sendo α-pineno o componente mais abundante e a atividade inibidora de acetilcolinesterase foi baixa, enquanto para E. riedelianaos sesquiterpenos foram observados em maiores concentrações, sendo o valerianol o componente majoritário, e este óleo apresentou uma forte atividade inibidora da enzima.BIOTA/FAPESPCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Analysis of genetic susceptibility to mercury contamination evaluated through molecular biomarkers in at-risk amazon amerindian populations

We investigated Individual differences in susceptibility to methylmercury (MeHg) contamination and its relationship with polymorphisms of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST). In Brazil, some Amerindian tribes from the Amazon region have an increased level of mercury in their hair. Samples of hair and blood were taken from inhabitants of two villages in the Kayabi and Munduruku Amerindian communities to investigate mercury levels in association with genetic polymorphism of GSTs. Other molecular biological markers were also studied, such as hemoglobin, haptoglobin and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH). Higher levels of mercury contamination were found in the Kayabi villagers, who had a null genotype (GSTM1 0/0, also denominated GSTM1 null) frequency of 26%, than in the Munduruku villagers, for which the null genotype frequency was 0%. Individuals with the GSTM1 null phenotype had higher concentrations of mercury in their hair than individuals with GSTM1+/+ phenotypes (F = 21.51, p < 0.0001). No association with other markers studied was observed. This study suggests that GSTM1 may be involved in the biotransformation of mercury in humans