bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Point prevalence of drug prescriptions for elderly and non-elderly inpatients in a teaching hospital
Authors: Braga Thais Baleeiro Teixeira , Pfaffenbach Grace , Weiss Débora Peterson Leite , Barros Marilisa Berti de Azevedo , Bergsten-Mendes Gun
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes have been extensively documented, and several concurrent diseases may underlie multiple drug therapy in the elderly. As a result, the risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions increases among aged patients. However, only a few studies have compared the prescribing patterns for different age groups of hospitalized patients or have evaluated the effect of age on drug prescription. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of drug prescriptions for elderly inpatients, with those for non-elderly inpatients, in order to assess age-related differences in the number of prescribed drugs, drug choices and prescribed doses, and to evaluate the prescription appropriateness for the elderly patients. TYPE OF STUDY: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: 400-bed tertiary care general teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All inpatients on one day of June 1995, except for the Intensive Care Unit and for the Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology. PROCEDURES: All medicines prescribed to the eligible patients on the study day were recorded from the prescription sheets provided by the hospital pharmacy. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Name, therapeutic class, and mean daily dose of the prescribed drugs. RESULTS: Of the 273 eligible inpatients, 46.5% were 14-44 years old, 33% were 45-64 years old and 20.5% were > 64 years old. Cancer was significantly more frequent among the elderly. The mean number of prescribed drugs was five for all age groups. The five most prescribed drugs for all patients were dipyrone, ranitidine, dipyrone in a fixed-dose combination, metoclopramide and cefazolin. The elderly had significantly more prescriptions for insulin, furosemide and enoxaparin. For most drugs, the mean prescribed dose showed that there was no dose adjustment for elderly patients, and drug choices for this age group were sometimes questionable. CONCLUSIONS: There was little variation in the prescribing patterns for the elderly when compared with the other age strata.
Efficacy of a triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in a well-developed urban area in Brazil
Authors: Bellelis Patrick , Samano Eliana Sueco Tibana , Nunes Ricardo Cruz , Ribeiro Lia de Melo , Chehter Ethel Zimberg , Catapani Wilson Roberto
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Helicobacter pylori eradication has become the standard treatment for peptic ulcer disease. Triple therapy with omeprazole plus two antibiotics has been used. Due to the lack of ideal treatment and the high rates of primary resistance to nitroimidazoles, the use of clarithromycin has been adopted. OBJECTIVE: To determine the Helicobacter pylori eradication rates using lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for seven days, in patients with peptic ulcer disease in a well developed urban area in Brazil. METHODS: This was a retrospective, open-label study carried out at the School of Medicine of the Fundação ABC. It included 130 patients with peptic ulcer disease (upper endoscopy) who had been tested positive for Helicobacter pylori infection (urease test, histology or breath test), without previous treatment. Patients were treated with lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1,000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., for seven days. Eradication was verified after 90 days. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 94 patients. Their mean age was 52.23 years; 51.54% were woman, 84.31% white, 37.69% smokers, 20.77% using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 8.46% alcoholics. Upper endoscopy revealed that 78.46% had duodenal ulcers and 21.53% had gastric ulcers (a 4:1 DU:GU ratio). The eradication rates were 85.11% per protocol and 61.54% by intention to treat; 97% had no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Triple therapy using lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin is well tolerated with high eradication rates and forms a good alternative for developing countries.
Possible hepatotoxicity of chronic marijuana usage
Authors: Borini Paulo , Guimarães Romeu Cardoso , Borini Sabrina Bicalho
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Hepatotoxicity is a potential complication from the usage of various illicit drugs, possibly consequent to their liver metabolism, but information on this is scarce in the medical literature. OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of clinical and laboratory hepatic alterations in chronic marijuana users, from the use of marijuana on its own or in association with other legal or illicit drugs. TYPE OF STUDY: transversal study SETTING: Hospital Espírita de Marília, Marília, São Paulo, Brazil PARTICIPANTS: The study was made among 123 patients interned in the Hospital Espírita de Marília from October 1996 to December 1998, divided into 3 groups: 26 (21%) using only marijuana, 83 (67.5%) using marijuana and crack, and 14 (11.4%) consuming marijuana and alcohol. PROCEDURES AND MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Patients were examined clinically with special emphasis on types of drugs used, drug intake route, age when consumption began, length and pattern of usage, presence of tattooing, jaundice, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Serum determinations of total proteins, albumin, globulin, total and fractions of bilirubin, aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltransferase and prothrombin activity were performed. RESULTS: Among users of only marijuana, hepatomegaly was observed in 57.7% and splenomegaly in 73.1%, and slightly elevated AST (42.3%), ALT (34.6%) and AP (53.8%). The three groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly. The group using both marijuana and alcohol showed the highest prevalence of alterations and highest levels of aminotransferases. Mean AP levels were above normal in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic marijuana usage, on its own or in association with other drugs, was associated with hepatic morphologic and enzymatic alterations. This indicates that cannabinoids are possible hepatotoxic substances.
Central retinal vein prethrombosis as an initial manifestation of protein S deficiency
Authors: Pierre-Filho Paulo de Tarso Ponte , Pierre Alessandra Maria Mont'Alverne , Nascimento Maurício Abujamra , Marcondes Ana Maria
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Retinal vein thrombosis is most common in old people, and is often associated with systemic vascular disease. One of its rare systemic causes is protein S deficiency. CASE REPORT: A case of a 21-year-old woman with retinal vein prethrombosis associated only with protein S deficiency is described. She presented with acutely reduced visual acuity and a central scotoma in her left eye. Warfarin therapy was initiated, and complete improvement in ophthalmoscopic findings was subsequently observed. This case illustrates that protein S deficiency is a factor that should be considered in cases of retinal vein occlusion, particularly in young patients.
Radiofrequency fistulotomy: a better alternative for treating low anal fistula
Authors: Gupta Pravin Jaiprakash
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Wide varieties of approaches are employed in dealing with low anal fistula. However, the simple method of laying open the fistula tract (fistulotomy) is still considered to be the favored one. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified approach to the procedure of fistulotomy is discussed. This study describes the procedure, which used a technique of radiofrequency surgery, and its outcome in 232 patients with low anal fistula. The patients were followed for a period of 15 months. RESULTS: The patients were discharged on the same day as the procedure. The mean period off work was four days. The average healing time recorded was 67 days. Four wound complications in the form of premature closure of the external wound were noted, which required trimming of the edges. Two of these wounds remained unhealed. The recurrence rate was 1.7%. CONCLUSION: In this era when the emphasis is on criteria like the minimization of hospital stay, reduction of postoperative pain, early resumption of work and low and comparable recurrence rates, there is a future for the procedure of radiofrequency fistulotomy.
Inflammatory mediators in nasal lavage among school-age children from urban and rural areas in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Galvão Clóvis Eduardo Santos , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Kalil Filho Jorge Elias , Castro Fábio Fernandes Morato
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Some studies have shown that inflammatory processes in the nasal air passages may reflect or affect those in the lower airways. We decided to indirectly assess the inflammatory status of the nasal airways in two groups of children with different sensitization rates to aeroallergens. OBJECTIVE: To compare the inflammatory activity in the nasal airways, through the determination of mediators in nasal lavage fluid in two distinct populations. TYPE OF STUDY: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two public elementary schools, one in an urban setting and the other in a rural setting of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Two groups of 40 elementary school children with different sensitization rates to aeroallergens were formed. Samples of nasal lavage fluid were assessed for eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of ECP were observed among students living in the urban area than those in the rural area (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the tryptase levels was observed. Also, the urban children who were sensitized to aeroallergens presented higher levels of ECP in nasal mucosa than the non-sensitized children, while this difference was not observed among the rural children. DISCUSSION: The lack of mast cell activity and increased eosinophil degranulation revealed a chronic inflammatory state in the nasal air passages. The higher eosinophil activity in the urban area, coinciding with higher sensitization to aeroallergens, suggests that there must be some factors in the urban area that can modulate airway inflammation by influencing the activation of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that there was no difference in the concentrations of tryptase in nasal lavage fluids between the two studied groups. However, the children from the urban area presented with higher concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein than did those from the rural area. Also, the urban children who were sensitized to aeroallergens presented with greater concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein in nasal mucosa than the non-sensitized children, while this difference was not observed among the rural children.
Follow-up evaluation of children with birth weight less than or equal to 2,000 g
Authors: Freitas Marcia de , Siqueira Arnaldo , Segre Conceição Aparecida de Mattos
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: During the first year of life, the growth process is highly vulnerable to several impairing factors that need to be understood. OBJECTIVE: To perform follow-up evaluation on newborns weighing less than or equal to 2,000 g in a population of low socioeconomic level. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective. SETTING: Hospital Maternidade Escola de Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The study included 60 children born between March 1996 and January 1998, weighing less than or equal to 2,000 g. They were divided into three subgroups, according to birth weight and adequacy for gestational age. The factors studied were maternal variables, illnesses among the newborns, hospital admissions subsequent to discharge from the nursery, and the evolution of weight from birth until 12 months of life. Statistical analyses were performed through application of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V.9.0 and Curve Expert 1.3 programs. RESULTS: Previous maternal diseases occurred in 38.6% of the pregnant women and intercurrent events occurred in 100%. The prevailing neonatal diseases were sepsis (30%) and hyaline membrane disease (25%). There were 404 visits on an outpatient basis: the most frequently diagnosed complaints related to respiratory diseases (26%). Among visits to specialists, 81.7% were to the neuropediatrician. A diagnosis of normality was made for 80% of all visits, for all specialties. For each of these groups, a growth curve was established. These were shown to be below the reference curve standards, with such differences least evident with regard to the children's corrected age. DISCUSSION: The severity of the newborns'conditions may be related to the high incidence of maternal diseases prior to pregnancy as well as intercurrent events during pregnancy. The differences in growth in relation to NCHS charts show that corrected age should be used as a parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic conditions, clinical/obstetric events and newborn diseases during the hospital stay had repercussions on these children's progress during their first year of life. Their growth profile was found to be very far from the reference standard, thus indicating a need for constant, differentiated assessment.
Assessment of anxiety and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Pagano Tathiana , Matsutani Luciana Akemi , Ferreira Elisabeth Alves Gonçalves , Marques Amélia Pasqual , Pereira Carlos Alberto de Bragança
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, and by a low pain threshold at specific anatomical points. The syndrome is associated with other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, morning stiffness and anxiety. Because of its chronic nature, it often has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life and anxiety level of patients with fibromyalgia. TYPE Of STUDY: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Rheumatology outpatient service of Hospital das Clínicas (Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo). METHODS: This study evaluated 80 individuals, divided between test and control groups. The test group included 40 women with a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The control group was composed of 40 healthy women. Three questionnaires were used: two to assess quality of life (FIQ and SF-36) and one to assess anxiety (STAI). They were applied to the individuals in both groups in a single face-to-face interview. The statistical analysis used Student's t test and Pearson's correlation test (r), with a significance level of 95%. Also, the Pearson chi-squared statistics test for homogeneity, with Yates correction, was used for comparing schooling between test and control groups. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.000), thus indicating that fibromyalgia patients have a worse quality of life and higher levels of anxiety. The correlations between the three questionnaires were high (r = 0.9). DISCUSSION: This study has confirmed the efficacy of FIQ for evaluating the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life. SF-36 is less specific than FIQ, although statistically significant values were obtained when analyzed separately, STAI showed lower efficacy for discriminating the test group from the control group. The test group showed worse quality of life than did the control group, which was demonstrated by both FIQ and SF-36. Even though STAI was a less efficient instrument, it presented significant results, showing that fibromyalgia patients presented higher levels of anxiety, both on the state and trait scales. Thus, patients with fibromyalgia had higher levels of tension, nervousness, preoccupation and apprehension, and higher propensity towards anxiety. CONCLUSION: The three instruments utilized showed efficiency in evaluating fibromyalgia patients. FIQ was found to be the most efficient instrument for discriminating and assessing the impact of fibromyalgia on their quality of life. It can be concluded that such patients have a worse quality of life and higher levels of anxiety.
Brazilian union actions for workers' health protection
Authors: Repullo Junior Rodolpho , Gomes Jorge da Rocha
Published: April 2005

CONTEXT: Many authors have emphasized the importance of worker strength through unionized organizations, in relation to the improvement of working procedures, and have reported on the decisiveness of labor movement actions in achieving modifications within the field of work and health. OBJECTIVE: To describe the ways in which Brazilian unions have tried to intervene in health-illness and work processes, identifying the existence of commonality in union actions in this field. TYPE OF STUDY: Qualitative study. SETTING: Postgraduate Program, Environmental Health Department, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Union health advisers and directors were interviewed. Documents relating to union action towards protecting workers' health were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Unions articulate actions regarding workers' health of a technical and political nature that involve many aspects and high complexity. These have been divided into thematic categories for better analysis. DISCUSSION: Union actions regarding workers' health in Brazil are restricted to some unions, located mainly in the southern, southeastern and northeastern regions of the country. Nonetheless, the unions undertaking such actions represent many professions of great economic and political importance. CONCLUSIONS: The recent changes in health and safety at work regulations, recognition of professional diseases, creation of workers' health services and programs within the unified health system, and operational improvements in companies' specialized safety and occupational medicine services, all basically result from union action. There is commonality of union action in this field in its seeking of technical and political strengthening for all workers and their general and local representation. This has the objective of benefiting collective bargaining between employers and workers. Inter-institutional action on behalf of workers' rights guarantees and amplifies the improvement of health and working conditions.
High quality DNA from human papillomavirus (HPV) for PCR/RFLPs
Authors: Wanderlei-Silva Denise , Nobre Mariana , Gonzaga Rosa Silva , Viana Luciana Silva , Ramalho Neto Eduardo
Published: April 2005

The analysis of DNA in clinical samples for a secure diagnostic has become indispensable nowadays. Techniques approaching isolation of high molecular weigth DNA of HPV could lead to efficient amplification and early clinical diagnosis of the virus DNA by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). We describe a fast, non-toxical, efficient and cheap method for DNA isolation of human papilloma virus (HPV) from cervical smears using guanidine (DNAzol solution). A 450 bp DNA band correponding to the late region (L1) of the virus genome was detected by PCR, showing that the DNAzol extraction soluction generated a good viral DNA yield. The electrophoretic pattern after digestion with restriction endonucleases (RFLPs/PCR) revealed the predominance of HPV-16 and HPV-33 in the samples from the State of Alagoas, Brazil.
Inteligência artificial, tecnologias informacionais e seus possíveis impactos sobre as Ciências Sociais
Authors: Dwyer Tom
Published: April 2005

Este artigo analisa algumas possibilidades de transformação das Ciências Sociais e, de maneira mais específica, na Sociologia, levantadas a partir do desenvolvimento e uso, nessas ciências, de tecnologias informacionais. Nas sociedades contemporâneas o aprofundamento do uso destas novas tecnologias pode trazer importantes conseqüências para as Ciências Sociais afetando, potencialmente, o ensino, a pesquisa e a construção de teoria. No Brasil podemos ver que um número crescente de informações é disponível em formato eletrônico, e estas podem ser analisadas para aumentar nossos conhecimentos sobre a sociedade. De fundamental importância é que o crescente recurso a tecnologias informacionais seja acompanhado por avanços na capacidade de teorização.
Una cuestión de escala: sociedad, ambiente, tiempo y territorio
Authors: Reboratti Carlos E.
Published: April 2005

A medida que los limites disciplinares se van haciendo cada vez más borrosos y se produce un acercamiento entre campos del saber antes tan alejados como la historia y la ecología (paradójicamente paralelo a una fuerte especialización dentro de cada una de ellas), se hacen evidentes las tensiones que se generan cuando se intenta compatibilizar las "miradas" de cada una de ellas sobre su objeto de estudio. Estas miradas podemos resumirlas alrededor del tema de las escalas, las aproximaciones técnico-conceptuales que cada disciplina utiliza para reducir su objeto de estudio a una dimensión manejable. Esta diferencia se puede encontrar bajo dos dimensiones no excluyentes: el tiempo y el espacio. Las escalas utilizadas para analizar cada una de estas dimensiones son variables y hasta ahora habían sido objeto de controversia en el seno de las humanidades. Pero si introducimos en la discusión la variable que en forma genérica podemos llamar "ambiental", la tensión se hace muy difícil de solucionar, ya que vamos a tener que tratar de compatibilizar por un lado disciplinas, como la geología, cuya unidad de trabajo es 1 millón de años o la geomorfología, que trabaja con decenas de miles de años, con la historia, cuyo sujeto de análisis no tiene mas de 12.000 años de haber aprendido a cultivar la tierra. Por no hablar de disciplinas del presente, como la geografía, o la sociología, cuyo rango temporario raramente va mas atrás de una generación de personas. De toda esta controversia surgen algunas preguntas básicas, tales como: existe una escala espacial que compatibilice las disciplinas que coinciden en el ambiente? Que significa macro, micro y meso en cada disciplina? Es posible relacionar los ciclos temporales que determina cada disciplina? Como se construye conceptualmente un campo interdisciplinario como la historia ambiental o la geografía histórica?
Una aproximación a un programa de empleo: el caso del Programa Servicios Comunitarios
Authors: Goren Nora
Published: April 2005

El objetivo del trabajo es presentar una caracterización y análisis de la forma que asume la vinculación de las mujeres jóvenes de sectores de pobreza con las políticas sociales. Nuestro propósito es el de estudiar el significado que le asignan a la participación en un programa de empleo las propias jóvenes, a partir del reconocimiento de algunas características específicas que las impulsan a la misma, así como su articulación con las estrategias familiares de ingresos. La presentación está organizada en dos partes. En la primera se presenta sintéticamente una descripción de un programa de empleo del Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, que por sus características constituye el programa con mayor número de mujeres como beneficiarias: Servicios Comunitarios. En la segunda parte, se analizan los Planes ejecutados en el marco del Programa Servicios Comunitarios, implementados en un territorio específico: en el Partido de Moreno. Los datos que se presentan provienen, por un lado, de documentos del Ministerio de Trabajo y de la Municipalidad de Moreno y, por el otro, de entrevistas a responsables provinciales del Programa y a las jóvenes que han participado en los Planes.
Indivíduo e sociedade no discurso da política de ensino superior
Authors: Martins Rubens de Oliveira
Published: April 2005

Este ensaio busca compreender algumas das visões de sociedade presentes no processo de construção dos discursos oficiais que legitimam as atuais políticas públicas de educação superior, a partir de uma reflexão que explicite os referenciais teóricos e metodológicos da oposição clássica entre indivíduo e sociedade na teoria sociológica.
Globalização e exclusão: a dialética da mundialização do capital
Authors: Santos Tania Steren dos
Published: April 2005

O propósito deste trabalho é repensar o processo de desenvolvimento do capitalismo, apontando para algumas das inúmeras contradições da sociedade global. São analisadas duas questões fundamentais: o crescente processo de exclusão social, de grande parte da população mundial, e o papel do Estado-Nação. Considera-se esta última questão extremamente relevante, pois diante de uma tendência intrínseca do sistema à concentração da riqueza, de um lado, e a expansão da pobreza, de outro, o Estado se apresenta como a única salvaguarda real dos interesses vitais dos excluídos em cada país. Discutem-se também alguns aspectos da crise atual do sistema capitalista e o impacto do modelo neoliberal no acirramento das contradições sociais e na polarização dos interesses de classe. Propõe-se uma reflexão sobre formas alternativas de organização social.
A globalização e seus reflexos sobre os trabalhadores "estáveis": petroleiros da Fafen/Petrobrás
Authors: Romão Frederico Lisbôa
Published: April 2005

Esse trabalho busca contribuir para discussão da globalização e seus reflexos sobre os trabalhadores ditos estáveis, suas organizações, a subjetividade operária e o chão da fábrica a partir de Sergipe na década de 90, no caso particular da Fábrica de Fertilizantes da Petrobrás (Fafen/Petrobrás). A tabulação e análise dos dados coletados, nos possibilita algumas conclusões: 1) As mudanças ocorridas no chão da fábrica denotam uma precarização das condições de trabalho externalizadas em: menos postos de serviço, mais tarefas, menos segurança, menos estabilidade, perda e flexibilização de direitos. Esse processo atinge diretamente os trabalhadores tidos como estáveis permitindo-nos concluir que não são precisas as afirmações que os denominam de "elite" ou privilegiados; 2) o sindicato da categoria, apesar da experiência dos seus quadros diretivos, que estavam à frente do movimento desde o início dos anos 80, tendo inclusive posição destacada a nível nacional, apesar do seu nível de organização e da sua inserção no interior da unidade fabril, foi incapaz de encontrar formas alternativas ao avanço da empresa, que consegue retirar muitas conquistas anteriores e cooptar antigas lideranças, criando um clima de impotência e atingindo diretamente a subjetividade da classe.
Previdência social rural e gênero
Authors: Brumer Anita
Published: April 2005

O trabalho apresenta uma análise das principais transformações da previdência social rural no Brasil, que culminaram com a inclusão das mulheres trabalhadoras rurais como beneficiárias (direito à aposentadoria por idade e salário-maternidade) na legislação aprovada pelo Congresso Nacional em 1988. Paralelamente, faz-se um exame do papel do Estado e da sociedade civil na evolução da legislação relativa à previdência social rural, procurando-se evidenciar seu caráter de "doação" por parte do Estado ou da "conquista" polos próprios trabalhadores(as). Finalmente, são examinados alguns impactos da implantação da previdência social rural no Sul do Brasil, ressaltando-se seu papel na diminuição da pobreza rural e da desigualdade na distribuição da renda, assim como sua importância material e simbólica na mudança de relações de gênero no meio rural.
Na trilha do Jeca: Monteiro Lobato, o público leitor e a formação do campo literário no Brasil
Authors: Passiani Enio
Published: April 2005

Baseado no estudo do projeto criador de Monteiro Lobato discuto sua importância, como escritor e editor, para a constituição do campo literário nacional. O projeto literário lobatiano implicou na renovação da escrita literária (no que diz respeito aos temas abordados e à utilização das técnicas de linguagem) e na modificação das bases da produção e da distribuição do livro no país, contribuindo de maneira ímpar, no seu tempo, para a formação de um público leitor no Brasil.
Arriesgarse para no perder el empleo: las secuelas en la salud de los obreros de la construcción del Mercosur
Authors: Silva María Alejandra
Published: April 2005

Los proyectos de construción más publicitados en los países miembros del Mercosur carecen de referencias a la gestión preventiva de los riesgos del trabajo y la salud, dentro de los pliegos de licitaciones o los estudios de factibilidad. Por eso, se intenta plantear el estado actual del debate sobre los riesgos del trabajo en obras de la construcción. El objetivo fue interpretar los determinantes sociales del proceso de salud-enfermedad en la obra e identificar los modos de gestión de los riesgos del trabajo. La metodología es cuali-cuantitativa, mediante el uso de los datos secundarios (censos y encuestas); la técnica de observación directa en las obras, las entrevistas y las encuestas. Además se analizan los alcances de las negociaciones en el subgrupo 10 y 11 del Mercosur. Como corolario, se plantean las limitaciones de los sistemas de cobertura y de registro de enfermedades y accidentes laborales dentro de un crecimiento del "empleo no registrado" y el "empleo informal"; a partir de su contraste con el enfoque de la salud globalizada y la gestión de los riesgos en cada fase de la obra.
Autopoiesis, la unidad de una diferencia: Luhmann y Maturana
Authors: Rodríguez M. Darío , Torres N. Javier
Published: April 2005

El artículo ofrece una reseña de la fructífera relación teórica entre Niklas Luhmann y Humberto Maturana. La teoría luhmanniana es un edificio conceptual cuyas dimensiones abarcan la comprensión de todo lo social. Pese al fallecimiento del autor en 1998, todavía hoy se continúan publicando escritos póstumos y la influencia de su pensamiento se extiende paulatinamente a diversos ámbitos de las ciencias sociales. Parte central de este complejo pensamiento se desarrolla con la ayuda de conceptos que Luhmann adaptó de la biología de Humberto Maturana. En este trabajo se explica el modo de esta vinculación y los alcances que tiene para la comprensión de la sociedad globalizada moderna.
25 años de estudios rurales
Authors: Bengoa José
Published: April 2005

En este artículo se analizan los desplazamientos que han ocurrido en las cuestiones referidas a la agricultura y el mundo rural, en América Latina, en los últimos veinte y cinco años. En pocos ámbitos del conocimiento social, los temas referidos a estas áreas se han desplazado muy profundamente, tanto es así que la lectura de textos que fueron de la mayor trascendencia en los años sesenta hoy en día no son, con excepciones, otra cosa que asuntos de interés para el análisis de la historia de las ideas. Al revisar la literatura uno se encuentra ante debates que hoy suenan pasados de moda, sin importancia actual e incluso desmedidos. Más aún la inercia de los estudios actuales conduce a pensar en una falta de renovación y ausencia de nuevas miradas, por lo que es necesario el ejercicio de la crítica. En este artículo se ensaya la hipótesis, que en este período se ha producido la pérdida de autonomía de la cuestión y sociedad rural y que surge, o debiera surgir, una nueva mirada hacia estas temáticas en busca de comprender el sentido que aún tiene y seguirá teniendo "lo rural" en nuestras sociedades. La cuestión rural sigue siendo importante, y lo será crecientemente, pero ahora no quizá como sistema de producción o como sociedad diferenciada, sino como fuente y fuerza simbólica e identitaria para las sociedades que se encaminan a un proceso de globalización acelerado, anclándolas en sus profundidades culturales. Probablemente será una referencia a relaciones de convivencia, sistemas de pertenencia, sustrato de relaciones primarias, quizá las únicas proveedoras de sentido frente a la acción colectiva globalizada.
Fronteiras: da linha imaginária ao campo de conflitos
Authors: Mélo José Luiz Bica
Published: April 2005

Tomando por referencial teórico a noção de campo e baseando-se em depoimentos de autoridades e dirigentes de sindicatos patronais e de trabalhadores, são indicados aspectos que demonstram a existência de um campo de conflitos decorrente de disputas em torno da terra, de postos de trabalho, bem como de aspectos distintos das legislações nacionais no espaço fronteiriço brasileiro-uruguaio. As análises demonstram que a almejada integração entre as populações residentes nas cidades de Sant'Ana do Livramento e Rivera, permanece enquanto representação, muito mais discursiva do que real.
El Poder Simbólico de las Gremiales Ganaderos en el Uruguay Contemporáneo
Authors: Riella Alberto , Andrioli Alexandra
Published: April 2005

En este artículo se buscará estudiar el amplio poder de influencia que los grandes estancieros y sus gremiales logran mantener desde hace más de un siglo en el Uruguay. Mediante el análisis de la dimensión simbólica del mundo social agrario estudiaremos las prácticas discursivas de las Gremiales Ganaderas - Asociación Rural del Uruguay y Federación Rural - como parte central de su estrategia simbólica para mantener su hegemonía en el campo social agrario. En este sentido, creemos que la construcción social del territorio en nuestro país se asienta en la forma de percepción impuesta por el poder simbólico de este grupo que ha hecho de sus formas particulares de apropiación y uso de la tierra la única forma posible y legítima de utilización de los recursos naturales. Para el análisis de las prácticas discursivas partimos del supuesto de que las organizaciones sociales, gremiales y corporativas están siempre inmersas en luchas simbólicas, ya que en ellas está en juego la realización objetiva de sus intereses a largo plazo. Utilizando los términos de Merton, podríamos afirmar que, más allá de la función manifiesta de una organización - gremial, comercial, profesional -, siempre hay una función latente que procura imponer a sus adversarios y a la opinión pública la "visión del mundo" propia del grupo que representa. En consecuencia, en las prácticas discursivas de estos agentes podremos encontrar claramente expresado su poder, sus alianzas, sus conflictos, lo que nos permite acceder a la comprensión de su estrategia simbólica de reproducción social.
Transformações na realidade do trabalho no Brasil e em Portugal
Authors: Larangeira Sonia Guimarães
Published: April 2005

Os artigos reunidos no dossiê deste número da revista Sociologias foram apresentados em encontros realizados no Brasil e em Portugal como parte de atividades do Programa de Cooperação CAPES-GRISCES denominado Transformações do Trabalho e do Emprego no Contexto da Reestruturação Econômica - coordenado, no Brasil, pela Prof. Dra. Valmíria Piccinini e, em Portugal, pela Prof. Dra. Ilona Kovács, envolvendo os Programas de Pós-Graduação em Administração e Sociologia da UFRGS e o Centro de Investigação em Sociologia Econômica (SOCIUS) do Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão da Universidade Técnica de Lisboa e, como instituição associada, o Departamento de Ciências da Administração da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC. O referido programa de intercâmbio tem possibilitado aos pesquisadores envolvidos uma profícua discussão sobre resultados de pesquisas acerca da realidade do trabalho em transformação nos dois países, de tal forma que julgamos oportuno que, ao menos parte daquelas contribuições, se torne acessível ao público interessado, o que fazemos nesta oportunidade.
As raízes renegadas da teoria do capital humano
Authors: Saul Renato P.
Published: April 2005

O artigo pretende reconstituir a trajetória da teoria do capital humano, no contexto da sua sociedade de origem, os Estados Unidos. A partir da identificação de tendências presentes no pensamento social americano, marcadamente do orientado, de início, para a organização do trabalho industrial através das experiências levadas a efeito por Frederick Taylor e, depois, pela teorização a respeito de um novo conceito de propriedade emergente no processo de organização das grandes empresas de capital acionário, enquadra-se a teoria do capital humano no campo de resolução do grande dilema do liberalismo americano, o da institucionalização de uma sociedade sem classes.
Criminalidade e justiça penal na América Latina
Authors: Azevedo Rodrigo Ghiringhelli de
Published: April 2005

Partindo de uma apresentação dos indicadores que permitem avaliar o grau de democratização do sistema de justiça penal, no contexto dos processos de democratização no continente latino-americano, o presente artigo aponta a defasagem existente neste âmbito, nas várias instâncias que compõem o sistema de justiça, desde a legislação penal até o sistema penitenciário. Analisando especificamente a situação no Brasil e na Argentina, são apontadas as deficiências no funcionamento das instituições responsáveis pelo controle do crime, assim como o aumento das taxas de criminalidade, como fatores que resultam em uma crescente perda de legitimidade do sistema, incapaz de justificar o seu alto grau de seletividade e de arbítrio. São elencadas algumas iniciativas que vêm sendo tomadas para dar conta destes fenômenos. Ao final, são apresentadas algumas alternativas para o aperfeiçoamento institucional, entre as quais a atuação dos cientistas sociais, com a produção de pesquisas e análises, coloca-se como um elemento central para ampliar a capacidade institucional para lidar com a conflitualidade social contemporânea em bases democráticas.
Nacionalismo e autoritarismo em Alberto Torres
Authors: Souza Ricardo Luiz de
Published: April 2005

O texto analisa a obra de Alberto Torres, enfatizando seus eixos principais: autoritarismo e nacionalismo. Ressalta o caráter inovador desta obra, ao questionar as teorias raciais então vigentes na cultura brasileira e ao enfatizar a necessidade de tomar como ponto de partida o estudo empírico da realidade brasileira. E estuda o impacto de suas idéias, bem como sua importância para a criação de um pensamento autoritário brasileiro, bem como para a construção de um ideário nacionalista.
Smoking Cessation May Present a Positive Impact on Mandibular Bone Quality and Periodontitis‐Related Bone Loss: A Study in Rats
Authors: César‐Neto João B. , Benatti Bruno B. , Neto Francisco Haiter , Sallum Antonio W. , Sallum Enilson A. , Nociti Francisco H.
Published: April 2005

Background: It has been previously shown that cigarette smoke inhalation (CSI) enhances bone loss in ligature‐induced periodontitis. In this study, the hypothesis that the interruption of smoke exposure would reverse the impact of CSI on mandibular bone quality and periodontitis‐related bone loss was tested.

Methods: Fifty‐three Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group 1: control, N = 16; group 2: 83 days of CSI prior to ligature placement, N = 17; or group 3: 90 days of CSI before and 60 days after ligature placement, N = 20. Animals were sacrificed 60 days after ligature placement, the jaws removed and immediately radiographed for photodensitometry analysis. Bone loss was histometrically evaluated.

Results: CSI did not affect unligated sites in either condition (P >0.05); however, smoke inhalation during the whole experimental period significantly enhanced bone loss in ligated teeth (P <0.05). Moreover, similar levels of bone loss were observed for ligated teeth between the control and cessation groups (0.90 ± 0.33 mm2; 0.96 ± 0.32 mm2; 1.64 ± 0.65 mm2; groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Radiographically, continuous exposure to cigarette smoke promoted a significantly reduced bone density (1.74 ± 0.38 aluminum equivalence [Al eq]; 1.74 ± 0.14 Al eq; and 0.68 ± 0.10 Al eq for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

Conclusions: Within the limits of the present investigation, it can be assumed that CSI may enhance bone loss in ligatureinduced periodontitis, and negatively impact mandibular bone quality. Additionally, smoke exposure cessation seems to reverse its impact on mandibular bone, and, therefore, may be of clinical relevance. J Periodontol 2005;76:520‐525.
Clinical and Other Risk Indicators for Early Periodontitis in Adults
Authors: Tanner Anne C.R. , Kent Ralph , Van Dyke Thomas , Sonis Steven T. , Murray Lora A.
Published: April 2005

Background: Periodontal diseases affect over half the adults in the U.S., disproportionately affecting minority populations. Periodontitis can be treated in early stages, but it is not clear what features indicate, or could be risk factors for, early stages of periodontal attachment loss. This study aimed to evaluate associations between clinical and other risk indicators of early periodontitis.

Methods: A cross‐sectional evaluation of 225 healthy and early periodontitis adults aged 20 to 40 years was performed. Clinical measurements, demographic information, and smoking histories were recorded. Analyses evaluated demographic and clinical associations with health and early periodontitis disease categories and periodontal attachment loss. Patterns of attachment loss at interproximal and buccal/lingual sites were evaluated.

Results: Subject age, plaque, and measures of gingivitis exhibited associations with attachment loss and probing depth. More periodontal attachment loss was detected in African‐American and Hispanic subjects compared to Asian and Caucasian subjects. Smoking history was associated with attachment loss. At interproximal sites, lower molars most frequently had attachment loss, whereas at buccal/lingual sites, higher proportions of lower bicuspid teeth demonstrated attachment loss compared with other sites.

Conclusions: In this study of subjects with minimal attachment loss, gingival inflammation was associated with early periodontitis. Lower molar interproximal sites were frequently associated with interproximal attachment loss, whereas lower bicuspid teeth were at risk for gingival recession on buccal surfaces. J Periodontol 2005;76:573‐581.
Perioral Angioedema Associated With Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
Authors: Peacock Mark E. , Park Dong S. , Swiec Gary D. , Erley Kenneth J.
Published: April 2005

Background: Angioedema is a non‐pruritic swelling usually limited to the skin and mucous membranes of the face and perioral soft tissues. It can be life threatening but usually is not, and can be managed with conservative medical treatment unless the airway is endangered. Recent reports suggest that angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can predispose and/or precipitate angioedema, with a predilection toward patients of African American ancestry.

Methods: This case report involved a 65‐year‐old African American female who was being treated surgically for localized chronic periodontitis. The procedure was performed without incident, and the patient was alert and stable when released. The next day, the patient called and reported that her lips were swollen. She stated that this had happened a number of times over the past several years, sometimes related to eating shellfish and other times without any known precipitating factor. All previous episodes of perioral swelling occurred after ACE inhibitor therapy had been initiated.

Results: The patient was in no distress, with no other site involvement. She was prescribed oral hydroxyzine and her appearance returned to normal after 5 days. Although the patient had experienced previous episodes of angioedema, none had been in response to any dental procedure. She was referred to the Allergy and Immunology Clinic for skin testing, the results of which were negative to shellfish with good controls. Other potentiating etiologies were also ruled out by the allergist.

Conclusions: Angioedema is a recognized possible side effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. The exact mechanism by which ACE inhibitors induce angioedema is not known, although the risk of occurrence is much greater in African Americans. Practitioners should be alert to this potentially fatal condition in patients who take ACE inhibitors or the newer angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). J Periodontol 2005;76:651‐654.
A Fluorescent Intercalator Displacement Assay for Establishing DNA Binding Selectivity and Affinity
Authors: Tse Winston C. , Boger Dale L.
Published: April 2005

A protocol for a fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assay useful for establishing DNA binding selectivity, affinity, stoichiometry, and binding site size, and for distinguishing modes of DNA binding is presented.
Visualization of Protein Interactions in Living Cells Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) Analysis
Authors: Hu Chang‐Deng , Grinberg Asya V. , Kerppola Tom K.
Published: April 2005

Protein interactions integrate stimuli from different signaling pathways and developmental programs. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis has been developed for visualization of protein interactions in living cells. This approach is based on complementation between two fragments of a fluorescent protein when they are brought together by an interaction between proteins fused to the fragments, and it enables visualization of the subcellular locations of protein interactions in the normal cellular environment. It can be used for the analysis of many protein interactions and does not require information about the structures of the interaction partners. A multicolor BiFC approach has been developed for simultaneous visualization of interactions with multiple alternative partners in the same cell, based on complementation between fragments of engineered fluorescent proteins that produce bimolecular fluorescent complexes with distinct spectral characteristics. This enables comparison of subcellular distributions of different protein complexes in the same cell and allows analysis of competition between mutually exclusive interaction partners.
Using the Tools and Resources of the RCSB Protein Data Bank
Authors: Dutta Shuchismita , Burkhardt Kyle , Bluhm Wolfgang F. , Berman Helen M.
Published: April 2005

The Protein Data Bank (PDB; http://www.pdb.org) is the world‐wide repository for three‐dimensional structural data determined using various experimental methods. The options and procedures for searching and downloading structural data from the PDB, which is maintained by the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB), are described here along with tools for depositing and assessing the quality of structures. Several types of information are associated with each structure deposition including atomic coordinates of the structure, experimental data used to solve the structure, sequences of all macromolecules that constitute the structures, details about the structure solution method, images showing different views of the structure, derived geometric data, and a variety of links to other resources. These data and resources may be used for understanding and designing biochemical, genetic, or other experiments to study the stability or function of the molecule. They can also be used for molecular modeling and drug design.
MultiPipMaker: Comparative Alignment Server for Multiple DNA Sequences
Authors: Elnitski Laura , Riemer Cathy , Burhans Richard , Hardison Ross , Miller Webb
Published: April 2005

The MultiPipMaker World Wide Web server (http://www.bx.psu.edu) provides a useful tool for aligning multiple sequences and visualizing regions of conservation between them. This unit describes the use of the MultiPipMaker server and gives an explanation of the resulting output files and supporting tools. Features provided by the server include alignment of up to 20 very long genomic sequences, output choices of a true, nucleotide‐level multiple alignment or stacked, pairwise percent identity plots, and user‐specified annotations for genomic features and elements of choice, with clickable links to additional information. Alignments can include unordered, unoriented secondary sequences.
Annotating Non‐Coding RNAs with Rfam
Authors: Griffiths‐Jones Sam
Published: April 2005

Non‐coding RNA (ncRNA) genes produce a functional RNA product, rather than a translated protein. The range and importance of such genes is only recently apparent, with known ncRNAs participating in a wide range of structural, regulatory, and catalytic roles within the cell. Like protein‐coding genes, multiple sequence alignments of families of ncRNAs tell us much about their structure and function, and enable the formulation of statistical models for the detection of related sequences. Rfam is a database of families of ncRNAs, represented by structure‐annotated multiple sequence alignments and covariance models.