What do we know about adult mortality and data quality in Peru? Mortality coverage levels and trends from recent decades

Accurate knowledge of adult mortality levels and trends in the developing world is hampered by its widespread lack of complete vital registration systems. Although knowledge of infant and child mortality was once affect by the same problem, survey-based techniques have been more successful in estimating child and infant than adult mortality. The main objective of this paper is to estimate mortality rates for the population aged 5 and above, in Peru by sex. The study evaluates the degree of coverage, and corrects the level of mortality, when necessary, using different methodologies. The literature does not indicate the best method to investigate mortality data problems. Thus, the implementation of alternative methods will improve the understanding of the mortality levels and trends in Peru in recent decades.Peru, adult mortality, demographic methods

Study of pedagogic qualities of ConQuest and Mercury programs in\ud undergraduate Chemistry teaching

Nas últimas décadas os computadores têm desempenhado\ud importante papel no ensino. Neste trabalho apresentamos resultados obtidos a\ud partir de uma atividade que serviu para avaliar dois programas computacionais\ud que integram uma importante fonte de pesquisas em química, o Banco de\ud Dados Cambridge Structural Database (CSD): ConQuest, utilizado para\ud realização de buscas no CSD e Mercury, utilizado para a visualização de\ud estruturas cristalográficas. O CSD apresenta informações sobre\ud aproximadamente 423.000 estruturas cristalográficas de compostos orgânicos\ud e organometálicos. O Classroom ConQuest, que é uma versão do ConQuest\ud construída para emprego em ambientes de ensino e que foi usada neste\ud trabalho, possui um banco de dados reduzido. Os programas foram avaliados\ud quantitativa e qualitativamente por alunos de graduação matriculados em um\ud curso de química inorgânica, no qual tiveram que solucionar alguns exercícios\ud utilizando a base de dados e os programas ConQuest e Mercury. Os exercícios\ud envolveram a extração e a manipulação de dados disponíveis no CSD. Os\ud questionários de avaliação foram respondidos pelos alunos e mostraram que os\ud programas podem auxiliar no entendimento dos conteúdos da disciplina. Além\ud disso, muitos estudantes consideraram que a atividade os preparou para a\ud utilização de outros bancos de dados e sugeriram que propostas similares\ud poderiam ser aplicadas em disciplinas como cristalografia e química orgânica.For a few decades now, computers have played an increasing role\ud in education. In this work we present the main results from an activity carried\ud out to evaluate two programs that compose an important source of research in\ud chemistry, Cambridge Structural Database (CSD): ConQuest, for searching\ud CSD, and Mercury, for visualizing crystal structures. CSD contains details of\ud approximately 423,000 published organic and organometallic crystal\ud structures. Classroom ConQuest is a version of ConQuest, which has been\ud designed for teaching activities and used in this work, comes with a reduced\ud database. The programs were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated by\ud Revista Electrónica de Enseñanza de las Ciencias Vol. 7 Nº3 (2008)\ud 659\ud undergraduate students who took an inorganic chemistry course in which they\ud had to solve some inorganic exercises utilizing the database and the programs\ud ConQuest and Mercury. The exercises involved extraction and manipulation of\ud data from CSD. Evaluation questionnaires answered by the students showed\ud that the programs are a valuable aid for content comprehension. Furthermore,\ud many students were optimistic that the activity had prepared them for later\ud use of databases in their chemistry courses and several said that similar\ud activities may be used in courses such as crystallography and organic\ud chemistry.CNPq (472967/2004-5

Subcutaneous connective tissue response to primary root canal filling materials

This study evaluated the response of the subcutaneous connective tissue of BALB/c mice to root filling materials indicated for primary teeth: zinc oxide/eugenol cement (ZOE), Calen paste thickened with zinc oxide (Calen/ZO) and Sealapex sealer. The mice (n=102) received polyethylene tube implants with the materials, thereby forming 11 groups, as follows: I, II, III: Calen/ZO for 7, 21 and 63 days, respectively; IV, V, VI: Sealapex for 7, 21 and 63 days, respectively; VII, VIII, IX: ZOE for 7, 21 and 63 days, respectively; X and XI: empty tube for 7 and 21 days, respectively. The biopsied tissues were submitted to histological analysis (descriptive analysis and semi-quantitative analysis using a scoring system for collagen fiber formation, tissue thickness and inflammatory infiltrate). A quantitative analysis was performed by measuring the area and thickness of the granulomatous reactionary tissue (GRT). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (?=0.05). There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) among the materials with respect to collagen fiber formation or GRT thickness. However, Calen/ZO produced the least severe inflammatory infiltrate (p<0.05). The area of the GRT was significantly smaller (p<0.05) for Calen/ZO and Sealapex. In conclusion, Calen/ZO presented the best tissue reaction, followed by Sealapex and ZOE.Neste estudo avaliou-se a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos BALB/c a materiais obturadores de canal radicular de dentes decíduos: óxido de zinco/eugenol (OZE), pasta Calen® espessada com óxido de zinco (Calen/OZ) e cimento Sealapex®. Os camundongos (n=102) receberam implantes de tubos de polietileno??? e foram divididos em grupos: I, II, III - Calen/OZ (7, 21 e 63 dias, respectivamente); IV, V, VI - Sealapex (7, 21 e 63 dias, respectivamente); VII, VIII, IX - OZE (7, 21 e 63 dias, respectivamente); X, XI - tubo vazio (7 e 21 dias, respectivamente). Os tecidos foram submetidos ao processamento e análise histopatológica descritiva e por meio de escores do fibrosamento, espessura tecidual e infiltrado inflamatório. Para a análise quantitativa mensurou-se a área e a espessura do tecido granulomatoso reacional (TGR). Os resultados foram analisados pelos testes de Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA e pós-teste de Tukey (?=0,05). Não houve diferença significante (p&gt;0,05) entre os materiais, com relação ao fibrosamento e à espessura do TGR. Contudo, Calen/OZ apresentou infiltrado inflamatório de menor intensidade (p<0,05). A área do TGR foi menor (p<0,05) para Calen/OZ e Sealapex. Pôde-se concluir que Calen/OZ foi o material que apresentou a melhor compatibilidade tecidual, seguido pelos cimentos Sealapex e OZE

Surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the knee with mosaicplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional results of mosaicplasty in knees of patients with osteochondral lesion. METHODS: Between August 1999 and March 2005, twenty-seven patients were submitted to mosaicplasty on the knee. Twenty-one were male and six female. The patients' ages ranged from 16 to 64 years (average 38.1 years). Seventeen lesions were located on the right knee and ten on the left one. The lesion was located on the lateral condyle in 4 patients (15%), on the medial condyle in 18 patients (66.5%) and on the patella in 5 patients (18.5%). The lesion sizes varied from 1 to 8 cm² (average 2.7 cm²). The patients operated on were evaluated before and after surgery by the functional Lysholm scale, with an average follow-up of 2.5 years. RESULTS: In the preoperative evaluation, the average was 62.7 points, evolving to 95.4 points in the postoperative evaluation. The patients submitted to mosaicplasty in the lateral condyle presented an average of 51.5 points before surgery, evolving to 100 points after surgery. The patients submitted to mosaicplasty in the medial condyle had presented average of 64.1 points before surgery, evolving to 95.4 points after surgery. The patients submitted to mosaicplasty on the patella presented average of 66.4 points before surgery, evolving to 92 points in the postoperative evaluation. CONCLUSION: Mosaicplasty proved to be a good alternative for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee, showing better evolution in lesions located on the femoral condyles than in lesions located on the patella.OBJETIVO: Avaliação dos resultados funcionais da técnica de mosaicoplastia em joelhos de pacientes com lesão osteocondral. MÉTODOS: No período de agosto de 1999 a março de 2005, 27 pacientes foram submetidos à mosaicoplastia do joelho. Vinte e um eram do sexo masculino e seis, do feminino. A idade variou de 16 a 64 anos (média de 38,1 anos). Dezessete lesões eram do lado direito e 10, do esquerdo. Em relação à localização da lesão, quatro (15%) situaram-se no côndilo femoral lateral, 18 (66,5%) no côndilo femoral medial e 5 (18,5%) na patela. O tamanho das lesões variou de 1 a 8cm² (média de 2,7cm²). Os pacientes operados foram avaliados no pré e pós-operatórios pela escala funcional de Lysholm, com seguimento médio de 2,5 anos. RESULTADOS: O pré-operatório teve uma média de 62,7 pontos e o pós-operatório uma média de 95,4 pontos. Os pacientes submetidos à mosaicoplastia no côndilo femoral lateral apresentaram, no pré-operatório, a média de pontos de 51,5 pontos e, no pós-operatório, média de 100 pontos. No côndilo femoral medial a média no pré-operatório foi de 64,1 pontos e, no pós-operatório, de 95,4 pontos. Com relação à patela, a média do pré-operatório foi de 66,4 pontos e, do pós-operatório, de 92 pontos. CONCLUSÃO: A mosaicoplastia mostrou-se uma boa alternativa no tratamento das lesões osteocondrais do joelho. Entretanto, apresentou melhor evolução nas lesões dos côndilos femorais em relação às localizadas na patela.UNIFESPUNIFESPUNIFESPSciEL

Inflammation markers in healthy and periodontitis patients: a preliminary data screening

Advances in diagnostic research are moving towards methods whereby the periodontal risk can be identified and quantified by objective measures using biomarkers. Patients with periodontitis may have elevated circulating levels of specific inflammatory markers that can be correlated to the severity of the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether differences in the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers are differentially expressed in healthy and periodontitis patients. Twenty-five patients (8 healthy patients and 17 chronic periodontitis patients) were enrolled in the study. A 15 mL blood sample was used for identification of the inflammatory markers, with a human inflammatory flow cytometry multiplex assay. Among 24 assessed cytokines, only 3 (RANTES, MIG and Eotaxin) were statistically different between groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, some of the selected markers of inflammation are differentially expressed in healthy and periodontitis patients. Cytokine profile analysis may be further explored to distinguish the periodontitis patients from the ones free of disease and also to be used as a measure of risk. The present data, however, are limited and larger sample size studies are required to validate the findings of the specific biomarkers.Avanços no diagnóstico da doença periodontal levam a métodos nos quais o risco e atividade da doença periodontal podem ser identificados e quantificados por biomarcadores. Pacientes com periodontite podem apresentar elevados níveis circulatórios de marcadores inflamatórios específicos que podem ser correlacionados com a severidade da doença. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as diferenças nos níveis séricos de biomarcadores inflamatórios em pacientes saudáveis e com doença periodontal. Foram incluídos no estudo 25 pacientes (8 saudáveis e 17 com periodontite crônica). Uma amostra de 15 mL de sangue foi obtida para identificar os marcadores inflamatórios simultaneamente utilizando Array de proteínas através de citometria de fluxo. De 24 citocinas inflamatórias analisadas, apenas 3 (RANTES, MIG e Eotaxina) apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) entre os dois grupos. Conclui-se que alguns marcadores inflamatórios selecionados apresentam diferença de concentração em pacientes com periodontite e saudáveis. A análise do perfil de citocinas pode ser utilizada tanto para distinguir pacientes periodontais de pacientes saudáveis, como para medir o risco à doença. Contudo, mais estudos com número maior de amostras são necessários para validar os achados sobre os biomarcadores específicos.FAPESPCNP

Idéias de Natureza em Alberto Caeiro

Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta, em breve resumo, análise das idéias de naturezapresentes em O guardador de rebanhos. Através dos diferentes sentidos que a palavra natureza vai assumindo ao longo dos poemas, a persona poética Alberto Caeiro, longe de afirmar-se um naturalista ao se pôr como "intérprete da natureza", opera uma transformação das idéias de natureza.Palavras-chave: Fernando Pessoa, Alberto Caeiro, Poesia e Natureza, Poesia e Filosofia

Interrelationship between TP53 gene deletion, protein expression and chromosome 17 aneusomy in gastric adenocarcinoma

Background: This study evaluates the existence of numerical alterations of chromosome 17 and TP53 gene deletion in gastric adenocarcinoma. the p53 protein expression was also evaluated, as well as, possible associations with clinicopathological characteristics.Methods: Dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunostaining were performed in twenty gastric cancer samples of individuals from Northern Brazil.Results: Deletion of TP53 was found in all samples. TP53 was inactivated mainly by single allelic deletion, varying to 7-39% of cells/case. Aneusomy of chromosome 17 was observed in 85% of cases. Chromosome 17 monosomy and gain were both observed in about half of cases. Cells with gain of chromosome 17 frequently presented TP53 deletion. the frequency of cells with two chr17 and one TP53 signals observed was higher in diffuse than in intestinal-type GC. Immunoreactivity of p53 was found only in intestinal-type samples. the frequency of cells with two chr17 and two TP53 signals found was higher in samples with positive p53 expression than in negative cases in intestinal-type GC.Conclusion: We suggest that TP53 deletion and chromosome 17 aneusomy is a common event in GC and other TP53 alterations, as mutation, may be implicated in the distinct carcinogenesis process of diffuse and intestinal types.Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP CT-INFRA/FADESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fed Univ Para, Inst Biol Sci, Humans Cytogenet Lab, BR-66075900 Belem, Para, BrazilUniv Fed Piaui, Dept Biol, Campus Minist Reis Velloso Parnaiba, Teresina, PI, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol, Div Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Sch Med, Dept Pathol, Mol Genet Lab, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilFed Univ Para, Joao de Barros Barreto Univ Hosp, BR-66075900 Belem, Para, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol, Div Genet, São Paulo, BrazilFinanciadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP CT-INFRA/FADESP): 0927-03. RRBWeb of Scienc