Tradução e adaptação transcultural para a língua portuguesa da Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment

The objective of this study was to translate, to adapt culturally and to verify the semantic equivalence from english to portuguese of the Co­caine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA), which evaluates the wi­thdrawal for cocaine. The CSSA was translated from English to Portu­guese, administered to 10 persons, and then submitted to brainstorming in a group of 3 psychiatrics for individual and verbal reproduction, item by item. Backtranslation was executed based on first translation and from brainstorming to the origin language. Then, it was translated again into Portuguese. The entire process was analyzed by a committee of psychiatrists with expertise in addiction, which emitted opinions and the pertinent comments. The scale in its general scope was well understood by both patients and professionals. Few changes were done from the first translation to final version in items 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 e 12. To the others items, the original translation was kept. Statements were added to the end of all items. Considering the opinions of the experts and a final pilot study, was constructed the final Brazilian version of the CSSA. Results indicated a satisfactory semantic equivalence between the two versions and so the CSSA may be helpful instrument in treating withdrawal of cocaine / crack.O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e verificar a equivalência semântica do inglês para o português da escala Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA), a qual avalia a abstinência de co­caína. A CSSA foi traduzida do inglês para o português, aplicada em 10 pacientes e submetida ao brainstorming em um grupo de 3 psiquiatras para reprodução individual e verbal, item a item. Foi realizada a retrotradução (backtrans­lation) da primeira tradução e do brainstorming, sendo realizada nova tradução para o português. Todo o processo foi analisado por um comitê de psiquiatras com experiência em toxicomania, os quais emitiram pareceres com as observações pertinentes. A escala, em seu âmbito geral, foi bem compreendida pelos pacientes e profissionais. Pou­cas mudanças foram feitas da primeira tradução até a versão final nos itens 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 e 12. Para os demais itens, a tradução original foi mantida. Sentenças foram adicionadas ao final de todos os itens. Considerando os pareceres dos especialistas e um último estudo piloto, construiu-se a versão final brasileira da CSSA. Os resultados indicaram uma equivalência semântica satisfatória entre as versões, podendo a CSSA ser um instrumento útil no tratamento de abstinência de cocaína/crack

Evaluation of laboratory markers of progression of HIV disease to death

INTRODUCTION: One of the important current problems in HIV/AIDS infection is the establishment of epidemiological and laboratorial prognostic parameters during patient follow-up. This study aimed at analyzing the evolution of laboratory tests: CD4 lymphocyte count, viral load, hemoglobin (Hb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the epidemiological variables sex and age as prognostic factors for survival in progression to death among AIDS patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using analysis of medical records, and prospective 24-month follow-up of patients with HIV/ AIDS attended at the President Vargas Hospital Outpatient Clinic, a reference center in HIV/ AIDS attendance in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The study analyzed patients aged 10 to 60 years old, who manifested AIDS and who were not using antiretroviral therapy or had used it for less than 5 years. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample included 100 patients - 57 were current outpatients, and 43 had died. The variables viral load (p=0.726), ALT (p=0.314), sex (p=0.687), and age (p=0.742) were analyzed, and no evidence of association between them and worst prognosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relation was verified between low Hb levels (p=0.000) and CD4 (p=0.000) and shorter survival

Relationship between rainfall and temperature: observations on the cases of visceral leishmaniasis in São Luis Island, State of Maranhão, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem that requires global control strategies, especially with respect to factors that may intervene in reducing the incidence of endemicity. In this work, rainfall density and temperature were correlated with the incidence of human cases in an area endemic for leishmaniasis in São Luis do Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Notification of human cases by the National Health Foundation/Regional Coordination of Maranhão (FUNASA/COREMA) from 2002 to 2010 was used. Ecological data (mean temperature and rainfall density) were provided by the Meteorological Office of State. RESULTS: A significant association was verified between the number of VL cases and rainfall rate but not in the analysis concerning mean temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the control actions in visceral leishmaniasis should be performed during rainy season in the State of Maranhão, which is in the first half of the year

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data