Use and commercialization of Podocnemis expansa (Schweiger 1812) (Testudines: Podocnemididae) for medicinal purposes in two communities in North of Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Throughout Brazil a large number of people seek out reptiles for their meat, leather, ornamental value and supposed medicinal importance. However, there is a dearth of information on the use of reptiles in folk medicine. In North Brazil, the freshwater turtle, <it>Podocnemis expansa</it>, is one of the most frequently used species in traditional medicines. Many products derived from <it>P. expansa </it>are utilized in rural areas and also commercialized in outdoor markets as a cure or treatment for different diseases. Here we document the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>for medicinal purposes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were gathered through interview-questionnaires, with some questions left open-ended. Information was collected in two localities in Pará State, North of Brazil. In the City of Belém, data was collected through interviews with 23 herbs or root sellers (13 men and 10 women). Attempts were made to interview all animal merchants in the markets visited. In fishing community of the Pesqueiro Beach, interviews were done with 41 inhabitants (23 men and 18 women) and during the first contacts with the local population, we attempted to identify local people with a specialized knowledge of medicinal animal usage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>P. expansa </it>was traded for use in traditional medicines and cosmetics. Fat and egg shells were used to treat 16 different diseases. Turtle fat was the main product sold. The demand for these products is unknown. However, the use of this species in folk medicine might have a considerable impact on wild population, and this must be taken into account for the conservation and management of this species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicated that the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>products for medicinal purposes is common in North of Brazil. More studies regarding the use and commerce of Brazilian turtles are urgently needed in order to evaluate the real impact of such activities on natural populations. We hope that our findings about the trade and use of <it>P. expansa </it>in folk medicine will motivate further studies on the use of animals in folk medicine and its implications for conservation.</p

CENAS DE UMA PENA

Publicado os originais no Caderno de Educação e Enfermagem, organizado pela Dra. Maria Celia De Santi, UNIFESP em um parceria com o Nesprom ”“ CEAM ”“ UNB, coordenado pelo Dr. Elioenai Alves. Revista não indexada, fins didáticos. Caderno número 02, maio de 1998.&nbsp

a critical review

The availability of wearable devices (WDs) to collect biometric information and their use during activities of daily living is significantly increasing in the general population. These small electronic devices, which record fitness and health-related outcomes, have been broadly utilized in industries such as medicine, healthcare, and fitness. Since they are simple to use and progressively cheaper, they have also been used for numerous research purposes. However, despite their increasing popularity, most of these WDs do not accurately measure the proclaimed outcomes. In fact, research is equivocal about whether they are valid and reliable methods to specifically evaluate physical activity and health-related outcomes in older adults, since they are mostly designed and produced considering younger subjects? physical and mental characteristics. Additionally, their constant evolution through continuous upgrades and redesigned versions, suggests the need for constant up-to-date reviews and research. Accordingly, this article aims to scrutinize the state-of-the-art scientific evidence about the usefulness of WDs, specifically on older adults, to monitor physical activity and health-related outcomes. This critical review not only aims to inform older consumers but also aid researchers in study design when selecting physical activity and healthcare monitoring devices for elderly people.DB19-D819-F720 | Carlos Eduardo da Silva TeixeiraN/

The mechanical vibration influence on coal charge to CSR and CRI of metallurgical coke.

? indiscut?vel a necessidade da siderurgia de sempre se inovar e aprimorar seus m?todos de produ??o para que as empresas mantenham sua competitividade no mercado. Dessa forma esse trabalho visa aperfei?oar a produ??o do coque metal?rgico nas coquerias pela utiliza??o de vibra??o mec?nica da carga de carv?o carregada, a fim de se possibilitar maior carregamento no forno da coqueria e tamb?m a utiliza??o de cargas com blends mais pobres e, consequentemente, mais baratas. A an?lise cient?fica foi conduzida em escala experimental em um forno de soleira de capacidade de 4,5 kg, assim que o forno era carregado a vibra??o mec?nica era produzida por um vibrador de imers?o mec?nico, esse comumente utilizado para adensamento de concretos em constru??o civil. O coque produzido apresentou aumento de 21% do valor de CSR e redu??o de 26% do CRI. O resultado obtido contradisse alguns resultados da literatura que informam que o CSR e CRI n?o sofrem influ?ncia com a densidade da carga carregada, apesar de que esses estudos a t?cnica de adensamento utilizada foi a de stamp charging.Steelmaking companies must be always being looking for innovation and how to develop their production methods, because this is unquestionable very important to keep the company competitiveness on world?s market. This research is about an improvement of metallurgical coke production on coke ovens by coal charge mechanical vibration, on this way will be possible a bigger oven loading and an utilization of more poor coal blends, and, consequently, cheaper. The scientific research has happened on experimental scale on a 4,5 kg capacity coke oven, The mechanical vibration was produced by a mechanical immersion vibrator, the one commonly used for concrete compacting on civil construction. The coke produced increased by 21% of the CSR value and a 26% reduction of the CRI. The results obtained contradicts some results of the literature that report that the CSR and CRI are not influenced by loaded coal density, although these studies the densification technique used was stamp charging

Determination of angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity in equine blood: lack of agreement between methods of analysis

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is a key regulator of blood pressure, electrolytes and fluid homeostasis through conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Recently, a genetic polymorphism of the ACE gene, which accounts for 47% of the variation of ACE activity in blood, has been advocated as a biomarker of athletic aptitude. Different methods of analysis and determination of ACE activity in plasma have been used in human and equine research without a consensus of a "gold standard" method. Different methods have often been used interchangeably or cited as being comparable in the existing literature; however, the actual agreement between assays has not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the level of agreement between three different assays using equine plasma obtained from 29 horses. Two spectrophotometric assays using Furylacryloyl-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine as substrate and one fluorimetric assay utilizing o-aminobenzoic acid-FRK-(Dnp)P-OH were employed. The results revealed that the measurements from the different assays were not in agreement, indicating that the methods should not be used interchangeably for measurement of equine ACE activity. Rather, a single method of analysis should be adopted to achieve comparable results and critical appraisal of the literature is needed when attempting to compare results obtained from different assays

GEOTECHNOLOGY AND MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS TO INVESTIGATION OF THE TYPOLOGY OF THE AGRICULTURAL USE OF THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO

Objetivou-se identificar o padrão de distribuição espacial dos principais tipos agropecuários do estado de Mato Grosso, visando a caracterização e agrupamento das municipalidades mato-grossense segundo o seu grau de similaridade em relação as formas de uso da terra. O estudo abrangeu os 141 municípios do estado de Mato Grosso, cujos dados para elaboração do trabalho foram provenientes do Censo Agropecuário de 2006, estes foram sistematizados em duas matrizes. Aplicou-se o método de análise de agrupamento realizado por meio da extensão “Action Stat”, no software livre “Excel”. Para a identificação do padrão das formas de uso agropecuário os resultados foram representados adotando-se as técnicas da cartografia temática. Das 12 regiões de planejamento, a região Sudeste de planejamento (V) é a que apresenta maior diversificação produtiva. Sabe-se que o dinamismo de produção é de suma importância para a economia regional, não apenas concentrando sua renda em uma única produção. As regiões de planejamento I e XI predominam vegetação, cujas atividades de uso da terra, tanto agrícola quanto pecuária são incipientes. Em Mato Grosso predomina o tipo de uso da terra voltada para exploração de pastagens, visando o desenvolvimento da bovinocultura. A produção agrícola do Estado apresenta-se centralizada em 11 municípios

Protecting older patients with cardiovascular diseases from COVID-19 complications using current medications

Purpose In the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 complications, derangements of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), vascular endothelial dysfunction leading to inflammation and coagulopathy, and arrhythmias play an important role. Therefore, it is worth considering the use of currently available drugs to protect COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods We review the current experience of conventional cardiovascular drugs [angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, anticoagulants, acetosalicylic acid, antiarrhythmic drugs, statins] as well as some other drug classes (antidiabetic drugs, vitamin D and NSAIDs) frequently used by older patients with cardiovascular diseases. Data were sought from clinical databases for COVID-19 and appropriate key words. Conclusions and recommendations are based on a consensus among all authors. Results Several cardiovascular drugs have a potential to protect patients with COVID-19, although evidence is largely based on retrospective, observational studies. Despite propensity score adjustments used in many analyses observational studies are not equivalent to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Ongoing RCTs include treatment with antithrombotics, pulmonary vasodilators, RAAS-related drugs, and colchicine. RCTs in the acute phase of COVID-19 may not, however, recognise the benefits of long term anti-atherogenic therapies, such as statins. Conclusions Most current cardiovascular drugs can be safely continued during COVID-19. Some drug classes may even be protective. Age-specific data are scarce, though, and conditions which are common in older patients (frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy) must be individually considered for each drug group. Key summary pointsAim To review current cardiovascular medications for benefits and potential harms during COVID-19. Findings Several cardiovascular drugs have a potential to protect patients with COVID-19, although evidence is largely based on observational studies and age-specific data are scarce. Message Most current cardiovascular drugs can be safely continued during COVID-19, but general conditions common in older patients must be considered.Peer reviewe

Ethical Principles as a Guide in Implementing Policies for the Management of Food Allergies in Schools

This article represents a prime example of applied ethics in public health policy development. The article provides guidance on the development of food allergy policies for child care settings based on core ethical principles in bioethics and public health ethics.[À l'origine dans / Was originally part of : ESPUM - Dép. médecine sociale et préventive - Travaux et publications]Food allergy in children is a growing public health problem that carries a significant risk of anaphylaxis such that schools and child care facilities have enacted emergency preparedness policies for anaphylaxis and methods to prevent the inadvertent consumption of allergens. However, studies indicate that many facilities are poorly prepared to handle the advent of anaphylaxis and policies for the prevention of allergen exposure are missing essential components. Furthermore, certain policies are inappropriate because they are blatantly discriminatory. This article aims to provide further guidance for school health officials involved in creating food allergy policies. By structuring policies around ethical principles of confidentiality and anonymity, fairness, avoiding stigmatization, and empowerment, policy makers gain another method to support better policy making. The main ethical principles discussed are adapted from key values in the bioethics and public health ethics literatures and will be framed within the specific context of food allergy policies for schools.The following research was supported by fellowships and scholarships from Université de Montréal; Les Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ); and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

NORMAS BRASILEIRAS E INTERNACIONAIS DE CONTABILIDADE APLICADAS AO SETOR PÚBLICO E O DESAFIO DA CONVERGÊNCIA: UMA ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA – IPSAS E NBCTSP

The aim in this study is to analyze the current stage of conceptual convergence between Brazilian accounting standards applied to the public sector (NBCTSP) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS). The complexity and range of transactions between public or private sector entities, as a result of market internationalization, demand continuous and dynamic assessment of the events that promote quantitative or qualitative equity changes. For this evaluation process, observing accounting principles and standards is important to guarantee, among other information characteristics, understandability and comparability, thus reducing costs for investors and users in general, in view of the barriers raised by diverse languages, cultures, tax and economic policies. For convergence analysis, the standards’ contents were subject to a comparative study, based on a descriptive analysis, with a view to verifying the existing adherence between Brazilian and international standards applied to the public sector. The results found highlight that different aspects still have to be discussed with a view to an actual convergence with the international standards; the current convergence is partial. The high-quality conceptual exposure of the NBCPSPs is observed though, while the contents of the IPSAS are more focused on operating procedures.El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar el estadio actual de convergencia conceptual entre las normas brasileñas de contabilidad aplicadas al sector público (NBCTSP) y las International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS). La complejidad y diversidad de transacciones entre entidades del sector público o privado, generada por la internacionalización de mercados, demandan una evaluación continua y dinámica de los eventos que promueven la modificación cuantitativa o cualitativa de un patrimonio. Para ese proceso de evaluación, la observación de los principios y normas de contabilidad es importante para garantizar, entre otras características de la información, la comprensibilidad y posibilidad de comparación, reduciendo costes a los inversores y usuarios, en general, considerando las barreras encontradas en la diversidad de idiomas, culturas, políticas fiscales y económicas. Para el análisis de convergencia, fue efectuado un estudio comparativo del contenido de las normas, a partir de un análisis descriptivo, con el intuito de verificar la adherencia existente entre las normas brasileñas e internacionales aplicadas al sector público. Los resultados encontrados destacan que todavía hay diversos aspectos a ser discutidos para una efectiva convergencia a las normas internacionales; esta convergencia actual es parcial. No obstante, se verifica que las NBCTSPs presentan una exposición conceptual de calidad mientras que las IPSAS presentan un contenido más enfocado en procedimientos operacionales.O presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar o estágio atual de convergência conceitual entre as normas brasileiras de contabilidade aplicadas ao setor público (NBCTSP) e as International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS). A complexidade e diversidade de transações entre entidades do setor público ou privado, gerada pela internacionalização de mercados, demandam uma avaliação contínua e dinâmica dos eventos que promovem a modificação quantitativa ou qualitativa de um patrimônio. Para esse processo de avaliação, a observação dos princípios e normas de contabilidade é importante para garantir, entre outras características da informação, a compreensibilidade e comparabilidade, reduzindo custos aos investidores e usuários, em geral, considerando as barreiras encontradas na diversidade de idiomas, culturas, políticas fiscais e econômicas. Para a análise de convergência, foi efetuado um estudo comparativo do conteúdo das normas, a partir de uma análise descritiva, com o intuito de verificar a aderência existente entre as normas brasileiras e internacionais aplicadas ao setor público. Os resultados encontrados destacam que ainda há diversos aspectos a serem discutidos para uma efetiva convergência às normas internacionais; esta convergência atual é parcial. No entanto, verifica-se que as NBCTSPs apresentam uma exposição conceitual de qualidade enquanto as IPSAS apresentam um conteúdo mais focado em procedimentos operacionais