[Survey on prevalence of smoking among Brazilian physicians]. / Inquérito sobre prevalência do tabagismo na classe médica brasileira.

OBJECTIVES: To present the results of the study of the current prevalence of smoking among Brazilian physicians, according to field of specialization. The study was performed in the period from May to October 1996. METHOD: Data were collected by spontaneous reply from 11,909 physicians registered in Brazilian Medical Association, in the various States of Brazil and medical specializations. RESULTS: The results indicated that 759 (6.4%) are regular smokers, 11,150 (93.6%) are non-smokers and that 4,085 (34.3%) are former smokers. The highest rates of non smoking were found among the societies of specialties that have effective smoking control programs (pneumology, oncology, cardiology and otorhinolaryngology). The northern, northeastern and mid-western regions of the country presented the highest prevalences of smoking. The onset of smoking occurs more frequently in the 10-19 years age group (72.6%), with similar distribution in both sexes. There were no female physicians who began smoking before 10 years of age. CONCLUSION: It is very important that physicians receive information regarding smoking as well as to have the development of smoking control programs in the specialty societies and in the regional associations federated to the Brazilian Medical Association.

Importance of galacturonic Acid in controlling the retting of flax.

The empirical test was compared with the determination of pH, total acidity, and galacturonic acid (GA) as methods for establishing the termination time of the retting process in flax. The GA dosage was the best method for determining the end point of this process by distinctly dividing the phases of retting and over-retting in the bacterial loosening of flax fiber. This end point is critical in the production of standard fibers for the weaving industry.

Retting of Flax by Aspergillus niger.

In this study, retting was carried out by Aspergillus niger. The pH, galacturonic acid (GA), and total reducing sugar were determined; the end point was identified by the classic empirical processes and by the maximal GA content of the retting water. The process gave clear and resistent fibers, and the retting time was similar to that of current industrial processes with bacterial enzymes. Control of total acidity was not required, since the pH remained close to neutrality throughout the entire process.

Inquérito sobre prevalência do tabagismo na classe médica brasileira / Survey on prevalence of smoking among Brazilian physicians

OBJETIVOS. Apresentar os resultados do inquérito sobre a prevalência atual de fumantes entre os médicos do Brasil, segundo suas especialidades, realizado no período de maio a outubro de 1996. MÉTODO. A amostra utilizada foi de respostas espontâneas, constituída por 11.909 médicos associados pagantes da Associaçäo Médica Brasileira, das várias Unidades da Federaçäo e especialidades médicas. RESULTADOS. Constatou-se que 759 (6,4 por cento) säo fumantes regulares e 11.150 (93,6 por cento) säo näo-fumantes; 4.085 médicos (34,3 por cento) säo ex-fumantes. Os maiores índices de näo-fumantes estäo entre os associados de sociedades de especialidades que possuem programas efetivos de controle do tabagismo (pneumologia, cancerologia, cardiologia e otorrinolaringologia). As regiöes geográficas do Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste apresentaram as maiores prevalências de fumantes. O início do fumar está mais presente no grupo de 10-19 anos (72,6 por cento), com distribuiçäo semelhante entre os sexos. Nenhum médico do sexo feminino iniciou o seu vício de fumar antes dos 10 anos de idade. CONCLUSÃO. É de grande importância os médicos receberem informaçöes sobre tabagismo, bem como a realizaçäo de programas de seu controle na sociedades de especialidades e nas federadas da Associçäo Médica Brasileira.