RESUMO
When the Amazonian rain forest is cut to create pasture, some of the original vegetal species survive clearing, even expressing their ability to invade agro-systems. It is true of the babassu palm, which can be considered, paradoxically, a natural resource by the "Interstate Movement of Babassu Fruit Breaker Women" or as native weed by land owners-farmers. To manage potential conflict of land uses, we study here the current density of this palm tree in different habitats, based on a combination of field data and remote sensing data. Firstly, we checked that the field survey methodology (i.e., counting free-trunk palm trees over 20 cm in circumference) provides density values compatible with those stemming from satellite images interpretation. We can see then that, a PA-Benfica Brazilian territory revealed an average density of the babassu lower in pastures (2.86 ind/ha) than in the dense forest (4.72 ind/ha) from which they originate and than in fallow land (4.31 ind/ha). We analyze in detail density data repartition in three habitats and we discuss results from the literature on the density of this palm tree versus its resilience at different developmental stages after forest clearing, depending on anthropogenic-or not-factors, including solar radiation, fire, weeding, clear cutting, burying fruit, and competition with forage grass. All these results can be exploited for the design of future management plans for the babassu palm and we think that the linked methodology and interdisciplinary approach can be extended to others palms and trees species in similar problematic issues.
Assuntos
Agricultura/métodos , Arecaceae , Floresta Úmida , Imagens de Satélites , Biodiversidade , Brasil , Coleta de Dados/métodos , Incêndios , ÁrvoresRESUMO
In a survey for primary paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) infection (and not the clinical disease), two groups of blood donors were analyzed. One study group was drawn from donors living in a rural area where PCM is endemic, and the other group from urban residents of a large city, São Paulo. Anti-Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) specific antibodies (IgG) in sera were analyzed by ELISA, using crude Pb exoantigens (exoAg) and purified specific Pb 43 kDa glycoprotein (gp43). The results showed that 21% of 700 rural samples and 0.9% of 350 urban samples were positive for exoAg and gp43. To avoid cross-reactions, the sera were adsorbed first with Histoplasma capsulatum antigens and secondly with Leishmania amazonensis antigens. In the first adsorption with H. capsulatum, reactivity to gp43 fell to 12.8% in the rural group and to 0% in the urban group. In the succeeding adsorption with L. amazonensis, this reactivity fell to 12.3% in the rural group. There was a statistically greater proportion of persons with gp43-reactive antibodies in rural group than in the urban group, indicating that rural residents had frequently become exposed to Pb and contracted primary, subclinical PCM. The present report is the first epidemiological study using ELISA to detect antibodies against gp43 in blood donors.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antifúngicos/sangue , Antígenos de Fungos , Doadores de Sangue , Proteínas Fúngicas , Paracoccidioides/imunologia , Paracoccidioidomicose/imunologia , Adulto , Brasil , Reações Cruzadas , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Glicoproteínas/imunologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Masculino , Oligossacarídeos/imunologia , Paracoccidioides/isolamento & purificação , Paracoccidioidomicose/sangue , PrevalênciaRESUMO
This study compares the strength of the flexor and extensor muscles of the knee in a group (A) of 25 patients with unilateral trans-tibial amputation, regardless of cause, and a group (B) of 27 normal volunteers. Measured parameters were peak bending moment, total work, maximum power and flexor/extensor relation. The dynamometer used was a Cybex model 6000, set at velocities of 60 degrees/s and 180 degrees/s (4 and 20 repetitions). Exercise type was concentric, both for flexion and extension of the knee joint. Patients were grouped according to stump size, age and time since amputation. These patients were tested with their prosthesis. Mean age in group A was 35.9 +/- 13 years (age range: 12-59 years). Mean age in group B was 34 +/- 8 years (age range: 19-56 years). Comparison according to subject sex was similar. Data analysis between the amputated and the sound limb reveals strength deficit (bigger deficit at 180 degrees/s), which relates to age but not to stump size. When compared to non-amputated subjects in the measured parameters, negative relations both in the amputated side and the non-amputated side were found. The authors' conclusion is that revision of the parameters used until then for rehabilitation of the patients subjected to trans-tibial amputation is needed.
Assuntos
Amputados , Joelho/fisiologia , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
UNLABELLED: We sought to describe the bone bridge technique in adults, and present a variation for use in children, as well as to present its applicability as an option in elective transtibial amputations. This paper presents a prospective study of 15 transtibial amputations performed between 1992 and 1995 in which the bone bridge technique was employed. The patients' ages ranged from 8 to 48 years, with an average of 22.5 years. This technique consisted of the preparation of a cylinder of periosteum extracted from the tibia and with cortical bone fragments attached to it to promote a tibiofibular synostosis on the distal extremity of the amputation stump. We noted that the cortical bone fragments were dispensable when the technique was employed in children, due to the increased osteogenic capacity of the periosteum. This led to a variation of the original technique, a bone bridge without the use of the cortical bone fragments. RESULTS: The average time spent with this procedure, without any significant variation between adults and children, was 171 minutes. The adaptation to the definitive prosthesis was accomplished between 20 and 576 days, with an average of 180 days. Revision of the procedure was necessary in 3 amputations. CONCLUSIONS: This technique may be employed in transtibial amputations in which the final length of the stump lies next to the musculotendinous transition of the gastrocnemius muscle, as well as in the revision of amputation stumps in children, where the procedure has been shown to be effective in the prevention of lesions due to excessive bone growth.
Assuntos
Amputação Cirúrgica/métodos , Tíbia/cirurgia , Adolescente , Adulto , Cotos de Amputação , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osseointegração , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
Os autores analizaram os resultados dos fracionamentos eletroforeticos das isoenzimas de CK e LD em 223 pacientes internados com suspeita de infarto agudo do miocardio no periodo de janeiro de 1978 a janeiro de 1981. Analisaram a presenca de CK MB e a inversao da relacao LD1/LD2, isoladamente e em conjunto, frente ao diagnostico definitivo de infarto agudo do miocardio, que se baseou em dados clinicos, eletrocardiograma e estudo eletroforetico da isoenzimas de CK e LD. A analise de CK MB e LD1/LD2 feita em conjunto foi a que apresentou maior especificidade (100%) e maior valor preditivo (100%).A presenca de CK MB mostrou ser o teste de maior sensibilidade (96%) e a inversao LD1/LD2 analisada isoladamente foi a que apresentou a maior percentagem de falsos positivos (2,7%). Os autores concluem que a eletroforese de isoenzimas de CK e LD quando analisadas em conjunto atingem uma especificidade e valor preditivo maximo para o diagnostico do infarto agudo do miocardio/