Mariano Jorge Levin (1951-2010)

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM)UNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Serological diagnosis of Chagas disease with purified and defined Trypanosoma cruzi antigens

Universidade de São PauloUNIFESPUNIFESPSciEL

Mapping of B cell epitopes in an immunodominant antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi using fusions to the Escherichia coli LamB protein

The JL8 protein antigen from Trypanosoma cii , a dominant immunogen in man, has been characterized as containing tandem amino acid repeats. Here, we describe the use of the LamB protein of Escherichia coli as a carl icr of JL8 derived sequences in order to map the immunodominant B cell epitopes in this antigen. Five different sequences of JL8 were inserted in the LamB protein and the JL8-LamB fusion proteins were tested by ELISA with human chronic chagasic sera. the fusion carrying the sequence AEKQKAAEATKVAE was recognized by most sera. This protein was also capable of inhibiting the binding of human chagasic antibodies to GST-JL8 in competitive ELISA suggesting that it contains an immunodominant B cell epitope of JL8. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilIngebi, RA-1428 Buenos Aires, DF, ArgentinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Determinants of agricultural insurance adoption: evidence from farmers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of agricultural insurance adoption by farmers of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.Design/methodology/approach – Primary data from the 2015/2016 crop season was collected from a sample of 175 farmers. Logit econometric models were applied to identify the variables that affect the probability of agricultural insurance adoption.Findings – The empirical results show that the education level, access to technical assistance, use of management tools and farm size positively affect the probability of adopting agricultural insurance. In addition, farmers who produce soybean and/or corn are more likely to use insurance. On the other hand, the higher the farmers’ propensity to take risk the lower the likelihood of using insurance.Research limitations/implications – The empirical analysis is based on cross-sectional data of a sample of 175 farmers of the state of São Paulo. The use of panel data with a larger sample of farmers, considering a period of years, could provide additional information.Originality/value – To the best of the knowledge, this is the first empirical analysis about determinants of agricultural insurance adoption by Brazilian farmers, considering behavioral factors. The findings provide useful insights for policymakers in formulating risk management programs in the Brazilian agricultural markets. A better understanding about the determinants of insurance adoption is also relevant for private companies that sell insurance to farmers. Therefore, the paper may contribute with the diffusion of rural insurance as risk management tool in Brazilian agriculture

Efeito dos Maturadores Químicos na Cultura da Cana-de-Açúcar (Saccharum spp).

The maturation of the sugarcane is a physiological process that involves the synthesis of sugars in the leaves, translocation of the products formed and storage of sucrose in the stem. The different chemical ripeners differ not only in formulating but also in the time between application and harvest and weather conditions required. This review aimed to make a survey of the effect of chemical ripeners in the sugarcane (Saccharum spp). The specific methodology used sought to understand the publications on the effect of chemicals applied to matured crop of sugarcane. Were matured addressed the various chemicals applied to the culture of sugarcane, and the effects of these, the concept of maturity, flowering and the use of inhibitors and the results and recommendations on the use. It was concluded that the chemicals ripeners in the sugarcane enabled improved productivity when used technically, combining increased plant growth and maximum accumulation of sucrose.A maturação da cana-de-açúcar é um processo fisiológico que envolve a síntese dos açúcares nas folhas, translocação dos produtos formados e estocagem da sacarose no colmo. Os diferentes maturadores químicos diferem entre si não só na formulação, como também no tempo entre a aplicação e a colheita e nas condições climáticas exigidas. Esta revisão bibliográfica teve por objetivo fazer um levantamento do efeito dos maturadores químicos aplicados à cultura da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp). A metodologia específica utilizada buscou a compreensão das publicações sobre o efeito dos maturadores químicos aplicados à cultura da cana-de-açúcar. Foram abordados resultados e recomendações sobre o uso e efeitos dos principais maturadores químicos aplicados à cultura da cana-de-açúcar, bem como o conceito de maturador e uso inibidores de florescimento. Concluiu-se que, os maturadores químicos aplicados à cultura da cana-de-açúcar possibilitaram melhor produtividade quando usados tecnicamente, conseguindo-se maior crescimento da planta e máximo acúmulo de sacarose

Uma análise da gestão de risco de preço por parte dos produtores de café arábica no Brasil

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOBrazilian coffee farmers use future markets in a very restricted way, which does not follow the high optimal hedge ratio observed in minimum variance models. Reasons for the low use are associated to producers and their business characteristics, their preferences about risk management tool and behavioral attitudes. In this context, the aim of this study was to examine the main factors which influence derivatives use among Brazilian coffee growers. Initially, the optimal hedge ratio was calculated with Myers and Thompson (1989) method, considering BM&FBOVESPA and ICE Futures (New York) markets. The ratio had values higher than 50%. After that, through surveys with 373 coffee farmers, it was observed that only 12.9% of the sample reported knowing and using futures as a way to manage the price risk. The hedge ratio adopted by farmers, on average, was below 50%. In a third step, a logit model was applied for data. Most important factors which explain the use of future contracts by coffee growers were risk aversion, size of production, level of understanding about future contracts and the level which farmers understand that future contracts enable the decrease of revenue fluctuation.Os mercados futuros possuem uso restrito entre os cafeicultores brasileiros, o que, de certa maneira, não condiz com as altas razões ótimas de hedge obtidas nos modelos de mínima variância. Os motivos para esta baixa utilização estão associados às características do produtor e de seu negócio, preferências em relação ao modelo de administração de risco da atividade e questões comportamentais. Diante disso, o presente estudo buscou verificar quais fatores interferem na decisão de uso destes derivativos entre os cafeicultores brasileiros. Em uma primeira etapa, foram calculadas razões ótimas de hedge, de acordo com Myers e Thompson (1989), para os mercados da BM&FBOVESPA e ICE Futures. Tais razões apresentaram valores superiores a 50%. Em uma segunda etapa, a partir da aplicação de 373 questionários, observou-se que 12,9% da amostra declara conhecer e utilizar futuros, sendo que, na média, a razão de hedge adotada esteve abaixo de 50%. Em uma terceira etapa, a partir de um modelo logit, concluiu-se que os fatores que influenciaram o uso dos contratos foram grau de aversão ao risco de preço, tamanho da produção, nível de conhecimento sobre derivativos e dimensão pela qual se entende que tais instrumentos levam à maior estabilidade da receita da atividade.Os mercados futuros possuem uso restrito entre os cafeicultores brasileiros, o que, de certa maneira, não condiz com as altas razões ótimas de hedge obtidas nos modelos de mínima variância. Os motivos para esta baixa utilização estão associados às características do produtor e de seu negócio, preferências em relação ao modelo de administração de risco da atividade e questões comportamentais. Diante disso, o presente estudo buscou verificar quais fatores interferem na decisão de uso destes derivativos entre os cafeicultores brasileiros. Em uma primeira etapa, foram calculadas razões ótimas de hedge, de acordo com Myers e Thompson (1989), para os mercados da BM&FBOVESPA e ICE Futures. Tais razões apresentaram valores superiores a 50%. Em uma segunda etapa, a partir da aplicação de 373 questionários, observou-se que 12,9% da amostra declara conhecer e utilizar futuros, sendo que, na média, a razão de hedge adotada esteve abaixo de 50%. Em uma terceira etapa, a partir de um modelo logit, concluiu-se que os fatores que influenciaram o uso dos contratos foram grau de aversão ao risco de preço, tamanho da produção, nível de conhecimento sobre derivativos e dimensão pela qual se entende que tais instrumentos levam à maior estabilidade da receita da atividade503397410FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOBrazilian coffee farmers use future markets in a very restricted way, which does not follow the high optimal hedge ratio observed in minimum variance models. Reasons for the low use are associated to producers and their business characteristics, their preferences about risk management tool and behavioral attitudes. In this context, the aim of this study was to examine the main factors which influence derivatives use among Brazilian coffee growers. Initially, the optimal hedge ratio was calculated with Myers and Thompson (1989) method, considering BM&FBOVESPA and ICE Futures (New York) markets. The ratio had values higher than 50%. After that, through surveys with 373 coffee farmers, it was observed that only 12.9% of the sample reported knowing and using futures as a way to manage the price risk. The hedge ratio adopted by farmers, on average, was below 50%. In a third step, a logit model was applied for data. Most important factors which explain the use of future contracts by coffee growers were risk aversion, size of production, level of understanding about future contracts and the level which farmers understand that future contracts enable the decrease of revenue fluctuatio

Two-dimensional radiographs versus cone-beam computed tomography in planning mini-implant placement : a systematic review

This study aimed to compare two-dimensional radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for mini-implant planning. A search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar electronic databases accord

A novel reiterated family of transcribed oligo(A)-terminated, interspersed DNA elements in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi

We report the molecular characterization of a novel reiterated family of transcribed oligo(A)-terminated, interspersed DNA elements in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi. Steady-state level of transcripts of this sequence family appeared to be developmentally regulated, since only in the replicative forms the parasite showed expression of related sequences with a major band around 3 kb. The presence of frame shifts or premature stop codons predicts that transcripts are not translated. The sequence family also contains truncated forms of retrotransposons elements that may become potential hot spots for retroelement insertion. Sequences homologous to this family are interspersed at many chromosomes including the subtelomeric regions.Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaNorthwestern University Medical School Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-ImmunologyUniversidad Central de Venezuela Instituto de Biologia Experimental Laboratorio de Genetica MolecularUniversidad de Antofagasta Departamento de Tecnologia MédicaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaSciEL

Nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate : a multicenter study of the dental anomalies involved

Nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) is the most common craniofacial malformation. Due to the anatomical defect present in the alveolar process, these patients tend to exhibit more dental anomalies. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of dental anomalies in patients with NSCL/P by obtaining orthodontic documentation from Brazilian Centers for cleft lip and palate treatment. A retrospective analysis (2000-2014) was conducted on orthodontic archives, radiographs and medical records of NSCL/P of 524 patients under orthodontic treatment. Panoramic radiographs and intra-oral photographs were examined to identify these anomalies. Categorical variables were expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages and analyzed using the Chi-Square test. The level of significance was set at p?0.05 in all analyses. Approximately 83.3% of the individuals had at least one dental anomaly. Tooth agenesis was the most common abnormality found in those patients (87.8%) (p<0.001). Also, the largest number of dental anomalies was detected in the group of unilateral left clefts. The prevalence of dental anomalies in the present sample of NSCL/P patients was high and reached the highest levels in patients with alveolar bone clefts. This study describes the most common dental anomalies observed in patients with NSCL/P. These abnormalities can cause significant problems that may be solved or minimized by early diagnosis and treatment