Repositório RCAAP

Species of the Neotropical Alongatepyris Azevedo are rarely collected. It is recognized among Sclerodermini genera by having the body extremely flattened and the submedian cell of the fore wing small and completely closed. Originally monotypic, a second species, A. ingens sp. nov. from Colombia, is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by the absence of the radial vein of the fore wing. A diagnosis of A. platunissimus Azevedo, 1992 is presented and both species are compared. A key to species Alongatepyris is provided.

PAIVA, Melquíades Pinto. Cartas de pesca para os atuns e afins do Atlântico Tropical. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Fortaleza: UFC, v.1, n.2,1961. p. 1-110.

Discusses the education of users,especially in university libraries, through an experience report at the Universidade Federal do Ceará. Project highlights the freshmen, an action of the Pro-Rectory of Graduate of the UFC and the participation of the Library System on the same course through the “Biblioteca pra quê te quero?: iniciação à pesquisa e ao uso de recursos informacionais”. This initiative aims to develop student skills and abilities to use the library, finding information and academic integration.

Before the current economic and technological demands of the knowledge associated with the lack of literature regarding the management of university libraries, the intent of this study is to produce an evaluation model for university libraries, based on the key principle of alignment Balanced Scorecard (BSC) led to the synergy of actions of library policies for undergraduate teaching institutions of higher learning. The proposed method was developed in seven phases that aim at knowing the guidelines at the courses described in the project's educational course in oceanography, the vision of the faculty of the institution, student's perceptions in relation to products and services and its critical success factors. The expected outcomes relate to personnel, products and services, technological structure, physical structure and organization of collections, the critical success factors of the library, management and evaluation, highlighting the need for a library committed to the assimilation of the systemic view of University

This article aims to study the new concept of person with disability as stated in the International Convention concerning the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the United Nations approved on December 13, 2006 and its impacts on Brazilian affirmative actions for the inclusion of workers with disabilities in the labor market. This concept changes the focus of the word disability, hitherto regarded as a limitation on certain class of people, asserting that it relates to barriers imposed by society that prevent the full development of all its citizens. It is then up to the very society to create mechanisms so that it fits all, each one with its peculiarities, so as to achieve the desired equality in its material sense. Regarding that it will be studied the evolution of the concept of person with disability in human history, the constitutional principles and affirmative actions involved in the realization of the fundamental right of labor for these people and finally, the impact of the new concept in the procedures to be adopted in implementing those actions.

This work analyzes depression in adolescence from a perspective of psychopathology which discusses psychoanalysis theory and biological psychiatry. Within this context, it is used the term of depression and the promise of cure through the adjustment of neuro-hormonal deficits which are expected to be offset by medications. Psychoanalysis fosters a differentiation between the terms depression and melancholia and correlates the depression concept with the the mourning due to the children's structure loss.Finally, four aspects are considered in characterizing the depression concept during the adolescence: (1) not all sadness manifestations or behavior changes are pathological; (2) it is part of psychism and individual structure; (3) it functions as a defense of psychism so as to protect the human being (4) it should be conceived as a mourning in the psychoanalyst meaning of the term which, after a certain time period, needs to be surpassed and libido embedded in other objects.

The Thesis entitled “Three Essays on Economic Growth in Latin America and Brazil” is composed of three articles. The first article deals with the Total Productivity of Factors and decomposition of TPF in Latin America in the period of 1960 the 2000. It uses the model of Stochastic Frontier including macroeconomic variables of technique inefficiency for the countries of Latin America during the period of forty years. It can be evidenced that those variables in general have a significant impact on the behavior of the inefficiency technique of the region, what it is assured by the statistic test. Among those variables, the ones that have bigger effect in the explanation of the inefficiency technique of the countries are the ones that present a positive relation with the inefficiency, those are the expenses of the government and the inflation tax, that is, how much bigger these taxes, greater will be the correspondence of the inefficiency technique. Already, variables that present an inverse relation with the inefficiency technique had been identified by the degree of opening and shunting lines of the local prices in relation to the parity of the purchase power. The second article makes an analysis of causality between trade opening and economic growth for the Brazilian states during the period of 1986 the 2005. In this chapter is made a test of causality of Granger to verify the possible influence of the trade opening in the economic growth and vice it turns. The results of the test indicate a bicausality, that is, even the trade opening can cause some impact in the economic growth as the economic growth can come to cause influence in the trade opening in the sense of causality of Granger for the Brazilian states during the period of twenty years analyzed. In the third chapter, it aims to analyze the serious problem of income concentration, poverty and social inequality, particularly in the northeast of Brazil. Specifically, the equation of incomes of workers in the agriculture of the Northeast region will be esteem. Once esteemed the equation of incomes of workers in the agriculture of the Northeast region, it gives the information that can decompose the determinative ones of the income inequality. Of this way, it can be said the percentile participation of each determinative one in the explanation of the inequality. It was applied decomposition in level and difference. In the determination of the equation of incomes for the agricultural area of northeast, it verifies that discrimination of color exists. Referring to the decomposition in level, the education showed to be the variable most important in the explanation of the inequality for period 1995, followed by age, sex and medium brown color. In 2001, the changeable education also was the most important, followed for union, medium brown color and sex. For the year of 2005, the education continues as main the determinative one of the inequality of incomes in the northeast agricultural area of Brazil.

The ability to reduce water evaporation by ultrathin films of surfactants is known since 1925, but the first field experiment was conducted only in the 50s in Australia. This practice proved to be feasible and widespread to the point that there are now companies that sell industrial products to reduce evaporation. The present work aims to study the possible influences that these substances can cause in the physical, chemical and biological water where monomolecular films of hexadecanol were applied to reduce evaporation. The studies were done in cylindrical tanks of 20m2 surface area and 2m deep, constructed in the Campus do Pici, Universidade Federal do Ceará, and the quality parameters were: dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, turbidity and color, pH , temperature and counting of phytoplankton. The results show small variations in the physico-chemical and microbiological especially the increase of water temperature in tanks with application of hexadecanol and quantitative difference of phytoplankton species identified in the two tanks

A mucosite é caracterizada por úlceras e sintomas orais e intestinais causados por drogas citotóxicas, onde prostaglandinas (PG) e citocinas podem exercer efeitos pró-inflamatórios. O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar os efeitos do celecoxib (CLX) e indometacina (IND), inibidores da síntese de PG, e de pentoxifilina (PTX) e talidomida (TLD), inibidores da síntese de citocinas, em mucosites induzidas por antineoplásicos. Injetou-se 5-fluorouracil (FU 60 e 40 mg/kg-ip) em hamsters Golden machos, para a mucosite oral (MO); e metotrexato (MTX 2,5 mg/kg-sc) em ratos Wistar e em camundongos C57 machos, para a mucosite intestinal (MI). Grupos de hamsters com MO foram tratados sc com CLX (7,5, 15 ou 30 mg/kg), IND (0,25, 0,5 ou 1 mg/kg), PTX (5, 15 ou 45 mg/kg) ou TLD (10, 30 ou 90 mg/kg) diariamente durante 10 d e avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: análises macroscópica e histopatológica, atividade da mieloperoxidase (MPO), leucograma e variação de massa corpórea. O FU causou pico das ulcerações e abscessos no 10º dia (P<0,05), sendo confirmado pela análise histológica e atividade da MPO. Observou-se leucocitose, às custas de neutrófilos, e perda acentuada de massa corpórea. CLX (7,5 e 15 mg/kg), mas não IND, reduziu as úlceras e abscessos (66,6%), a leucocitose e a perda de peso. No entanto, CLX 30 mg/kg apresentou perda de eficácia antiinflamatória, causando aumento da mucosite oral. PTX (45 mg/kg) e TLD (90 mg/kg) reduziram a intensidade dos achados (66,6%), diminuindo as ulcerações e abscessos no 10º dia. Apenas PTX reduziu a leucositose induzida pela mucosite oral induzida. Na mucosite intestinal, ratos foram tratados ip com CLX (7,5, 15 ou 30 mg/kg), PTX (15, 30 ou 60 mg/kg) ou TLD (10, 30 ou 90 mg/kg) durante 5 dias, e avaliados pela análise morfométrica, permeabilidade intestinal via teste da lactulose e manitol, imunohistoquímica para detecção de TNF-α, leucograma e variações de massa corpórea, de ingestões de líquidos e alimentos dos animais. O MTX causou encurtamento dos vilos, aumento da profundidade das criptas, e perda da integridade do epitélio, com conseqüente redução da área absortiva intestinal, principalmente no duodeno, seguido pelo jejuno e em menor grau, no íleo. Observou-se leucopenia no 5º dia, além de redução de massa corpórea e das ingestões de líquidos e alimentos. CLX (30 mg/kg) preveniu a redução da área absortiva duodenal em 37%, além de diminuir a leucopenia. Não reduziu, porém, a perda de peso, nem alterou as ingestões de líquidos ou alimentos. PTX (15 mg/kg) foi capaz de inibir a redução da relação vilos/criptas em 38% no duodeno, com diminuição da solução de continuidade do epitélio, do infiltrado inflamatório e conseqüente proteção da área absortiva. Apesar de não ter prevenido a leucopenia ou as baixas ingestões de líquidos e alimentos, PTX foi capaz de reduzir a perda de massa corpórea significantemente. TLD (30 e 90 mg/kg) reduziu em 37% e 29%, respectivamente, a relação vilos/criptas duodenais induzida por MTX. TLD (90 mg/kg) causou redução significativa da marcação de TNF-α tanto ao nível de epitélio como na lâmina própria, quando comparado a mucosite não tratada. Entretanto, TLD não reduziu a leucopenia vista no 5º dia, nem preveniu a redução de massa corpórea e ingestões de líquidos ou alimentos. Camundongos C57BL/6 knockout para receptor R1 de TNF-α (TNF-R1-/-) apresentam relação vilos/criptas reduzida em relação a animais normais. Estes foram submetidos a MI por MTX e mostraram menores alterações ao nível de jejuno e íleo. Assim, os resultados demonstraram que os modelos animais de mucosites oral e intestinal reproduziram importantes aspectos dessa patologia em humanos. PTX e TLD e em menor grau, CLX, reduziram a inflamação nas mucosas induzidas por antineoplásicos, sugerindo-se que o TNF-α possa ser um mediador importante nas mucosites, enquanto que as prostaglandinas possuam uma função dependente de sua concentração

Croton nepetaefolius is an aromatic bush found in brazilian Northeast region, called “marmeleiro sabiá”, and it is used in folk medicine as an antispasmodic and carminative agent. Its essential oil is comprised of 1,8-cineole, methyl-eugenol, xanthoxylin, terpineol and others constituents. Recent studies showed some pharmacological activities of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) as an intestinal antispasmodic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. Our aim in this work was to evaluate the effects of EOCN on airway and vascular smooth muscle and also on autonomic neurons. We used in vitro models of rat and guinea-pig isolated vessels and guinea-pig tracheal rings for isometric recording of the smooth muscle contractions. Guinea-pig celiac ganglion, was used for intracellular microelectrode recording of electricophysiological signals. Moreover, mean arterial pressure, cardiovascular, respiratory and hematologic parameters were measured in vivo in rats. EOCN (0,1 – 1000 microgram/ml) relaxed basal and K+-increased guinea-pig tracheal tonus (EC50 = 4 and 63 microgram/ml, respectively), in a concentratation-dependent manner. In ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pig tissues, EOCN inhibited the antigen-induced contraction. EOCN (100 - 400 microgram/ml) blocked the histamine- and PGF2alpha -induced contractions. The contractions induced by histamine, carbacol and KCl were inhibited by EOCN with IC50s between 100-130 microgram/ml. In rat and guinea-pig aortic rings, EOCN relaxed the 60 mM K+-induced contractions (IC50 = 32 and 200 microgram/ml, respectively). Only in rat tissues, this EOCN-induced relaxation was partially inhibited by both L-NAME (100 microgram M) or endothelium lack. In guinea-pig aortic rings, EOCN inhibited the Ca2+-independent phorbol esther- and hyperosmotic K+- induced contractions. EOCN, preferably, diminished the mean arterial pressure and inhibited the aortic rings phenylephrine-induced contractions in DOCA-salt treated rats rather than uninephrectomized rats. Both EOCN, methyl-eugenol and terpineol increased the flow through rat mesenteric bed. This effect was partially blocked by L-NAME (50 microgram M). EOCN did not produce hyperpolarization of the transmembrane potential. In celiac ganglion phasic neurons, EOCN signicantly inhibited the histamine-induced increase of the neuronal excitability. In conclusion, EOCN is an airway smooth muscle relaxant, hypotensor and vasorelaxant agent, and it is a blocker of the stimulant histamine activity on autonomic neurons. Its effects are, probably, mediated by an intracellular action or protein C kinase modulation.

Objetivos deste estudo realizar investigação epidemiológica da dor em crianças vítimas de queimaduras, identificar o perfil epidemiológico das crianças vítimas de queimaduras no processo da dor, avaliar a dor da criança queimada utilizando uma Escala Visual Analógica – EVA (escala de faces) e fornecer subsídios ao serviço de queimados para avaliar o processo de dor. É um estudo de natureza epidemiológica descritiva, que se desenvolveu no Centro de Tratamento de Queimados do Instituto Dr. José Frota no período de agosto de 2003 a setembro de 2004. A amostra foi de 100 crianças, no período de março a setembro de 2004. Utilizamos um formulário que contém a Escala Visual Analógica– EVA (escala de faces). Para consolidação dos dados, utilizamos a computação eletrônica, com o programa Statistical Package of Social Service - SPSS. Os resultados obtidos são que as crianças do sexo masculino (56%), na faixa etária de 0 a 24 meses (39%), provenientes da capital (55%), tendo a cozinha como principal cenário (60%), e o agente causal mais comum os líquidos quentes (66%), demonstrando os diversos fatores de risco, que estas crianças estão expostas, levando-as ao fenômeno doloroso. A dor está presente nos acidentes com queimaduras em 91% das vítimas, principalmente nas queimaduras de 2º e 3º graus. Na EVA a avaliação feita pela criança teve um valor bem aproximado do acompanhante, com os níveis 0 (sem dor), 1, 2, 4 e 5 (pior dor) ficando aproximadamente 50% para cada avaliador, demonstrando que o adulto teve uma boa avaliação da dor da criança internada, denotando conhecer bem o seu ente. Nos níveis de dor 1 e 2, a avaliação do acompanhante deteve um percentual um pouco maior, demonstrando que não houve grandes discrepâncias entre estas avaliações. Entendemos que a avaliação da dor deva ser incluída na rotina diária de cuidados afirmando se como o quinto sinal vital

Recent studies have pointed out the negative effects of persistent hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery patients. Tight glucose control below 110 mg/dL with insulin has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in critically ill patients. Glutamine, a conditionally essential amino acid during stress, has been shown to promote glucose utilization and to increase insulin sensitivity in trauma patients. The present study aimed to access the effects of nutraceutical doses of L-alanyl-glutamine preoperatively in a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Twenty-two elective patients (63 ± 8 years) with coronary artery disease scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to receive either saline 1000 ml (Group Saline, n=11) or L-alanyl-glutamine 20% (250ml) in saline to final volume 1000 ml (Group L-alanyl-glutamine, n=11). The infusions were started 3 h prior to the operative procedure and lasted 3 hours. Blood samples were collected 3h before [Basal (T-0)], just before the beginning of the surgical procedure [Preoperative (T-1)], at the onset and at the end of the extra-corporeal perfusion (T-2), and at the end of the surgical procedure (Intraoperative). Additional samples were colleted 12 and 24 h later (Postoperative). The following variables were analysed: Insulin, peptide C, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate deshydrogenase (LDH), high sensibility protein C (PCR), IL-1, IL-6, 1L-10, TNF-α, metabolites (lactate, pyruvate, acetoacetate, 3-hidroxibutyrate), reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant state (TAS). Glucose level were analysed throught capillary blood sample obtained by digital puncture in the periods T-0, T-1, every hour during surgery (T-2) and every two hours after surgery (T-3). Despite the exogenous insulin infusion rate to be constant in both groups during the operation, insulinemia was kept at similar concentrations at all periods studied in patients who received the dipeptide. On the other hand, control patients increased their insulinemia during the intra (T-2) and post-operative period (T-3) as compared to basal values (T-0) (31.9+/-28.8 Versus 6.56+/-5.4, p=0.013). Glucose increasing plasma concentrations were significantly decreased in L-alanyl-glutamine treated patients during the intraoperative period as compared to control patients (129.9+/-15.2 versus 158.6+/-18.6, p= 0.003). No significant difference were observed between the two groups on plasma concentration of others variables studied. In conclusion, the infusion of nutraceutical doses of L-alanyl-glutamine prior to operative period in patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting with extracorporeal perfusion, reduce the glicemic surge compared to control patients, without increasing insulin plasma concentrations as compared to their basal values This prospective study highlights the potential use of preoperative L-alanyl-glutamine administration in heart surgery patients to attain glucose control and to improve insulin sensitivity

Os cuidados de enfermagem para crianças com cardiopatia congênita devem ser estabelecidos e executados tão logo se suspeite do diagnóstico de defeito cardíaco congênito, voltados sempre para a detecção precoce de sinais de descompensação e manutenção de condições ótimas para a cirurgia. Objetivou-se caracterizar o quadro de diagnósticos de enfermagem apresentados por crianças com cardiopatias congênitas. Estudo de natureza observacional, longitudinal desenvolvido nos meses de julho a novembro de 2004. A amostra foi composta por 45 crianças internadas em um hospital da rede pública do município de Fortaleza-Ceará. Para a coleta, foram utilizados entrevista e exame clínico de enfermagem. As crianças foram acompanhadas durante quinze dias de internamento desde a data de sua admissão. No período efetivaram-se seis avaliações diagnósticas com intervalo de 48 horas. O processo de elaboração e inferência dos diagnósticos e problemas colaborativos seguiu as etapas de coleta, interpretação / agrupamento das informações e nomeação de categorias. Foram encontrados 22 diagnósticos de enfermagem, 34 fatores relacionados e 13 problemas colaborativos diferentes nas 270 avaliações realizadas. Observou-se associação estatisticamente significante entre os diagnósticos Troca de gases prejudicada, Padrão respiratório ineficaz, Intolerância à atividade, Crescimento e desenvolvimento retardados e Perfusão tissular ineficaz. Estes diagnósticos apresentaram associação com os fatores relacionados: Desequilíbrio da ventilação-perfusão, Hiperventilação, Redução mecânica do fluxo sangüíneo, Secreções brônquicas e Secreções retidas. Os diagnósticos Intolerância à atividade e Crescimento e desenvolvimento retardados mostraram associação com o sexo feminino. Nos diagnósticos Troca de gases prejudicada, Padrão respiratório ineficaz, Intolerância à atividade, Crescimento e desenvolvimento retardados e Débito cardíaco diminuído, identificaram-se diferenças de média de sobrevida entre crianças até 4 meses e acima de 4 meses. Os diagnósticos Troca de gases prejudicada, Padrão respiratório ineficaz, Intolerância à atividade e Risco para infecção ocorreram precocemente no período de internamento. Entre os diagnósticos, seis evidenciaram maiores oscilações em suas trajetórias de ocorrência no tempo: Padrão respiratório ineficaz, Intolerância à atividade, Desobstrução ineficaz das vias aéreas, Hipertermia, Padrão de sono perturbado e Risco para intolerância à atividade. Foram construídos cinco modelos paramétricos no domínio tempo, com vistas a predizer a ocorrência desses diagnósticos de enfermagem. O ajustamento das equações para os diagnósticos Padrão de sono perturbado e Hipertermia denotou grande dispersão entre os dados e a linha de tendência, indicando que, além do tempo, outras variáveis determinam a proporção de crianças que manifestarão esses diagnósticos. Considera-se a importância de se realizar pesquisas de caracterização do quadro de diagnósticos para determinação das necessidades de assistência de enfermagem à criança cardiopata. O conhecimento da evolução temporal das respostas do indivíduo pode direcionar os cuidados de enfermagem para as reais necessidades do cliente, facilitando, assim, a escolha de intervenções mais adequadas.

Spematic cord torsion is one of the more common surgical urological emergencies in childhood. An experimental study has been conducted to investigate acute changes in testicular concentrations of ATP and glucose following one-hour unilateral 720º testicular torsion. Sixty prepubertal male Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: Group 2(Ischemia) and Group 1(Sham operated). Each group(n=30) was divided into 5 subgroups (n=6). All animals were subjected to right testicular torsion of 720º. The testicular torsion of animals from Group 1 was immediately corrected. Group 2 animals had their testicular torsion lasting one hour followed by detorsion. Testicles were collected and arterial blood samples taken from abdominal aorta of each animal subgroup at the and of ischemic period or one hour after sham operation and 0.5, 1,6 and 24 hours later. ATP and glucose concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0,05) in ischemia group as compared to sham group at the end of ischemic period. There was no difference in glycemia when comparing ischemic versus sham-operated rats. Glucose concentrations were significantly increase (p<0,05) in ipsilateral testis of sham-operated rats No significant change in ATP and glucose concentrations were found in the left testicle in comparasion to the ones measured in the rigth testicle of the same animal. The decrease in ATP and glucose concentrations may be explained by the reduction in blood flow to the torted testis imposed by torsion. The absence of significant contralateral alterations in the concentrations of ATP and glucose could be related to the limited time of isquemia imposed to the right testis. It is concluded that unilateral one-hour testicular torsion causes a decrease in ipsilateral testicular perfusion resulting in decresead testicular concentrations of glucose and ATP in the ipstelial (right) testicles and no alterations in the concentrations of glucose and ATP in the contraleral testicles. Simple testicle manipulation (Sham Operation) causes a signficant increase in glucose concentrations in the ipsilateral(right)testis.

The aim of this study is to experimentally develop a technique of laparoscopic hand-sewn endosuture, as compared to the conventional method. Twenty-eight male dogs weighing an average of 16 kg. were operated on. They were divided into two groups with 14 animals each. Group I comprised animals operated on by the conventional method, while those in Group II were laparoscopically approached. Each of such groups was further divided into two ones, each comprising seven animals. Those belonging to Group A were sacrificed on the 7th postoperative day and those belonging to Group B were sacrified on the 14th postoperative day. General anesthesia was performed without endo-tracheal intubation. The sigmoid colon was severed with scissors to the extent of 45% of its diameter, followed by extramucosa, one-layer polydioxanona 000 (PDS®) suture. Suture evaluation was undertaken through macroscopic analysis, sutures tension test and qualitative histologic test carried out by two pathologists. The mean operative time for conventional procedures was 25,3 minutes, while the laparoscopic group required 36,4 minutes. No postoperative complications ensued. Sutures in both groups were intact. The mean pressure obtained by the suture tension test was 222,86 mmHg in animals of both groups, without any no suture rupture. Histologic analysis showed a more extensive inflammatory response in the conventional group; as for the laparoscopic one, inflammation was restricted to the serosa and the external muscular layers. No statistical test was required on account of the similarity of results concerning to suture’s integrity and complications. Nonetheless, Levene’s test was used to verify animals’ weight, t-Student test compared the mean operative time and Kruskal-Wallis test verified the similar results of suture’s tension test. One thus concludes that laparoscopic hand-sewn endosuture is a feasible alternative, yielding the same results obtained in the conventional group as far as the efficacy and the safety of the technique are concerned. This alternative procedure also produces a less inflammatory response. An intensive training in experimental animals is nonetheless required.

No summary/description provided

The pathologic resorption of alveolar bone seen in a wide variety of malignant neoplasms is often severe and fatal, leading to early microfractures. Bone invasion occurs as a consequence of subcortical progression of tumor through dental alveoli. We investigated the effect of the Metotrexate (MTX) and the Bisphosphosnate Alendronate (ALD) on experimental model of Walker 256 carcinossarcoma developed in the oral cavity of rats. Walker 256 carcinossarcoma cell suspension containing 106 cell/mL was implanted in the alveoli of first and second molars. The animals were divided and treated with saline, MTX, ALD, and MTX plus ALD. The animals were observed during all the treatment to determine the body weigth and life survival. Later, the animals were sacrificed, the tumors were measured and their mandibles removed to radiographic and histologic analysis. In the control group, the radiographic image demonstrated radioluscencie with poorly defined borders, and the microscopic examination revealed tumor infiltration into the peripheral and central regions of bone. Areas of necrosis were commonly seen. In the treaties groups with ALD, associated or not with MTX, the radiographic analysis revealed tumor-induced osteolyse circumscribed and variety degrees of radiotransparence; histologically, bony trabeculae were preserved and producing osteoid among malignant cells. The metotrexate induced significant antitumoral activity and the treaties animals showed a survival increase. Thus, the combination of metotrexate with alendronate is more successful, than single agents, in the control of the growth of neplastics cells, and its stimulation of reactive new bone. Therefore, it constitutes a new treatment to malignant lesions of maxillares with osteolysis.

Antimonials, drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis, provide good results but have side effects and cases of resistance have been reported. In recent years, there has been an increase in the search for new antiparasitic drugs developed from plants extracts. This study aims to evaluate the leishmanicidal effects, both in vitro and in vivo, of two chemicals isolated from medicinal plants, tymol and lapachol, and compare that effect with the one obtained by antimonials. As well as to compare the results obtained in vitro with the therapeutical response in vivo. These compounds (0,008 to 4,0mg/ml) were evaluated in vitro against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (LVb), then tested in an animal model (hamster) to confirm the leishmanicidal activity. In vitro, both tymol and lapachol, exhibited an anti-amastigote effect whereas in vivo these substances were not able to stop the development of LVb-induced lesions in the concentrations of 14mg/kg/day/i.m and 300mg/kg/day/p.o, respectively. These results suggest that they might be getting transformed into non-active metabolite(s) or is neutralized, losing their leishmanicidal activity. The antimonials demonstrated efficacy in vitro as well in vivo. But, in spite of presenting a significant anti-amastigote effect in vitro for LVb and apparent clinical cure in vivo, these drugs (60mg/kg/day/i.m) could not completely eradicate the parasites from the tissues of LVb-infected animals. In the histopathological findings disclosed that, lapachol induced a severe lymph node necrosis and apoptosis, although it didn’t reduce the parasitic load in that site. We also found out the spleen and lymph node respond differently to Leishmania infection, since in the spleen an intense withe pulp hypoplasia occurred whereas in the lymph node a remarkable follicular hyperplasia was the rule. LVb-induced tegumentary leishmaniasis in the hamster showed an unresolved pattern of infection, characterized by lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss and absence of granulomas in the lymph node and spleen. Since the substance effects were not similar in the two models studied, in vitro and in vivo, the in vivo model appears to better reflect the therapeutic potencial of the drugs, therefore being more adequate for the screening of new substances for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Agriculture shows itself as an important sector for contributing to the economic growth, as in developed countries as in developing countries. So, the objective of this article was to analyze the growth of the agriculture of Ceará based on the observation and comparison of the partial and total farming productivities, in the 1975-1995 period, considering the seven Meso-Regions of the State. For that purpose it was employed the index of Törnqvist-Theil, which measures the achieved farming productivities. The used data were secondary of the type cross-section, in agreement with the Agricultural Censures of Ceará, for the years of 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1995, published by IBGE. The conclusion is that the small changes in the farming productivity of Ceará practically have no affected on the structural changes occurred, what indicates that the public policies implemented in the period weren t sufficient, as indicates the small farming productivity gain reached. Considered this, it is expected the implementation of public policies also in the areas whose edafoclimatic conditions are less favorable, what difficults the life of the rural worker and often leads to rural-urban migration.

O semiárido brasileiro tem sua história alicerçada por eventos severos de secas e cheias. Esses eventos marcaram o imaginário popular brasileiro e seu drama foi traduzido em uma rica literatura regional, como em “Vidas Secas”, de Graciliano Ramos, ou em “Quinze”, de Raquel de Queiroz. A ação política de outrora, denominada combate e atualmente de convivência com este clima, ocorreu frequentemente em pulsos de resposta às secas desde a de 1877. A variabilidade do clima e a escassez hídrica são marcas indeléveis do semiárido. Conviver com o semiárido é adaptar a sociedade a uma forma específica da ocorrência do clima na região. Neste sentido, a construção de infraestrutura hídrica, o gerenciamento dos recursos hídricos e o gerenciamento do risco climático são caminhos necessários para a construção de uma estratégia robusta de adaptação das sociedades do semiárido à natureza. O problema geral dos recursos hídricos (água tanta, tão pouca, tão suja e tão cara) ganha cores intensas na região tendo, como dimensões mais relevantes: o acesso à água das populações rurais difusas; o uso eficiente enquanto insumo ao processo produtivo; o sistema de tomada de decisão no qual devem ser incluídos os atores sociais, a administração de conflitos e a garantia da operação da infraestrutura implantada como única forma de produção dos potenciais benefícios a ela associados. O semiárido é diverso, é heterogêneo e demanda, desta forma, soluções específicas adequadas a cada uma de suas paisagens. Este semiárido está em significativa transformação nos diversos locais em que as práticas sociais tradicionais são substituídas por novas práticas, com base na irrigação e na industrialização. Esses vetores de mudança são sementes de futuro que já florescem em muitos rincões semiáridos. A Lei das Águas (9.433/97), pode ser um vetor importante neste processo, ao possibilitar a reforma dos processos de tomada de decisão, migrando do paternalismoclientelismo para uma prática democrática participativa e ao possibilitar, também, a organização de um sistema institucional especializado na questão dos recursos hídricos. Esta vontade normativa não se estabelece por si nem de pronto; há que se enfrentar a força da tradição cultural e política que, com sua materialidade histórica, pode capturar as instituições propostas por este sistema nascente, preservando-lhes o conteúdo da tradição. Os fóruns participativos de tomada de decisão no Nordeste semiárido têm que vencer além de seu clássico risco de burocratização, outro não menos danoso, ou seja, o de legitimar, em novas formas, os velhos conteúdos. Os avanços da reforma da água iniciada na constituição de 1988 e definida na Lei 9.433/97, já têm dado frutos ao semiárido na elaboração das Leis Estaduais de Recursos Hídricos, na definição de um interlocutor institucional para a questão da água, na alocação negociada de água, na construção de fóruns participativos de discussão e decisão sobre recursos hídricos, entre outros progressos. No entanto, as vitórias e dificuldades deste processo devem ser avaliadas com serenidade, sem o ufanismo que só identifica os acertos e não possibilita a evolução do sistema, fragilizando-o, ou a crítica pela crítica que, ao não identificar os avanços, conspira com as forças que antagonizam a reforma contribuindo, desta forma, para cessá-la. Uma visão integral deste processo é necessária e deve ser construída, de forma a possibilitar a consolidação das boas mudanças e a retificação dos equívocos do caminho. Este capítulo pretende oferecer uma contribuição na delimitação do problema de recursos hídricos no semiárido e de veredas para serem trilhadas pela Política Nacional de Recursos nesta região brasileira. Inicialmente, procura-se descrever as características da natureza e da sociedade no semiárido e quais as questões de recursos hídricos imergem desses condicionantes; em seguida, apresentam-se a política nacional de recursos hídricos, segundo a definição da Constituição de 1988 e da Lei 9.433/97, a ocorrência do Sistema Nacional de Recursos Hídricos, Sistemas Estaduais e da Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA) e os Programas de Ação do Plano Nacional de Recursos Hídricos. Uma análise das confluências e divergências da problemática da água no semiárido e das proposições é feita para, finalmente, identificar os desafios da Política Nacional e se propor uma agenda para os recursos hídricos no semiárido