Physical rehabilitation in the context of a landslide that occurred in Brazil.

BACKGROUNDS: The efforts to develop research and training on physical rehabilitation in regards to disasters is considered recent worldwide. In the late evening of the 11th up until the 12th of January of 2011, the most massive natural disaster occurred in Brazil with extremely heavy downpour, abrupt flood, as well as landslides on multiple areas of the Mountain Region of Rio de Janeiro. The objective of this research was to investigate the challenges in terms of physical rehabilitation provided by this event METHODS: The cross-sectional mixed method's study, which was conducted in the city of Nova Friburgo, used two different data sources: hospital records on traumatic injuries pre and post disaster, and interviews with key informants - victims who suffered injuries related to the disaster, professionals from rehabilitation services in the municipality, and also the city's health service management. Pearson's chi-squared test was performed to evaluate statistical significance between the week of a given incident and the type of injury. Interviews were transcribed and analysed through content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2326 hospital records and 27 interviews were analysed. The proportion of traumatic injury in the municipal emergency service increased from 16% in the prior week, to 40% in the week post-disaster (p <  0.0001). Different injuries were identified: multiple fractures, crushing, amputation, perforation of soft tissues, inhalation of dust and establishment of chronic conditions through stress. Despite this scenario, out of the 16 health professionals interviewed, twelve did not observe an increase in the demand for outpatient rehabilitation services after the disaster. Interviews with the victims revealed that the pathways for care ran into different barriers. From 11 victims interviewed, only one received complete physiotherapy care through the public health services in the city, while all others hired additional assistance, received volunteer services, had assistance in other cities or remained without rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The needs for rehabilitation increased after the disaster; however, the demand was repressed due to different barriers such as competing needs and possible lack of medical referral. Recommendations were made, including the action of performing a search of victims with rehabilitation needs.

Nutraceutical potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan extracts and assessment of a downstream purification strategy.

The main goal of the present work was to determine the nutraceutical potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis D. extracts from Madeira Archipelago south coast. Extraction methodologies consisted either/or in 72 hours stirring, at room temperature (M1), or 6 cycles of Soxhlet extraction (M2), both with re-extraction. Solvents used were distilled water, ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate. M1 allowed to obtain the highest values for extraction yield (31.65 g.100g-1 dw) using water, whereas iodine content (3.37 g.100g-1 dw), TPC (1.71 g GAE.100g-1 dw) and chlorophyll a (45.96 mg.100g-1 dw) were obtained using ethanol, and TCC (36.23 mg.100g-1 dw) with methanol. Extracts that showed higher reduction activity in M1 were derived from ethanol extraction (1,908 mg AAE.100g-1 dw). Water and ethanol were the best solvents for higher DPPH scavenging activity in M2, both with same result (IC50 1.37 mg.mL-1). The lowest value of IC50 for chelating activity (1.57 mg.mL-1) was determined in M1, using ethyl acetate. The remaining residue was used to obtain other products, i.e. lipid extraction (M1, 2.05 g.100g-1 dw), carrageenans (M2, 21.18 g.100g-1 dw) and cellulose (M1, 23.81 g.100g-1 dw) with subsequent FTIR ATR analysis. Our results show that A. taxiformis is a valuable source of bioactive compounds. The M1 extraction methodology using ethanol is the most effective solvent to produce an iodine rich bioactive extract with potential of being used as a nutraceutical supplement. Also, we have demonstrated a possible downstream strategy that could be implemented for multiple compound extraction from A. taxiformis residue. This has a vital importance for future feasibility, when using this biomass as an industrial feedstock for multiple products production. Statistical analysis, using SPSS 24.0, was also performed and important correlations were found between assays and methods.

Search for cytotoxic compounds against ovarian cancer cells: Synthesis, characterization and assessment of the activity of new camphor carboxylate and camphor carboxamide silver complexes.

Five silver camphor complexes of formulae [Ag2(L)(L')2] (1,3,5) or [Ag(L)2(L')] (2,4) were synthesized from silver nitrate and the suitable camphor carboxylate (L1) or camphor carboxamides (L3, L4). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (NMR, FTIR, XPS). Computational calculations support coordination of the carboxylate group to silver, in the case of complex 2 and combined mixed keto/carboxylate in the case of complex 1. The stability of the complexes highly relies on the tetrahedral geometry of the lithium ion that binds to four oxygen atoms of the camphor carboxylate ligands. The redox properties of complexes 1 and 4 studied by cyclic voltammetry confirm the facile reduction of the metal sites that depending on the experimental conditions may lead to formation of silver nanoparticles as confirmed by XPS and TEM. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 were tested for cytotoxic activities against A2780 (IC50, 11-14 µM) and A2780 cisplatin resistant (A2780cisR) (IC50, 4-7 µM) cells using the MTT assay. The result showed that the complexes have anticancer activity higher than cisplatin. Complex 1 was also probed for cytotoxicity against the non-tumoral human embryonic kidney (HEK 293, IC50, 62.2 ±â€¯16 µM) cells showing low toxicity in agreement with the silver camphor carboxylate complexes having a considerable selectivity for the ovarian cancer cells A2780 and cisplatin resistant A2780cisR which is a key point under pharmacological uses.

Genetic diversity in soybean genotypes using phenotypic characters and enzymatic markers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of soybean cultivars by adopting phenotypic traits and enzymatic markers, the relative contribution of agronomic traits to diversity, as well as diversity between the level of technology used in soybean cultivars and genetic breeding programs in which cultivars were inserted. The experiments were conducted on the field at the Center for Scientific and Technological Development in crop-livestock production and the Electrophoresis Laboratory of Lavras Federal University. The agronomic traits adopted were grain yield, plant height, first legume insertion, plant lodging, the mass of one thousand seeds, and days for complete maturation, in which the Euclidean distance, grouped by Tocher and UPGMA criteria, was obtained. After electrophorese gels for enzymatic systems, dehydrogenase alcohol, esterase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were performed. The genetic similarity estimative was also obtained between genotypes by the Jaccard coefficient with subsequent grouping by the UPGMA method. The formation of two groups was shown using phenotypic characters in the genetic diversity study and individually discriminating the cultivar 97R73 RR. The character with the greatest contribution to the genetic divergence was grain yield with contribution higher than 90.0%. To obtain six different groups, individually discriminating the cultivars CG 8166 RR, FPS Jupiter RR, and BRS MG 780 RR, enzymatic markers were used. Cultivars carrying the RR technology presented more divergence than conventional cultivars and IPRO cultivars.

Synthesis of Ag(I) camphor sulphonylimine complexes and assessment of their cytotoxic properties against cisplatin-resistant A2780cisR and A2780 cell lines.

Camphorsulphonylimine complexes [Ag(NO3)(IL)2] (IL=C12H19N3SO2, 1) and [(AgNO3)2(IIL)] (IIL=C22H23N3SO2, 2) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy (IR, NMR) and cyclic voltammetry. [Ag(NO3)(IL)2] crystalizes in the monoclinic C2 space group with a triangular geometry assuming a chalice-type shape. The anti-proliferative properties of the new complexes 1 and 2 and those of the previously reported [Ag(NO3)(IIIL)] (IIIL=C16H18N3SO2, 3) were assessed against the human ovarian cancer cells (cisplatin-sensitive A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780cisR) and the non-tumoral human HEK 293 cell line, using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The NR (3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride) assay was alternatively used to assess the cytotoxicity on the A2780 cells. Results from the MTT assay (48h exposure) show that the complexes display IC50 values lower (by at least one order of magnitude) than cisplatin, while the cytotoxicity of AgNO3 is of the same order of cisplatin. The camphorsulphonylimine ligands display irrelevant (IL, IIIL) or no cytotoxicity (IIL). The highest cytotoxicity (lower IC50) was found for [(AgNO3)2(IIL)]. The binding ability of the complexes to calf thymus-deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA) was studied by fluorescence. Constants (Ksv, Ka) and the number (n) of binding centres to DNA were calculated showing that DNA intercalation possibly occurs in the cases of complexes 2 and 3, while a more complicated process operates for 1. As expected from the cytotoxicity, [(AgNO3)2(IIL)] displays the highest binding affinity (Ka=1.61×105 M-1). No binding to DNA was detected for AgNO3 or IIL under the experimental conditions used. The binding trend to CT-DNA found by fluorescence was corroborated by cyclic voltammetry.

Microbiological Quality Assessment by PCR and Its Antibiotic Susceptibility in Mangrove Crabs (Ucides cordatus) from Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The bacteriological quality of crabs from three different mangroves (Itaóca, Suruí, and Piedade) from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, was investigated using conventional and molecular methods. The results revealed high counts for total coliforms in meat and hepatopancreas samples. PCR analyses identified 25 Escherichia coli colonies in the Itaóca, Piedade, and Suruí samples, detecting 13 enterotoxigenic colonies and 9 enteroaggregative colonies. Respectively, 12, 11, and 21 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains were detected in the Itaóca, Piedade, and Suruí samples. Two V. cholerae strains were detected in the Piedade samples. The E. coli strains isolated in the present study showed resistance to gentamicin. E. coli strains from the Piedade samples showed 33% resistance to chloramphenicol and the strains also showed multiresistance to several antimicrobial agents with a MAR index ranging from 0.12 to 0.31. Vibrio strains from Piedade, Itaóca, and Suruí showed 86%, 78%, and 85% resistance, respectively, to ampicillin. The isolated Vibrio strains showed multiresistance to several antimicrobial agents, with a MAR index ranging from 0.12 to 0.25. The presence of these organisms in crab meat is an indication of microbial contamination, which may pose health risks to consumers when improperly cooked.

Bullying and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: analysis of the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of bullying from the victim's perspective in Brazilian school children and to analyze its association with individual and family context variables. METHODS: An analysis of the data on 109,104 adolescents, obtained by the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, held in schools in 2012, was carried out. An association model between bullying and explanatory variables was tested in different contexts: sociodemographic, risk behaviors, mental health and family context. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed, calculating the Odds Ratio and confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying found in this study was of 7.2% (95%CI 6.6 - 7.8). A higher chance of bullying was found among male students (OR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.51 - 1.66), with an inverse relation between age and bullying, with the magnitude of risk among adolescents younger than 13 years of age being higher when compared to those with 16 years of age or more. Of individual risk behaviors, only being a smoker remained in the final model (OR = 1.11; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.23). Mental health variables associated with bullying were: feeling lonely (OR = 2.66; 95%CI 2.52 - 2.81), insomnia (OR = 1.92; 95%CI 1.80 - 2.05), not having friends (OR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.54 - 1.89), and, in the family context, those who skip class without telling their parents (OR = 1.13; 95%CI 1,07 - 1,19) and those who suffer physical abuse by family members (OR = 2.03; 95%CI 1.91 - 2.146). CONCLUSION: Bullying was associated to male students, younger, of black color, smokers, with mental health vulnerabilities and victims of domestic violence. This suggests the need for a holistic approach from education and health professionals, parents and the community in seeking measures for the prevention of bullying.

Assessment of essential elements and heavy metals content on Mytilus galloprovincialis from river Tagus estuary.

Trace elemental content was analysed in edible tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in five different sampling areas near the mouth of river Tagus estuary in Lisbon. The concentrations of essential elements (S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Br and Sr) were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, while toxic elements (Cr, Cd, Hg, Se and Pb) were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results show that the essential elements K and S are present at the highest concentrations in all the studied samples reaching 2,920 and 4,520 µg g(-1) (fresh weight), respectively. The highest levels of heavy metals found were in two areas close to the city for Pb and Cd, but below the maximum allowed values.

Bullying and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: analysis of the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012) / Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes brasileiros: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012)

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of bullying from the victim's perspective in Brazilian school children and to analyze its association with individual and family context variables. METHODS: An analysis of the data on 109,104 adolescents, obtained by the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, held in schools in 2012, was carried out. An association model between bullying and explanatory variables was tested in different contexts: sociodemographic, risk behaviors, mental health and family context. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed, calculating the Odds Ratio and confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying found in this study was of 7.2% (95%CI 6.6 - 7.8). A higher chance of bullying was found among male students (OR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.51 - 1.66), with an inverse relation between age and bullying, with the magnitude of risk among adolescents younger than 13 years of age being higher when compared to those with 16 years of age or more. Of individual risk behaviors, only being a smoker remained in the final model (OR = 1.11; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.23). Mental health variables associated with bullying were: feeling lonely (OR = 2.66; 95%CI 2.52 - 2.81), insomnia (OR = 1.92; 95%CI 1.80 - 2.05), not having friends (OR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.54 - 1.89), and, in the family context, those who skip class without telling their parents (OR = 1.13; 95%CI 1,07 - 1,19) and those who suffer physical abuse by family members (OR = 2.03; 95%CI 1.91 - 2.146). CONCLUSION: Bullying was associated to male students, younger, of black color, smokers, with mental health vulnerabilities and victims of domestic violence. This suggests the need for a holistic approach from education and health professionals, parents and the community in seeking measures for the prevention of bullying. .

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de bullying, sob a perspectiva da vítima, em escolares brasileiros e analisar sua associação com variáveis individuais e de contexto familiar. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas informações de 109.104 adolescentes obtidas da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE), 2012. Foi testado modelo de associação entre o bullying e variáveis explicativas nos seguintes domínios: sociodemográfico, comportamentos de risco, saúde mental e contexto familiar. Foram feitas analises uni e multivariada, calculando-se os odds ratio e respectivos intervalos de confiança. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de bullying foi de 7,2% (IC95% 6,6 - 7,8). Maior chance de bullying foi encontrada entre escolares do sexo masculino (OR = 1,58; IC95% 1,51 - 1,66), com uma relação inversa entre idade e bullying, sendo maior a magnitude do risco entre menores de 13 anos quando comparados aos de 16 ou mais anos. Dos comportamentos de risco individuais, apenas ser fumante se manteve no modelo final (OR = 1,11; IC95% 1,01 - 1,23). As variáveis de saúde mental associadas foram: sentir-se solitário (OR = 2,66; IC95% 2,52 - 2,81), ter insônia (OR = 1,92; IC95% 1,80 - 2,05), não ter amigos (OR = 1,71; IC95% 1,54 - 1,89) e, no contexto familiar os que faltam às aulas sem avisar os pais (OR = 1,13; IC95% 1,07 - 1,19) e relataram sofrer agressão física dos familiares (OR = 2,03; IC95% 1,91 - 2,16). CONCLUSÃO: O bullying mostrou-se associado aos escolares do sexo masculino, mais jovens, de cor preta, fumantes, além daqueles que apresentam vulnerabilidades no campo da saúde mental e de violência doméstica, o que sugere necessidade de uma abordagem holística de profissionais da educação, saúde, pais e comunidade na busca de medidas para sua prevenção. .

A rapid questionnaire assessment of environmental exposures to pregnant women in the INTERGROWTH-21st Project.

Impaired fetal growth and preterm birth are the leading causes of neonatal and infant mortality worldwide and there is a growing scientific literature suggesting that environmental exposures during pregnancy may play a causal role in these outcomes. Our purpose was to assess the environmental exposure of the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study (FGLS) participants in the multinational INTERGROWTH-21(st) Project. First, we developed a tool that could be used internationally to screen pregnant women for such exposures and administered it in eight countries on a subsample (n = 987) of the FGLS participants. The FGLS is a study of fetal growth among healthy pregnant women living in relatively affluent areas, at low risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and environmental exposures. We confirmed that most women were not exposed to major environmental hazards that could affect pregnancy outcomes according to the protocol's entry criteria. However, the instrument was able to identify some women that reported various environmental concerns in their homes such as peeling paint, high residential density (>1 person per room), presence of rodents or cockroaches (hence the use of pesticides), noise pollution and safety concerns. This screening tool was therefore useful for the purposes of the project and can be used to ascertain environmental exposures in studies in which the primary aim is not focused on environmental exposures. The instrument can be used to identify subpopulations for more in-depth assessment, (e.g. environmental and biological laboratory markers) to pinpoint areas requiring education, intervention or policy change.

Nowcasting influenza epidemics using non-homogeneous hidden Markov models.

Timeliness of a public health surveillance system is one of its most important characteristics. The process of predicting the present situation using available incomplete information from surveillance systems has received the term nowcasting and has high public health interest. Generally in Europe, general practitioners' sentinel networks support the epidemiological surveillance of influenza activity, and each week's epidemiological bulletins are usually issued between Wednesday and Friday of the following week. In this work, we have developed a non-homogeneous hidden Markov model (HMM) that, on a weekly basis, uses as covariates an early observation of influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence rate and the number of ILI cases tested positive to nowcast the current week ILI rate and the probability that the influenza activity is in an epidemic state. We use Bayesian inference to find estimates of the model parameters and nowcasted quantities. The results obtained with data provided by the Portuguese influenza surveillance system show the additional value of using a non-homogeneous HMM instead of a homogeneous one. The use of a non-homogeneous HMM improves the surveillance system timeliness in 2 weeks.

How much do smoking and alcohol consumption explain socioeconomic inequalities in head and neck cancer risk?

BACKGROUND: A higher burden of head and neck cancer has been reported to affect deprived populations. This study assessed the association between socioeconomic status and head and neck cancer, aiming to explore how this association is related to differences of tobacco and alcohol consumption across socioeconomic strata. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil (1998-2006), including 1017 incident cases of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, and 951 sex- and age-matched controls. Education and occupation were distal determinants in the hierarchical approach; cumulative exposure to tobacco and alcohol were proximal risk factors. Outcomes of the hierarchical model were compared with fully adjusted ORs. RESULTS: Individuals with lower education (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.61 to 3.19) and those performing manual labour (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.26 to 1.92) had a higher risk of disease. However, 54% of the association with lower education and 45% of the association with manual labour were explained by proximal lifestyle exposures, and socioeconomic status remained significantly associated with disease when adjusted for smoking and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic differences in head and neck cancer are partially attributable to the distribution of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption across socioeconomic strata. Additional mediating factors may explain the remaining variation of socioeconomic status on head and neck cancer.

Total pancreatectomy: porcine model for inducing diabetes - anatomical assessment and surgical aspects.

BACKGROUND: The swine is an essential model for carrying out preclinical research and for teaching complex surgical procedures. There is a lack of experimental models describing anatomical and surgical aspects of total pancreatectomy in the pig. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed on 10 white male swine weighing 27-33 kg. The animals were premedicated with midazolam (0.4 mg/kg, i.m.) and ketamine (4 mg/kg, i.m.). Anesthesia was induced with propofol (1-2 mg/kg, i.v.) and was maintained with propofol and fentanyl (0.3 mg and 0.1 µg/kg/min, respectively, i.v.). The surgical period ranged from 44 to 77 min. The pancreas anatomy, and the main arterial, venous and pancreatic duct anatomy were assessed. RESULTS: The pancreas anatomy was composed of 3 lobes, the 'splenic', 'duodenal' and 'connecting' lobe which is attached to the anterior portion of the portal vein. The splenic artery and the junction of the splenic vein and portal vein were divided. The left gastric artery was dissected and separated from its origin at the splenic artery. The head of the pancreas is disposed in a C shape. The pancreas was dissected and liberated from the right portion of the portal vein and the infrahepatic vena cava. The pancreas was separated from the duodenum preserving the pancreaticoduodenal artery, then we performed the total pancreatectomy preserving the duodenum, common bile duct and spleen. CONCLUSION: Total pancreatectomy with duodenum, bile duct and spleen preservation in the pig is feasible and an important instrument for research purposes and teaching surgical technique.

The assessment of chromophores in bleached cellulosic pulps employing UV-Raman spectroscopy.

UV-Resonance Raman (UV-RR) coupled with UV-visible Diffuse Reflectance (UV-vis DR) spectroscopy was applied to a solid-state study of chromophores in Eucalyptus globulus kraft cellulosic pulps bleached by chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. The UV-RR spectra were acquired at 325nm laser beam excitation, which was shown to be appropriate for selective analysis of chromophore structures in polysaccharides. The proposed approach allowed the monitoring of chromophores in pulps and to track the extent of polysaccharide oxidation. However, precaution was suggested while performing a quantitative analysis of chromophores at the characteristic band of approximately 1600cm(-1) because of charge transfer complexes (CTCs) that exist in the pulp. These CTCs can affect the intensity of the aforementioned band by diminishing the conjugate state in the chromophore moieties. The amount of carbonyl and carboxyl groups in polysaccharides correlated with the intensity of the band at 1093cm(-1). The analysis of UV-RR spectra revealed xylan as an important source of chromophores in eucalypt kraft pulp.

Technical note: A new and cost-effective method for detection of the bovine acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 K232A polymorphism in cattle.

A new, quick, and inexpensive method for detecting the bovine acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT1) polymorphism (K232A) through tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system by PCR (ARMS-PCR) was developed in the present investigation. The DGAT1 gene was recently identified as underlying variation in milk production traits. To date, PCR techniques such as PCR-RFLP have been used for detecting the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism, despite being expensive and laborious. The method proposed here, a tetra-primer ARMS-PCR, showed 100% sensitivity and specificity when compared with PCR-RFLP results obtained in a sample of 80 animals tested in a double-blind system. Our results suggest that the use of tetra-primer ARMS-PCR for DGAT1 K232A polymorphism genotyping could greatly reduce costs providing information for both research purposes and for dairy cattle breeders who perform DGAT1 genotyping for gene-assisted selection.

Optimisation of MSW collection routes for minimum fuel consumption using 3D GIS modelling.

Collection of municipal solid waste (MSW) may account for more than 70% of the total waste management budget, most of which is for fuel costs. It is therefore crucial to optimise the routing network used for waste collection and transportation. This paper proposes the use of geographical information systems (GIS) 3D route modelling software for waste collection and transportation, which adds one more degree of freedom to the system and allows driving routes to be optimised for minimum fuel consumption. The model takes into account the effects of road inclination and vehicle weight. It is applied to two different cases: routing waste collection vehicles in the city of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, and routing the transport of waste from different municipalities of Santiago Island to an incineration plant. For the Praia city region, the 3D model that minimised fuel consumption yielded cost savings of 8% as compared with an approach that simply calculated the shortest 3D route. Remarkably, this was true despite the fact that the GIS-recommended fuel reduction route was actually 1.8% longer than the shortest possible travel distance. For the Santiago Island case, the difference was even more significant: a 12% fuel reduction for a similar total travel distance. These figures indicate the importance of considering both the relief of the terrain and fuel consumption in selecting a suitable cost function to optimise vehicle routing.

Assessment of metal availability to vegetation (Betula pendula) in Pb-Zn ore concentrate residues with different features.

In this work, characterisation of several ore concentrate remains from an abandoned Pb-Zn mining factory was performed determining chemical and physical properties such as pH, organic carbon content, particle size distribution, total heavy metal content (Pb, Zn, Cu, As and Cd) as well as mineralogical composition which showed, in most cases, the oxidization of the parent ore material (mostly galena: PbS and sphalerite: ZnS) to more mobile fractions as anglesite (PbSO(4)) and goslarite (ZnSO(4)). Moreover, two operational defined extraction procedures commonly used in soil and sediment studies (first and second steps of BCR procedure and DTPA extraction protocol) were applied in the different mining wastes in order to study Pb and Zn mobility and likely bioavailability to Betula pendula growing on the same mining spoils, which presents lead and zinc contents in leaves over ten times background values.

An interdisciplinary approach to evaluating the need for assistive technology reduces equipment abandonment.

Assistive technology makes up a substantial portion of the direct cost of multiple sclerosis (MS). Equipment abandonment results in the needs of the disabled individual being unmet and places stress on the resources available for the funding of such equipment. The aim of the study was to demonstrate whether an interdisciplinary approach to evaluating and prescribing assistive technology reduces equipment abandonment in persons with MS. Data concerning assistive devices acquired by patients being followed at a rehabilitation centre in northern Italy from January 1997 to December 2002, were included in the study. Through December 1999, a physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation prescribed equipment based on a recommendation from the physical therapist. From 2000 to 2002, patients were evaluated following a standardized protocol implemented by an interdisciplinary team comprised of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation and psychologist. Assistive technology obtained during the study period was divided into two datasets based on the year that the aid was obtained: pre-intervention (January 1997 to December 1999) and intervention (January 2000 to December 2002). The analysis included a comparison of the two datasets on number and types of equipment abandoned, timing of abandonment and reasons why devices were abandoned. Fifty-four subjects obtained 151 assistive devices during the study period, 67 devices during pre-intervention and 84 with the intervention. The majority of devices were abandoned immediately or within the first year following obtainment in both groups. A comparison of the number of devices obtained during pre-intervention with those obtained during the intervention showed that the rate of equipment abandonment decreased significantly from 37.3 to 9.5%. An interdisciplinary approach to evaluating assistive technology needs does decrease the risk of equipment abandonment, although it does not completely solve the problem.

Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle.

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of some essential and toxic elements in the muscle of ten species of commercial fish consumed in Portugal. We combined two different techniques for determination of the elements--energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Sr and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry for analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The latter technique was used because of its higher sensitivity, because these elements were not detected by EDXRF. The results obtained show a similar pattern for the trace elements. K and Ca are present at the highest concentrations in all the samples studied, from 0.6-1.3% and from 0.04-0.08%, respectively, followed by Zn, Fe, Sr, Se, and Rb. Sr is present at higher concentrations than Rb in all the species studied except meagre. Concentrations of the elements in octopus do not follow this pattern--Fe is present at a higher concentration than Zn. Low concentrations of Cr (0.66-1.5 microg g(-1)), Ni (0.11-0.24 microg g(-1)), Cd (0.01-0.08 microg g(-1)), Hg (0.49-2.74 microg g(-1)), and Pb (0.02-0.06 microg g(-1)) were observed in all the samples analysed. The concentration of Hg was highest in Helicolenus dactylopterus--5.4 microg g(-1) in one sample.

[Urban hospital markets: a methodological approach]. / Mercados hospitalares em área urbana: uma abordagem metodológica.

This study developed a method for the construction of hospital markets in a metropolitan area, focusing on users of the Unified Health System (SUS) with hip fractures and admitted to municipal hospitals in Rio de Janeiro in 1994-1995. The study used a spatial smoothing technique based on a Kernel (quartic) estimate for constructing areas of care for each hospital and subsequently for hospital markets. Areas of the city were presented where there was a market domain and a secondary domain for treating patients with hip fractures. Hospital market analysis can help health planners organize resources in the health care system.