Is pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with schistosomiasis distinct from pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with portal hypertension?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with schistosomiasis (SchPAH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with portal hypertension (PoPAH) are lung diseases that develop in the presence of liver diseases. However, mechanistic pathways by which the underlying liver conditions and other drivers contribute to the development and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are unclear for both etiologies. In turn, these unknowns limit certainty of strategies to prevent, diagnose, and reverse the resultant PAH. Here we consider specific mechanisms that contribute to SchPAH and PoPAH, identifying those that may be shared and those that appear to be unique to each etiology, in the hope that this exploration will both highlight known causal drivers and identify knowledge gaps appropriate for future research. Overall, the key pathophysiologic differences that we identify between SchPAH and PoPAH suggest that they are not variants of a single condition.

Aprendizagem Cultural por Crianças de Dois Anos em seu Grupo de Brinquedo / Cultural Learning by Two-Year-Old Children in Play Group / Aprendizaje Cultural de Niños de Dos Años en el Grupo de Juego

Neste trabalho, discute-se a aprendizagem cultural de crianças de dois anos do seu entorno social, examinando, a partir de uma perspectiva sociointeracionista, o modo como participam de brincadeiras que se efetivam no grupo de brinquedo. 20 crianças foram observadas duas vezes por semana, durante 45 dias, perfazendo um total de 11 sessões videogravadas com duração média de 24 minutos. Elas brincavam livremente em espaços de um Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil, em Recife. Foram identificados e transcritos 56 episódios de brincadeiras. A análise qualitativa evidencia que as crianças trazem para a situação de interação com seus pares (microcultura) conhecimentos produzidos em diferentes ambientes sociais (macrocultura). Conhecimentos da cultura popular foram inferidos a partir dos comportamentos observados em uma encenação de maracatu e em um jogo de capoeira. O protagonismo das crianças indica que convenções e regras são respeitadas e compartilhadas, o que garante a negociação de significados e transmissão da cultura, mesmo em crianças bem novas. Imitação, ações complementares e cooperativas parecem contribuir na manutenção e reconstrução de conhecimentos com os parceiros. Sublinha-se a importância de se propiciar um contexto coletivo de desenvolvimento para instigar a participação das crianças na assimilação e construção da microcultura do grupo. (AU)

This paper discusses the cultural learning of two-year-old children of their social environment, examining, from a socio-interactionist perspective, the way they participate in play activities that take place in the peer group. Twenty children were observed twice a week, for forty-five days, totaling 11 video-recorded sessions, each one lasting 24 minutes on average. They played freely in spaces of a Municipal Center for Early Childhood Education, in Recife. Fifty-six episodes of play activity were identified and transcribed. Qualitative analysis shows that children bring knowledge produced in different social environments (macroculture) to the situation of interaction with their peers (microculture). Knowledge of popular culture was inferred from behaviors observed by featuring maracatu and a capoeira performance. The protagonism of children indicates that conventions and rules are respected and shared, which guarantees the negotiation of meanings and the transmission of culture, even among children at their earlier ages. Imitation, complementary, and cooperative actions seem to contribute to the maintenance and reconstruction of knowledge with peers. The importance of providing a collective context of development is underlined to encourage the participation of children in the assimilation and construction of the group's microculture. (AU)

En este trabajo se discute el aprendizaje cultural de niños de dos años en su entorno social, examinando, desde una perspectiva sociointeraccionista, la forma en que participan de juegos y se desarrollan en el grupo de juguetes. Veinte niños fueron observados dos veces por semana en cuarenta y cinco días, un total de 11 sesiones grabadas en video con una duración promedio de 24 minutos. Jugaron libremente en un Centro Municipal de Educación Infantil, en Recife. Se identificaron y transcribieron 56 episodios de juegos. El análisis cualitativo muestra conocimientos de los niños producidos en distintos entornos sociales (macrocultura) y interacción con sus pares (microcultura). El conocimiento de cultura popular se infirió a partir de conductas observadas en una puesta en escena de maracatu y juego de capoeira. El protagonismo de los niños indica que han respetado y compartido las convenciones y reglas, lo que garantiza negociación de significados y la transmisión de cultura, incluso en niños muy pequeños. Las acciones de imitación, complementarias y cooperativas parecen apoyar el mantenimiento y reconstrucción del conocimiento con los parceros. Se destaca la importancia de brindar un contexto colectivo de desarrollo para instigar la participación de niños en la asimilación y construcción de microcultura de grupo. (AU)

Degradation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Using Hydrolytic Enzymes Produced by Amazonian Endophytic Fungi.

Microbial biofilms can cause serious health problems, since, due to their persistent character, they often function as spreaders of contaminants. Hydrolytic enzymes have a number of industrial applications and have been indicated as an alternative to the traditional chemical methods that are used to eradicate microbial biofilms. In this study, we evaluated the ability of enzymatic extracts produced by endophytic fungi isolated from the Amazonian species Myrcia guianensis to remove Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. After culture in liquid medium, the fungal hydrolytic extracts showed amylase (3.77 U/mL), lipase (3.84 U/mL), protease (3.63 U/mL), and xylanase (2.91 U/mL) activity. A 24 h mature S. aureus ATCC6538 biofilm was exposed to each enzyme extract with standardized enzyme activities for 10, 30, and 60 min. The optical density at 630 nm was used to calculate the growth rate (GR%) and the residual biofilm rate (RBR%). The most promising solutions were used in combination, based on a 24 factorial design for 0, 10, 20, and 30 min of exposure. Lipase and protease solutions, when applied separately, were the most effective, and promoted the complete removal of S. aureus biofilms in t10 (lipase) and t30 and t60 (lipase and protease). Of the combined treatments using 1.0 U/mL protease and 0.4 U/mL lipase, total biofilm degradation was observed for all exposure times. Thus, the hydrolases produced by the Amazonian endophytic fungi evaluated here are highlighted as an interesting tool in the fight against microbial biofilms.

Commercial Devices-Based System Designed to Improve the Treatment Adherence of Hypertensive Patients.

This paper presents an intelligent system designed to increase the treatment adherence of hypertensive patients. The architecture was developed to allow communication among patients, physicians, and families to determine each patient's rate assertion of medication intake time and their self-monitoring of blood pressure. Concerning the medication schedule, the system is designed to follow a predefined prescription, adapting itself to undesired events, such as mistakenly taking medication or forgetting to take medication on time. When covering the blood pressure measurement, it incorporates best medical practices, registering the actual values in recommended frequency and form, trying to avoid the known "white-coat effect." We assume that taking medicine precisely and measuring blood pressure correctly may lead to good adherence to the treatment. The system uses commercial consumer electronic devices and can be replicated in any home equipped with a standard personal computer and Internet access. The resulting architecture has four layers. The first is responsible for adding electronic devices that typically exist in today's homes to the system. The second is a preprocessing layer that filters the data generated from the patient's behavior. The third is a reasoning layer that decides how to act based on the patient's activities observed. Finally, the fourth layer creates messages that should drive the reactions of all involved actors. The reasoning layer takes into consideration the patient's schedule and medication-taking activity data and uses implicit algorithms based on the J48, RepTree, and RandomTree decision tree models to infer the adherence. The algorithms were first adjusted using one academic machine learning and data mining tool. The system communicates with users through smartphones (anytime and anywhere) and smart TVs (in the patient's home) by using the 3G/4G and WiFi infrastructure. It interacts automatically through social networks with doctors and relatives when changes or mistakes in medication intake and blood pressure mean values are detected. By associating the blood pressure data with the history of medication intake, our system can indicate the treatment adherence and help patients to achieve better treatment results. Comparisons with similar research were made, highlighting our findings.

Organization and functioning of the health gym program in the city of Camaragibe-PE / Organização e funcionamento do programa academia da saúde em Camaragibe-PE

The evaluation of health policies and programs is an important tool for decision-making. Among the instruments used for this purpose, the Logical Model stands out, establishing a visual reference regarding the interaction among the inputs, activities and expected results of an intervention. The present study aimed to evaluate the organization of actions and the functioning of the Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS ­ Health Gym Program) in the city of Camaragibe, Pernambuco state, Northeastern Brazil, using a logical model. Program actions were in line with some guidelines established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health services in relation to other primary care services and promotion of the adoption of active lifestyles by the population. However, they do not comply with the recommendations for work shifts and the professionals' workload at the centers. Camaragibe has the potential to enlarge the scope of multi-professional approaches aimed at comprehensive care

A avaliação de políticas e programas de saúde configura-se como uma importante ferramenta para a tomada de decisão. Entre os instrumentos utilizados para esse fim, destaca-se o Modelo Lógico, o qual estabelece uma referência visual a respeito da articulação entre os insumos, atividades e resultados esperados para uma intervenção. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a organização das ações e o funcionamento do Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS) no município de Camaragibe (Pernambuco) utilizando um modelo lógico. Observou-se que as ações do PAS alinham-se a algumas diretrizes estabelecidas pelo Ministério da Saúde quanto à articulação com outros serviços da atenção primária e incentivo à adoção de estilos de vida ativos por parte da população, porém, não atendem as recomendações quanto aos turnos de funcionamento e carga horária dos profissionais que atuam no polo. As ações do PAS em Camaragibe têm potencial para ampliar o escopo de abordagens multiprofissionais com vistas à integralidade do cuidado.

Chemical Composition and Bactericidal Activity of the Essential Oils of Four Species of Annonaceae Growing in Brazilian Amazon.

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of essential oils from Bocageopsis multiflora (Mart.) R.E. Fr., Ephedranthus amazonicus R.E. Fr., Guatteria blepharophylla Mart. and Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart . The essential oils were obtained from the leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The chromatograms showed the predominance of sesquiterpenoids. Spathulenol was the major constituent of oils of B. inultiflora (20.3%), X aromatica (21.5%) and E. amazonicus (16.9%); followed by caryophyllene oxide of G. blepharophylla (55.7%). Other constituents with significant percentages were the sesquiterpenes P-bisabolene (11.9%) in the samples oil of B. multiflora, humulene epoxide 11 (16.3%) -of E. amazonicus, the monoterpenes trans-pinocarveol (10.2%) and dihydrocarveol (11.6%) of X aromatica. The essential oils of X. aromatica and G. blepharophylla showed strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus sanguinis by microdilution method. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus also was detected by G. blepharophylla essential oil.

Afastamento do trabalho por pacientes gestantes: principais causas de absentismo / A pregnant employee absence: the main causes of absenteeism

Contexto: A inclusão da mulher no mercado de trabalho é fato, entretanto, aspectos fisiológicos relacionados ao gênero ainda são vistos pelos empregadores como um aspecto negativo, dentre eles, a gravidez. Nesse sentido, pouco se sabe sobre fatores relacionados à gestação como causa de absentismo e se essas condições realmente constituem um fator que reduz a produtividade de uma mulher trabalhadora. Objetivo: Avaliar as principais causas de afastamento do trabalho por pacientes gestantes atendidas no ambulatório especializado de Obstetrícia da Maternidade Marly Sarney e relacionar com as características socioeconômicas e culturais. Método: Neste estudo descritivo qualitativo, os dados foram coletados no período de março a junho de 2013. Por meio de um questionário estruturado em entrevista, aplicado durante as consultas, foi realizado um levantamento dos dados socioeconômicos e culturais das pacientes atendidas no pré-natal, relacionando causas de absentismo na atividade profissional. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados e utilizados para estudos de frequência e associação pelo teste do ?2 ou exato de Fisher. Resultados: A maioria das trabalhadoras gestantes entrevistadas apresentaram idade entre 25 e 35 anos (62%), com ensino médio completo (70%), casadas ou com união estável (63%), no terceiro trimestre de gestação (49%) e com renda familiar entre 1 e 2 salários mínimos (41%). As trabalhadoras que possuem vínculo empregatício apresentam associação com maior grau de escolaridade e renda, enquanto que as trabalhadoras domésticas tiveram associação com menor escolaridade e renda. As gestantes economicamente ativas que relataram maior absentismo tiveram uma distribuição proporcionalmente maior nas trabalhadoras de maior renda. Conclusão: Os sintomas relacionados à gravidez são fatores que indubitavelmente levam ao absentismo. Contudo, o presente estudo levanta dados inéditos e relevantes sobre o perfil e comportamento das mulheres em atividade laboral, no contexto da gestação, ilustrando que a qualificação profissional influencia diretamente no comportamento da gestante. Assim, a atenção ao perfil dessas mulheres durante o atendimento pode ser importante para melhorar a efetividade do acompanhamento pré-natal das pacientes gestantes e trabalhadoras.

Context: The inclusion of women in the labor market is a fact, however, physiological aspects related to gender are still viewed by employers as a negative aspect, among them, pregnancy. Accordingly, little is known about factors related to pregnancy as a cause of absenteeism and whether these conditions actually constitute a factor that reduces the productivity of a working woman. Objective: To evaluate the main causes of sick leave for pregnant patients seen in the outpatient clinic of Obstetrics Maternity Marly Sarney and to relate them to socio-economic and cultural characteristics. Method: In this qualitative descriptive study, the data were collected from March to June 2013. Through a structured interview questionnaire administered during the consultations, a survey of socio-cultural data from patients treated prenatally was performed by relating the causes of absenteeism. Data were tabulated and used for studies of frequency and association by ?2 or Fisher's exact tests. Results: The majority of the working women interviewed were aged between 25 and 35 years (62%), had completed high school (70%), were married or in a stable relationship (63%), were in the third trimester of pregnancy (49%), and with family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages (41%). Workers who have employment are associated with higher levels of education and income, while domestic workers were associated with lower education and income. Economically active women who reported higher absenteeism had a proportionally greater distribution in higher-income workers. Conclusion: Related pregnancy symptoms are factors that undoubtedly lead to absenteeism. However, this study raises novel and relevant information about the profile and behavior of women in labor activity, in the context of pregnancy, illustrating that the qualification directly influences the behavior of pregnant women. Thus, attention to the profile of these women during the service may be important to improve the effectiveness of prenatal care of pregnant patients and workers.

ANCA associated vasculitis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a rare association.

The aim of the present work is to discuss the report of a patient who had simultaneous diagnosis of two rare diseases, vasculitis related to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both are diseases that may be multisystemic and thus cause diagnostic confusion. In this case, the patient had renal, pulmonary, hematological, and ocular symptoms, which could be secondary to vasculitis both as to leukemia. With the aid of imaging studies, pathological studies, immunohistochemistry and immunophenotyping, we conclude that it was a combination of the two diseases. There are other reports in literature of this association, however, with pANCA positive, this is the first report of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with cANCA positive vasculitis.

Hemochromatosis simulating rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

This is a report of a patient who had a previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, nonerosive, rheumatoid factor negative, that despite the therapeutic approach presented progressive worsening of the articular and general condition. After extensive research, she had a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Joint symptoms are common manifestations in hemochromatosis. The arthropathy of hemochromatosis may resemble inflammatory arthropathy mimicking RA, particularly in the most common sites as 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal. Radiologically are observed decreased joint space, subchondral sclerosis, cyst formation and chondrocalcinosis. Treatment with disease modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis tend to worsen the clinical picture, since the liver is the major site of deposition of iron in hemochromatosis and these medications are known to be hepatotoxic. Phlebotomy treatment for hemochromatosis is apparently ineffective in reversing the articular manifestations, which requires the association with iron chelating drugs. Due to the apparent difficulty in differentiating between the two diseases, a screening profile of iron in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with atypical progression is necessary.

Vasculite associada à ANCA e leucemia linfocítica crônica: uma rara associação / ANCA associated vasculitis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a rare association

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo uma discussão acerca do relato de um doente que teve o diagnóstico simultâneo de duas doenças pouco frequentes, a vasculite relacionada ao anticorpo anticitoplasma de neutrófilos e a leucemia linfocítica crônica. Ambas são doenças que podem apresentar envolvimento multissistêmico e, assim, causar confusão diagnóstica. Neste caso, o doente apresentou comprometimento renal, pulmonar, hematológico e ocular, que poderiam ser secundários tanto à vasculite quanto à leucemia. Com auxílio de exames de imagem, estudos anátomopatológicos, imuno-histoquímica e imunofenotipagem concluímos tratar-se de uma associação das duas doenças. Há, na literatura, outros relatos desta associação, no entanto, com pANCA positivo; este é o primeiro relato de leucemia linfocítica crônica associada à vasculite com cANCA positivo.

The aim of the present work is to discuss the report of a patient who had simultaneous diagnosis of two rare diseases, vasculitis related to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both are diseases that may be multisystemic and thus cause diagnostic confusion. In this case, the patient had renal, pulmonary, hematological, and ocular symptoms, which could be secondary to vasculitis both as to leukemia. With the aid of imaging studies, pathological studies, immunohistochemistry and immunophenotyping, we conclude that it was a combination of the two diseases. There are other reports in literature of this association, however, with pANCA positive, this is the first report of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with cANCA positive vasculitis.

Hemocromatose simulando artrite reumatoide: relato de caso / Hemochromatosis simulating rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

Este é um relato de uma paciente que teve diagnóstico prévio de artrite reumatoide, não erosiva, fator reumatoide negativo, que apesar da terapêutica instituída apresentava piora progressiva do quadro articular e do estado geral. Após extensa investigação, apresentou diagnóstico de hemocromatose. Sintomas articulares são manifestações frequentes na hemocromatose. A artropatia da hemocromatose pode assemelhar-se a artropatias inflamatórias imitando a AR, particularmente nos sítios mais comuns, como 2ª e 3ª metacarpofalangeanas. Radiologicamente são observadas diminuição do espaço articular, esclerose subcondral, formação de cistos e condrocalcinose. O tratamento com drogas modificadoras de doença para artrite reumatoide tende a piorar o quadro clínico, uma vez que o fígado é o principal sítio de depósito de ferro na hemocromatose e essas medicações são sabidamente hepatotóxicas. O tratamento com flebotomia para hemocromatose é aparentemente ineficaz na reversão das manifestações articulares, sendo necessária a associação com medicações quelantes de ferro. Devido à dificuldade aparente de diferenciação entre as duas patologias, faz-se necessária uma triagem no perfil do ferro em pacientes com diagnóstico de artrite reumatoide com evolução atípica.

This is a report of a patient who had a previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, nonerosive, rheumatoid factor negative, that despite the therapeutic approach presented progressive worsening of the articular and general condition. After extensive research, she had a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Joint symptoms are common manifestations in hemochromatosis. The arthropathy of hemochromatosis may resemble inflammatory arthropathy mimicking RA, particularly in the most common sites as 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal. Radiologically are observed decreased joint space, subchondral sclerosis, cyst formation and chondrocalcinosis. Treatment with disease modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis tend to worsen the clinical picture, since the liver is the major site of deposition of iron in hemochromatosis and these medications are known to be hepatotoxic. Phlebotomy treatment for hemochromatosis is apparently ineffective in reversing the articular manifestations, which requires the association with iron chelating drugs. Due to the apparent difficulty in differentiating between the two diseases, a screening profile of iron in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with atypical progression is necessary.

Estabilidade e transformação na construção de rotinas compartilhadas no grupo de brinquedo / Stability and change in the construction of shared routines in playgroups

O trabalho investiga a construção de rotinas compartilhadas num grupo de brinquedo de crianças de dois anos. Apóia-se no referencial psicoetológico, que reconhece a espécie humana como biologicamente sociocultural, e a cultura como seu nicho ontogenético. A criança é concebida como agente de criação e transmissão de cultura. Dois episódios lúdicos são analisados. Eles evidenciam a construção de uma rotina em que se arrastam grandes objetos ao longo de um pátio coberto. Há momentos de estabilidade e transformação em seu desenrolar. As crianças reconhecem a estrutura de participação na rotina e lhe adicionam inovações. A produção coletiva parece orientar o grupo no desdobramento de suas atividades. Os dados são interpretados como evidências de processos culturais na primeira infância. (AU)

This paper investigates the construction of shared routines in a playgroup of two-year-old children. It rests on a psychoethological approach, which recognizes the human being as a biologically social-cultural species, and culture as their ontogenetic niche. The child is conceived as an agent of creation and transmission of culture. Two ludic episodes are analyzed and they show the construction of a playful routine in which large objects are dragged along in a sheltered patio. There are moments of stability and transformation in the development of the task. Children recognize the structure of participation in the routine and add innovations to it. Collective production seems to guide the group in the development of the activities. The data are interpreted as evidence of cultural processes in early childhood. (AU)

Cardiovascular mortality and its relation to socioeconomic levels among inhabitants of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze cardiovascular mortality indicators in São José do Rio Preto--a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil--and to evaluate the municipality's mortality rates by socioeconomic levels. METHODS: Data used came from the Mortality Information System and from the Information and Computing Department of the federal governments Unified Health System (SUS). Standardized mortality rates and proportional cardiovascular mortality rates were calculated. A thematic map of the demographic census sectors of the city's urban area--grouped according to socioeconomic levels--was drawn up and is presented with the respective rates. RESULTS: The municipal, state, and national mortality rates decreased in the course of the 1980-2002 period. The municipal mortality rate in 2003 stood at 195.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with proportional cardiovascular mortality at 31.3%. The three main causes of death were cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and hypertensive disease. The mortality rate for the population corresponding to the group featuring the lowest socioeconomic levels was 40% higher than that of the group comprising the highest socioeconomic levels. CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular mortality rate decreased in the three geographical areas analyzed. This group of diseases was responsible for approximately one-third of all deaths in São José do Rio Preto in 2003. The area with the lowest socioeconomic level presented the highest mortality rate.

Mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares e níveis socioeconômicos na população de São José do Rio Preto, estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Cardiovascular mortality and its relation to socioeconomic levels among inhabitants of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analisar os indicadores de mortalidade para doenças cardiovasculares em São José do Rio Preto, no estado de São Paulo e no Brasil e avaliar os coeficientes de mortalidade segundo níveis socioeconômicos da população do município. MÉTODOS: Utilizaram-se informações sobre mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares e de população do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade e do Departamento de Informação e Informática do Sistema Unico de Saúde. Calcularam-se coeficientes padronizados de mortalidade e mortalidade proporcional por doenças cardiovasculares. Gerou-se mapa temático dos setores censitários da área urbana do município agrupados segundo níveis socioeconômicos, apresentado com os respectivos coeficientes. RESULTADOS: Os coeficientes de mortalidade para o município, o estado e o país decresceram de 1980 a 2002. Em 2003, o coeficiente do município foi de 195,9 óbitos por 100.000 habitantes, a mortalidade proporcional foi de 31,3 por cento e as três principais causas de morte foram a doença cerebrovascular, o infarto e a doença hipertensiva. O coeficiente de mortalidade da população correspondente ao grupo de setores censitários com o pior nível socioeconômico foi 40 por cento superior ao com o melhor nível. CONCLUSÃO: O coeficiente de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares decresceu nas três áreas geográficas analisadas. Do total de óbitos ocorridos em São José do Rio Preto em 2003, aproximadamente um terço foi por este grupo de doenças. A área com nível socioeconômico menos favorecido apresentou o maior coeficiente de mortalidade.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze cardiovascular mortality indicators in São José do Rio Preto - a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil - and to evaluate the municipalityÆs mortality rates by socioeconomic levels. METHODS: Data used came from the Mortality Information System and from the Information and Computing Department of the federal governmentÆs Unified Health System (SUS). Standardized mortality rates and proportional cardiovascular mortality rates were calculated. A thematic map of the demographic census sectors of the cityÆs urban area - grouped according to socioeconomic levels - was drawn up and is presented with the respective rates. RESULTS: The municipal, state, and national mortality rates decreased in the course of the 1980-2002 period. The municipal mortality rate in 2003 stood at 195.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with proportional cardiovascular mortality at 31.3 percent. The three main causes of death were cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and hypertensive disease. The mortality rate for the population corresponding to the group featuring the lowest socioeconomic levels was 40 percent higher than that of the group comprising the highest socioeconomic levels. CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular mortality rate decreased in the three geographical areas analyzed. This group of diseases was responsible for approximately one-third of all deaths in São José do Rio Preto in 2003. The area with the lowest socioeconomic level presented the highest mortality rate.