O microcrédito como política de inclusão social e redução do trabalho informal : uma análise para os anos de 2012 a 2018 no Brasil

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Economia, 2019.O objetivo central deste trabalho é analisar a importância do microcrédito como instrumento de inclusão social e redução do trabalho informal. Para isso, a fim de introduzir o tema, é feita uma análise conceitual e histórica do objeto de estudo. Além disso, são expostos alguns estudos pontuais feitos no Brasil que ressaltam a importância do microcrédito como alternativa de combate ao desemprego, de geração de renda e de melhora da qualidade de vida dos mais necessitados. Em seguida, são coletados dados macroeconômicos relacionados ao microcrédito entre os anos de 2012 a 2018 e, com base nas tabelas e nos gráficos elaborados, é feita uma análise descritiva dos resultados dentro do contexto do período. Verificou-se que momentos de crise e elevação do desemprego contribuem para o aumento da informalidade da mão de obra e consequente aumento do empreendedorismo por necessidade. A abertura de pequenos negócios se torna, portanto, única alternativa de sobrevivência de grande parcela dos indivíduos carentes, o que aumenta a demanda por microcrédito, único meio de financiamento destes empreendimentos. O microcrédito contribuiu para a redução do trabalho informal em um cenário de grave recessão econômica e pode ser considerado uma possível estratégia no que se refere a geração de emprego e renda para a camada mais pobre da população, visto que proporciona a oportunidade de colocar em prática pequenos projetos dando acesso ao crédito.The main objective of this paper is to analyze the importance of microcredit as an instrument of social inclusion and reduction of informal labor. In order to introduce the theme, is made a conceptual and historical analysis of the object of study. In addition, some specific studies in Brazil are mentioned to highlight the importance of microcredit as an alternative to combat unemployment, to generate income and to improve the quality of life of the poor population. Subsequently, macroeconomic data related to microcredit are collected from 2012 to 2018 and a descriptive analysis is made based on the tables and graphs results. It was found that moments of crisis and rising unemployment contribute to the increase of informality of the workforce and also intensify the increase of entrepreneurship by necessity. The opening of small businesses thus becomes the only survival alternative for a large part of the needy individuals, which increases the demand for microcredit. Microcredit has contributed to the reduction of informal work in a scenario of severe economic recession in Brazil and can be considered as a possible strategy for generating employment and income for the poor, as it provides the opportunity to put into practice small projects when giving access to credit

Dense Cranial Electroacupuncture Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder—A Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that electroacupuncture possesses therapeutic benefits for depressive disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation (DCEAS) could enhance the antidepressant efficacy in the early phase of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: In this single-blind, randomized, controlled study, patients with MDD were randomly assigned to 9-session DCEAS or noninvasive electroacupuncture (n-EA) control procedure in combination with fluoxetine (FLX) for 3 weeks. Clinical outcomes were measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Clinical Global Impression-severity (CGI-S), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) as well as the response and remission rates. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were randomly assigned to n-EA (n = 35) and DCEAS (n = 38), of whom 34 in n-EA and 36 in DCEAS group were analyzed. DCEAS-treated patients displayed a significantly greater reduction from baseline in HAMD-17 scores at Day 3 through Day 21 and in SDS scores at Day 3 and Day 21 compared to patients receiving n-EA. DCEAS intervention also produced a higher rate of clinically significant response compared to n-EA procedure (19.4% (7/36) vs. 8.8% (3/34)). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: DCEAS is a safe and effective intervention that augments the antidepressant efficacy. It can be considered as an additional therapy in the early phase of SSRI treatment of depressed patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN88008690

Retrospective cohort study to investigate the 10-year trajectories of disease patterns in patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus on subsequent cardiovascular outcomes and health service utilisation: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and are major disease burdens in all healthcare systems. Given their high impact on morbidity, premature death and direct medical costs, we need to optimise effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of primary care for patients with HT/DM. This study aims to find out the association of trajectories in disease patterns and treatment of patients with HT/DM including multimorbidity and continuity of care with disease outcomes and service utilisation over 10 years in order to identify better approaches to delivering primary care services. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A 10-year retrospective cohort study on a population-based primary care cohort of Chinese patients with documented doctor-diagnosed HT and/or DM, managed in the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) public primary care clinics from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2019. Data will be extracted from the HA Clinical Management System to identify trajectory patterns of patients with HT/DM. Complications defined by ICPC-2/International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, all-cause mortality rates and public service utilisation rates are included as independent variables. Changes in clinical parameters will be investigated using a growth mixture modelling analysis with standard quadratic trajectories. Dependent variables including effects of multimorbidity, measured by (1) disease count and (2) Charlson's Comorbidity Index, and continuity of care, measured by the Usual Provide Continuity Index, on patient outcomes and health service utilisation will be investigated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression will be conducted to estimate the effect of multimorbidity and continuity of care after stratification of patients into groups according to respective definitions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Hong Kong-the HA Hong Kong West Cluster, reference no: UW 19-329. The study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04302974

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in southern Africa has been characterised by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, whilst the second and third waves were driven by the Beta and Delta variants, respectively1-3. In November 2021, genomic surveillance teams in South Africa and Botswana detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with a rapid resurgence of infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Within three days of the first genome being uploaded, it was designated a variant of concern (Omicron) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for carrying over 30 mutations in the spike glycoprotein, predicted to influence antibody neutralization and spike function4. Here, we describe the genomic profile and early transmission dynamics of Omicron, highlighting the rapid spread in regions with high levels of population immunity

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms