Wild Amaranthus caudatus seed oil, a nutraceutical resource from Ecuadorian flora.

Seed oil of wild Amaranthus caudatus from Ecuador was analyzed for determining the tocopherol, fatty acid, and sterol contents. The data obtained were compared with the analogous chemical profile of seed oil of Italian A. caudatus with the objective of evaluating the nutraceutical and alimentary potential of the Ecuadorian matrix. Supercritical fluid and ultrasound-enhanced extractions were performed on both matrices. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of tocopherols were performed by HPLC, whereas GC and GC-MS were used to determine the fatty acid composition and sterols, respectively. Supercritical fluid extraction at 400 atm was the most efficient extraction method in terms of both total yield extract and tocopherol yield. Seeds of Ecuadorian of A. caudatus contained higher levels of tocopherols than Italian samples, whereas the fatty acid composition and sterol content were similar. From the obtained results it can be suggested that seed oil of wild Ecuadorian A. caudatus can prove to be an effective nutraceutical and alimentary resource and a valid alternative to the European varieties.

[University hospitals: past, present and future]. / Hospitais universitários: passado, presente e futuro.

PURPOSE: This article discusses the evolution of university hospitals, their characteristics, functioning and financing and their role in medical education and research. METHODS: Data come from a workshop organized by the World Health Organization on university hospitals in 22 countries. RESULTS: The main finding is that these institutions are increasingly inadequate to the reality of the health sector in which they operate and to the challenges posed by the profound changes currently taking place in the health system of most countries. CONCLUSION: A reform is needed, and the article presents a few possible strategies for reforming these hospitals.

Hospitais universitários: passado, presente e futuro / University hospitals: past, present and future

OBJETIVO: O presente artigo discute a evoluçäo dos hospitais universitários, suas características, funcionamento e financiamento, e seu papel no ensino e pesquisa médicos. MÉTODOS: Baseia-se nas informaçöes e conclusöes de um seminário organizado pela Organizaçäo Mundial da Saúde sobre os hospitais universitários de 22 países. RESULTADOS: O artigo avalia que essas instituiçöes estäo crescentemente inadaptadas à realidade do setor saúde em que se inserem e aos desafios impostos pelas mudanças profundas atualmente em curso no sistema de saúde da maioria dos países. CONCLUSÄO: Conclui-se pela necessidade de reforma dos hospitais universitários, e algumas estratégias para essas reformas säo apresentadas e discutidas

Private payers of health care in Brazil: characteristics, costs and coverage

The private sector is the predominant provider of health care in Brazil, particularly for inpatient services, and financing is a mix of public (through a prospective reimbursement system) and private. Roughly a quarter of the population has private insurance coverage, reflecting rapid growth in the past decade fuelled by the crisis in the public reimbursement system and the perceived deterioration of publicly provided care. Four major forms of insurance exist: (1) prepaid group practice; (2) medical cooperatives, physician owned and operated preferred provider organizations; (3) company health plans where employers ensure employee access to services under various types of arrangements from direct provision to purchasing of private services; and (4) health indemnity insurance. Each type of plan includes a wide variety of subplans from basic individual/family coverage to comprehensive executive coverage. The paper discusses the characteristics, costs and utilization patterns of all types of privately financed care, as well as the major problems associated with private financing: the limited package of benefits and low payout ceilings, inadequate consumer information and virtually no regulation.

Private payers of health care in Brazil: characteristics, costs and coverage.

The private sector is the predominant provider of health care in Brazil, particularly for inpatient services, and financing is a mix of public (through a prospective reimbursement system) and private. Roughly a quarter of the population has private insurance coverage, reflecting rapid growth in the past decade fuelled by the crisis in the public reimbursement system and the perceived deterioration of publicly provided care. Four major forms of insurance exist: (1) prepaid group practice; (2) medical cooperatives, physician owned and operated preferred provider organizations; (3) company health plans where employers ensure employee access to services under various types of arrangements from direct provision to purchasing of private services; and (4) health indemnity insurance. Each type of plan includes a wide variety of subplans from basic individual/family coverage to comprehensive executive coverage. The paper discusses the characteristics, costs and utilization patterns of all types of privately financed care, as well as the major problems associated with private financing: the limited package of benefits and low payout ceilings, inadequate consumer information and virtually no regulation.

[The statistical system, planning, and society in Brazil (notes for discussion)]. / Sistema estatistico, planejamento e sociedade no Brasil (notas para uma discussao).

"The main purpose of this article is to study the relationship between the Statistical System and Society in Brazil. The analysis of demographic data and information systems [is included].... In general, the question is seen in [a] historical and prospective approach....[The author also discusses] the information demand created by the New Constitution of 1988 in Brazil." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

[Differences in income distribution data between the population census and household surveys (PNAD): conceptual and operational aspects]. / Diferenciais de rendimentos entre censos demograficos e PNADs--aspectos conceituais e operacionais.

"The [purpose] of this article is to explain the main differences between the concepts and the [collection procedures] of income distribution data used in [the] 1980 demographic census and in [the] 1979 and 1981 household surveys in Brazil. The article also comments [on] some differences about the data information on income distribution produced by census and household surveys." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Esquema tentativo para el analisis de las implicaciones conceptuales y metodologicas de APS y de SPT/2000

Se desarrolla un esquema que debe ser parte de una estrategia mas amplia, su objetivo es definir el significado de SPT en cada pais de la region y establecer estrategias de APS para alcanzarla. Se presenta una metodologia para apoyar a los gobiernos de la region en la identificacion de sus propios caminos para lograr las metas de SPT/2000

[Socioeconomic characteristics of the labor force in Brazil (1976-1981)]. / Caracteristicas socio-economicas da forca de trabalho no Brasil (1976-1981).

"This paper studies the main changes in the Brazilian labor force from 1976 to 1981. Several aspects concerning... Brazilian labor market dynamics, such as activity levels, employment, income distribution and social security, are examined. The paper takes into account the short-run effects of...economic policy on the Brazilian labor force." (summary in ENG)

[The distribution of personal income in Brazil in the decade of the 1970s]. / Distribuicao da renda pessoal, no Brasil na decada de setenta

PIP: Changes in income distribution among the economically active population of Brazil during the 1970s are analyzed using data from the 1970 and 1980 censuses. A slight increase in the inequality of income distribution over the decade is noted. The methodology used includes various indicators of income inequality, including the Gini coefficient and the Theil indexes. (summary in ENG)^ieng