Evidence and acupoint combinations in acupuncture for functional dyspepsia: an overview of systematic review and data mining study / 数字中医药（英文）

Objective@#To evaluate the methodological quality of papers that performed meta-analyzed and systematically reviewed acupoint selections for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) and to identify the ideal acupoint combinations for FD.@*Methods@#Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wanfang Database, as well as English databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve papers about meta-analysis and systematic literature reviews on acupuncture for FD. The time span for the paper retrieval was set from the foundation of the databases to April 30, 2022. The Veritas scores of the papers based on their publication year, study type, Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), heterogeneity, and publication bias were rated to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted from those meta-analysis papers or systematic literature reviews for analyzing acupoints frequency, meridian frequency, and association rules with the use of R software (V 4.3.1).@*Results@#Eight meta-analysis papers were included in the study after screening. The mean Veritas scores of the papers based on publication year, type of study, AMSTAR2, PRISMA, heterogeneity, and publication bias were 4.50, 8.00, 4.63, 4.63, 4.50, and 6.13, respectively. The analysis of the scores revealed insufficiencies in the reviews pertaining to the methodology, comprehension of the research strategy, detailed list of excluded studies, sources of funding, assessment of potential bias risks impact on meta-analysis results in each study, explanation of heterogeneity, and identification of potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, a total of 85 RCTs were obtained from the eight meta-analysis papers involving 85 acupuncture prescriptions and 67 acupoints for subsequent data mining. The most commonly used meridian was Stomach meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST). Zusanli (ST36), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV12), Taichong (LR3), Tianshu (ST25), Gongsun (SP4), Weishu (BL21), Pishu (BL20), Neiting (ST44), and Yinlingquan (SP9) topped the list of frequently selected acupoints. Additionally, a total of 28 association rules were identified, including 10 second-order, 15 third-order, and 3 fourth-order association rules. The top-ranking association rules in each order were “Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” “Zhongwan (CV12) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” and “Zhongwan (CV12) + Taichong (LR3) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)”, respectively.@*Conclusion@#Acupuncture could alleviate the clinical symptoms of FD. However, the quality of methodology applied in the meta-analysis papers on the subject needs to be improved. Through data mining, a combination of Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Taichong (LR3) was identified as an essential acupoint combination for the treatment of FD.

Estimativa da erosão hídrica do solo pelo modelo Water Erosion Prediction Project na Sub-Bacia do Córrego do Gigante, sul de Minas Gerais / Estimated water soil erosion by the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in the Gigante Stream Basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil

RESUMO Objetivou-se, no presente trabalho, monitorar e identificar precipitações erosivas e as perdas de solo (PSs) por meio de parcelas experimentais instaladas na Sub-Bacia do Córrego do Gigante, calibrar o modelo Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) em sua versão encosta, tendo como base os resultados obtidos nas parcelas, e aplicá-lo na área da sub-bacia, para estimativa das PSs por erosão hídrica. O regime pluvial no período de estudo apresentou elevado grau de erosividade e de concentração, pois 57,3% dos eventos foram erosivos, dos quais, os quatro de maior magnitude, participaram com 47,2% da erosividade anual. As áreas contempladas pelas interações entre classe de solo, declividade (D) e uso de solo, nas parcelas experimentais, totalizaram 174,32 ha (50% da área da sub-bacia), cujos valores obtidos resultaram em PS média ponderada de 0,623 t ha-1 ano-1, e foram referência no ajuste do modelo WEPP na versão encosta, com estimativa de 0,651 t ha-1 ano-1. A aplicação do modelo sobre uma superfície com 93,0% de abrangência da sub-bacia resultou em uma estimativa de 0,802 t ha-1 ano-1 para a taxa de PS. As áreas de solo exposto, embora participando com apenas 7,9% da área da sub-bacia, produziram 85,1% das PSs estimadas, o que, por outro lado, reflete a influência positiva da cobertura vegetal na diminuição da erosão hídrica. Simulando a implantação de cobertura sob a forma de campo/pastagem e/ou reflorestamento, nas áreas de solo descoberto, as taxas de PS na sub-bacia reduziriam significativamente para 0,215 t ha-1 ano-1.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present work was to monitor and identify erosive precipitations and monitor soil losses through experimental plots installed in the Córrego do Gigante sub-basin, to calibrate the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model, in its slope version, based on the results obtained in the plots, and apply it to the sub-basin area to estimate soil losses due to water erosion. The rainfall regime during the study period showed high degrees of erosivity and concentration, since 57% of the events were erosive, of which, the four most erosive events corresponded to 47.2% of the annual erosivity. The areas covered by the interactions between soil class, slope, and land use, in the experimental plots, totaled 174.32 ha (50% of the sub-basin area), whose values obtained resulted in a weighted average loss of 0.623 t ha-1 year-1, which were a reference in the adjustment of the WEPP model in the hillside version, with an estimate of 0.651 t ha-1 year-1. The application of the model on a surface with 93.0% coverage of the sub-basin resulted in an estimate of 0.802 t ha-1 year-1 for the soil loss rate. The exposed soil areas, although accounting for only 7.9% of the sub-basin area, produced 85.1% of the estimated soil losses, which, on the other hand, reflects the positive influence of vegetation cover in the decrease of water erosion. Simulating the implementation of cover in the form of field/pasture and/or reforestation in the areas of bare soil significantly reduced the rates of soil losses in the sub-basin to 0.215 t ha-1 year-1.

Uso de coberturas alternativas do solo para o controle das perdas de solo em regiões semiáridas / Use of alternative soil covers for the control of soil loss in semiarid regions

RESUMO A região semiárida do nordeste brasileiro é marcada por elevadas incertezas quanto à ocorrência de chuvas intensas, bem como por anos sequenciados de secas. Esses fenômenos naturais, somados à reduzida utilização de práticas conservacionistas, podem gerar degradação dos solos. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar a importância do uso de cobertura morta e espécies de oleaginosas não convencionais perenes (Moringa oleifera Lam. e Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) no controle da erosão do solo em parcelas de erosão, em condições de chuvas naturais. O estudo realizou-se durante os anos de 2016 e 2017 na bacia representativa do Mimoso, localizada no município de Pesqueira (PE), Brasil. Na área de estudo, instalaram-se três parcelas de erosão, cada uma com área igual a 40 m2 (2 × 20 m), que foram intensamente monitoradas no tocante à intensidade de precipitação, à umidade e à temperatura do solo, ao escoamento superficial e à produção de sedimentos. Para cada parcela experimental, adotaram-se os seguintes tratamentos: oleaginosas; oleaginosas + cobertura morta; solo descoberto. A cobertura do solo com oleaginosas e cobertura morta resultou em maior retenção de umidade do solo e menores valores de escoamento superficial e perdas de solo. O desenvolvimento da estrutura das oleaginosas diminuiu o impacto direto das gotas de chuva no solo, reduzindo as perdas de solo quando comparadas ao descoberto.

ABSTRACT The semiarid region of the Brazilian Northeast is marked by strong uncertainties regarding the occurrence of extreme rainfall, as well as the occurrence of sequenced year droughts. These natural phenomena, together with limited use of soil and water conservation practices, can generate soil degradation. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the importance of the use of mulch and non-conventional perennial oleaginous species (Moringa oleifera Lam. and Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) in soil erosion plots under natural rainfall. The study was conducted during the years of 2016 and 2017 in the representative basin of Mimoso, located in the municipality of Pesqueira, Pernambuco, Brazil. Three erosion plots each with an area of 40 m2 (2 m × 20 m), were installed in the study area, which were intensively monitored for rainfall intensity, soil moisture and temperature, runoff and sediment production. For each experimental plot, the following treatments were adopted: Oleaginous; Oleaginous + mulch; Bare soil. Soil cover with oleaginous species and mulch resulted in higher soil moisture and lower amounts of runoff and soil loss. The development of the tree structure of the oleaginous reduced the direct impact of raindrops on the soil surface, reducing the soil losses when compared to the bare soil.

Diagnostic Relevance of Recurrence Plots for the Characterization of Health, Disease or Death in Humans / Relevância diagnóstica dos Gráficos de Recorrência na caracterização de Saúde, Doença ou Morte, em humanos

INTRODUCTION: Recurrence plots have been increasingly used to evaluate complex dynamic systems of which the human body is an excellent model. The different quantitative and qualitative elements of recurrence plots in health, disease, and death were analysed. A time series of normal heartbeats were collected in healthy newborns, healthy children, healthy young adults, healthy middle-aged adults, elderly individuals living in nursing homes, individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease, and individuals with declared brain death or in a state of imminent death. Healthy young adults showed the best homeostasis (lower recurrence). Healthy newborns and individuals with declared brain death or in a state of imminent death had higher recurrence values. At the qualitative visual level, healthy young adults showed a more diffuse and uniform distribution, indicative of better homeostasis; for individuals with declared brain death or in a state of imminent death this was totally linear - the worst condition. A parabolic pattern was clearly evidenced. In conclusion, it was possible, using the correlation of only two variables (SDNN and TT), to easily differentiate states of health, disease, and death using recurrence plots

Gráficos de recorrência (GR) têm sido utilizados para avaliar sistemas dinâmicos complexos, sendo o corpo humano um excelente modelo. Foram analisados os elementos quantitativos e qualitativos do GR na diferenciação de Saúde, Doença e Morte. Séries temporais de batimentos cardíacos normais foram coletadas em recém-nascidos saudáveis (Grupo A1), crianças saudáveis (Grupo A2), adultos jovens saudáveis (Grupo A3), adultos saudáveis de meia-idade (Grupo A4), idosos residentes em casas de repouso (Grupo B ), indivíduos com doença renal crônica avançada (Grupo C) e indivíduos com morte encefálica declarada ou em estado de morte iminente (Grupo D). O grupo A3 apresentou a melhor homeostase (menor recorrência). Os grupos A1 e D apresentaram os maiores valores de recorrência. Em termos visuais qualitativos, o Grupo A3 apresentou distribuição mais difusa e uniforme, um indicativo de melhor homeostase e o Grupo D foi totalmente linear, a pior condição. Um padrão parabólico foi claramente evidenciado. Em conclusão, foi possível, utilizando a correlação de apenas duas variáveis (SDNN e TT), diferenciar tanto de modo quantitativo como qualitativo os estados de Saúde, Doença e Morte usando GR.

The biotechnology survey complex of land management and cadastral works on the provision of land plots for a recreational zone / 国际药学研究杂志

A land plot is part of the earth's surface, the boundaries of which are defined in accordance with federal laws. Currently, there are two methods of providing land plots for a recreation zone: without the prior agreement of the object location and with the preliminary agreement of the object location. The paper analyzes the regulatory and legal acts of the Russian Federation governing land relations. The purpose of the work is to study the process of providing land plots. The object of the study is a land plot provided for the placement of recreational facilities. The subject of the study is the system of normative legal documents regulating land relations. In this paper, the author considers the procedure for the provision of land plots for a recreational zone with a preliminary agreement on the location of the object by the example of a land plot requested for the development of a forest park. Compliance with legal requirements and substantive rules of law is largely determined by the regulation of the process of their application, that is, the fulfillment of procedural provisions. In general, the procedure for allocation of land plots and the rights to them in the land legislation is provided in sufficient detail. Since a public authority is one of the parties in the relationship on the provision of land plots, and a land plot, that is, a specifically valuable form of real estate, is the object thereof, both provisional procedures (with the object location agreement and without it) consist of a number of stages regulated in detail by the land legislation.

A design of raster plot for illustrating dynamic neuronal activity during deep brain stimulation / 生物医学工程学杂志

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), which usually utilizes high frequency stimulation (HFS) of electrical pulses, is effective for treating many brain disorders in clinic. Studying the dynamic response of downstream neurons to HFS and its time relationship with stimulus pulses can reveal important mechanisms of DBS and advance the development of new stimulation modes (e.g., closed-loop DBS). To exhibit the dynamic neuronal firing and its relationship with stimuli, we designed a two-dimensional raster plot to visualize neuronal activity during HFS (especially in the initial stage of HFS). Additionally, the influence of plot resolution on the visualization effect was investigated. The method was then validated by investigating the neuronal responses to the axonal HFS in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats. Results show that the new design of raster plot is able to illustrate the dynamics of indexes (such as phase-locked relationship and latency) of single unit activity (i.e., spikes) during periodic pulse stimulations. Furthermore, the plots can intuitively show changes of neuronal firing from the baseline before stimulation to the onset dynamics during stimulation, as well as other information including the silent period of spikes immediately following the end of HFS. In addition, by adjusting resolution, the raster plot can be adapted to a large range of firing rates for clear illustration of neuronal activity. The new raster plot can illustrate more information with a clearer image than a regular raster plot, and thereby provides a useful tool for studying neuronal behaviors during high-frequency stimulations in brain.

The temporal stability of recurrence quantification analysis attributes from chronic atrial fibrillation electrograms

Abstract Introduction The temporal behavior of atrial electrograms (AEGs) collected during persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF) directly affects ablative treatment outcomes. We investigated different durations of AEGs collected during persAF using recurrence quantification analysis (RQA). Methods 797 bipolar AEGs with different durations (from 0.5 s to 8 s) from 18 patients were investigated. Four RQA-based attributes were evaluated based on AEG durations: determinism (DET); recurrence rate (RR); laminarity (LAM); and diagonal lines' entropy (ENTR). The Spearman correlation (ρ) between each duration versus 8 s was calculated. AEG classification was performed following the CARTO criteria (Biosense Webster) and receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created for the RQA variables. Results The RQA variables successfully discriminated the AEGs: the area under the ROC curves were as high as 0.70 for AEGs with 3.5 s or greater. Three types of AEGs were found using these variables: normal, fractionated and temporally unstable. The number of unstable AEGs decreased with longer AEG segments. Different AEG durations significantly affected the RQA variables (P<0.0001), with no statistical difference between the durations 6 s, 7 s and 8 s for DET, LAM and ENTR, and no difference between 7 s and 8 s for RR (P<0.0001). AEGs with 3 s or longer have shown ρ ≥ 80% for all variables. Conclusion The RQA variables have been shown effective in the characterization of AEGs collected during persAF with a shorter duration than current recommendations, which motivates their use for the characterization of atrial substrate during persAF ablation.

Dynamics in child undernutrition in Bangladesh: Evidence from nationally representative surveys between 1997 and 2014

Background: Bangladesh has been struggling to reduce the prevalence of childhood undernutrition, which impedes physical and mental capability and accelerates morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The objective of the paper is to examine the changes over time in the association between potential covariates and nutritional status of Bangladeshi children. Methods: The study combined and analyzed data from six waves of Demographic and Health Surveys between 1997 and 2014. Multivariable binary logistic regression models have been fitted to data from individual waves. Overall association has been investigated using forest plots, and meta-regression has been utilized to assess the pace of change in the association over time. Results: Parental education and place of residence showed a consistent association with nutritional status of children. Children from parents with no little education were more likely to be undernourished than those from parents with secondary or higher level of education (odds ratio [OR] in 1997 = 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.65�22, OR in 2004 = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.58�37). On the other hand, gaps in the association of wealth and childhood nutrition have been widening consistently so that in 2014 children from households from the lowest 40% wealth category were 2.66 times (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 2.13�33) as likely as to be undernourished than those from upper 20%. Conclusions: The findings have policy implications in terms of developing programs directed to mothers with a relatively poor socioeconomic background. A specific example would be providing nutritional education in relation to importance of childhood nutrition or cheaper nutritious food.

Construction and Clinical Implications of ECG 3D RR-interval Scatter Plots / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To plot and analyze ECG three-dimensional (3D) RR scatter plots in patients with various diseases in order to find the correlation between the graphic features and various diseases. Methods: According to ECG data provided by Physio Bank website, 3D RR scatter plots were constructed and analyzed by means of Matlab platform programming and clustering algorithm in following clinical settings: normal sinus rhythm,?arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), sudden cardiac death and chronic heart failure (CHF). Results: 3D RR scatter plots of normal sinus rhythm, arrhythmia, AF, sudden cardiac death and CHF were converged into several categories, all had the features of ultimate, stability and attraction. Significant differences on the number of clusters, clustering degrees and distribution ranges were observed among subjects with normal sinus rhythm, arrhythmia, AF, sudden cardiac death and CHF. Conclusions: 3D RR scatter plots had diversified distributions in different diseases, it can be divided into multiple categories with multi-distribution features. 3D RR scatter plots can clearly define the overlapping parts of 2D scatter diagram and are helpful to distinguish different diseases in a more accurate mode, future studies are warranted to explore the underlying clinical implications of the multiple parameters derived from the 3D RR scatter plots.

Sampling procedures for inventory of commercial volume tree species in Amazon Forest

ABSTRACT The spatial distribution of tropical tree species can affect the consistency of the estimators in commercial forest inventories, therefore, appropriate sampling procedures are required to survey species with different spatial patterns in the Amazon Forest. For this, the present study aims to evaluate the conventional sampling procedures and introduce the adaptive cluster sampling for volumetric inventories of Amazonian tree species, considering the hypotheses that the density, the spatial distribution and the zero-plots affect the consistency of the estimators, and that the adaptive cluster sampling allows to obtain more accurate volumetric estimation. We use data from a census carried out in Jamari National Forest, Brazil, where trees with diameters equal to or higher than 40 cm were measured in 1,355 plots. Species with different spatial patterns were selected and sampled with simple random sampling, systematic sampling, linear cluster sampling and adaptive cluster sampling, whereby the accuracy of the volumetric estimation and presence of zero-plots were evaluated. The sampling procedures applied to species were affected by the low density of trees and the large number of zero-plots, wherein the adaptive clusters allowed concentrating the sampling effort in plots with trees and, thus, agglutinating more representative samples to estimate the commercial volume.

Dinámica de raíces finas y su relación con la fertilidad edáfica en bosques pluviales tropicales del Chocó biogeográfico colombiano / Fine root dynamics and its relationship with soil fertility in tropical rainforests of Chocó

Resumen:Las raíces finas juegan un papel importante en la adquisición de agua y minerales del suelo, el balance global del carbono y la mitigación del cambio climático. La dinámica (productividad-PRF y recambio-RRF) de raíces finas es esencial para el ciclo de nutrientes y balance de carbono de los ecosistemas forestales. La disponibilidad de agua y nutrientes determina de manera significativa la PRF y el RRF. Se ha planteado la hipótesis de que la dinámica de raíces finas aumenta con la disponibilidad de los recursos del suelo en bosques tropicales. Para probar esta hipótesis en las selvas tropicales del Chocó (ecosistemas con las más altas tasas de precipitación en el mundo), se establecieron cinco parcelas permanentes de una hectárea en las localidades de Opogodó y Pacurita, donde la PRF y RRF se midieron a 0-10 cm y 10-20 cm de profundidad. La medición de la PRF se realizó por el método de cilindros de crecimiento. La tasa de RRF se midió como la PRF/ biomasa media anual. Además, se midieron los parámetros de fertilidad del suelo (pH, nutrientes y textura) y se evaluó su asociación con PRF y RRF. Se encontró que ambos sitios presentan suelos pobres en nutrientes. Las localidades difieren en características edáficas; Opogodó tiene suelos arenosos y topografía plana, y Pacurita tiene suelos arcillosos, ricos en aluminio y topografía montañosa. En Opogodó la PRF fue (media ± DE) de 6.50 ± 2.62 t/ha.año. En Pacurita la PRF fue 3.61 ± 0.88 t/ha.año. Igualmente, en Opogodó el RRF fue mayor que en Pacurita (1.17 /año y 0.62 /año, respectivamente). El RRF y la PRF fueron mayores en la superficie del suelo (10 cm de profundidad). La PRF y el RRF mostraron correlación positiva con el pH, MO, N total, K, Mg, y arena; mientras que, las correlaciones fueron negativas con la CICE, Al, limo y arcilla. El porcentaje de arena fue el parámetro que mejor explica la variación en la PRF. La tasa negativa de la RRF fue explicada por la disponibilidad de Al. Los resultados evidenciaron un aumento en la dinámica de las raíces finas con la fertilidad del suelo a escala local, lo que sugiere que en selvas tropicales con suelos oligotróficos, las raíces finas tienden a proliferar rápidamente en pequeños parches de suelo ricos en arena y nutrientes.

Abstract:The fine roots play an important role in the acquisition of water and minerals from the soil, the global carbon balance and mitigation of climate change. The dynamics (productivity and turnover) of fine roots is essential for nutrient cycling and carbon balance of forest ecosystems. The availability of soil water and nutrients has significantly determined the productivity and turnover of fine roots. It has been hypothesized that fine roots dynamics increases with the availability of soil resources in tropical forest ecosystems. To test this hypothesis in tropical rainforests of Chocó (ecosystems with the highest rainfall in the world), five one-ha permanent plots were established in the localities of Opogodó and Pacurita, where the productivity and turnover of fine roots were measured at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth. The measurement of the fine root production was realized by the Ingrowth core method. The fine root turnover was measured like fine roots production divided mean annual biomass. In addition, soil fertility parameters (pH, nutrients, and texture) were measured and their association with productivity and turnover of fine roots was evaluated. It was found that the sites had nutrient-poor soils. The localities also differ in soil; Opogodó has sandy soils and flat topography, and Pacurita has clay soils, rich in aluminum and mountainous topography. In Opogodó fine root production was 6.50 ± 2.62 t/ha.yr (mean ± SD). In Pacurita, fine root production was 3.61 ± 0.88 t/ha.yr. Also in Opogodó, the fine root turnover was higher than in Pacurita (1.17 /y and 0.62 /y, respectively). Fine root turnover and production in the upper soil layers (10 cm upper soil) was considerably higher. Productivity and turnover of fine roots showed positive correlation with pH and contents of organic matter, total N, K, Mg, and sand; whereas correlations were negative with ECEC and contents of Al, silt, and clay. The percentage of sand was the parameter that best explained the variations of fine root production. The fine root turnover was negatively explained by soil Al availability. Results suggested the increase of fine root dynamics with soil fertility at a local scale, which also indicates that under the oligotrophic conditions of soils in tropical rainforests, fine roots tend to proliferate rapidly in small patches of soil rich in sand and nutrients. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1709-1719. Epub 2016 December 01.

Growth Kinetics of a Native Toxigenic Isolate of Bacillus Cereus under the Influence of Incubation Temperature, pH and Sodium Chloride in Broth System.

Aims: The growth behavior of vegetative cells and spores of a native toxigenic food isolate of Bacillus cereus CFR 1534 was studied under the influence of incubation temperature, pH and sodium chloride. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in the Department of Human Resource Development, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India. The duration of study was during the period October 2009 to February 2010. Methodology: The experimental design was a central composite design (CCD) based on 3 factors and 5 levels. The factors for vegetative cells were incubation temperature (12- 48ºC), pH level (5.5-7.5) and sodium chloride (2-6%). With spores, the ranges of pH and NaCl levels were the same, while incubation temperature range was 22 to 42ºC. Results: Multiple regression analysis of experimental data relating to lag phase duration (LPD) and growth rate (GR) of B. cereus across the influencing factors in broth system revealed that LPD of vegetative cells and spores was primarily influenced by incubation temperature. In vegetative cells of B. cereus, the LPD was in the range of 3.1 to 31.5 h with the highest being observed at 48ºC and pH 6.5. The GR had the lowest of 0.2/h to highest of 2.2/h at 30ºC and pH 7.5. With spores, the lowest LPD of 5.8 h was at 42ºC and highest of 20.5 h at 22ºC and that of GR was in the range of 0.2/h at 22ºC to 0.7/h at 32ºC. Experimental tubes of vegetative cells with GR estimates of 1.3/h and above revealed positive reactions for toxigenic traits of haemolytic and lecithinase activities associated with B. cereus. Conclusion: In the case of vegetative cells, incubation temperature in the range of 12- 20ºC resulted in higher LPD, while in spores, higher LPD was observed with incubation temperatures of 22-26ºC. This could provide a basis to design protocols for a safe food in the food chain.

Diversidade de carnívoros (Mammalia: carnivora) da serra dos macacos, Tobias Barreto, Sergipe / Diversity of carnivores (Mammalia: carnivora) in the serra dos macacos, Sergipe

A redução dos habitats dos carnívoros que necessitam de grandes áreas de vida tem ameaçado seriamente muitas espécies em todo o planeta, cujas causas estão relacionadas, quase sempre, às atividades antrópicas. Nesse sentido, esforços de pesquisa de campo são imprescindíveis, de modo a contribuir com informações sobre ocorrência e estado de conservação das espécies. Este estudo teve como objetivo inventariar a fauna de carnívoros da Serra dos Macacos em Tobias Barreto/SE. Entre outubro de 2010 e agosto de 2011, os carnívoros foram registrados através de 20 armadilhas de pegadas de 1m² cada, dispostas ao longo de quatro transectos. Cada transecto era composto por cinco armadilhas equidistantes 20 m, que permaneciam iscadas durante duas noites consecutivas por campanha. A busca direta por vestígios ocorreu percorrendo-se aleatoriamente trilhas e estradas, cujos percursos variaram entre 1200 m e 12 km e entrevistas foram realizadas com 30 moradores locais. Foram registradas oito espécies de carnívoros: Cerdocyon thous, Procyon cancrivorus, Conepatus semistriatus, Galictis cuja, Eira barbara, Leopardus pardalis, Puma yagouaroundi e Leopardus spp. No total foram obtidos 42 registros de carnívoros, sendo 14 pelas armadilhas de pegada e 28 pela busca por vestígios, resultando em cinco espécies registradas por ambos os métodos e estimada 5,9 ± 0,9 pelo Jackknife 1. Não houve diferença no número de registros entre as estações seca e chuvosa (t = -1,1767; p = 0,4532). As três espécies mais abundantes (P. cancrivorus, C. thous e C. semistriatus) corresponderam a cerca de 88% dos registros obtidos, enquanto os felinos foram menos abundantes. Acredita-se que os fragmentos florestais da Serra dos Macacos sejam mantenedores da diversidade observada, proporcionando abrigo e outros recursos, mas que estão seriamente ameaçados devido à ação antrópica.

The worldwide anthropogenic reduction of the habitat available to carnivores that depend on large home ranges has seriously threatened many species. In this context, reliable data on the occurrence and abundance of species are vital to conservation efforts. This study inventoried the carnivore fauna of the Serra dos Macacos in Tobias Barreto, Sergipe (Brazil). Between October 2010 and August 2011, carnivores were recorded using 20 track plots each measuring 1m², arranged along four transects. Each transect was composed of five traps 20 m apart, which were baited on two consecutive nights during each field campaign. Vestiges were also identified during active searches of existing trails and roads with lengths ranging from 1200 m to 12 km and additional information was collected in interviews with 30 local residents. Eight carnivore species were recorded: Cerdocyon thous, Procyon cancrivorus, Conepatus semistriatus, Galictis cuja, Eira barbara, Leopardus pardalis, Puma yagouaroundi and Leopardus sp. A total 42 records were obtained, 14 in the track plots and 28 in the active search for vestiges, with five species being recorded by each method and a total of estimated 5.9±0.9 being estimated by the Jackknife 1. There was no difference in the number of records between the dry and rainy seasons (t = -1,1767; p = 0,4532). The three most abundant species (P. cancrivorus, C. thous, and C. semistriatus) corresponded to approximately 88% of the records, while the felines were less abundant. It is believed that the forest fragments at Serra dos Macacos contribute to the maintenance of local diversity carnivore diversity by providing shelter and other resources, although these habitats are seriously threatened by ongoing human activities.

Composição florística e estrutural de um cerrado sentido restrito na área de proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal / Floristic composition and structural of the cerrado sensu stricto in Mestre D'armas watershed protection area, Distrito Federal, Brazil

O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar o levantamento fitossociológico da comunidade arbustivo-arbórea em área de Cerrado sentido restrito na Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, em Planaltina, Distrito Federal. Para isso foram instaladas 10 parcelas aleatórias de 1.000 m2 (20 x 50 m) e identificados e medidos todos os indivíduos lenhosos (Db30 cm) 5 cm. Os valores de riqueza (75 espécies/51 gêneros/34 famílias), de diversidade de Shannon (3,39) e de equabilidade (0,85) estão na faixa de variação encontrados em outros estudos realizados no Brasil Central e refletem alta diversidade na área estudada. Foram registrados 960 indivíduos/ha e uma área basal total de 8,61 m2/ha. As dez espécies mais importantes (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum e Rapanea guianensis) corresponderam 59% da densidade total, 50% do IVI total e 61% da área basal da comunidade. Assim, essas são as espécies que representam a estrutura principal do Cerrado sentido restrito no presente trabalho. Miconia burchellii ocorreu com a maior densidade (180 ind.ha-1) já registrada para a espécie no Brasil Central. Os resultados contribuem para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a fisionomia Cerrado sentido restrito e indicam que o fragmento está em bom estado de conservação, de acordo com o índice de diversidade. Essa área é importante no contexto do Distrito Federal, uma vez que forma elos entre os fragmentos remanescentes, o Parque Nacional de Brasília e a Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

This study aimed to describe the floristic composition, diversity and community structure of woody community in Cerrado sensu stricto in the Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Ten random plots (20 x 50 m) were installed and identified and measured all the individuals with diameter (Dh30 cm) 5 cm. The results showed richness (75 species/51 genus/34 family), Shannon diversity (3.39 nats. nats.ind-1) and evenness (0.85) reflect high diversity in the studied area and similar to the range of variation found in other studies in Central Brazil. In this study were registered 960 individuals/ha and 8.61 m2/ha of basal area. The ten most important species (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum and Rapanea guianensis) accounted for 59% of the total density, 50% of the IVI and 61% of the basal area of the community. So, these are the species that represent the main structure of Cerrado stricto sensu in that area. Miconia burchellii occurred with the highest density (180 ind.ha-1) ever recorded for the species in Central Brazil. The results contribute to increase the knowledge about the physiognomy Cerrado stricto sensu and indicate that the fragment is in good condition, and it is important in the context of the Federal District, once that form links between the remaining fragments, the Parque Nacional de Brasília and the Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

Impasses no processo de regionalização do SUS: tramas locais / Deadlocks in the process of health regionalization: local plots

Regionalização do SUS visa reforçar e potencializar esforços e medidas envolvendo a organização dos sistemas local e regional de saúde, mediante articulação de todos os envolvidos. Os entraves que costumam dificultar o processo de regionalização estão relacionados às tensões e aos conflitos entre os objetivos, a integração e os fatores políticos. Este artigo se propõe a refletir sobre o processo de regionalização do ponto de vista político-administrativo, destacando questões relativas à autonomia local decorrente do processo de municipalização. Dito de outro modo, se o processo de municipalização da saúde ocorrido nas últimas décadas fortaleceu a autonomia política dos municípios, a proposta de racionalizar a estrutura de serviços por meio da regionalização seguiu uma lógica mais administrativa. Mas, como vimos na região do Grande ABC paulista, por exemplo, a dimensão política do processo se impõe de qualquer maneira, sobretudo nos jogos de poder na defesa de interesses locais.

Validity of Workers’ Self-Reports. Evaluation of a Question Assessing Lifetime Exposure to Occupational Physical Activity.

Aims: In epidemiological studies exposure assessment based on questionnaires is the most cost-effective method. A question about lifetime exposure to occupational physical activity (OPA) was used in a population-based survey (part of the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank, CAMB). The aim of the study was to validate this question through a three-step process. Methodology: Firstly, the response process was studied by cognitive interviewing of 7 persons. Secondly, 64 persons participated in semi-structured interviews about their work-life, and expert judgments of exposure to OPA were compared with questionnaire-data. Exposure was 20 years of work in one of four categories of OPA: sedentary, standing and walking, moderate or high OPA. Kappa values were calculated for agreement and interpreted according to Landis and Koch’s criteria. Agreement was visualized in Bland-Altman plots. Thirdly, intra- and inter-rater reliability of expert judgments was tested. Results: Response process: The question had a complicated instruction, and the respondents found it hard to remember, categorize, and summate exposures. Semi-structured interviews: Kappa value for exposure to sedentary work was ‘substantial’ (0.71) but ‘fair’ for the other categories of OPA (0.27-0.29). Agreement between questionnaire and interview was higher in sedentary jobs and jobs with high OPA. Intra-rater reliability of expert judgments was ‘substantial’ or ‘moderate’ (0.60-0.71). Inter-rater reliability was high in sedentary jobs but lower in the more active jobs. Conclusion: Self-reports of lifetime exposure to sedentary work are valid in the CAMB cohort, whereas the validity of self-reports of exposure to high levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) are questionable. Thorough pre-testing of questions about lifetime OPA is recommended.

Medium and large sized mammals of a semideciduous forest remnant in southern Brazil / Mamíferos de médio e grande porte de um remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual no sul do Brasil

Knowledge about mammals of the Atlantic Forest is still lacking, especially because some places remain poorly studied or inventoried, which makes conservation initiatives difficult. We aimed to determine the species richness and composition of medium and large sized mammals in a semideciduous forest remnant, Morro do Coco, thus contributing information about the occurrence of mammalian fauna in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The methods consisted of interviews with local inhabitants, visual records and sand plot analysis. The study took place from July 2008 to April 2009, with monthly expeditions of three days. Sixteen species of mammals were recorded, seven of which are threatened with extinction in Rio Grande do Sul and one nationally. The predominant trophic group was the frugivorous/herbivorous. The study area is situated in a prioritized zone for the conservation of mammals in Greater Porto Alegre, since it consists of one of the last remnants where the phytophysionomies that originally occupied the edge of Guaiba Lake and granite hills of the region are represented and preserved.

O conhecimento sobre a mastofauna da Mata Atlântica é ainda insuficiente, especialmente porque restam locais pouco estudados ou mal inventariados, o que dificulta iniciativas de conservação. Teve-se, como objetivos, conhecer a riqueza e a composição de espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em um remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, o Morro do Coco, contribuindo, assim, com informações sobre a ocorrência da mastofauna na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, sul do Brasil. A metodologia consistiu de entrevistas com moradores locais, registros visuais e parcelas de areia. O estudo transcorreu de julho de 2008 a abril de 2009, com expedições mensais de três dias. Foram registradas 16 espécies de mamíferos, sete das quais estão ameaçadas de extinção no Rio Grande do Sul e uma nacionalmente. O grupo trófico predominante foi o de frugívoros/herbívoros. A área de estudo situa-se em uma zona prioritária à conservação da mastofauna na Grande Porto Alegre, por ser um dos últimos remanescentes onde estão representadas e preservadas as fitofisionomias que originalmente ocupavam a orla do Lago Guaíba e os morros graníticos da região.

Study of Host-Parasite Relationship among Loranthaceae Flowering Shrubs Myrmecophytic Fruit Trees-Ants in Logbessou District, Cameroon.

The objective of this study is host-parasite relationship among Loranthaceae flowering shrubs, Myrmecophytic fruit trees and ants. The study was conducted in 2009 in the garden plots and orchards of houses in the Logbessou district of Douala, Cameroon. We inventoried a total of 141 myrmecophytic fruit trees (diameter ≤ 45 cm) of which 95 (67.3%) were parasitized by flowering-shrub epiphytes (Loranthaceae). These trees belong to 14 species, 11 genera and 8 families. Among the eight species of ants inventoried on the trees, two were arboreal-dwelling and six were ground-dwelling, arboreal-foraging species. They belonged to two sub-families: the Formicinae, which were mostly represented by two genera, Camponotus and Paratrechina; and the Myrmicinae, which were more abundant (87.5%). The ants nested in the domatia of myrmecophyte hosts or hollow branches, trunks and dead suckers of Loranthaceae. Crematogaster was the most frequent genus and dominant ant on all of the parasitized host trees.

Tree communities of white-sand and terra-firme forests of the upper Rio Negro / Comunidades de árvores em florestas de campinarana e de terra-firme do alto Rio Negro

The high tree diversity and vast extent of Amazonian forests challenge our understanding of how tree species abundance and composition varies across this region. Information about these parameters, usually obtained from tree inventories plots, is essential for revealing patterns of tree diversity. Numerous tree inventories plots have been established in Amazonia, yet, tree species composition and diversity of white-sand and terra-firme forests of the upper Rio Negro still remain poorly understood. Here, we present data from eight new one-hectare tree inventories plots established in the upper Rio Negro; four of which were located in white-sand forests and four in terra-firme forests. Overall, we registered 4703 trees > 10 cm of diameter at breast height. These trees belong to 49 families, 215 genera, and 603 species. We found that tree communities of terra-firme and white-sand forests in the upper Rio Negro significantly differ from each other in their species composition. Tree communities of white-sand forests show a higher floristic similarity and lower diversity than those of terra-firme forests. We argue that mechanisms driving differences between tree communities of white-sand and terra-firme forests are related to habitat size, which ultimately influences large-scale and long-term evolutionary processes.

A vasta extensão e a alta diversidade de árvores das florestas na Amazônia desafiam a nossa compreensão sobre como variam a composição e abundância de espécies arbóreas ao longo desta região. Informações sobre estes parâmetros, geralmente obtidas a partir de inventários florísticos, são fundamentais para análises sobre padrões de diversidade. Embora inúmeros inventários florísticos tenham sido estabelecidos na Amazônia, a composição de espécies e a diversidade de árvores das florestas de campinarana e de terra-firme, na região do alto Rio Negro, permanecem ainda pouco conhecidas. Aqui, apresentamos dados de inventários florísticos de oito parcelas de um hectare estabelecidas em florestas de campinarana e de terra-firme do alto Rio Negro. Ao todo, registramos 4.703 indivíduos com diâmetro à altura do peito > 10 cm pertencentes a 49 famílias, 215 gêneros e 603 espécies. As comunidades de árvores das florestas de campinarana e terra-firme do alto Rio Negro diferem entre si, sendo que as florestas de campinaranas são mais similares e menos diversas que as florestas de terra-firme. Sugerimos que os mecanismos que causam diferenças entre as comunidades arbóreas das florestas de campinarana e terra-firme são principalmente relacionados a diferenças do tamanho do habitat, isto porque o tamanho da área do habitat influencia processos evolutivos que ocorrem em grande escala temporal e espacial.