Knowledge of Female Prisoners in a City of Ceará, Brazil, about Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Exploratory study was conducted in the Crato Public Prison, State of Ceará, Brazil, aiming to understand the knowledge and experiences related to the preventive aspects of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in the prison context. The target population of the study consisted of 14 female inmates, 10 of whom agreed to participate. Data collection occurred in June 2012 through recorded semi-structured individual interviews. We investigated quantitative, socio-demographic and sexual variables. In qualitative data analysis, we applied the Meaning Interpretation Method. The female vulnerability was aggravated by the early onset of sexual activity, lack of knowledge about STDs, non-adoption of preventive measures and history of prostitution. The following categories emerged from the qualitative assessment: Knowledge about STD/AIDS versus Personal Experience;Use of contraception as STD/AIDS prevention within the Public Jail;Habits of inmates: alcohol and tobacco;and Characterization of the conjugal visit area.

Retrospective Epidemiological Analysis of Colles’ Fracture in Patients Admitted in Fernandes Távora Hospital

Background: Colles’ fracture is a type of fracture of the distal third of the radius and its most common cause is falling from patient’s own height and, epidemiologically, it is more common in the elderly. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to analyze the epidemiology of Colles’ fracture retrospectively, in patients admitted to Fernandes Távora Hospital. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study conducted at the Fernandes Távora Hospital used 1030 radiographic images of patients with wrist fractures. Results: (After a careful analysis) It was found that this type of fracture occurred with a greater frequency in age groups of 50 to 69, 60 to 69, and 40 to 49 years old, which corresponds to 59.5% of patients and the most affected sex were females (51.1%). Conclusion: The study concluded that this type of bone injury is more common in people aged 40 to 69 years old, especially in women, because of their geometry and bone composition. It is evident that Colles’ fracture impacts the life of the affected person, therefore, an adequate diagnosis and treatment having utmost importance.

Automatic Detection of COVID-19 Infection Using Chest X-Ray Images Through Transfer Learning

The new coronavirus(COVID-19),declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic,has infected more than 1 million people and killed more than 50 thousand.An infection caused by COVID-19 can develop into pneumonia,which can be detected by a chest X-ray exam and should be treated appropriately.In this work,we propose an automatic detection method for COVID-19 infection based on chest X-ray images.The datasets constructed for this study are composed of194 X-ray images of patients diagnosed with coronavirus and 194 X-ray images of healthy patients.Since few images of patients with COVID-19 are publicly available,we apply the concept of transfer learning for this task.We use different architectures of convolutional neural networks(CNNs)trained on Image Net,and adapt them to behave as feature extractors for the X-ray images.Then,the CNNs are combined with consolidated machine learning methods,such as k-Nearest Neighbor,Bayes,Random Forest,multilayer perceptron(MLP),and support vector machine(SVM).The results show that,for one of the datasets,the extractor-classifier pair with the best performance is the Mobile Net architecture with the SVM classifier using a linear kernel,which achieves an accuracy and an F1-score of 98.5%.For the other dataset,the best pair is Dense Net201 with MLP,achieving an accuracy and an F1-score of 95.6%.Thus,the proposed approach demonstrates efficiency in detecting COVID-19 in X-ray images.

Bioactive extracts of red seaweeds Pterocladiella capillacea and Osmundaria obtusiloba(Floridophyceae:Rhodophyta) with antioxidant and bacterial agglutination potential

Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant,antibacterial and bacterial cell agglutination activities of the hexane(Hex) and 70%ethanol(70%EtOH) extracts of two species of red seaweeds Pterocladiella capillacea(P.capillacea) and Osmundaria obtusiloba.Methods:In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay,ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay,ferrous ion chelating assay,β-carotene bleaching assay and total phenolic content quantification.Antimicrobial activity was tested using the method of disc diffusion on Mueller-Hinton medium.The ability of algal extracts to agglutinate bacterial cells was also tested.Results:The 70%EtOH extract of the two algae showed the highest values of total phenolic content compared to the Hex extract.The results of DPPH for both extracts(Hex,70%EtOH) of Osmundaria obtusiloba(43.46%and 99.47%) were higher than those of P.capillacea(33.04%and 40.81%) at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL.As for the ferrous ion chelating,there was an opposite behavior,extracts of P.capillacea had a higher activity.The extracts showed a low ferric-reducing antioxidant power,with optical density ranging from0.054 to 0.180.Antioxidant activities of all extracts evaluated for β-carotene bleaching were above 40%.There was no antibacterial activity against bacterial strains tested.However,the extracts of both species were able to agglutinate bacterial Gram positive cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative cells of Escherichia coli,multidrug-resistant Salmonella and Vibrio harveyi.Conclusions This is the first report of the interaction between these algal extracts,rich in natural compounds with antioxidant potential,and Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial cells.

Effect of operating conditions and potassium content on Fischer-Tropsch liquid products produced by potassium-promoted iron catalysts

The dependencies of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis liquid hydrocarbon product distribution on operating pressure and temperature have been studied over three potassium-promoted iron catalysts with increasing potassium molar content. The study followed an experimental planning and the results were analyzed based on surface response methodology. The effects of different operating conditions and potassium contents on the liquid product distribution were compared based on number average carbon number and dispersion. Results showed that high pressures （25 to 30 arm） favored the production of waxes that could be converted into liquid fuels through hydrocracking, while greater direct selectivity towards diesel was favored by low pressure （20 arm） using catalysts with low potassium to iron molar ratios. The liquid product distribution produced using an iron catalyst with high potassium content presented higher number-average number of carbons when compared to the distribution obtained using an iron catalyst with low potassium content.

Periodic Modulation of Nonlinearity in a Two-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber: A Numerical Investigation

We present a numerical investigation of the propagation and the switching of ultra-short pulses (100 fs) in a two-core nonlinear coupler of photonic crystal fibers constructed with periodically modulated the non-linearity fiber (PMNL-PFC). Our simulations are taking into account different amplitude and frequency modulations of the PMNL-PFC. A coupler for coupling whose length is Lc = 1.8 cm, the transmission characteristics, the compression factor, the crosstalk (Xtalk) and extinction ratio (Xratio) levels of the first order solitons were studied for low to high pump energies considering 2Lc. By an analysis on the reference channel (channel 2), it is observed that at low modulation frequencies an increase occurs in the switching power increasing transmission efficiency. For high modulation frequencies, the transmitted energy efficiency loses. The switching pulses are stronger for low frequency and high amplitude modulation. The Xtalk is a function of the measurement made on the secondary channel (channel 1). It was observed that this unwanted high-frequency energy increases to lessen the measure of the amplitude modulation. In summary, we have demonstrated that introduction of a non-linearity profile takes the periodically modulated PMNL-PFC to strong variations at transmission efficiency, Xtalk, Xratio a function of frequency and modulation amplitude and the input power.

Structural Characteristics of Mulato Grass I under Different Cutting Heights

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of different individual heights of cut on structural characteristics of Brachiaria hibrida cv. Mulato I in four periods of the year. The study was carried out at the Fazenda Experimental Vale do Acaraú, in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil, from January to December, 2008. The experimental design was a split plot, with the plots representing four pasture conditions through manual cuts of 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm heights, which were done every 30 days. Each treatment had three replications. The subplots were represented by four periods of evaluation: January-February-March, April-May-June, July-August-September and October-November-December. Fertilization was performed with 350 kg of N/ha, divided into monthly applications. Irrigation was conducted in alternate days during the dry season. The variables studied were: mean height before cutting (cm);dry matter content (%);total dry matter production (t/ha);percentage of leaves;percentage of stems;percentage of dead material;leaf blade/stem ratios;number of total leaves per tiller;number of live leaves per tiller;average size of leaves;and tiller density. Cutting at 10 cm caused a decrease in total dry matter production, underestimating the potential production. Cutting heights between 20 and 30 cm contributed positively to increase the total number of leaves, number of green leaves, average size of the leafs and total dry matter production. Under the present experimental conditions, cutting around 40 cm was not recommended because of a decreasing in the leaf/stem ratio and a increasing in stem fraction and dry matter content, compromising the structure of the canopy.

Antibacterial activity and inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus NorA efflux pump by ferulic acid and its esterified derivatives

Objective:To evaluate the inhibitory activity of ferulic acid and four of its esterified derivatives(methyl,ethyl,propyl,and butyl)against resistance mechanisms in Staphylococcus aureus strains.Methods:Ferulic acid derivatives were obtained by esterification with methanol,ethanol,propanol,and butanol,and then characterized by hydrogen and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.The minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of ferulic acid and its esterified derivatives,ethidium bromide,and norfloxacin were obtained using the microdilution test,while the efflux pump inhibition test was conducted by examining reduction in the MICs of norfloxacin and ethidium bromide.Molecular docking was also carried out using the Schrodinger Suite 2015 molecular modeling software.A three-dimensional model of NorA efflux pump was generated using I-TASSER.The best scoring model was used as a receptor for ligand-receptor docking.Results:The methyl and butyl ester derivatives did not demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity.However,a significant synergic effect was evidenced when norfloxacin was combined with the ethyl and propyl esterified derivatives.The docking study demonstrated favorable energy of interaction between ferulate derivatives and NorA,and amino acid residues TYR57,TYR58,and LEU255 were present commonly in stabilizing all complexes.The PCA analysis corroborated the docking hypothesis that the lipophilic character and hydrogen bond interactions were the most relevant characteristics involved with NorA inhibitors.The pharmacokinetic parameters of ferulic acid derivatives showed good ADMET properties,demonstrating that they can be easily absorbed and have no effect or inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme complex,revealing their potential as drug candidates.Conclusions:This study provides strong evidence that the molecular basis for this activity is potentially due to the NorA efflux pump.

Raman Spectra of Nd:La3Ga5SiO14 and Nd:La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 Crystals

Single crystals of Nd：La3Ga5SiO14 （NLGS） and Nd：La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 （NLGT） were grown by Czochralski method. Both crystals exhibit a langasite structure （space group D32 （P321） with Z = 1）, whose general formula is A3BC2D3O14, where A, B, C and D represent the dodecahedral, octahedral and tetrahedral positions, respectively. The adding of low content of Nd does not change the crystal structure. Although they are isostructural, the distribution of atoms among the symmetric sites is different. While NLGT exhibits a perfect orderly structure, NLGS exhibits an intrinsically disordered structure due to the random distribution of Ga and Si atoms at the C3（2） symmetry sites. To understand what changes occur in the phonon distribution when Ta replaces Si, we recorded and analyzed room temperature polarized Raman spectra. We observe 8A1＋18E modes for NLGS and 10A1＋13E for NLGT crystals. When Si is substituted by Ta, we observe that the wavenumber of some modes related to vibrations involving Ga and O atoms decreases. This agrees with the fact that the Ga–O bonds are shorter in NLGS than in NLGT.

Isotopic and geochemical constraints for a Paleoproterozoic accretionary orogen in the Borborema Province,NE Brazil:Implications for reconstructing Nuna/Columbia

The Alto MoxotóTerrane of the Borborema Province presents a wide exposure of Paleoproterozoic crust,but unlike other continental blocks of South America,its orogenic history is strongly obliterated by late Neoproterozoic deformation.New isotopic and geochemical studies were conducted in mafic-ultramafic(Fazenda Carmo Suite)and granitic-gneissic rocks(Riacho do Navio Suite)within the terrane.The former present zircon U-Pb crystallization ages at ca.2.13 Ga,whereas Sm-Nd data suggests a juvenile origin via melting of early Paleoproterozoic to Archean peridotitic sources.Geochemical data for these rocks are compatible with tholeiitic magmas with some degree of crustal contamination and trace element distribution points to a continental-arc related setting interpreted as remnants of the early stages of subduction.In contrast,the Riacho do Navio Suite was emplaced at ca.2.08 Ga and has highly negativeεNd(t)values indicating crustal reworking.The suite displays calc-alkali to alkali-calcic and ferroan geochemical signatures compatible with Cordilleran magmas.In addition,trace-element distribution as well as discriminant diagrams suggest that the precursor magmas were generated during the later stages of a continental arc or in a syn-collisional setting.Based on our results,we suggest that the studied units might represent missing pieces of a Paleoproterozoic accretionary orogen that formed the crustal framework of the Alto MoxotóTerrane,and that this represents a block associated with assembly of the Nuna/Columbia supercontinent,which is now largely hidden within the Neoproterozoic orogenic belts of West Gondwana.

Pattern of Alcohol Consumption in Registered Users of a Family Health Unit

The alcohol abuse is associated with a wide range of social, health and legal problems to analyze the pattern of alcohol consumption of users of a Family Health Unit. A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted with 207 users of a Family Health Unit who responded the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data were analyzed with the aid of the STATA/SE 12.0 software. To analyze the association of the variables, the chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used. Of the participants, 40.6% presented abusive consumption of alcohol, which is strongly associated to the male sex, single, between 18 and 30 years of age, who have no religion and some sort of occupation. There was no relation with monthly income and education. Screening and prevention programs to alcohol abuse are important for the most vulnerable group in the primary health care.

<i>Spirulina platensis</i>Alleviates the Liver, Brain and Heart Oxidative Stress in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Spirulina platensis (SPI) is a microalga with a high content of functional compounds, such as phenolics, phycocyanins and polysaccharides that has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, neuro-protective and immunomodulatory effects. The objectives of the present work were to study the possible effects of SPI treatment on the glycemic-lipid profile, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and cardiac performance in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in male Wistar rats. In diabetic animals SPI, at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, reduced lipid peroxidation, nitrite levels and lipids in plasma and tissues. SPI exhibited an effective improvement on +dP/dT and &minus;dP/dT in non-diabetic rats. This study showed that SPI significantly suppressed nitrite generation and lipoperoxidation in the hearts of diabetic animals, as well as an improvement in the cardiac function in control SPI-treated rats which is consistent with several studies that demonstrated the protective effect of antioxidants on oxidative stress-mediated injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in diabetic myocardial tissues.

Socio-Economic Profile of People with Disabilities: A Health Impact

The objective was to compare the socioeconomic profile and the repercussions for effects on the health of people with physical, hearing and visual of the main Ceará state associations in Brazil. Quantitative study carried out from March to August 2012 through a structured questionnaire with 120 subjects. Variables were: gender, age, education, family income and marital status. Studies are necessary to examine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on health. The results indicate that the three deficiencies have different distributions in all age groups (p = 0.001), and auditory and visual obtained the highest percentage in the age group of 18 - 29 years (67.5% and 40%, respectively), while motor in the range of 30 - 49 (60%), if no association between level of education and disability was found (p = 0.553). Family income showed a statistically significant difference between disability (p = 0.044), with lower income in hearing loss (45%) and higher in the visual (42.5%). Studies have demonstrated that people with disabilities are not homogeneous. It is important to examine socioeconomic indicators, and individual needs and characteristics to plan effective action.

Visually Impaired Individuals in Brazil and Portugal and Learning about Drugs through a Board Game

Objective: To compare the learning of visually impaired individuals after the use of the educational game “Drugs: playing it clean”. Method: Quasi-experimental, comparative, before-after study. Results: The participants’ mean age in Brazil was lower than in Portugal;a significant difference in information acquisition was found between the pre and post-test for the low-complexity (Brazil p = 0.018 and Portugal p = 0.002), without a difference in the number of correct answers for the medium/high-complexity questions between the two countries (p = 0.655 and p = 0.0792);when comparing the number of correct answers before and after the game intervention, an increase was found in Brazil and Portugal, respectively (21.8% - 61.1%;11.2% - 38.9%);a significant difference was found in the number of correct answers between the low and medium/high-complexity questions (p = 0.030). Conclusion: The educational game permits information access and can be used as a teaching-learning strategy.

Structural Accessibility of Gynecological Nursing Clinics for Users with Motor Disabilities in Basic Health Units

A quantitative descriptive study aimed to evaluate the physical structure accessibility of gynecological nursing clinics and their bathrooms in basic health units for users with motor disabilities. A checklist tool/instrument was applied for analyzing 16 items in the bathroom and four in the nursing clinic. 157 basic health units were evaluated. In the nursing clinic, counters and tables (79.6%) were accessible, but stretchers (93%), seats (93.6%) and doors (87.3%) were inaccessible;moreover, 17.8% of the units examined proved totally inaccessible. In the bathroom, the items with the best evaluation were the height of the toilet flusher (47%) with operation by slight pressure (44.6%) and the wall-mounted sink (42.7%). Bathroom doors and turning area/space for wheelchairs were inaccessible. No bathroom reached full accessibility, and 31.2% were entirely inaccessible. Non-compliance was evident of the standard 9050:2004 of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards. Raising the awareness of health and engineering professionals is recommended to learn technical accessibility standards and implement them.

Dengue in renal transplant recipients: Clinical course and impact on renal function

AIM To present clinical characteristics from renal transplant recipients with dengue fever and its impact on graft function.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 11 renal transplant recipients(RTR) with dengue infection confirmed by laboratory test, between January 2007 and July 2012, transplanted in the Renal Transplant Center of Walter Cantídio University Hospital from Federal University of Ceará. RESULTS Positive dengue serology(IgM) was found in all patients. The mean time between transplant and dengue infection was 43 mo. Fever was presented in all patients. Nine patients presented with classical dengue and two(18%) with dengue hemorrhagic fever. All cases had satisfactory evolution with complete recovery of the symptoms. The time for symptom resolution varied from 2 to 20 d, with an average of 9 d. An increase of creatinine after the infection was observed in three(27.2%) patients with no clinically impact on the kidney graft function. CONCLUSION RTR with dengue infection seems to have a clinical presentation and evolution similar to those seen in the general population, with no long-term damage to patient and to the graft.

Breast Health to Blind Woman: Validation of Accessible Online Course

This study aimed to build an accessible online course about breast cancer, focusing on early detection. It is a methodological development study based on the construction of the Health Breast Online Course, accessible for blind women. Content assessment with three health professionals was carried out, in a public university of Ceará, in September 2012. Three blind people educators evaluated pedagogical aspects at a specialized school in Fortaleza, Ceará, in October 2012. The content was modified according to the experts’ suggestions to simple language, logical sequence and emphasis on breast self-exam. After three stages of evaluation, it was considered fully adequate. Appearance was evaluated as fully adequate, able to arouse interest and to promote inclusive education. Stages of content and pedagogical aspects assessment have been addressed satisfactorily. There are new steps that must be performed for the validation. This study expands horizons for researches in this subject and generates reflection on accessible online health education.

Metastasis of Mammary Carcinoma in Bitches: Evaluation of the Sentinel Lymph Node Technique

In recent years the development of extremely accurate techniques for the removal of lymph nodes has been seen, such as the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) technique. The technique is based on the staggered progression occurring in the lymphatic drainage of neoplasias, and is currently the main prognostic and diagnostic factor in women suffering from mammary carcinoma. This research aims at assessing the sentinel lymph node biopsy accuracy in female dogs suffering from mammary carcinoma. Forty-one dogs with cytological diagnosis of the tumor were used in the research. After injecting a Patent Blue V dye, mastectomy was conducted jointly with lymphadenectomy (for both sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes). The material was then serially sectioned and microscopically evaluated by routine H&E stain and immunohistochemical study with the markers for pancytokeratin AE1/AE3 and myoepithelial cells CK14. The study revealed that 46.3% (19/41) of the animals presented nodal metastasis. The sensitivity and specificity values found for SLNB were respectively 89.5% and 100%, with a kappa coefficient of 0.90 and p < 0.0001. Therefore, the SLNB technique offers high sensitivity in the early detection of metastases, allowing higher precision in the staging of oncological patients and, therefore, offering higher chances of survival.

巴西贫穷社区疥疮和头虱的流行病学和发病率研究

Background:Pediculosis capitis and scabies are common parasitic skin diseases,especially in resource-poorcommun-ities,but data on epidemiology and morbidity are scanty. Objectives:To assess the prevalence, seasonal variation and morbidity of pediculosis capitis and scabies in poor neighbourhoods in north-east Brazil. Methods The study comprised cross-sectional surveys of a representative population of an urban slum (n=1460) in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara State (Brazil) and a fishing community 60 km south of the city (n=605). Study participants were examined for the presence of scabies and pediculosis capitis. In a longitudinal study in the slum,variation of prevalence in different seasons of the year was assessed. Results:Prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 43.4%in the slum and 28.1%in the fishing community. Children aged 10-14 years and females were most frequently affected. Scabies was present in 8.8%of the population in the slum and in 3.8%of the population in the fishing community. There was no consistent pattern of age distribution. Superinfection was common in patients with scabies, and cervical lymphadenopathy in patients with pediculosis capitis. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≤15 years, being of female sex and living in the urban slum were independent factors contributing to the simultaneous coinfestation with pediculosis capitis and scabies. The longitudinal data from the urban slum showed a characteristic seasonal variation of pediculosis capitis, but no fluctuation of scabies. Conclusions: Pediculosis capitis and scabies are hyperendemic in the study areas and are associated with considerable morbidity. There is an urgent need to develop control measures for these parasitic skin diseases in resource-poor communities. This is the first community-based study describing in detail the epidemiology and morbidity of scabies and head lice infestation in Brazil.

Preparation of Bi_(4)Ti_(3)O_(12)(BIT)Ceramics via a High-Energy Ball Milling Process Doped with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes(MWNTs)

We prepared the Nano-sized bismuth titanate Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) powders, through a high-energy ball milling process from their oxides Bi2O3 and TiO2. This BIT phase can be formed after a milling process for 40 min. With an increasing milling time, this particle size of mixture is gradually reduced, thus, we have mostly an amorphous phase. The BIT ceramics were duly obtained by sintering the synthesized powders at temperatures ranging from 850°C to 1000°C. The BIT ceramics sintered at 1020°C for 1 h, exhibiting a density with 7.52 g/cm3 of a crystaline phase and a dielectric of K = 288.11 (100 Hz), as well as a dielectric loss of 0.05 (100 kHz). The High-energy ball milling process is a promising way to prepare BIT ceramics. After the preparation of the BIT, we doped it with the Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes which are properly obtained by a chemical vapour deposition (CVD), using nickel as a catalyst, as well as using acetilene at 720°C, and then proceeded with the dielectric and optical measurements.