A logistic regression model for consumer default risk.

In this study, a logistic regression model is applied to credit scoring data from a given Portuguese financial institution to evaluate the default risk of consumer loans. It was found that the risk of default increases with the loan spread, loan term and age of the customer, but decreases if the customer owns more credit cards. Clients receiving the salary in the same banking institution of the loan have less chances of default than clients receiving their salary in another institution. We also found that clients in the lowest income tax echelon have more propensity to default. The model predicted default correctly in 89.79% of the cases.

O coral cênico cidadãos cantantes: um espaço de encontro entre a música e a saúde / The theatrical choral singing citizens: a place of encounter between music and health

Este artigo relata a experiência do Coral Cênico Cidadãos Cantantes, criado em 1992 como desdobramento das atividades dos Centros de Convivência e Cooperativa da Secretaria de Saúde do Município de São Paulo, com apoio da Associação SOS Saúde Mental, Ecologia e Cultura. O Coral possui uma composição heterogênea, reunindo portadores de sofrimento mental, pessoas em situação de vulnerabilidade e pessoas da população em geral, interessados na construção artística, tendo como local de trabalho as dependências da Galeria Olido da Secretaria Municipal de Cultura de São Paulo. Desde 2006 o Coral estabelece parceria com o Laboratório de Estudos e Pesquisa Arte e Corpo em Terapia Ocupacional. A prática do Coral recupera o sentido da arte como um atributo humano capaz de transformar atitudes, lugares de saber, lugares de existência e, por conseqüência, capaz de alterar a qualidade de vida. A ferramenta de trabalho dos Cidadãos Cantantes é a promoção de encontros nos quais se possa cantar buscando a harmonização das dissonâncias para afinar diferenças e sustentando uma experimentação na interface entre canto coral, arte e saúde na contemporaneidade. A prática musical em grupos que apresentam esse perfil mostra-se, não só possível, como instigadora, para se pensar novas possibilidades para o canto coral, além de propor novos agenciamentos relacionais e territoriais.

This article presents the experience of the Theatrical Choral Singing Citizens, created in 1992 as an extension of the activities developed at the Convivence and Cooperative Centers of the Health Secretary of São Paulo, and supported by the NGO "SOS Mental Health, Ecology and Culture". The Choral is a heterogeneous group formed by interest on artistic construction, which gather people suffering from mental illness, people in vulnerability, and others from general population, having been established as a workplace Galeria Olido, in São Paulo. From 2006, the Choral has worked in a partnership with the Laboratory of Studies and Research in Art, Body and Occupational Therapy. This practice recovers the sense of art as a human attribute capable of transforming attitudes, knowledge spaces, and existential spaces in orther to alter one's quality of life. The Coral's tool is the promotion of encounters in which the singers could harmonize dissonances and tune differences, supporting an experience on the interface between choral singing, art and health on contemporaneity. Musical practice in groups who present this profile installs itself, therefore, not only as possible, but instigative in fomenting new possibilities for choral music, new establishment of relations and territories.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme in pericardial fluid: comparative study with serum activity.

BACKGROUND: The characterization of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human pericardial fluid is relevant, considering its role in the angiotensin II release and thus, the role of the pericardium in cardiovascular homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: To isolate and characterize an ACE from human pericardial fluid and to compare the angiotensin I converting activities of the pericardial fluid with that of the serum in patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: The enzyme from human pericardial fluid was purified through chromatographic steps and characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), hydrolysis of angiotensin I, bradykinin, Hip-His-Leu and synthetic substrates with internal fluorescence suppression. Lisinopril was used as inhibitor. The ACE activity was measured in blood and pericardial fluid samples of 23 patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery. RESULTS: The purified ACE (MM = 140 kDa), releases angiotensin II, hydrolyses bradykinin and the Hip-His-Leu substrate. The kinetic parameters k cat,(s-1) and k cat/Km (microM-1. s-1) were, respectively: Hip-His-Leu (1.14 and 7 x 10 -4) ; Abz-YRK(Dnp)P-OH (2.60 and 0.77), Abz-LFK(Dnp)-OH (2.77 and 0.36) and Abz-SDK(Dnp)P-OH (1.92 and 0.19). The angiotensin I converting activities (mean +/- SD) in the pericardial fluid and in blood, were, respectively: 3.16 +/- 0.90 mU x mg -1x min-1 and 0.33 +/- 0.11 mU x mg -1x min-1. The difference was significant between the two fluids. CONCLUSION: An ACE that bears great similarity with the somatic enzyme was isolated from human pericardial fluid. The angiotensin I converting activity is higher in the pericardial fluid when compared to the serum activity. These data are important evidence of the role of the pericardial fluid in the metabolism of active peptides.

Enzima conversora de angiotensina no líquido pericárdico: estudo comparativo com a atividade sérica / Angiotensin-converting enzyme in pericardial fluid: comparative study with serum activity

FUNDAMENTO: A caracterização de uma enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) no líquido pericárdico humano é relevante diante do seu papel na liberação de angiotensina II e, portanto, do papel do pericárdio na homeostase cardivascular. OBJETIVO: Isolar e caracterizar uma ECA do líquido pericárdico humano. Comparar as atividades conversoras de angiotensina I do fluido pericárdico e do soro de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular. MÉTODOS: A enzima do líquido pericárdico humano foi purificada por meio de etapas cromatográficas e caracterizada por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE), hidrólise de angiotensina I, bradicinina, Hip-His-Leu e substratos sintéticos com supressão interna de fluorescência. Lisinopril foi usado como inibidor. A atividade de ECA foi determinada em amostras de sangue e líquido pericárdico de 23 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular. RESULTADOS: A ECA purificada (MM = 140 kDa) libera angiotensina II, hidrolisa a bradicinina e o substrato Hip-His-Leu. Os parâmetros cinéticos k cat,(s-1) e k cat/Km (µM-1. s-1) foram respectivamente: Hip-His-Leu (1,14 e 7 x 10 -4), Abz-YRK(Dnp)P-OH (2,60 e 0,77), Abz-LFK(Dnp)-OH (2,77 e 0,36) e Abz-SDK(Dnp)P-OH (1,92 e 0,19). As atividades conversoras de angiotensina I (média ± DP) do líquido pericárdico e no soro foram, respectivamente, 3,16 ± 0,90 mU x mg -1x min-1 e 0,33 ± 0,11 mU x mg -1x min-1 . A diferença foi significativa entre os dois fluidos. CONCLUSÃO: Uma ECA com grande similaridade com a enzima somática foi isolada do fluido pericárdico humano. A atividade conversora de angiotensina I é maior no líquido pericárdico quando comparada com a atividade do soro. Esses dados constituem importante evidência do papel do líquido pericárdico no metabolismo de peptídeos ativos.

BACKGROUND: The characterization of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human pericardial fluid is relevant, considering its role in the angiotensin II release and thus, the role of the pericardium in cardiovascular homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: To isolate and characterize an ACE from human pericardial fluid and to compare the angiotensin I converting activities of the pericardial fluid with that of the serum in patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: The enzyme from human pericardial fluid was purified through chromatographic steps and characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), hydrolysis of angiotensin I, bradykinin, Hip-His-Leu and synthetic substrates with internal fluorescence suppression. Lisinopril was used as inhibitor. The ACE activity was measured in blood and pericardial fluid samples of 23 patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery. RESULTS: The purified ACE (MM = 140 kDa), releases angiotensin II, hydrolyses bradykinin and the Hip-His-Leu substrate. The kinetic parameters k cat,(s-1) and k cat/Km (µM-1. s-1) were, respectively: Hip-His-Leu (1.14 and 7 x 10 -4) ; Abz-YRK(Dnp)P-OH (2.60 and 0.77), Abz-LFK(Dnp)-OH (2.77 and 0.36) and Abz-SDK(Dnp)P-OH (1.92 and 0.19). The angiotensin I converting activities (mean ± SD) in the pericardial fluid and in blood, were, respectively: 3.16 ± 0.90 mU x mg -1x min-1 and 0.33 ± 0.11 mU x mg -1x min-1. The difference was significant between the two fluids. CONCLUSION: An ACE that bears great similarity with the somatic enzyme was isolated from human pericardial fluid. The angiotensin I converting activity is higher in the pericardial fluid when compared to the serum activity. These data are important evidence of the role of the pericardial fluid in the metabolism of active peptides.

[HIV prevention using the operative group approach among men who have sex with men in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Prevenção de infecção pelo HIV por intermédio da utilização do grupo operativo entre homens que fazem sexo com homens, São Paulo, Brasil.

This study aimed to evaluate the operative group as a preventive approach among men who have sex with men that use two public health services in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. One hundred volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups (intervention and control, with 50 each). All participants answered questionnaires in two phases: before the intervention and six months after its conclusion. Effect was measured by comparing the groups for the following outcomes: median number of anal sex acts without condoms and responses from the participants to questions about HIV infection. 69 participants completed the study (34 in the prevention group and 35 in the control group). Analysis showed a decrease in the number of unprotected anal sex acts (p = 0.029) and an increase in the number of answers favoring prevention in the intervention group. The results indicate that the study group was responsive to a safer sex operative group intervention. Further research is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of this prevention approach as a public health strategy, including other social groups.

Prevenção de infecção pelo HIV por intermédio da utilização do grupo operativo entre homens que fazem sexo com homens, São Paulo, Brasil / HIV prevention using the operative group approach among men who have sex with men in São Paulo, Brazil

Este estudo focaliza o grupo operativo como intervenção preventiva de HIV para HSH (homens que fazem sexo com homens), usuários de serviços de saúde pública de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram distribuídos, por sorteio aleatório, 100 voluntários em dois grupos (intervenção e controle - 50 cada um). Todos eles responderam a questionários em duas fases distintas: antes da intervenção e seis meses depois de serem submetidos a ela. A avaliação do efeito da intervenção foi obtida pela variação do número médio de relações sexuais anais sem preservativo e análise de respostas sobre infecção pelo HIV. Terminaram o estudo 69 participantes (34 - grupo de intervenção; 35 - grupo de controle). No grupo de intervenção, observou-se, pelos dados obtidos, uma diminuição da prática de sexo anal desprotegida (p = 0,029) e aumento do número médio de respostas favoráveis à prevenção. Esses índices indicam ser a população estudada sensível à mudança em favor da adoção da prática de sexo mais seguro mediante participação no grupo operativo. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar a possibilidade de utilização dessa abordagem nos serviços públicos de saúde e para outras populações.

This study aimed to evaluate the operative group as a preventive approach among men who have sex with men that use two public health services in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. One hundred volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups (intervention and control, with 50 each). All participants answered questionnaires in two phases: before the intervention and six months after its conclusion. Effect was measured by comparing the groups for the following outcomes: median number of anal sex acts without condoms and responses from the participants to questions about HIV infection. 69 participants completed the study (34 in the prevention group and 35 in the control group). Analysis showed a decrease in the number of unprotected anal sex acts (p = 0.029) and an increase in the number of answers favoring prevention in the intervention group. The results indicate that the study group was responsive to a safer sex operative group intervention. Further research is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of this prevention approach as a public health strategy, including other social groups.

Correlations between the collagen content of the human left ventricular myocardium, measured by biochemical and morphometric methods.

OBJECTIVE: To assess, in myocardium specimens obtained from necropsies, the correlation between the concentration of hydroxyproline, measured with the photocolorimetric method, and the intensity of fibrosis, determined with the morphometric method. METHODS: Left ventricle myocardium samples were obtained from 45 patients who had undergone necropsy, some of them with a variety of cardiopathies and others without any heart disease. The concentrations of hydroxyproline were determined with the photocolorimetric method. In the histologic sections from each heart, the myocardial fibrosis was quantified by using a light microscope with an integrating ocular lens. RESULTS: A median of, respectively, 4.5 and 4.3 microgram of hydroxyproline/mg of dry weight was found in fixed and nonfixed left ventricle myocardium fragments. A positive correlation occurred between the hydroxyproline concentrations and the intensity of fibrosis, both in the fixed (Sr=+0.25; p=0.099) and in the nonfixed (Sr=+0.32; p=0.03) specimens. CONCLUSION: The biochemical methodology was proven to be adequate, and manual morphometry was shown to have limitations that may interfere with the statistical significance of correlations for the estimate of fibrosis intensity in the human myocardium.

Correlações entre o teor de colágeno no miocárdio ventricular esquerdo humano medido através de métodos / Correlations between the collagen content of the human left ventricular myocardium, measured by biochemical and morphometric methods

OBJECTIVE: To assess, in myocardium specimens obtained from necropsies, the correlation between the concentration of hydroxyproline, measured with the photocolorimetric method, and the intensity of fibrosis, determined with the morphometric method. METHODS: Left ventricle myocardium samples were obtained from 45 patients who had undergone necropsy, some of them with a variety of cardiopathies and others without any heart disease. The concentrations of hydroxyproline were determined with the photocolorimetric method. In the histologic sections from each heart, the myocardial fibrosis was quantified by using a light microscope with an integrating ocular lens. RESULTS: A median of, respectively, 4.5 and 4.3 mug of hydroxyproline/mg of dry weight was found in fixed and nonfixed left ventricle myocardium fragments. A positive correlation occurred between the hydroxyproline concentrations and the intensity of fibrosis, both in the fixed (Sr=+0.25; p=0.099) and in the nonfixed (Sr=+0.32; p=0.03) specimens. CONCLUSION: The biochemical methodology was proven to be adequate, and manual morphometry was shown to have limitations that may interfere with the statistical significance of correlations for the estimate of fibrosis intensity in the human myocardium