Repositório RCAAP

NUNES, Rosângela Venâncio (2009). Avaliação do desempenho de cadeias produtivas da agricultura familiar – o caso do leite in natura em Quixadá / Ceará. 2009, 265f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Logística e Pesquisa Operacional), Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação,Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2009.

The purpose of this dissertation is to desire a formula for the operator Lr(g) = div(Pr gradient g) of a new support function g, defined over a hypersurface Mn in a Riemannian space form Mc n +1, and to show that a compact smooth starshaped hypersurface Σn in the Euclidean sphere Sn+1,whose second symmetric function S2 is positive and constant must be a geodesic sphere Sn (p). This generalizes a result obtained by Jellett [9] in 1853 for such surfaces in Euclidean space R3.

We study foliations of space forms by complete hypersurfaces, under some mild conditions on its higher order mean curvatures. In particular, in Euclidean space we obtain a Bernstein-type theorem for graphs whose mean and scalar curvature do not change sign but may otherwise be nonconstant. We also establish the nonexistence of foliations of the standard sphere whose leaves are complete and have constant scalar curvature, thus extending a theorem of Barbosa, Kenmotsu and Oshikiri. For the more general case of r-minimal foliations of the Euclidean space, possibly with a singular set, we are able to invoke a theorem of Ferus to give conditions under which the nonsigular leaves are foliated by hyperplanes.

Infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial species classified by WHO as being carcinogenic (group I) affects more than half the world population. First-degree relatives to patients with gastric cancer are at increased risk of developing gastric cancer. The present study evaluated the prevalence of precursor lesions of gastric cancer and infection by Helicobacter pylori in first-degree relatives to patients with gastric cancer as compared to controls with no family history of gastric cancer. One hundred four first-degree relatives to 40 patients with noncardiac gastric cancer were enrolled in the study and compared to 108 controls. The groups were statistically homogenous in terms of age. All patients were submitted to endoscopic evaluation and biopsy as described in the Sydney protocol. The histopathological analysis was carried out by a single, experienced pathologist blinded to the origin of the samples. Although the prevalence of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was similar for the two groups, association with these lesions was more common among relatives than controls (p=0.021). Incomplete intestinal metaplasia was also more significant among relatives (p=0.001), as was displasia (p=0.025). The group of relatives presented a pattern of pangastritis associated with lymphoid follicles characteristic of increased risk for gastric carcinogenesis. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to the prevalence of H. pylori, though infection involving body and antrum was more prevalent among relatives (p=0.001). Our findings suggest that relatives to patients with gastric cancer present a greater prevalence of histopathological changes associated with the presence of H. pylori

We present an extension to Barta's Theorem due to G. P. Bessa and J. F. Montenegro and we show some geometric applications of the obtained result. As first application, we extend Chang's lower eigenvalue estimates of the Laplacian in normal geodesic balls. As second application, we generalize Cheng-Li-Yau's eigenvalue estimates to a minimal submanifold of the space forms.

This work describes the development and study of environmental friendly epoxies anticorrosives paints, which were formulated using zinc phosphate (ZP), zinc molybdate (ZM), zinc and calcium molybdate (ZCM), zinc phosphomolybdate (ZMP) and zinc and calcium phosphomolybdate (MZAP), as safe alternative to more traditional anticorrosive pigments (lead, chromium and other heavy metals). Additionally, environmental considerations are limiting the use of solvent-borne paints because it contibutes to atmospheric pollution and empairs health problems. Thus, hydrosoluble epoxy resin was used in the formulation of the water-borne paints. The aim od this research is to employ molybdate-based pigments in order to check their efficiency in water borne paints. Inhibitive properties of the pigments were evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curves, open ciricuit potential (Eoc) and mass loss monitoring during 30 days in immersion test of SAE 1010 steel in aqueous saturated pigment solutions with 10-2 mol dm-3 NaCl. The physical chemical characterization of the corrosion products was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction techniques. All the tests showed that the phosphomolybdate pigments presented the better corrosion inhibiting properties. All the paints were formulated with 16% (v/v) epoxy resin, 7.5 % (v/v) anticorrosive pigment, and additives and fillers in order to maintain the PVC/CPVC ration equal to 0.8. the dry thickness of the painted samples was approximately 120 μm. The paint performance was monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) during immersion tests, of the atmospheric exposition and accelerated ensay of salt spray. The thermal stability of the paintings was also studied by thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The impedance diagrams of all painted samples showed only one capacitive loop, with impedance values higher than 109 Ωcm2. Capacitance values varied between 10-6 and 10-10 Fcm-2. The results suggest that the combination of the molybdate and phosphate gives the best inhibitive properties. About the thermal analyses were observed that the molybdates and phosphomolybdates pigments showed the better performances thus in the thermal stability of epoxy resin, because theses pigments showed higher interaction between pigment-resin; just as in the relation the energy involved in the cure process of polymeric film, because these pigments contribued to reduce the heat involved in the cure process.

This study analyzed and verified the importance of sustainability in three land settlements benefited by land reform program of the Federal and State Government in Caucaia county, State of Ceará. It is important to know that the funds allocated to the program did improve the well-being of the favored families. For that, two federal land settlements of "Angicos" and "Boqueirão dos Cunhas" and state land settlement of "Buque/Poço Verde" were selected. A questionnaire containing economic, social, environmental and social capital variables was prepared to measure the sustainability of those settlements. The results built up a sustainability index based on an average of social economic development index, environmental index and social capital index. The value of sustainability index suggested that the three land settlements have a medium development level.

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze tangible and intangible social capital of benefited communities by the resources of rural Poverty Reduction Program in the State of Ceará. Data were obtained by interviewing individuals and leaders of communities benefited by projects such as water supply, land reform, rural electrification and agricultural mechanization. A social capital index was built for each type of project. The results indicated that communities have medium level of social capital accumulation and resources supplied by this program contributed to increase social capital in these communities.

The main objective of the study is to verify the impact of program of small agricultural credit on the quality of life of the benefited families in the state of Ceara. The data was obtained through the application of questionnaires to the benefited families in the county of Quixada. Table, graphic and descriptive analysis were used to describe the collected data. The t-student, Tukey test and Kruskall-Wallis test were used to compare the mean values of selected variables and proportions of benefited and non benefited families were used, respectively. The employment per hectare cultivated is higher on the properties having cattle breeding and hog production activities financed by the credit program. The main of income of benefited and non benefited families is agriculture and retirement and pension, respectively. The average income per hectare cultivated is higher from hog production due to rapid returns as compare to cattle breeding and goat and sheep raising activities. The benefited and non benefited families have the average quality of life. The living condition, access to education and health facilities contributed the most in the formation of life quality index and leisure facilities contributed less in improving the quality of life of the benefited and non benefited families.

In this work, we have presented a Raman scattering study of L-proline (C5H9NO2) crystals at room temperature and high hydrostatic pressure conditions over the spectral range 30−3200 cm−1. We have proposed an assignment of the Raman bands to various vibration modes based on previous Raman spectroscopy studies of L-proline and others amino acids such as L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine. The high-pressure Raman espectra suggest that the L-proline crystal undergoes a reversible structural phase transition between 1.5 and 2.5 GPa, associated with conformational changes of L-proline molecules in the unit cell. It also was observed at about 5.2 GPa a conformational change that may be related with modifications of the proline pyrrolidine ring.

SILVA, Carlos Alex Souza da. Campos tensoriais anti-simétricos de matéria em espaços curvos. 2008. 76 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Física, Fortaleza, 2007..

Verifica a existência de desigualdade de gênero na duração do desemprego e os seus possíveis efeitos sobre o salário aceito pelo trabalhador no momento de saída do estado de desemprego. Utiliza os microdados da Pesquisa Mensal de Emprego (PME) do ano de 2006, realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). A análise da duração do desemprego é realizada com base no modelo de risco proporcional, assumindo-se uma distribuição Weibull e controlando-se a heterogeneidade nãoobservada, assumindo-se uma distribuição do tipo Gamma. A equação de salários aceitos é estimada a partir do método de mínimos quadrados em dois estágios, devido à possível simultaneidade entre as variáveis de salário e de duração do desemprego. Os resultados mostram que existe uma diferença de gênero significativa no risco de saída do estado de desemprego. Um resultado importante é o fato de o número de crianças no domicílio afetar o risco de forma oposta para homens e mulheres. Essa assimetria reflete condições econômicas, sociais e culturais. Em relação à dependência da duração, encontra-se um efeito negativo da duração do desemprego sobre o salário aceito pelo trabalhador. Estes resultados geram uma nova perspectiva de estudo da diferenciação de gênero no mercado de trabalho brasileiro.

O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a atividade de busca por emprego dos trabalhadores desempregados no mercado de trabalho brasileiro na década de 1990, utilizando-se como base de dados a Pesquisa de Padrão de Vida (PPV), do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), de 1996-1997. Duas metodologias econométricas são aplicadas: primeiro, estima-se uma equação de salários por Mínimos Quadrados em Dois Estágios (MQ2E) e observa-se que o salário de reserva diminui à medida que a duração do desemprego aumenta, portanto, oferecendo pela primeira vez uma evidência empírica para a hipótese da não-estacionariedade do salário de reserva. Segundo, estima-se a função risco empírica a partir dos modelos de risco proporcional e verifica-se que o risco de sair do desemprego é mais sensível ao salário de reserva quando comparado aos valores estimados para outros países. Os resultados evidenciam o papel fundamental que o modelo de busca, baseado na noção do salário de reserva, possui na estimação dos determinantes do desemprego no Brasil na década de 1990.

Introduction: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is an effective means of treating patients with acute respiratory failure and its use has been well established in cardiogenic pulmonary edema and in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reducing the need for endotracheal intubation and improving survival. Furthermore the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – a mode of NIPPV – is the recommended treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), where frequently there is no abnormality in pulmonary parenchyma. Also in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may result in alveolar recruitment of nonaerated units as well as in overinflation of the aerated lung areas. Alveolar overinflation is considered an important factor related to ventilator-induced lung injury causing higher mortality. The prone position has beneficial effects on oxygenation in these patients and the additive effect of PEEP with this maneuver is debatable. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is an excellent imaging method to evaluate the effects of positive pressure and prone position on pulmonary parenchyma. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of CPAP applied by a nasal mask on pulmonary inflation in normal subjects in supine and prone positions. Patients and methods: This is an interventionist study that evaluated eight healthy volunteers. A protocol of HRCT of the lung was performed in three regions: at the apex (2 cm above the aortic level), hilum (1 cm below the carina) and basis (2 cm above the right diaphragm) in the supine position, without and with CPAP of 5, 10 and 15 cmH2O. Also HRCT slices were performed in the prone position at the lung basis, without and with CPAP of 10 cmH2O. All HRCT slices were obtained at the functional residual capacity. Each CPAP level was maintened at least five minutes and the period between the different levels of CPAP was similar. For analysis the results were divided into regions ventral, medial and dorsal and with slices of apex, hilum and basis together. The mean lung densities (MLD) and the percentual of units with densities lower than -950 UH (overinflated) were calculated for each region. Results: There was no difference between the MLD of apex, hilum and basis for the same level pressure. In the supine position, there were a MLD reduction and an increase of the number of pixels on hyperinflated areas according to CPAP levels: without CPAP -761 HU e 7,25%; CPAP 5: -780 HU e 8,57%; CPAP 10: -810 HU e 11,62%; CPAP 15: -828 UH e 14,65% (p< 0,05). The same occurred in the prone position without CPAP: -759 UH e 6,30% and with CPAP 10: -803 UH e 9,94% (p < 0,05). It was observed a crescent ventro-dorsal density gradient in supine position that was inverse in prone position. At CPAP of 10 cmH2O there was lower percentage of pixels on hyperinflated areas in the prone position than in supine. In the non dependent lung regions (ventral in supine and dorsal in prone) there were lower percentage of pixels on hyperinflated areas and higher on normoaerated areas in the prone position than in supine with little differences in the dependent regions. Conclusions: Non invasive CPAP in normal subjects induces progressive overdistension with increase of pressure levels in supine and prone positions. CPAP of 10 cmH2O causes less overdistension of the non dependent regions than the same level of CPAP in supine position, without inducing significant overinflation of the dependent regions. So that the prone position causes a more homogeneous air distribution through the lungs.

Plant-derived lectins inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis, probably through a competitive mechanism with endogenous selectins for a glycosidic residue in the membrane of endothelial cells, leukocytes or in components of the extracellular matrix. We investigated the effects of a lectin isolated from Dioclea violacea (Dviol) seeds in the zymosan-induced arthritis (Azy). Wistar rats (180 a 220g) received an intraarticular (i.a.) injection of 1 mg zymosan (Zy) into the right knee. The hyperalgesia was evaluated with the test for articular incapacitation, measured as the paw elevation time (PET) in s/1min. Cell influx (IC) was assessed in the joint exudate, obtained 6 h after injection of the Zy, through washing and aspiration of the joint. Groups were pretreated 30min before the Zy with Dviol (1 - 30 µg; i.a. ou 1 - 10mg/kg; e.v.), and were compared to non-treated groups (NT), that received the Zy and the vehicle. Others groups received only Dviol (0,3 - 30µg; i.a. and the naïve animals (NV) received just saline i.a. The i.v. administration of Dviol (6mg/kg) significantly reduced the hyperalgesia (p<0.01) (PET= 14,08 ± 1,4) as compared to NT (PET= 36,06 ± 3,3). The i.v. injection of Dviol inhibited IC (18.266,7 ± 1.890,1; 14.633,3 ± 3.207,2; 2.790 ± 503,3 e 120 ± 37,4 cells/mm3 for the 1, 3, 6, and 10mg doses of Dviol, respectively). Dviol given i.a. isolated (30µg) increased PET (15,5 ± 0,9) significantly, as compared to NV. Dviol i.a. isolated (0,3 - 30 µg) significantly increased IC (3.600 ± 676; 4.958,3 ± 1037,2 e 8.350 ± 1.511,5 cells/mm3 for 0,3, 3 e 30 µg, respectively), as compared to NV (858,3 ± 389,5 cells/mm3). Dviol (10 µg i.a.) given 30min before the Zy significantly inhibited the hyperalgesia (PET = 20,15 ± 2,2) (p<0.01), as compared to NT (TSP= 9,9 ±1,2). Dviol i.a. (1, 10, and 30μg) significantly reduced IC (18.266,7 ± 1.890,1; 11.366,7 ± 2.883,7 e 19.866,7 ± 1.783,4 cells/mm3, respectively), as compared to NT. The i.v. administration of Dviol (6 mg/kg) + manose reversed the inhibitory action of Dviol in the hyperalgesia (PET= 38,4 ± 4,4) (P<0.01) and in the IC (15200 ± 1829,7 cells/mm3) of the AZy, as compared to Dviol (6mg/kg; i.v.) (TEP= 14,08 ± 1,4 and IC= 2.790 ± 503,3 cells/mm3). The results demonstrate, for the first time, that the lectin isolated from Dviol has anti-inflammatory effect in an experimental arthritis model. This effect appears to be prominently due to the coupling of Dviol to intrarticular polysaccharide residues. However, we can not exclude that coupling to protein residues may be also involved in this mechanism.

Introduction – Depression is one of the major potentially treatable psychiatric disorders affecting geriatric patients. At primary care facilities up to 30-50% of depressed patients are misdiagnosed and therefore not treated adequately. Recognition of depression is best improved by routine screening using efficient and easily applicable instruments. One of the most widely used instruments, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), has been sufficiently validated in samples from specialized or out-sourced services. However, few studies, none of them from Brazil, have evaluated the performance of the GDS at the level of primary care in which most geriatric patients with depression are treated, making it hard to generalize existing results to this context. Objectives – 1) to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratio in relation to the GDS comparing findings to structured clinical interviews for disorders of Axis I of the DSM-IV (SCID-I); 2) to build a Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve (ROC) determining the ideal cut-off point for primary care patients; 3) to determine the prevalence of episodes of major depression in geriatric primary care patients; 4) to identify the socio-demographic profile of geriatric primary care patients; 5) to examine geriatric patients presenting with episodes of depression and/or dysthymic disorders while taking anti-depressants. Method – cross-sectional study involving 220 geriatric patients from four health facilities. A questionnaire providing a global profile of the study population was applied, as well as the GDS and structured clinical interviews for disorders in Axis I of the DSM-IV (SCID-I). The first two instruments were applied by a trained interviewer and the SCID (gold standard) was applied by a trained psychiatrist. Results – The prevalence of episodes of major depression and/or dysthymic disorders was 17.27%. The best cut-off point with GDS-30 was 10/11 (case/non-case) with a sensitivity of 92.1% (CI 77.5–97.9), specificity 79.7% (CI = 72.9–85.1), accuracy 81.8% and likelihood ratio 4.5. The best cut-off point with GDS-15 was 4/5 with a sensitivity of 86.8% (CI = 71.1–95.1), specificity 82.4% (CI = 75.9–87.5), accuracy 83.1% and likelihood ratio 4.9. The best cut-off point with GDS-4 was 0/1 with a sensitivity of 84.2% (CI = 68.1–93.4), specificity 74.7% (CI = 67.7–80.7), accuracy 76.30% and likelihood ratio 3.9. With GDS-1 the sensitivity was 52.6% (CI = 36.0–68.7%). Conclusions – GDS-30 is an excellent screening instrument for episodes of major depression and/or dysthymic disorders at primary care facilities due to its high sensitivity and high negative predictive value. Reduced versions with 15 and 4 items proved good screening tests requiring less time to be applied. The systematic use of GDS at primary care facilities is recommended in order to identify a greater number of cases of depression and thereby offer a more adequate treatment.

Rationale: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is defined as a ventilatory support technique using an interface (usually a mask) instead of tracheal intubation to adapt the patient’s respiratory system to the ventilator. Although it is as efficacious as the invasive method in terms of improving gas exchange in patients with respiratory failure due to various etiologies, it remains associated with considerable failure rates. Despite the association between interface and low tolerance to NIV, few studies have been published evaluating the efficacy and safety of each type of interface. interfaces are best studied on healthy subjects avoiding the interference of confounding factors related to respiratory failure. Objective: To evaluate and compare three types of masks used as NIV interface on healthy volunteers with regard to frequency and type of adverse events and level of comfort. Method: A randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted to evaluate and compare nasal (N), facial (F), and total face (TF) masks adapted to healthy volunteers using a flow generator ventilator with a circuit exhalation valve. The three masks were tested on all subjects in random sequence during 10 minutes each, equally divided between two levels of expiratory and inspiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP; IPAP) in bilevel ventilation: a low-pressure (LoP) setup (IPAP: 11cmH2O; EPAP: 6cmH2O) and a moderate to high-pressure (MoHiP) setup (IPAP=15cmH2O; EPAP=10cmH2O). At the end of each 5-min period, the subjects were given a standardized written questionnaire on adverse events including questions about uncomfortable pressure and pain at contact points between mask and face, unpleasant perception of air leaks, nasal and oral mucosal dryness and claustrophobia. They also recorded sensations of comfort on a 10-cm visual analogical scale (10=absence of discomfort; 0=maximum discomfort). A 10-min interval of spontaneous, mask-free breathing was allowed between each period of NIV. The respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), pulse oxymetry (SpO2) and end-tidal CO2 volume (EtCO2), measured between mask and exhalation valve, were monitored during the entire protocol. While categorized variables were analyzed with Pearson’s Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and McNemar’s test, continuous variables were analyzed with ANOVA and least-squares regression. Results: The study included 24 healthy volunteers (12 women) aged 18 to 35 (mean age: 25.7 years). The following was observed with regard to adverse events while using the LoP setup: a) The incidence of one or more adverse events by subject was 91.7% for N and TF and 95.8% for F; b) The number of adverse events per subject was smaller for N than for F (3.58 vs. 5.0; p=0.002) or TF (3.58 vs. 4.71; p=0.03); c) The most frequently reported adverse event was “mask pressure” (N=54.2%; F=66.7%; FT=66.7%); d) Pain at points of mask contact was less frequently reported for TF than for F (37.5% vs. 66.7%; p=0.01), but no significant difference was observed between TF and N; e) The incidence of unpleasant air leak perception around the eyes or mouth was lower for TF than for N (41.7% vs. 75%; p=0.03) but no significant difference was observed between N and F; f) Complaints of nasal or oral dryness were much less frequent for N than for F (25% vs. 62.5%; p=0.01) or TF (25% vs. 75%; p<0.001); g) Claustrophobia was more frequently reported for TF than for N (33.3% vs. 8.3%; p=0.07). The higher airway pressure of the MoHiP setup resulted in: a) The incidence of one or more adverse events per subject remained high (95.8% for both N and TF; 100% for F); b) On the average, N continued to be associated with the lowest number of adverse events per subject, the difference between N and F being statistically significant (4.75 vs. 6.04; p=0.009); c) Mask pressure remained the most common complaint (N=62.5%; F=70.8%; FT=75%); d) No significant difference was observed concerning pain; e) Reports of unpleasant air leak perception increased more for F than for TF (83.3% vs. 54.2%; p=0.09); f) N continued to be associated with the lowest incidence of dryness (N=41.7% vs. F=66.7%; p=0.03; and N=41.7% vs. TF=79.2%, p=0.02); g) The incidence of claustrophobia remained higher for TF than for N, though not statistically so (33.3% vs. 8.3%; p=0.07); h) On the average, pressure augmentation induced a higher number of adverse events per subject in all 3 mask types. The increase was statistically significant in the case of N (3.58 vs. 4.75; p=0.003) and F (5.0 vs. 6.04; p=0.007) and tended to be so for TF (4.71 vs. 5.33; p=0.07); i) No significant difference was observed between the masks with regard to comfort, but the MoHiP setup was reportedly less comfortable than the LoP setup for all mask types: N (7.54 vs. 7.1; p=0.01), F (7.50 vs. 6.54; p<0.001) and TF (7.25 vs. 6.50; p=0.001). Physiological variations observed during the protocol could not account for the adverse events or comfort sensation reported. Interestingly, the CO2 curve remained undetected by the capnograph while using TF, probably because the exhaled CO2 was completely eliminated through orifices in the mask. Conclusions: All three mask types presented a high incidence of adverse events in healthy volunteers. The nasal (N) mask was associated with a lower mean number of adverse events per subject, especially with regard to dryness. Although the total face (TF) mask seemed to be associated with fewer reports of pain and with a lower incidence of unpleasant air leak perception, claustrophobia was also more frequently reported. The masks were equally efficacious in terms of comfort. Higher pressure levels in the bilevel mode were associated with increased reports of discomfort and adverse events in healthy volunteers.

Introduction: The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by different stages of chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema with air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation. These conditions lead to respiratory muscles fatigue and need of ventilator support. Noninvasive positive pressure support ventilation (NIPPV) is the treatment of choice for COPD exacerbations with mortality reduction. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) effects on hyperinflation is controversy; it can worsen, attenuate or have no effect. Imaging methods can facility the comprehension of CPAP effects on COPD patients, including regional effects on lung parenchyma. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of CPAP application by NIPPV-CPAP on pulmonary hyperinflation in COPD patients. Patients and Method: This is a prospective and interventionist study that evaluated 11 patients with COPD. All patients were evaluated by high resolution CT (HRCT), without and with NIPPV-CPAP (5, 10 and 15 cmH2O) applied by nasal mask. The pressures sequence was randomized and the HRCT images were done in Functional Residual Capacity. HRCT images were done in three regions for each level of pressure: apex (2 cm above the aortic arc), hilar (1cm below the carina) and basis (2 cm above the diaphragm). The units with densities lower than -950 UH were considered hyperinflated. For analysis the results were divided in full lung and in regions: apex, hilar and basis and ventral, medial and dorsal. Results: It was observed a pulmonary density reduction and an increase of pixels on hyperinflated areas with application of CPAP levels greater than 10 cmH2O in all analyses (p<0,05). In grouped lung analysis the mean density was reduced gradually from -846 UH (without CPAP), -849 UH (5 CPAP of cmH2O), -859 UH (10 CPAP of cmH2O) to -869UH (15 CPAP of cmH2O) (p<0,05). In subdivisions, comparing without CPAP and with CPAP of 15 cm cmH2O: in apex it was observed reduction from -840 to -871UH (p<0,05), in hilar region from -848 to -882 UH (p<0,05), in basis from -848 to -876 UH (p<0,05), in ventral region from -859 to -885 UH (p<0,05), in medial region from -848 to -864 UH (p<0,05) and in dorsal region from -832 to -860UH (p<0,05). It was also noted an increase of the percentage of pixels on hyperinflated areas in the majority of analyses with CPAP of 10 and 15 cmH2O (p<0,05). In 2 patients it was observed elevation of mean pulmonary density with CPAP of 5 cmH2O. It was observed that pulmonary parenchyma aeration was distributed in a non homogeneous way with predominance of the apex area comparing with basis of the lung and of the ventral area comparing with dorsal area. Conclusion: The CPAP application by NIPPV resulted in increase of pulmonary hyperinflation with levels of CPAP of 10 and 15 cmH2O detectable by HRCT. However this was not homogeneous, a subgroup of patients had aeration reduction with CPAP of 5 cmH2O. The distribution of aeration induced by CPAP is heterogeneous inside pulmonary parenchyma and follows the heterogeneous basal hyperaeration.

MACIEL, Wellington Ricardo Nogueira. O aeroporto de Fortaleza: usos e significados contemporâneos. Fortaleza-CE, 2006. 154 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2006.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) became a challenge for everyone who is devoted to study liver diseases. The multifactorial etiopathogenesis, not totally explained yet, the lack of consensus around the terminology, classification and treatment, especially in the morbidly obese group, are a few of some aspects that could be cited to justify the growing interest. Since the beginning, obesity has been said to be an important factor associated to the development of NAFLD. In fact, it is an important point since obesity has become a problem of great concern all over the world. It was determined the prevalence of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in a sample of morbidly obese patients, who underwent surgical gastroplasty, in whom other causes of liver disease were excluded. The aim was yet, to identify demographic, anthropometric and laboratorial factors associated with the spectrum of the disease. The study shows a high prevalence of NAFLD, 95% (57/60). Steatosis was used as a minimum criterion to the histopathologic diagnosis of NAFLD and NASH demands the presence of steatosis, lobular inflammation and hepatocellular ballooning as found minimally, to the histologic diagnosis. We found that the prevalence of NASH, was particularly elevated in the studied group, 66,7% (40/60). However, it was observed mild grade in 80% (32/40) of the cases of NASH. Fibrosis staging was only seen in 7,5% (3/40) of the NASH sample and cirrhosis was not found in any particular patient. The following parameters were associated with steatosis degree in univariate analysis: age, metabolic syndrome, waist circumference, HDL-C (inversely), triglycerides, ALT, GGT and serum ferritin. After submitting these variables at the logistic regression analysis, only GGT was significantly e independently associated with steatosis degree. The following categorical and continuous variables were associated with NASH in univariate analysis: diabetes combined with raised fasting plasma glucose; triglycerides and ALT. Using logistic regression none of these variations remained significant. In summary, it was found a high prevalence of NAFLD, and, specifically, a high prevalence of NASH in this population of morbidly obese patients. Since NASH patients are at major risk of progressing to cirrhosis, liver biopsy must be performed as a routine part of the operative procedure to access prognostic information and to select patients that may benefit from inclusion in therapeutic protocols treatments. As an extent careful hepatic clinical follow up for all this group is advisable.