The Rio Peruaçu Basin: An Impressive Multiphased Karst System

International audienceThe Rio Peruaçu basin is located on the left bank of the Rio São Francisco, in the north of the state of Minas Gerais. While its upper portion collects the waters flowing from the sandstone formations of the Urucuia, its lower part cuts into the Bambuí limestones, carving out a narrow canyon about 200 m deep for which the site is known. Over more than 17 km, the stream opens a bed that disappears underground six times. These underground sections are the remainders of an extensive and complex primitive karst network. Although some segments consist merely of simple but majestic arches, others, such as the Brejal and especially the Janelão, offer kilometers of underground galleries that can attain exceptional dimensions. For example, the Janelão cave reaches a ceiling height of 106 m and a width of 60 m. This canyon is punctuated by large and flat areas that function as reservoirs, namely the poljes of Silu and Terra Brava, and at the confluence with the Rio dos Sonhos. The system results from a complex Cenozoic evolution, including several spectacular episodes. As currently reconstituted, this evolution comprises at least three main episodes. The impressive landscapes of this region are not its only interesting feature: humans have occupied the basin since prehistoric times, as attested by about a hundred rock shelters and open-air dwelling sites that have not yet revealed all their secrets

Fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis obtidos por inquérito telefônico - VIGITEL Brasil - 2009 Risk and protection factors for chronic non communicable diseases by telephone survey - VIGITEL - 2009

OBJETIVO: Descrever os fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis resultantes do Sistema de Vigilância por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL) em 2009. METODOLOGIA: Prevalências dos principais fatores de risco e proteção foram estimadas na população >18 anos a partir de entrevistas telefônicas em amostras probabilísticas da população coberta por telefonia fixa nas capitais de estados do Brasil e no Distrito Federal, segundo sexo, faixa etária e escolaridade. RESULTADOS: Foram realizadas 54.367 entrevistas. Fumantes e ex-fumantes corresponderam a 15,5e 22% da população adulta brasileira, respectivamente. O excesso de peso atinge 46,6% dos adultos; 33% relataram consumo de carne com gordura e 18,9% afirmaram consumir bebida alcoólica de forma abusiva. Tais fatores de risco são mais prevalentes em homens e em geral nos indivíduos jovens e de menor escolaridade. A prevalência de atividade física no lazer é de 18,8% (IC95% 17,4-20,1) em homens e de 11,3% (IC95% 10,6-12,0) nas mulheres. A inatividade física atinge 15,6% da população e aumenta com a idade. O consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras e a atividade física no lazer são mais frequentes em homens e mulheres com mais anos de estudo. Diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial foi referido por 21,1% (IC95% 19,6-22,5) dos homens e 27,2% (IC95% 25,8-28,5) das mulheres. A prevalência de diabetes foi de 5,8%. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apontaram comportamentos em saúde distintos de acordo com o sexo, idade e escolaridade da população e reforçam a tendência de queda do tabagismo e aumento no excesso de peso no Brasil.<br>OBJECTIVE: To describe the risk and protection factors for non communicable diseases with data from Telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases (VIGITEL) in 2009. METHODOLOGY: The prevalence of main risk and protective factors was estimated in adults (>18 years old), by telephone surveys in a probabilistic sample of the population covered by landline telephones in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District, stratified by gender, age and schooling. RESULTS: Data from 54,367 adults were collected. Smokers and former smokers represented 15.5 and 22% of Brazilian adults, respectively. Excess weight affected 46.6% of adults; 33% reported the consumption of meat with visible fat and reported 18.9% alcohol abuse. These factors were more prevalent among men and, in general, young adults and people with low schooling. The prevalence of physical activity in leisure was 18.8% (95%CI 17.4-20.1) among men and 11.3% (95%CI 10.6-12.0) among women. Physical inactivity affected 15.6% of population and increased with age. Consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity in leisure time were more prevalent in men and women with 12 years of schooling or more. Hypertension diagnosis was reported by 21.1% (95%CI 19.6-22.5) of men, and 27.2% (95%CI 25.8-28.5) of women. Prevalence of diabetes was 5.8%. CONCLUSION: The results point to different health behavior according to gender, age and schooling of the population and reinforce the decreasing smoking trend and increasing overweight trend in Brazil