Biological properties of disturbed and undisturbed Cerrado sensu stricto from Northeast Brazil / Propriedades biológicas de Cerrado sensu stricto preservado e não preservado do Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract The aim of this study was to measure soil microbial biomass and soil surface fauna in undisturbed and disturbed Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) from Sete Cidades National Park, Northeast Brazil. The following sites were sampled under Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) at the park: undisturbed and disturbed Css (slash-and-burn agricultural practices). Total organic and microbial biomass C were higher in undisturbed than in disturbed sites in both seasons. However, microbial biomass C was higher in the wet than in the dry season. Soil respiration did not vary among sites but was higher in the wet than in the dry season. The densities of Araneae, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera were higher in the undisturbed site, whereas the densities of Formicidae were higher in the disturbed site. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis separated undisturbed from disturbed sites according to soil biological properties. Disturbance by agricultural practices, such as slash-and-burn, probably resulted in the deterioration of the biological properties of soil under native Cerrado sensu stricto in the Sete Cidades National Park.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as propriedades biológicas do solo em área de Cerrado sensu stricto preservadas e não preservadas do Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, Nordeste do Brasil. Os seguintes sites sob Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) foram avaliados: preservado (UND) e não preservado (DIS). O C orgânico total e da biomassa microbiana foram maiores na área preservada do que na não preservada em ambas estações seca e chuvosa. Entretanto, o C da biomassa microbiana foi maior na estação chuvosa do que na seca. A respiração do solo não variou entre as áreas, mas foi maior na estação chuvosa. As densidades de Araneae, Coleoptera e Ortoptera foram maiores na área preservada, enquanto as densidades de Formicidae foram maiores na área não preservada. A analise de escalonamento não-métrico separou a área preservada da não-preservada de acordo com as propriedades biológicas. Os distúrbios no solo pelas atividades agrícolas, como corte-e-queima, resultaram na deterioração das propriedades biológicas do Cerrado nativo no Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades.

Biological properties of disturbed and undisturbed Cerrado sensu stricto from Northeast Brazil.

The aim of this study was to measure soil microbial biomass and soil surface fauna in undisturbed and disturbed Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) from Sete Cidades National Park, Northeast Brazil. The following sites were sampled under Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) at the park: undisturbed and disturbed Css (slash-and-burn agricultural practices). Total organic and microbial biomass C were higher in undisturbed than in disturbed sites in both seasons. However, microbial biomass C was higher in the wet than in the dry season. Soil respiration did not vary among sites but was higher in the wet than in the dry season. The densities of Araneae, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera were higher in the undisturbed site, whereas the densities of Formicidae were higher in the disturbed site. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis separated undisturbed from disturbed sites according to soil biological properties. Disturbance by agricultural practices, such as slash-and-burn, probably resulted in the deterioration of the biological properties of soil under native Cerrado sensu stricto in the Sete Cidades National Park.

Hypertension in a female nursing staff--Pattern of occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To report the pattern of occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in a female nursing staff of an emergency hospital. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study that included interviews and blood pressure measurements of 494 nursing professionals at an emergency hospital in the city of Salvador, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. We considered hypertensive all individual with blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg or normal pressure if on regular treatment. RESULTS: We found a prevalence of hypertension of 36.4%. Only 18.3% of the individuals ignored their hypertensive condition, and 64.2% admitted not being having regular treatment. Of those individuals who were having treatment, 69.4% had elevated blood pressure on examination. The major reasons for not being on treatment was the occasional elevation of blood pressure (22.2%) and medical counseling (20.0%). CONCLUSION: The results point to the need to introduce hypertension control measures in this occupational group, because of the magnitude of the disease and the potential impact on diffusion of knowledge and measures to control hypertension.

[Some aspects of Hansen's disease in the region of Londrina, Parana, 1968-1978. 2. Specific characteristics]. / Alguns aspectos sobre a hanseníase na região de Londrina, Paraná, 1968-1978. 2. Características específicas.

Following a previous work, this one intends to add new data on the occurrence of hanseniasis in the Public Health District of Londrina, in the state of Parana, Brazil. In this study, it was observed an increasing percentage of patients coming from the urban area of the near towns and one of the aspects stressed in this research was the great importance of the V and D forms in the dissemination of the disease, since they affect mostly male individuals. Once this area is characterized by a high endemicity, a new sanitary policy should be put into practice comprising aspects of control and search for cases. Besides it should be developed a special program of case detection among the students carried out by large scale medical examinations and through extensive observation of contacts of the bacilloscopic positive patients, mainly in the household contacts.

[Some aspects of Hansen's disease in the region of Londrina PR, 1968-1978 - 1. General characteristics]. / Alguns aspectos sobre a hanseníase na região de Londrina PR., 1968-1978 - 1. Características gerais.

The authors studied some characteristics of hanseniasis, through registered data, in the Public Health District of Londrina, in the State of Paraná, Brazil. As mean finds, they verified that 49,3% of the patients were V + D cases; 29,5% were I cases and 21,2% T cases. "Incidence", in Londrina city, ranged between 6,6 to 18,7 per 100.000 and the prevalence rate, calculated by the last years, was even greater than 3,0 per 1000. The authors concluded that the area is highly endemical for hanseniasis.

Algunos aspectos sobre a hanseniase na regiao de Londrina, Parana, 1968-1978. 2. Caracteristicas especificas / Some aspects of hanseniasis in the region of Londrina, Parana, 1968-1978 2. Specific characteristics

O presente estudo adiciona informacoes complementares ao conhecimento de endemia hansenica na regiao do 17o. Distrito Sanitario, cuja sede e Londrina. Observou-se uma porcentagem crescente de doentes oriundos das zonas urbanas dos municipios; evidenciou-se a grande importancia que se revestem as formas V e D na disseminacao da doenca, devido a sua alta ocorrencia, principalmente no sexo masculino. Sendo uma regiao de alta, endemicidade, torna-se necessaria uma reorientacao da politica sanitaria em relacao ao seu controle, dando-se enfase a busca dos casos. Um programa prioritario deveria concentrar-se na detencao de casos entre os escolares, por meio de exame de massa e na vigilancia extensiva de contatos das formas baciliferas, principalmente nos contatos intradomiciliares

Alguns aspectos sobre a hanseniase na regiao de Londrina PR., 1968-1978. 1.Caracteristicas gerais. / Some aspects of Hansen's disease in the region of Londrina PR., 1968-1978. 1. General characteristics

Embora tenham-se informacoes globais para o Brasil em relacao ao problema de hanseniase, poucos sao os relatos de endemia em nivel local, principalmente em municipios que nao sao capitais de estado. Os autores estudaram algumas caracteristicas da endemia em pacientes diagnosticados no Centro de Saude de Londrina entre 1968 e 1978. Foram estudados todos os prontuarios de pacientes diagnosticados no periodo num total de 858. Encontrou-se que 13,3% dos pacientes diagnosticados tinham ate 20 anos; as formas altamente contagiantes (V + D) somaram 43,9% do total; a forma I contribuiu com 29,5% dos casos diagnosticados e a forma T com 21,2%. 38,8% dos pacientes referiram tempo de inicio da doenca menor que 2 anos. Em relacao a forma de apresentacao, a notificacao ou denuncia foi a mais frequente: 54,1% dos casos; seguiu-se a consulta dermatologica com 21,6%. 74,5% dos pacientes registrados provinham do Distrito Sanitario de Londrina; destes, 49,9% eram deste municipio.Estimou-se a "incidencia" para o municipio de Londrina nos diferentes anos do estudo: essa taxa variou entre 6,6/100.000 hab (1969) e 18,7/100.000 hab. (1973), sendo que a maioria dos valores estao acima de 15/100.000 hab. A prevalencia, estimada para os ultimos anos, somente, variou entre 3,11 e 3,49/1.000 hab