COMO ANDA A POBREZA NA BAHIA? O SÉCULO XXI VISTO DE PERTO

This paper analyzes the recent poverty evolution in Bahia, while considers the income inequality, once it is directly related to its maintenance, and other issues concerning to the population welfare. Through descriptive analysis had been proven that there was a significant reduction on the number of the poor, crediting this slowdown, in particular, to the Bolsa Familia program. Regarding to income inequality, the reduction was not as robust as that in the poverty, even with the per capita household income increasing 85%. Therefore, it becomes evident that income inequality is more difficult to settle than poverty.O presente artigo analisa a recente evolução da pobreza na Bahia, ao tempo que trata da desigualdade de renda, uma vez que está diretamente relacionada à sua manutenção, e de outras questões concernentes ao bem estar da população. Por meio da análise descritiva, ficou comprovado que houve uma redução significativa no número de pobres, creditando este abrandamento em especial, ao Programa Bolsa Família. Quanto à desigualdade de renda, a redução não foi tão robusta quanto ao da pobreza, mesmo com a renda domiciliar per capita aumentando 85%. Portanto, ficou evidenciado que a desigualdade de renda é mais difícil de combater do que a pobreza

Preference for Liquidity of Agents: An Analyse of Brasilian Case

This work is meant to show the relevance of the role of money in explaining regional disparities. Points out that before the currency and the banks are incorporated theories of regional development, had two views on regional development, founded on a convergence of unequal growth and divergence in another, where the rates would become increasingly unequal. The literature on the regional economy have given little attention to financial variables and their role in regional development. In this context, the currency has received secondary treatment in the analysis of the regional economy, perhaps in the belief of some theorists in the neutrality of money in the long run, or others who have relied on the assumption of perfect interregional mobility of capital. However, this perspective has been changing in recent years, particularly in post-Keynesian agenda. Thus, we intend to examine the behavior of the public regarding the preference for liquidity in the face of regional characteristics and the financial instability and therefore demonstrate their relevance to explain the differences in regional economic development. To analyze the decision to demand money was used educational and behavioral aspects. The hypothesis that there is a financial concentration in regions with a lower liquidity preference was ratified. For this, the study was developed based on the analysis of units of the Brazilian federation. The database of the Central Bank, and Datasus allowed the use of the formula suggested by the literature pertinent to the them

Preference for Liquidity of Agents: An Analyse of Brasilian Case

This work is meant to show the relevance of the role of money in explaining regional disparities. Points out that before the currency and the banks are incorporated theories of regional development, had two views on regional development, founded on a convergence of unequal growth and divergence in another, where the rates would become increasingly unequal. The literature on the regional economy have given little attention to financial variables and their role in regional development. In this context, the currency has received secondary treatment in the analysis of the regional economy, perhaps in the belief of some theorists in the neutrality of money in the long run, or others who have relied on the assumption of perfect interregional mobility of capital. However, this perspective has been changing in recent years, particularly in post-Keynesian agenda. Thus, we intend to examine the behavior of the public regarding the preference for liquidity in the face of regional characteristics and the financial instability and therefore demonstrate their relevance to explain the differences in regional economic development. To analyze the decision to demand money was used educational and behavioral aspects. The hypothesis that there is a financial concentration in regions with a lower liquidity preference was ratified. For this, the study was developed based on the analysis of units of the Brazilian federation. The database of the Central Bank, and Datasus allowed the use of the formula suggested by the literature pertinent to the them

Focalização ou sustentabilidade financeira: o dilema das instituições de microcrédito

É inerente ao Microcrédito a democratização do crédito aos excluídos, de maneira a possibilitar a geração de trabalho e renda para as famílias de baixa renda. Porém, no limiar do século XXI, entram na pauta discussões a respeito do alcance e da sustentabilidade financeira dessas instituições. O escopo é desenvolver mecanismos economicamente viáveis para as instituições, sem que haja comprometimento da concessão de crédito às populações de baixa renda – os pobres entre os pobres. Com base nesse contexto, o artigo avaliou a atuação do Banco do Cidadão, no período de 2006 a 2009, para verificar se essa Instituição tem como foco atender as regiões com piores condições socioeconômicas ou se almeja a sustentabilidade financeira. Para tanto, utilizou-se do Log-linear, modelo estimado pelo método dos Mínimos Quadrados Ponderados (MQP), e também de alguns indicadores financeiros apresentados por Leismann e Carmona (2011). Ficou evidenciado que o Banco teve uma atuação mais incisiva em regiões com maior dinâmica. Apesar dessa constatação, não foi possível ultimar a aspiração da sustentabilidade financeira dessa Instituição.&nbsp

Tumor necrosis factor alpha -308 promoter polymorphism and insulin resistance inoverweight and obese adolescent

Study Model/Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 104 overweight/obese adolescents, with a mean weight of 52.98 kg ± 22.00, mean age 16.01 ± 2.91 years. We used the homeostasis model assessment-estimated IR (HOMA-IR) index to quantify the insulin resistance (IR). The -308 polymorphism of the promoter of TNF-α was performed using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Statistical analysis of the quantitative measures was conducted with a student’s t-test. For correlation between the genotype and alleles, we used chisquare statistical test. To test the heterogeneity between HOMA-IR and the anthropometric parameters the Mann-Whitney test was used, associated with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The association between -308G/A polymorphism of the promoter of TNF-α and HOMA-IR was tested by univariate linear regression analysis. Objective: Investigate the association between -308G/A polymorphism in the promoter of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and susceptibility to IR in overweight/obese adolescents. Results: The prevalence of IR was 18.30% according to the HOMA-IR. The frequency of GG, AG and AA genotype was found 75 (72.12%), 28 (26.92%) and 1.0 (0.96%) respectively. Allele frequencies for guanine (G) and adenine (A) were 178 (85.58%) and 30 (14.42%), respectively. The allele A as well as GA and AA genotype contributed to increase RI (14.42% and 27.88% respectively). Conclusion: The - 308 G/A polymorphism of the promoter of TNF-α can contribute to the IR increase in obese adolescents with GA and AA genotypes.Modelo de Estudo / Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com uma amostra de 104 adolescentes com sobrepeso/ obesidade, com peso médio de 52,98 kg ± 22,00, média de idade de 16,01 ± 2,91 anos. Utilizamos o índice estimado (HOMA-IR) do modelo de homeostase para quantificar a resistência insulínica (RI). O polimorfismo do promotor -308 do TNF-α foi realizado utilizando a técnica de polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de restrição. A análise estatística das medidas quantitativas foi realizada com o teste t student. Para a correlação entre o genótipo e os alelos, utilizamos o teste estatístico qui-quadrado. Para testar a heterogeneidade entre HOMA-IR e os parâmetros antropométricos foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney associado ao equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. A associação entre o polimorfismo -308G/A do promotor do TNF-α e HOMA-IR foi testada por análise de regressão linear univariada. Objetivo: investigar a associação entre o polimorfismo -308G/A no promotor do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e a susceptibilidade à RI em adolescentes com sobrepeso/ obesidade. Resultados: A prevalência de RI foi de 18,30% de acordo com o HOMA-IR. A frequência dos genótipos GG, AG e AA encontrados foram 75 (72,12%), 28 (26,92%) e 1,0 (0,96%), respectivamente. As frequências de alelos para guanina (G) e adenina (A) foram 178 (85,58%) e 30 (14,42%), respectivamente. O alelo A, bem como o genótipo GA e AA, contribuíram para aumentar o RI (respectivamente 14,42% e 27,88%). Conclusão: O polimorfismo -308 G / A do promotor do TNF-α pode contribuir para o incremento de RI em adolescentes sobrepesos/obesos com genótipos GA e AA

Interethnic diversity of NAT2 polymorphisms in Brazilian admixed populations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>N-acetyltransferase type 2 (Nat2) is a phase II drug- metabolizing enzyme that plays a key role in the bioactivation of aromatic and heterocyclic amines. Its relevance in drug metabolism and disease susceptibility remains a central theme for pharmacogenetic research, mainly because of its genetic variability among human populations. In fact, the evolutionary and ethnic-specific SNPs on the <it>NAT2 </it>gene remain a focus for the potential discoveries in personalized drug therapy and genetic markers of diseases. Despite the wide characterization of <it>NAT2 </it>SNPs frequency in established ethnic groups, little data are available for highly admixed populations. In this context, five common <it>NAT2 </it>SNPs (<it>G191A</it>, <it>C481T</it>, <it>G590A</it>, <it>A803G </it>and G<it>857A</it>) were investigated in a highly admixed population comprised of Afro-Brazilians, Whites, and Amerindians in northeastern Brazil. Thus, we sought to determine whether the distribution of <it>NAT2 </it>polymorphism is different among these three ethnic groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of <it>NAT2 </it>polymorphism when Afro-Brazilian and White groups were compared. Even the allele frequency of <it>191A</it>, relatively common in African descendents, was not different between the Afro-Brazilian and White groups. However, allele and genotype frequencies of <it>G590A </it>were significantly higher in the Amerindian group than either in the Afro-Brazilian or White groups. Interestingly, a haplotype block between <it>G590A </it>and <it>A803G </it>was verified exclusively among Amerindians.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that ethnic admixture might contribute to a particular pattern of genetic diversity in the <it>NAT2 </it>gene and also offer new insights for the investigation of possible new <it>NAT2 </it>gene-environment effects in admixed populations.</p

Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants of the Pantanal Region (Mato Grosso, Brazil)

Traditional knowledge is an important source of obtaining new phytotherapeutic agents. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was conducted in Nossa Senhora Aparecida do Chumbo District (NSACD), located in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. 376 species of medicinal plants belonging to 285 genera and 102 families were cited. Fabaceae (10.2%), Asteraceae (7.82%) and Lamaceae (4.89%) families are of greater importance. Species with the greater relative importance were Himatanthus obovatus (1.87), Hibiscus sabdariffa (1.87), Solidago microglossa (1.80), Strychnos pseudoquina (1.73) and Dorstenia brasiliensis, Scoparia dulcis L., and Luehea divaricata (1.50). The informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged from 0.13 to 0.78 encompassing 18 disease categories,of which 15 had ICF greater than 0.50, with a predominance of disease categories related to injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (ICF  =  0.78) having 65 species cited while 20 species were cited for mental and behavioral disorders (ICF  =  0.77). The results show that knowledge about medicinal plants is evenly distributed among the population of NSACD. This population possesses medicinal plants for most disease categories, with the highest concordance for prenatal, mental/behavioral and respiratory problems

DNA Protection against Oxidative Damage Using the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Garcinia mangostana

Garcinia mangostana, popularly known as “mangosteen fruit,” originates from Southeast Asia and came to Brazil about 80 years ago where it mainly grows in the states of Pará and Bahia. Although mangosteen or its extracts have been used for ages in Asian folk medicine, data on its potential genotoxicity is missing. We, therefore, evaluated genotoxicity/mutagenicity of hydroethanolic mangosteen extract [HEGM, 10 to 640 μg/mL] in established test assays (Comet assay, micronucleus test, and Salmonella/microsome test). In the Comet assay, HEGM-exposed human leukocytes showed no DNA damage. No significant HEGM-induced mutation in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium (with or without metabolic activation) was observed and HEGM-exposed human lymphocytes had no increase of micronuclei. However, HEGM suggested exposure concentration-dependent antigenotoxic potential in leukocytes and antioxidant potential in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. HEGM preloading effectively protected against H2O2-induced DNA damage in leukocytes (Comet assay). Preloading of yeast with HEGM for up to 4 h significantly protected the cells from lethality of chronic H2O2-exposure, as expressed in better survival. Absence of genotoxicity and demonstration of an antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential suggest that HEGM or some substances contained in it may hold promise for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical application