Brazil After Lula and Dilma Administrations： The Bolsa Familia and Implantation of a Basic Income

The Family Stipend Program （Bolsa Famflia--BF） has been implemented since 2003 as the main strategy to face poverty in Brazil. Its benefit is the transfer of income to poor and extremely poor families as well as to articulate the monetary income transfer with some structural policies, mainly education, health, and work. The BF has already reached almost 14 million of families and is implemented in all the 5,545 Brazilian municipalities, i.e. about ~ of the Brazilian population. The program requires the fulfillment of some conditionalities in the field of education and health, such as： enrollment and attendance of the children and adolescents in school; children must get basic health care; and pregnant women must receive prenatal care. The BF is considered in Brazil, according to Eduardo Suplicy＇s Law Bill 266/2001 sanctioned by President Lula on ]anuary 8 of 2004, as the first step towards creating a Citizenship Basic Income. The goal of this proposal is to present and to problematize the recent political and economic post Lula and Dilma Administrations situation in order to demonstrate the climate of regression in the social protection programs and the dismantling of the same social rights already conquered by the worker class and the poor population. Among the programs to be mentioned is the BF. The intention is to highlight the economic situation of a long recession and rise in unemployment rates besides the decrease of the workers＇ income and the repression of social movements, in order to develop an analysis of the BF in this context.

Impacts of Residual Phosphorus on the Production of Cowpea in the Cerrado Region

Phosphate fertilizers when applied to the soil, besides being harvested by the crops, promote a residual effect that can be offered to subsequent crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the residual effect of phosphate fertilization applied to maize cultivation on the successor crop, cowpea, in the Cerrado region in Maranhao. The research was carried out in the experimental area of Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), located in the city of Chapadinha, MA (3°44'30"S, 43°21'37''W). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were composed of the following residual P doses: 0, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 kg·ha-1 of P2O5. The cultivation of cowpea (cultivar BRS guariba) was sown at a spacing of 1.0 × 0.20 m. The cowpea proved to be efficient in the use of residual phosphate fertilization, since it promoted grain yield close to the national average. The cultivation of cowpea in previously cultivated areas is feasible, in order to take advantage of the residual phosphate fertilization in the Cerrado of East of Maranhao. The phosphorus dose applied in the predecessor crop corresponding to 80 kg·ha-1 of P2O5 promoted higher grain yield (393.44 Mg·ha-1) and a greater profit margin (US $326.26). Thus, it is feasible to grow cowpea in previously cultivated areas, in order to take advantage of residual phosphate fertilization.

Analysis of Risk Factors Sociodemographic for the Functional Dependence of Adults with Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: To evaluate the odds ratio of risk factors of sociodemographic and functional capacity of adults with spinal cord injury. Methods: Analytical, cross-sectional, quantitative study accomplished with a group of 47 people with spinal cord injury in hospitals and 27 in the household. The data were collected through a structured instrument composed of independent variables related to epidemiological and clinical data on spinal cord injury and dependent variables corresponding to the scale of the Barthel Index (BI). The data were analysed with the two-tailed chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., USA). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as an estimate of the risk. The level of significance was set at a p value ≤0.05. Results: It was found that males (OR = 4.804, p = 0.041), the education less than ten years (OR = 3.000, p = 0.036), the hospital care (OR = 5.250, p = 0.002) and injury time less than six months (OR = 5.250, p = 0.002) are sociodemographic factors that are associated with the functional capacity of individuals with spinal cord injury. Moreover, the total dependence (p < 0.001) and severe dependence (p = 0.019) are associated with quadricplegia. It was found that males (p = 0.041), the education less than ten years (p = 0.036), attention to hospital health (p = 0.002) and minor injury time less than six months (p = 0.002) are sociode-mographic factors associated with functional capacity of subjects. Conclusion: As a result, it was found that knowing the epidemiological and clinical factors of people with spinal cord injury is relevant to plan the nursing care. In other words, knowing the epidemiological and clinical factors of people with spinal cord injury is relevant to achieve the functional independence of these people, and it was demonstrated that the social determinants of health are interrelated and interdependent of chronic health conditions, as evidenced by the Care Model for Chronic Conditions.

Genetic Map of Cotton with Molecular Markers

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important natural fiber in the world, and its seeds are also used as a food source. Breeding cotton for traits of interest, such as production and processing of fibers, will ensure that this natural product is as competitive as renewable synthetic fibers derived from petroleum. Thus, the mapping of the cotton genome for traits of interest may be the basis for its subsequent use in breeding programs. This work consists of a literature review, with the aim of bringing together works from different research groups working with the mapping of the cotton genome with molecular markers.

Virulence properties of a peptide hemolysin produced by Enterococcus faecalis

The characterization and prevalence of virulence factors associated with enterococcal invasiveness and severity of disease are important areas to be investigated. Recently, we described the production of a heat-stable hemolysin by clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis cultived in BHI-GA (BHI with glucose and L-arginine). Now, we purified the hemolysin from the culture supernatant by ultra-filtration (PM-10 membrane) and ethanol extraction followed by chromatography in a mBondapak C18 and Superdex Peptide columns. The hemolytic activity was not affected by the proteolytic enzymes. Cholesterol, phospholipids, EDTA and also bivalent ions did not inhibit the hemolytic activity. Among the various carbohydrates, only dextran 4 protected the erythrocytes against lyse. Scanning electron microscopy showed that lyse of erythrocytes occured at once after the exposure to the hemolysin. The mito-chondrial activity and the cell membrane integrity were significantly affected by the hemolysis, within 20 min of exposure and caused apoptosis after 12 h incubation, 51.92% in HeLa and 68% in HEp-2 cells, analyzed by flow cytometry. These results suggest that the heat-stable pore forming hemolysin might be a putative virulence factor in enterococci infections.

Characterization of Virulence Factors in Enteroaggregative and Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Children with Diarrhea

Enteroaggregative (EAEC) and atypical enteropathogenic (EPEC) Escherichia coli are important bacterial etiologic agents causing diarrhea among children. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of virulence factors predisposes to diarrhea. In this study some virulence properties were examined on 11 EAEC and 8 EPEC strains identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), isolated from stool samples of children were analyzed genotypically and phenoltypically for the prevalence of virulence factors. The most frequently detected factor was resistance to serum (94%), followed by curli fimbriae (78%), biofilm production (73%), and gene coding for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) (68%). EPEC isolates showed at least three of the evaluated properties, while EAEC isolates showed at least two. The prevalence of these virulence factors between the two strains showed no statistical difference. This study showed the heterogeneity of the virulence profile of the isolates of EAEC and atypical EPEC strains and suggests that this diversity may influence in the disease severity.

Changes in calcium accumulation and utilization efficiency and their impact on recycling,immobilization,and export across the oil palm cycle

Effective calcium(Ca)management is crucial for optimizing oil palm cultivation and enhancing crop yield.This study aimed to gain insights into the dynamics of Ca concentration,accumulation,exportation,immobilization,and recycling in various oil palm organs relative to plant age.The experiment was conducted at the Agropalma enterprise site in the northeastern region of Para State,Brazil,evaluating seven plant age treatments:2,3,4,5,6,7,and 8 years old.Employing a completely randomized design with four replications.The results demonstrated an age-related increase in Ca concentration in petioles,rachis,arrows,male inflorescences,peduncles,and fruits.Furthermore,Ca accumulation exhibited an upward trend in all organs with progressing plant age.Notably,the study revealed an enhanced Ca use efficiency across all plant organs in correlation with the age of oil palm cultivation.These findings underscore the dynamic nutritional demands of oil palm,influencing Ca immobilization,cycling,and export throughout its developmental stages.

Somatic Polymorphism Variation in <i>Crotalaria retusa</i>L. Seeds

The article describes the somatic polymorphism in Crotalaria retusa L. seeds. Each individual may produce yellow dormant seeds, brown quiescent seeds and unviable dark brown ones. Therefore, regarding physiology it is a dimorphism. We show that autogamy reduces dimorphism, favoring the formation of dormant seeds. However, the significant variation in dimorphism is seasonal as consequence of increased viability of dormant seeds under drier weather conditions. The variation is a phenotypic response to changes of humidity in the environment during plant reproduction, a mechanism inducing the prevalence of dormant seeds in the dry season and quiescent seeds during the rainy season. The seasonal alternation between dormancy and quiescence in seasonally dry environments has an apparent adaptive value. The chromatic polymorphism increases on the more humid coast and during the rainy season, due to increased mortality of dormant seeds under wetter weather conditions. Unviable seeds accumulate oxidized phenols in their seed coat that possibly act as induced chemical defenses. Its proportion increases with humidity, accentuating polymorphism, also in response to the increase in the predation rate by larvae of U. ornatrix during the rainy season.

Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Holochilus sciureus Shows Sex-Related Differences in Parasitological Patterns

Due to the different parasitological patterns found between sexes in human populations and in different biological models during Schistosoma mansoni infection, we proposed to investigate such differences using Holochilus sciureus rodent, besides confirming whether this rodent is suitable for experimental infections. In this sense, males and females of H. sciureus were infected with 200 cercariae from a human strain of S. mansoni. The number of eggs per gram of feces (epg) and the worms were quantified, besides histopathological analysis. Thus, it was shown that females have fewer epg, as well as a longer prepatent period. On the other hand, males had a lower recovery rate of adult worms. The histopathological analysis did not show differences between the sexes. Thus, we suggest that infection in H. sciureus females provides a favorable environment for the development of adult worms, despite impairing the parasite fecundity. In addition, H. sciureus may be an excellent biological model for S. mansoni experimental infections.

Gleason score and tumor laterality in radical prostatectomy and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate： a comparative study

We aimed to compare Gleason score and tumor laterality between transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate （TRUSBX） and radical prostatectomy （RP）. Some factors that could cause a discrepancy in results between these two procedures were also evaluated. Among the 318 cases reviewed, 191 cases were selected for inclusion in this comparative Study, We divided the patients into two groups using the Gleason score： an intermediate/high-grade group （≥7） and a low-grade group （〈6）. Exploratory analyses were conducted for comparisons between groups. We also performed comparisons between TRUSBX and RP for tumor laterality. TRUSBX overestimated 6% and underestimated 24% cases in comparison with RP for Gleason score, and overestimated 2.6% and underestimated 46% cases compared with RP for tumor laterality. Biopsy specimens were slightly smaller in TRUSBX cases with underestimated tumor laterality （P〈 0.05）, and no relationship between the biopsy specimen size and underestimated Gleason score in TRUSBX was found. Prostatic volume showed no statistical correlation with the likelihood of under or overestimation （P 〉 0.05）. Thus, our study showed that TRUSBX has a high likelihood of underestimating both the Gleason score and tumor laterality in prostate cancer （PCa）. The size of the fragment appears to be an important factor influencing the likelihood of laterality underestimation and Gleason score overestimation via TRUSBX. Due to the high likelihood of underestimation of the Gleason score and tumor laterality by 12-core prostate biopsy, we conclude that this type of biopsy should not be used alone to guide therapy in Pca.

Areas with evidence of equity and their progress on mortality from tuberculosis in an endemic municipality of southeast Brazil

Background:In Brazil,people still fall ill and die from tuberculosis(TB),and this can be explained by the significant impasse in the equity of distribution of therapeutic resources to the population as a whole.The aim was to identify geographical areas which have shown progress in terms of equity(of income,schooling and urban occupancy)and test its effect on mortality from TB in a municipality of southeast Brazil.Methods:It is an ecological study considering TB as the basic cause for deaths registered between 2006 and 2013 on the Mortality Information System and other variables obtained through the Demographic Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics(2010).The geographical area for analysis comprised the areas of coverage of the health services.Social indicators have been constructed through the Principal Component Analysis(PCA).The cases were geocoded and the annual mortality rate from TB was calculated with smoothing using the local empirical Bayesian method.Multiple linear regression was then performed.There was confirmation of the existence of spatial dependence of residue through the application of the Global Moran I test,and application of the Models with Global Spatial Effects,to identify the best standard of spatial regression.Results:The mortality rates ranged from 0.00 to 2.8 deaths per 100,000 people,per year.In the PCA,three indicators were constructed,and designated as indicators of income,social inequality,and social equity.In multiple linear regression,the indicator of social equity was statistically significant(P<0.0001)but had a negative association,an adjusted R^(2)of 28.36%and with spatial dependence(Moran I=0.21,P=0.003455).The best model to deal with existing spatial dependence was the Spatial Lag Model.Conclusions:The better social conditions have shown progress in reducing mortality from TB,thereby reinforcing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.In addition,cartography was also applied,which can be replicated in other scenarios throughout the world,using a scope distinct from that of works traditionally produced in that it places the emphasis on social equity.

Vitamin D therapy in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background There is some evidence for the role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in the pediatric population.However,the results are contradictory.Therefore,we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluated the effect of vitamin D on pediatric patients with IBD.Methods We carried out a systematic search in databases from inception until 20 January 2022.We included all relevant articles that evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin D on disease activity,inflammatory factors,and vitamin D and calcium levels in pediatric patients with IBD.Random effects models were used to combine the data.The main outcomes were then analyzed using weight mean difference(WMD)and respective 95%confidence interval(CI).Results Fifteen treatment arms met the eligibility criteria and were included.Pooled estimates indicated that intervention with vitamin D has a significantly beneficial effect on 25-hydroxy vitamin D3[25(OH)D3](pooled WMD of 17.662 ng/mL;CI 9.77-25.46;P<0.001),calcium(pooled WMD of 0.17 mg/dL;CI 0.04-0.30;P=0.009),and inflammatory factors including C-reactive protein(CRP)(pooled WMD of-6.57 mg/L;CI-11.47 to-1.67;P=0.009)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)(pooled WMD of-7.94 mm/h;CI-12.65 to-3.22;P=0.001)levels.In addition,this effect was greater for vitamin D levels at doses greater than 2000 IU,and when follow-up duration was more than 12 weeks.Conclusion This study showed that vitamin D therapy can have a significant and beneficial effect on 25(OH)D3,calcium,and inflammatory factors in children and adolescents with IBD.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP4),adipose inflammation,and insulin resistance:is it time to look to the hepatocyte?

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP4),also known as adenosine deaminase binding protein or cluster of differentiation 26(CD26),is a serine exopeptidase able to inactivate peptides composed of proline,hydroxyproline,or alanine as the penultimate residue.It has a strong capacity to act in various peptides and is also widely expressed in many specialized cell types,such as endothelial cells,macrophages,and adipocytes.On its physiological aspects,DPP4 inactivates the glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1),an incretin secreted by the gastrointestinal tract(1).Based on the antidiabetic actions of this incretin,several DPP4 inhibitors(named as gliptins)were launched in the market and are being in use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes(1).It is noteworthy that DPP4 also inactivate some cytokines,chemokines,and neuropeptides involved in inflammation,immunity,and vascular function(2).