Dynamics of nonstructural glycoprotein-1 in dengue patients presenting with different clinical manifestations from 1986 to 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The hyperendemicity and co-circulation of different dengue serotypes in Brazil have increased the number of severe dengue cases and the rate of hospitalization for dengue. Virological and individual factors are associated with the complexity of the disease. Antigenemia levels of nonstructural glycoprotein-1 (NS1) have been associated with severe dengue. Aiming to identify a severity marker during the acute phase (days 0 to 5 of disease), the association of NS1 antigenemia with clinical presentation, sex, age range, immune response, number of days of disease, and serotype RNA levels was evaluated in serum samples of patients from the state of Rio de Janeiro clinically classified as having dengue without warning signs (DWWS) or dengue with warning signs/severe dengue (DWWS/SD). The immune response was classified by in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antigenemia was determined by quantification of NS1, and viremia was quantified by real-time PCR. Of the total number of patients, 36.6% (74 of 202) presented warning signs/severe dengue and 72.3% (146 of 202) were classified with primary infection. DENV-2 presented an association between clinical presentation and antigenemia (P = 0.02). DENV-3 had higher levels of NS1 (P < 0.0001). This study has shown that the infecting serotype influences circulating NS1 levels in the host, as well as NS1 antigenemia may vary as to the clinical presentation of the patient infected with DENV-2. However, the criterion used to screen patients for clinical presentation, in DWWS and DWWS/SD patients, was not a good marker for dengue severity in our study.

[Analysis of deaths by intoxication that occurred in Brazil from 2010 to 2015 based on the Mortality Information System (SIM)]. / Análise dos óbitos decorrentes de intoxicação ocorridos no Brasil de 2010 a 2015 com base no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM).

Many studies analyze the epidemiological profile of deaths caused by a single toxic agent. However, broader mortality analyses can be obtained by evaluating multiple agents over the same period of time. For this purpose, a retrospective descriptive study was carried out of the deaths by intoxication registered in the Mortality Information System that occurred in Brazil from 2010 to 2015. Deaths were selected according to ICD-10 codes related to intoxication. There were 18,247 deaths and an increase of 3% of rates of mortality by intoxication during the period. The agents that caused the most deaths were pesticides (24%) followed by medication (23%) and street drugs (22%). With the exception of medication, where the female participation was 52%, there was a higher concentration of males for all agents and in most of the age groups. Only in the case of medication and pesticides was suicide the main circumstance of deaths. The results presented made it possible to define a mortality profile for each of the major toxic agents studied.

Muitos estudos analisam o perfil epidemiológico dos óbitos causados por um único agente tóxico. No entanto, análises mais amplas da mortalidade podem ser obtidas avaliando múltiplos agentes em um mesmo período de tempo. Com esse objetivo, foi realizado um estudo descritivo retrospectivo dos óbitos decorrentes de intoxicações ocorridos de 2010 a 2015 no Brasil, registrados pelo SIM. Os óbitos foram selecionados de acordo com os códigos da CID-10 relacionados a intoxicações. Foram registrados pelo SIM, no período do estudo, 18.247 óbitos decorrentes de intoxicação, resultando em crescimento de 3% no coeficiente de mortalidade. Os agentes que mais causaram óbitos foram os agrotóxicos (24%) seguidos dos medicamentos (23%) e das drogas de abuso (22%). Com exceção dos medicamentos, em que a participação do sexo feminino foi de 52%, verificou-se maior concentração do sexo masculino para todos os agentes e na maioria das faixas etárias. Somente para os medicamentos e agrotóxicos, o suicídio foi a principal circunstância dos óbitos. Os resultados apresentados foram capazes de delinear um perfil de mortalidade para cada um dos principais agentes tóxicos estudados.

Divergences between the Brazilian national information systems for recording deaths from venomous animals.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to highlight and analyze discrepancies in reporting of deaths due to venomous animals in Brazil, from 2001 to 2015, between two national information systems: The Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN) and the Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade - SIM). METHODS: Descriptive and comparative study of the SINAN and SIM information systems, was conducted via the following steps: collecting the death notices from SINAN and SIM; constructing tables and comparative graphics; and, only in scorpion sting fatalities, analyzing the distribution of deaths by age group as described in the specialized literature. RESULTS: While SINAN identifies strong growth in the number of deaths from scorpion stings, SIM shows greater increase in the number of reported deaths from bee stings, especially in the South and Southeast regions. Notably, bees are the sole etiological agent that received more reports in SIM than in SINAN for every year in the period studied. The age-group distribution of the data on deaths from scorpion stings reinforced the indication of problems occurring in their registration in SINAN, especially since 2007, which may have an effect on analyses based on these data. CONCLUSION: Comparative analysis of these databases permits identification of important differences between profiles presented by these systems, which have equal relevance for Brazil as a whole and for its regions. These differences may influence the construction of various scenarios.

[Profile of poisonings among Brazilian adolescents from 1999 to 2001]. / Perfil das intoxicações em adolescentes no Brasil no período de 1999 a 2001.

This paper analyzes the profile of poisonings among adolescents as reported by the Brazilian National Poisoning Information System (SINITOX) database. This database covers cases and deaths secondary to human poisoning recorded by Poison Control Centers (1999-2001). With relation to cases, venomous animals (33.7%) and medicines (25.7%) are the main toxic agents in pre-adolescents (10-14 years). For adolescents (15-19 years), medicines ranked first (33.0%), followed by bites/stings from venomous animals (21.4%). There were 35 deaths among pre-adolescents, 54.3% resulting from accidental poisoning, 54.3% in males, and 31.4% caused by venomous animals. Ninety-eight deaths were reported among adolescents, 72.4% of which were suicides, 54.1% in females, and 38.8% resulting from pesticide poisoning.

Paths to the discovery of antivenom serotherapy in France.

The current study presents a descriptive chronological survey of the articles published by Césaire Auguste Phisalix and Albert Calmette on snake poison, with the aim of shedding a light on the areas of research and reasoning followed by these scientists, leading up to their simultaneous discovery of antivenom serotherapy in 1894. The path taken by Phisalix is revealed in 15 articles that demonstrate the motivation of a naturalist and the way he confronted the puzzle of immunity against snake venom. In the case of Calmette, two articles preceded the discovery; microbiology was his theoretical base and the Pasteurian spirit of solving health problems his driving force. These two researchers followed distinct paths, mobilized by different motivations, but produced one single result. It is incontestable that the discovery of antivenom serotherapy was the work of two groups of researchers who deserve equal recognition, but who, in fact, did not receive it. Following the discovery both Calmette and Phisalix returned to their previous motivations. Calmette put the discovery into practice and began to produce antivenom serum in Lille. He came to be generally considered as the sole discoverer of antivenom serotherapy and was the recipient of a number of prestigious prizes. Phisalix, on the other hand, received little recognition and returned to his original interests, devoting himself to research on natural immunity. In Brazil, the discovery of antivenom serum therapy had a profound impact on the work of Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha, a researcher known worldwide for his scientific discoveries and for the evidence of the specificity of antivenom serums.

Molecular Identification of Q Fever in Patients with a Suspected Diagnosis of Dengue in Brazil in 2013-2014.

Q fever is an important cause of undifferentiated fever that is rarely recognized or reported in Brazil. The objective of this study was to look for the presence of Coxiella burnetii during a dengue fever outbreak in the municipality of Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where this bacterium had previously infected humans and domesticated animals. Blood samples from clinically suspected dengue fever patients were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for C. burnetii; the DNA was detected in nine (3.3%) of 272 patients. One was coinfected with dengue virus, which was also detected in another 166 (61.3%) patients. The nucleotide sequence of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the IS1111 transposase elements in the genome of C. burnetii exhibited 99% identity with the sequence in GenBank. The detection of C. burnetii in patients suspected of dengue fever indicates that awareness and knowledge of Q fever should be strengthened and that this bacterium is present in Brazil. Finally, because a negative molecular result does not completely rule out the diagnosis of Q fever and the serological assay based on seroconversion was not available, the actual number of this zoonosis is likely to be much higher than that reported in this study.

Análise dos óbitos decorrentes de intoxicação ocorridos no Brasil de 2010 a 2015 com base no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) / Analysis of deaths by intoxication that occurred in Brazil from 2010 to 2015 based on the Mortality Information System (SIM)

Resumo Muitos estudos analisam o perfil epidemiológico dos óbitos causados por um único agente tóxico. No entanto, análises mais amplas da mortalidade podem ser obtidas avaliando múltiplos agentes em um mesmo período de tempo. Com esse objetivo, foi realizado um estudo descritivo retrospectivo dos óbitos decorrentes de intoxicações ocorridos de 2010 a 2015 no Brasil, registrados pelo SIM. Os óbitos foram selecionados de acordo com os códigos da CID-10 relacionados a intoxicações. Foram registrados pelo SIM, no período do estudo, 18.247 óbitos decorrentes de intoxicação, resultando em crescimento de 3% no coeficiente de mortalidade. Os agentes que mais causaram óbitos foram os agrotóxicos (24%) seguidos dos medicamentos (23%) e das drogas de abuso (22%). Com exceção dos medicamentos, em que a participação do sexo feminino foi de 52%, verificou-se maior concentração do sexo masculino para todos os agentes e na maioria das faixas etárias. Somente para os medicamentos e agrotóxicos, o suicídio foi a principal circunstância dos óbitos. Os resultados apresentados foram capazes de delinear um perfil de mortalidade para cada um dos principais agentes tóxicos estudados.

Abstract Many studies analyze the epidemiological profile of deaths caused by a single toxic agent. However, broader mortality analyses can be obtained by evaluating multiple agents over the same period of time. For this purpose, a retrospective descriptive study was carried out of the deaths by intoxication registered in the Mortality Information System that occurred in Brazil from 2010 to 2015. Deaths were selected according to ICD-10 codes related to intoxication. There were 18,247 deaths and an increase of 3% of rates of mortality by intoxication during the period. The agents that caused the most deaths were pesticides (24%) followed by medication (23%) and street drugs (22%). With the exception of medication, where the female participation was 52%, there was a higher concentration of males for all agents and in most of the age groups. Only in the case of medication and pesticides was suicide the main circumstance of deaths. The results presented made it possible to define a mortality profile for each of the major toxic agents studied.

[Recording of venomous bites and stings by National Information Systems in Brazil]. / Acidentes por animais peçonhentos e sistemas nacionais de informação.

This paper highlights the epidemiological surveillance of venomous bites and stings according to four national information systems: SINAN (National Databank of Major Causes of Morbidity), SINITOX (National Information System on Poisoning), SIH-SUS (Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System), and SIM (Mortality Information System). The authors conclude that each information system has specific characteristics and addresses different demands. Although they contain large amounts of data, even if combined they fail to reflect the real magnitude of disorders caused by venomous bites and stings in the country.

[Exploratory analysis of environmental and socioeconomic factors related to snakebite incidence in Rio de Janeiro from 1990 to 1996]. / Aspectos ambientais e sócio-econômicos relacionados à incidência de acidentes ofídicos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro de 1990 a 1996: uma análise exploratória.

This article reports on an exploratory analysis of potential associations between snakebite incidence and environmental and socioeconomic variables in Rio de Janeiro from 1990 to 1996. Specific geographic locations in the State of Rio de Janeiro, the percentage of working children aged 10 to 14 years, illiteracy, low income, the proportion of households in agricultural areas, the proportion of crops such as beans, coffee, banana, and sugar cane, the proportion of the population working in farming activities, fallow arable land areas, natural and secondary forests, and total swine population appeared as risk factors for snakebites.

[Snake bite epidemiology in the last 100 years in Brazil: a review]. / Epidemiologia dos acidentes ofídicos nos últimos 100 anos no Brasil: uma revisão.

We review 30 studies on snake bites in Brazil, published from 1901 to 2000, and conclude that epidemiological analyses conducted in the last 100 years are based on the same variables already identified by Vital Brazil in his pioneering report, i.e., characteristics of the individuals prone to snake bites, the bites themselves, and treatment. The original epidemiological profile was also maintained over the years and indicates that such accidents are more frequent among male farm workers in the 15-49-year age bracket, affecting mainly the lower limbs, and caused by snakes from genus Bothrops.

Divergences between the Brazilian national information systems for recording deaths from venomous animals

This paper aims to highlight and analyze discrepancies in reporting of deaths due to venomous animals in Brazil, from 2001 to 2015, between two national information systems: The Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN) and the Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade - SIM). Methods: Descriptive and comparative study of the SINAN and SIM information systems, was conducted via the following steps: collecting the death notices from SINAN and SIM; constructing tables and comparative graphics; and, only in scorpion sting fatalities, analyzing the distribution of deaths by age group as described in the specialized literature. Results: While SINAN identifies strong growth in the number of deaths from scorpion stings, SIM shows greater increase in the number of reported deaths from bee stings, especially in the South and Southeast regions. Notably, bees are the sole etiological agent that received more reports in SIM than in SINAN for every year in the period studied. The age-group distribution of the data on deaths from scorpion stings reinforced the indication of problems occurring in their registration in SINAN, especially since 2007, which may have an effect on analyses based on these data. Conclusion: Comparative analysis of these databases permits identification of important differences between profiles presented by these systems, which have equal relevance for Brazil as a whole and for its regions. These differences may influence the construction of various scenarios.(AU)

[Professional paths of alumni from doctorate programs in health and biological sciences]. / Trajetória profissional de egressos de cursos de doutorado nas áreas da saúde e biociências.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the career path and professional satisfaction of alumni from the doctorate degree programs in health sector. METHODS: Exploratory study with 827 alumni of doctoral programs in public health, biological and health sciences at the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , RJ, Southeastern Brazil, from 1984 to 2007. The subjects were grouped in three cross-temporal cohorts according to year. The profiles of the alumni were analyzed, their career paths mapped and information on the perceptions of the education they received and the reasons that led them to choose the institute for their doctoral courses gathered, as well as their evaluations of the courses. The data were collected by means of an online questionnaire. RESULTS: There are differences between cohorts of alumni related to the periods they followed the courses, their distinct educational backgrounds and labor processes between those from the biological and health sciences areas, and to the specificities of the different areas where the institution offers doctoral courses: public health, biological and health sciences. CONCLUSIONS: The results allow the academic management of the educational processes to expand its knowledge, thus establishing a baseline for tracking the trajectory of alumni, and may contribute to upgrading the follow up process of Brazilian graduate programs.

The international view of envenoming in Brazil: myths and realities.

Being distant from Brazil's great natural diversity, from its long tradition in the study of snakebites and from the fact that it is one of the few countries which has a national information system for monitoring incidents involving venomous animals, non-Brazilian researchers face risks when estimating the incidence of these accidents in the country. The present work offers a critical review of the main estimates undertaken since 1954. It is interesting to note contradictions between textual and graphic information within the same article, variations over time in the work of a same researcher and differences among distinct authors, and that all these issues remain unmentioned or undiscussed. Comparison among such estimates and the data available at the Brazilian Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN) creates an opportunity to identify the degree of imprecision present in those articles, and draws attention to the need for the production of studies at both the regional and national levels, based on concrete data collected at national, state and municipal levels, which has been available on the internet since 2001.

PLANTAS TÓXICAS EM ESPAÇOS ESCOLARES INFANTIS: DO RISCO À INFORMAÇÃO / TOXIC PLANTS IN CHILDREN'S SCHOOL SPACES: FROM RISK TO INFORMATION / LAS PLANTAS VENENOSAS EN ESPACIOS DE LA ESCUELA INFANTIL: EL RIESGO A LA INFORMACIÓN

Objetivo: identificar as plantas tóxicas presentes em ambiente escolar. Método: estudo observacional e descritivo-interpretativo. A investigação ocorreu em creches e escolas públicas do município do Rio de Janeiro, que atendem ao primeiro segmento do ensino fundamental, no período de fevereiro de 2008 a novembro de 2010. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se o caderno de campo e o recurso fotográfico. As imagens foram tratadas pela análise iconográfica e a distribuição das variedades de plantas tóxicas encontradas ocorreu por meio de tabelas. Resultados: no universo de 69 instituições de ensino visitadas, 58 abrigavam pelo menos uma planta tóxica. Duas medidas preventivas foram apontadas, a retirada das espécies corroborada pela Lei no 5.731 e a criação de jardins educativos baseados na estratégia de utilizar as plantas tóxicas existentes nas escolas como instrumento de educação e formação. Conclusão: a criação de jardins educativos nas escolas deve ser estimulada e nos espaços públicos, onde há plantas tóxicas espalhadas junto às demais, sugere-se a identificação das espécies, de forma a ampliar o conhecimento das pessoas sobre esse assunto.

Objective: to identify the toxic plants present in the school environment. Method: observational and descriptive-interpretative study. The research was carried out in day care centers and public schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which serve the first segment of elementary education, from February 2008 to November 2010. For the data collection, the field book and the Photographic resource. The images were treated by the iconographic analysis and the distribution of the varieties of toxic plants found occurred through tables. Results: in the universe of 69 educational institutions visited, 58 housed at least one toxic plant. Two preventive measures were pointed out, the withdrawal of species corroborated by Law No. 5,731 and the creation of educational gardens based on the strategy of using toxic plants in schools as an instrument of education and training. Conclusion: the creation of educational gardens in schools should be encouraged and in public spaces where there are toxic plants scattered with the others, it is suggested the identification of the species, in order to broaden people's knowledge about this subject.

Objetivo: identificar las plantas tóxicas presentes en el entorno escolar. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo e interpretativo. La investigación se llevó a cabo en los jardines de infancia y escuelas públicas en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, sirviendo el primer segmento de la escuela primaria, a partir de febrero de 2008 a noviembre de 2010. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizó el libro de campo y recurso fotográfico. Las imágenes fueron tratadas por el análisis y la distribución de variedades de plantas tóxicas encontrados iconográfico se produjeron a través de tablas. Resultados: en el universo de 69 instituciones educativas visitadas, 58 albergaban al menos una planta tóxica. Se han identificado dos medidas preventivas, la retirada de las especies apoyadas por la Ley 5731 y la creación de jardines de enseñanza basado en la estrategia de utilizar las plantas tóxicas en las escuelas como una herramienta para la educación y la formación. Conclusión: la creación de jardines educativos en las escuelas se debe estimular y en las zonas comunes, donde hay plantas tóxicas esparcidas a lo largo de la otra, sugiere la identificación de la especie, con el fin de aumentar el conocimiento de las personas sobre este tema.

Clinical and epidemiological analysis of hospitalizations of elderly due to poisoning and adverse effects of medications, Brazil from 2004 to 2008.

The elderly are more susceptible to adverse drugs effects due to a variety of factors, such as excessive and concomitant use of several drugs, administration errors, physiological changes in the body that alter the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. In order to determine the main therapeutic classes involved in hospital admissions of elderly people due to intoxication and adverse drug effects, as well as major health problems related to these events, 9,793 hospitalizations of people aged 60 or over registered in the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS) in the period of 2004 to 2008 were analyzed. Unspecified drugs, systemic antibiotics, psychotropics, psychoactives, antiepileptics, sedatives, hypnotics and antiparkinsonians accounted for 57% of the total of admissions analyzed. Injuries and falls were the main health problems related to intoxication and adverse drug effects. Hospitalizations due to injuries were associated with analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic non-opioid. Falls were associated with systemic antibiotics, contradicting studies which point out psychotropic drugs as the main drug involved in these events. The results reflect the growing trend of problems associated with drug use by elderly people. It was verified that the consumption profile alone is not sufficient to explain the concentration of cases of the major therapeutic classes. We suggest the adoption of more effective programs of pharmacovigilance, capable of intervening at different stages of drug use: prescribing, dispensing, marketing, administration and compliance.

Análise da produção científica brasileira sobre nanotecnologia e saúde / /Analysis of brazilian scientific articles about nanotechnology and health / /Análisis de la producción científica brasileña acerca de nanotecnología y salud

No Brasil, desde o início dos anos 2000, há políticas públicas de incentivo à pesquisa dedicada à nanotecnologia. Este artigo apresenta estudo que visa investigar a produção científica brasileira em nanotecnologia e saúde, através da publicação de artigos científicos indexados na base de dados Webof Science, no período de 1995 a 2014. Através de análise bibliométrica e cientométrica, apoiada no uso do software VantagePoint, são identificados a evolução histórica da pesquisa no tema, as principais instituições brasileiras dedicadas ao objeto do estudo, a colaboração internacional e os temas de pesquisa pelos quais os autores brasileiros mais se interessam. Conclui-se que há um grande crescimento depublicações a partir do século XXI e uma diversificação de temas de pesquisa ao longo do período do estudo. As áreas de maior foco nas pesquisas mais recentes são farmacologia e farmácia, bioquímica, biologia molecular e cirurgia. Observa-se baixa internacionalização da pesquisa, com 30% dos artigos elaborados em colaboração com outros países.

Since the early 2000s, Brazil has had public policies designed to incentive research in nanotechnology. This article presents a study designed to investigate Brazilian scientific literature about nanotechnology and health by means of the publication of scientific articles indexed in the Web of Science database from 1995 to 2014. Using bibliometric and scientometric analysis and a data mining software, VantagePoint, the historical evolution of research was identified, as well as the leading Brazilian institutions dedicating to studies such as, the international collaborations involving Brazilian researchers, and the research themes that have attracted their attention. The number of publications is growing more and more since the beginning of the 21th century and covering a diversification of research areas. The areas in which most research has been done recently are pharmacology & pharmacy, biochemistry, molecular biology,and surgery. The internationalization of this area of research is relatively low: just 30% of the articles byBrazilian authors were coauthored by researchers from other countries.

En Brasil, desde principios de la década de 2000 existen políticas públicas para fomentar la investigación en nanotecnología. Este artículo presenta uno estudio que tiene como objetivo investigar la producción científica brasileña en la nanotecnología y la salud, a través de la publicación de artículos científicos indexados en la base de datos Web of Science, de 1995 a 2014. A través del análisis bibliométrica y cienciométrica, apoyada en el uso de software VantagePoint, se identifica evolución histórica de las investigaciones sobre el tema, las principales instituciones brasileñas dedicadas al estudio de la nanotecnología, la colaboración internacionaly los temas de investigación que más despiertan el interés de los autores brasileños. De ello se desprende que hay un fuerte crecimiento de las publicaciones a partir del siglo XXI y la diversificación de los temas de investigación a lo largo del período de estudio. Las áreas de mayor enfoque en la investigación más reciente son la farmacología y farmacia, bioquímica y la biología molecular y la cirugía. Se observa una baja internacionalización de la investigación, con 30% de los artículos escritos en colaboración con otros países.

Paths to the discovery of antivenom serotherapy in France

The current study presents a descriptive chronological survey of the articles published by Césaire Auguste Phisalix and Albert Calmette on snake poison, with the aim of shedding a light on the areas of research and reasoning followed by these scientists, leading up to their simultaneous discovery of antivenom serotherapy in 1894. The path taken by Phisalix is revealed in 15 articles that demonstrate the motivation of a naturalist and the way he confronted the puzzle of immunity against snake venom. In the case of Calmette, two articles preceded the discovery; microbiology was his theoretical base and the Pasteurian spirit of solving health problems his driving force. These two researchers followed distinct paths, mobilized by different motivations, but produced one single result. It is incontestable that the discovery of antivenom serotherapy was the work of two groups of researchers who deserve equal recognition, but who, in fact, did not receive it. Following the discovery both Calmette and Phisalix returned to their previous motivations. Calmette put the discovery into practice and began to produce antivenom serum in Lille. He came to be generally considered as the sole discoverer of antivenom serotherapy and was the recipient of a number of prestigious prizes. Phisalix, on the other hand, received little recognition and returned to his original interests, devoting himself to research on natural immunity. In Brazil, the discovery of antivenom serum therapy had a profound impact on the work of Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha, a researcher known worldwide for his scientific discoveries and for the evidence of the specificity of antivenom serums.

Paths to the discovery of antivenom serotherapy in France

The current study presents a descriptive chronological survey of the articles published by Césaire Auguste Phisalix and Albert Calmette on snake poison, with the aim of shedding a light on the areas of research and reasoning followed by these scientists, leading up to their simultaneous discovery of antivenom serotherapy in 1894. The path taken by Phisalix is revealed in 15 articles that demonstrate the motivation of a naturalist and the way he confronted the puzzle of immunity against snake venom. In the case of Calmette, two articles preceded the discovery; microbiology was his theoretical base and the Pasteurian spirit of solving health problems his driving force. These two researchers followed distinct paths, mobilized by different motivations, but produced one single result. It is incontestable that the discovery of antivenom serotherapy was the work of two groups of researchers who deserve equal recognition, but who, in fact, did not receive it. Following the discovery both Calmette and Phisalix returned to their previous motivations. Calmette put the discovery into practice and began to produce antivenom serum in Lille. He came to be generally considered as the sole discoverer of antivenom serotherapy and was the recipient of a number of prestigious prizes. Phisalix, on the other hand, received little recognition and returned to his original interests, devoting himself to research on natural immunity. In Brazil, the discovery of antivenom serum therapy had a profound impact on the work of Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha, a researcher known worldwide for his scientific discoveries and for the evidence of the specificity of antivenom serums.(AU)

[National poison information system: the challenge of the data standardization]. / Sistema nacional de informações tóxico-farmacológicas: o desafio da padronização dos dados.

Human poisoning is a serious public health issue around the world. Readily available and reliable information in this field are essential to the full implementation of epidemiological and sanitary surveillance and to establish efficient and effective strategies of control. The continuous improvement of data quality and consistency % no doubt, a permanent challenge % has a key role in the definition of public policies. To assess the accuracy of Brazilian data on human poisonings, this study explores data from a network of Toxicological Information and Assistance Centers, one of the main sources of such data in Brazil. Data are consolidated by the National Poison Information System (SINITOX). Assuming that standardization is one of the main procedures that influence the data quality collected and analyzed by SINITOX, the study assesses the operations of the Centers affiliated to the SINITOX in charge to interpret and register the events reported to them and highlights the procedures used to standardize case reports. The results show an evident insufficient degree of standardization of the data received at SINITOX. We emphasize the need to design strategies to improve standardization, aiming to develop a reliable system and to minimize the harms associated to human poisoning in Brazil.

Trajetória profissional de egressos de cursos de doutorado nas áreas da saúde e biociências / Trayectoria profesional de egresados de cursos de doctorado en las áreas de la salud y biociencias / Professional paths of alumni from doctorate programs in health and biological sciences

OBJETIVO : Analisar a trajetória e satisfação profissional de egressos de cursos de doutorado na área da saúde. MÉTODOS : Estudo exploratório com 827 egressos dos cursos de doutorado da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz nas áreas da saúde coletiva, biociências e atenção à saúde, entre 1984 e 2007. Os sujeitos foram agrupados em três coortes temporais. Foi analisado o perfil dos egressos; mapeadas suas trajetórias profissionais, suas percepções sobre a formação recebida; suas motivações para escolha da instituição para realizar o doutorado; e as avaliações efetuadas sobre os cursos. Utilizou-se questionário em formato eletrônico para preenchimento on-line para coleta de dados. RESULTADOS : Existiram diferenças entre as coortes de egressos, relacionadas ao período em que cursaram o doutorado, a distintas trajetórias de formação e processos de trabalho entre egressos das áreas de biociências e saúde e as peculiaridades das diferentes áreas em que a instituição oferece cursos de doutorado: saúde coletiva, biociências e atenção à saúde. CONCLUSÕES : Os resultados possibilitam ampliar o conhecimento das instâncias de gestão acadêmica sobre os processos de formação, estabelecendo uma “linha de base” para o acompanhamento da trajetória dos egressos e contribuir com subsídios para o aprimoramento dos processos de acompanhamento de egressos dos programas de pós-graduação. .

OBJETIVO : Analizar la trayectoria y satisfacción profesional de egresados de cursos de doctorado en el área de la salud. MÉTODOS : Estudio exploratorio con 827 egresados de los cursos de doctorado de la Fundación Oswaldo Cruz en las áreas de la salud colectiva, biociencias y atención a la salud, entre 1984 y 2007. Los individuos fueron agrupados en tres cohortes temporales. Se analizó el perfil de los egresados; se mapeó sus trayectorias profesionales, sus percepciones sobre la formación recibida; sus motivaciones para escoger la institución y realizar el doctorado; y las evaluaciones realizadas sobre los cursos. Se utilizó cuestionario en formato electrónico para colecta de datos on-line. RESULTADOS : Existieron diferencias entre las cohortes de egresados, relacionadas con el período en que cursaron el doctorado, las distintas trayectorias de formación y procesos de trabajo entre egresados de las áreas de biociencias y salud y las peculiaridades de las diferentes áreas en que la institución ofrece cursos de doctorado: salud colectiva, biociencias y atención a la salud. CONCLUSIONES : Los resultados posibilitan ampliar el conocimiento de las instancias de gestión académica sobre los procesos de formación, estableciendo una “línea base” para el acompañamiento de la trayectoria de los egresados y contribuir con subsidios para el mejoramiento de los procesos de acompañamiento de egresados de los programas de postgrado. .

OBJECTIVE : To analyze the career path and professional satisfaction of alumni from the doctorate degree programs in health sector. METHODS : Exploratory study with 827 alumni of doctoral programs in public health, biological and health sciences at the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , RJ, Southeastern Brazil, from1984 to 2007. The subjects were grouped in three cross-temporal cohorts according to year. The profiles of the alumni were analyzed, their career paths mapped and information on the perceptions of the education they received and the reasons that led them to choose the institute for their doctoral courses gathered, as well as their evaluations of the courses. The data were collected by means of an online questionnaire. RESULTS : There are differences between cohorts of alumni related to the periods they followed the courses, their distinct educational backgrounds and labor processes between those from the biological and health sciences areas, and to the specificities of the different areas where the institution offers doctoral courses: public health, biological and health sciences. CONCLUSIONS : The results allow the academic management of the educational processes to expend its knowledge, thus establishing a baseline for tracking the trajectory of alumni, and may contribute to upgrading the follow up process of Brazilian graduate programs. .