Hedonic pricing analysis for semen of dairy bulls in Brazil.

Dairy farming is an important aspect of the Brazilian agricultural sector. The presence of numerous producers has created a large number of jobs in this field, contributing significantly to the rural economy. Artificial insemination (AI), used as one of the main means of reproduction, is increasingly gaining importance in the genetic improvement of animals. Given this scenario, the semen of bulls has become extremely marketable and an important aspect of the animal industry. This study aims to develop a hedonic model for the price of semen doses of dairy bulls based on the information from the main sellers of the product in the Brazilian market. The main findings reveal that there is an additional premium for proven bulls. Semen doses from Gir bulls proved to be more expensive, and the AI firm ALTA has a discount compared to the other firms. From the characteristics obtained in the tests, there is a premium only for the Predicted Transmitting Ability-Milk (volume). The most valued feature found is the dose being sexed, that is, the dose that guarantees the gestation of a female from its use. Semen doses from dead bulls has proved to be more expensive.

A new method to predict the epidemiology of fungal keratitis by monitoring the sales distribution of antifungal eye drops in Brazil.

PURPOSE: Fungi are a major cause of keratitis, although few medications are licensed for their treatment. The aim of this study is to observe the variation in commercialisation of antifungal eye drops, and to predict the seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis in Brazil. METHODS: Data from a retrospective study of antifungal eye drops sales from the only pharmaceutical ophthalmologic laboratory, authorized to dispense them in Brazil (Opthalmos) were gathered. These data were correlated with geographic and seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis in Brazil between July 2002 and June 2008. RESULTS: A total of 26,087 antifungal eye drop units were sold, with a mean of 2.3 per patient. There was significant variation in antifungal sales during the year (p<0.01). A linear regression model displayed a significant association between reduced relative humidity and antifungal drug sales (R2 = 0.17,p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Antifungal eye drops sales suggest that there is a seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis. A possible interpretation is that the third quarter of the year (a period when the climate is drier), when agricultural activity is more intense in Brazil, suggests a correlation with a higher incidence of fungal keratitis. A similar model could be applied to other diseases, that are managed with unique, or few, and monitorable medications to predict epidemiological aspects.

Hemorreologia. Implicaçöes em ginecologia e obstetrícia / Hemorheology: implications in gynecology and obstetrics

A hemorreologia estuda as alteraçäes da microcirculaçäo em funçäo da viscosidade plasmática, da agregaçäo eritrocitßria e da capacidade de deformaçäo do eritrócito. As alteraçöes do débito microcirculatório levam à formaçäo de ciclos viciosos, que podem perpetuar doenças isquêmicas. No ciclo menstrual e na gravidez existem condiçöes (tanto na macro como na microcirculaçäo) complicadoras do aporte normal de oxigênio aos tecidos, tais como congestöes vasculares, varizes pélvicas, hipertensäo gravídica, que säo alteraçöes influenciadas por esses fatores hemorreológicos. O estudo deles incorporou novas tentativas de terapêutica para a soluçäo de antigos problemas.