Dinâmica comparada da substituição das pastagens cultivadas e de sua densidade econômica no arco norte da pecuarização do Brasil.

Avalia comparativamente indicadores de substituição das pastagens cultivadas na Região Amazônica mais sujeitas à reconversão de áreas para pastos (Estados do Acre, Rondônia, Pará e Mato Grosso) com a evolução dos indicadores de sua respectiva densidade econômica, por tamanho de estabelecimento rural. A metodologia utilizada implica a utilização combinada de duas fronteiras, analisadas graficamente: a) uma fronteira da substituição de áreas (de pastagens cultivadas por outros usos do solo) e; b) uma segunda fronteira, que é a variação de relativos da densidade-valor da pecuária, em relação à Área Total Recenseada (ATR). Os resultados não se mostraram uniformes, havendo um ponto em comum para os Estados de Rondônia e Mato Grosso (curva da densidade-valor acima da curva de substituição para os estabelecimentos pequenos a médios), bem como para os Estados do Acre e do Pará, que revelaram uma tendência de a fronteira da densidade-valor se localizar sistematicamente abaixo da fronteira de substituição de áreas. Em termos gerais, pode-se afirmar que, para o espectro relevante da estrutura da produção da pecuária (grandes estabelecimentos), a fronteira da densidade-valor mostrou-se abaixo da fronteira da substituição de áreas. Levando-se em conta os resultados de levantamentos econômicos recentes levados a efeito por alguns autores, que mostram uma rentabilidade bastante favorável das atividades pecuárias na Região Amazônica, os resultados do presente trabalho parecem indicar que os movimentos alocativos mais que proporcionais da área das pastagens cultivadas em relação à densidade-valor, verificados até meados da década de 90 apresentam objetivos múltiplos, que vão além da produção pecuária em si mesma (abertura de áreas para consolidação da própria atividade pecuária, conversão para lavouras, consolidação de ativos patrimoniais, envolvendo a expulsão de populações nativas, etc

A Novel Mutation in the Upstream Open Reading Frame of the CDKN1B Gene Causes a MEN4 Phenotype

PubMed ID: 23555276This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Structure of the TPR Domain of AIP: Lack of Client Protein Interaction with the C-Terminal alpha-7 Helix of the TPR Domain of AIP Is Sufficient for Pituitary Adenoma Predisposition

PMCID: PMC3534021This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

The influence of mannose-binding lectin polymorphisms in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Genetic factors may influence the outcome from surgery. Mannose-Binding lectin (MBL) is an important factor in innate immune defense. MBL gene polymorphisms result in deficiency of the encoded protein and increase susceptibility to infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between MBL-2 exon 1 polymorphisms and outcome of children after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. Two hundred and forty four patients were recruited to this study. Patient's MBL-2 genotype was determined and compared with respect to sepsis development, length of stay in intensive care and duration of mechanical ventilation. The exon 1 polymorphisms were more common in the patients with sepsis compared to the non-sepsis group (36% vs. 47%). It was observed a higher proportion of MBL-2 variant alleles in the patients who required prolonged stay compared to the short stay group (38% vs. 51%). Similarly, MBL-2 variant alleles were more common in those who required prolonged ventilation compared to those who required less ventilation (33% vs. 50%). Three was a significant association between MBL-2 genotype and the duration of ventilation (p = 0.033). The data from this study showed that MBL-2 exon 1 polymorphisms may play an important role in the outcome of children undergoing surgery

Atopic dermatitis and vitamin D: facts and controversies

Patients with atopic dermatitis have genetically determined risk factors that affect the barrier function of the skin and immune responses that interact with environmental factors. Clinically, this results in an intensely pruriginous and inflamed skin that allows the penetration of irritants and allergens and predisposes patients to colonization and infection by microorganisms. Among the various etiological factors responsible for the increased prevalence of atopic diseases over the past few decades, the role of vitamin D has been emphasized. As the pathogenesis of AD involves a complex interplay of epidermal barrier dysfunction and dysregulated immune response, and vitamin D is involved in both processes, it is reasonable to expect that vitamin D's status could be associated with atopic dermatitis' risk or severity. Such association is suggested by epidemiological and experimental data. in this review, we will discuss the evidence for and against this controversial relationship, emphasizing the possible etiopathogenic mechanisms involved.Univ Brasilia UNB, Brasilia, DF, BrazilFed Dist Hlth State Dept SES DF, Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Brasilia HUB UNB, Brasilia Univ Hosp, Brasilia, DF, BrazilSão Paulo Fed Univ UNIFESP, Brasilia, DF, BrazilSão Paulo Fed Univ UNIFESP, Brasilia, DF, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Old stones' song: Use-wear experiments and analysis of the Oldowan quartz and quartzite assemblage from Kanjera South (Kenya)

Evidence of Oldowan tools by w2.6 million years ago (Ma) may signal a major adaptive shift in hominin evolution. While tool-dependent butchery of large mammals was important by at least 2.0 Ma, the use of artifacts for tasks other than faunal processing has been difficult to diagnose. Here we report on use-wear analysis ofw2.0 Ma quartz and quartzite artifacts from Kanjera South, Kenya. A use-wear framework that links processing of specific materials and tool motions to their resultant use-wear patterns was developed. A blind test was then carried out to assess and improve the efficacy of this experimental use-wear framework, which was then applied to the analysis of 62 Oldowan artifacts from Kanjera South. Usewear on a total of 23 artifact edges was attributed to the processing of specific materials. Use-wear on seven edges (30%) was attributed to animal tissue processing,corroborating zooarchaeological evidence for butchery at the site. Use-wear on 16 edges (70%)was attributed to the processing of plant tissues, including wood, grit-covered plant tissues that we interpret asunderground storage organs (USOs), and stems of grass or sedges. These results expand our knowledge of the suite of behaviours carried out in the vicinity of Kanjera South to include the processing of materials that would be ‘invisible’ using standard archaeological methods. Wood cutting and scraping may represent the production and/or maintenance of wooden tools. Use-wear related to USO processing extends the archaeological evidence for hominin acquisition and consumption of this resource by over 1.5 Ma. Cutting of grasses, sedges or reeds may be related to a subsistence task (e.g., grass seed harvesting, cutting out papyrus culm for consumption) and/or a non-subsistence related task (e.g., production of ‘twine,’ simple carrying devices, or bedding). These results highlight the adaptive significance of lithic technology for hominins at Kanjera

Agronomic Evaluation of Forage Grasses under Mature Rubber Plantation

The agronomic performance of seven forage grasses, under a mature rubber plantation, was assessed in a cutting trial carried out at Porto Velho, Rondônia. During the rainy season, the higher dry matter yields were obtained with B. brizantha, P. atratum BRA-9610 and B. humidicola. During the dry season, the grasses more productive were B. brizantha and P. atratum BRA-9610. In both seasons, magnesium and potassium contents did not vary among grasses. During the rainy season, the higher nitrogen and phosphorus contents were obtained with P. regnelli BRA-0159 and, P. guenoarum BRA-3824 and B. humidicola, respectively, while P. atratum BRA-9610 and B. humidicola provided higher contents of calcium. During the dry season, P. regnelli BRA-0159 showed the highest nitrogen content, while B. humidicola and B. brizantha gave the highest phosphorus and calcium contents. In order to obtain greater forage yields with better quality, the grasses more promising for pasture establishment in a silvipastoral systems were B. brizantha, B. humidicola and P. atratum BRA-9610

Agronomic evaluation of forage grasses under mature rubber plantation.

The agronomic performance of seven forage grasses, under a mature rubber plantation, was assessed in a cutting trial carried out at Porto Velho, Rondônia. During the rainy season, the higher dry matter yields were obtained with B. brizantha, P. atratum BRA-9610 and B. humidicola. During the dry season, the grasses more productive were B. brizantha and P. atratum BRA-9610. In both seasons, magnesium and potassium contents did not vary among grasses. During the rainy season, the higher nitrogen and phosphorus contents were obtained with P. regnelli BRA-0159 and, P. guenoarum BRA-3824 and B. humidicola, respectively, while P. atratum BRA-9610 and B. humidicola provided higher contents of calcium. During the dry season, P. regnelli BRA-0159 showed the highest nitrogen content, while B. humidicola and B. brizantha gave the highest phosphorus and calcium contents. In order to obtain greater forage yields with better quality, the grasses more promising for pasture establishment in a silvipastoral systems were B. brizantha, B. humidicola and P. atratum BRA-9610

Experiences of female survivors of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a mixed-methods study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the deadliest since World War II. Over a decade of fighting amongst an array of armed groups has resulted in extensive human rights abuses, particularly the widespread use of sexual violence against women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed a non-random sample of 255 women attending a referral hospital and two local non-governmental organizations to characterize their experiences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). We then conducted focus groups of 48 women survivors of SGBV to elaborate on survey findings. Quantitative and qualitative data underwent thematic and statistical analysis respectively.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Of the women surveyed, 193 (75.7%) experienced rape. Twenty-nine percent of raped women were rejected by their families and 6% by their communities. Thirteen percent of women had a child from rape. Widowhood, husband abandonment, gang rape, and having a child from rape were significant risk factors for social rejection. Mixed methods findings show rape survivors were seen as "contaminated" with HIV, contributing to their isolation and over 95% could not access prophylactic care in time. Receiving support from their husbands after rape was protective against survivors' feelings of shame and social isolation.</p> <p>Interpretation</p> <p>Rape results not only in physical and psychological trauma, but can destroy family and community structures. Women face significant obstacles in seeking services after rape. Interventions offering long-term solutions for hyper-vulnerable women are vital, but lacking; reintegration programs on SGBV for women, men, and communities are also needed.</p