Understanding and controlling asthma in Latin America: A review of recent research informed by the SCAALA programme.

Asthma is an important health concern in Latin America (LA) where it is associated with variable prevalence and disease burden between countries. High prevalence and morbidity have been observed in some regions, particularly marginalized urban populations. Research over the past 10 years from LA has shown that childhood disease is primarily non-atopic. The attenuation of atopy may be explained by enhanced immune regulation induced by intense exposures to environmental factors such as childhood infections and poor environmental conditions of the urban poor. Non-atopic symptoms are associated with environmental and lifestyle factors including poor living conditions, respiratory infections, psychosocial stress, obesity, and a diet of highly processed foods. Ancestry (particularly African) and genetic factors increase asthma risk, and some of these factors may be specific to LA settings. Asthma in LA tends to be poorly controlled and depends on access to health care and medications. There is a need to improve management and access to medication through primary health care. Future research should consider the heterogeneity of asthma to identify relevant endotypes and underlying causes. The outcome of such research will need to focus on implementable strategies relevant to populations living in resource-poor settings where the disease burden is greatest.

Galls induced by a root-knot nematode in Petroselinum crispum (Mill.): impacts on host development, histology, and cell wall dynamics.

Infection by the root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, impacts crop productivity worldwide, including parsley cultures (Petroselinum crispum). Meloidogyne infection involves a complex relationship between the pathogen and the host plant tissues, leading to the formation of galls and feeding sites that disorganize the vascular system, affecting the development of cultures. Herein, we sought to evaluate the impact of RKN on the agronomic traits, histology, and cell wall components of parsley, with emphasis on giant cell formation. The study consisted of two treatments: (i) control, where 50 individuals of parsley grew without M. incognita inoculation; and (ii) inoculated plants, where 50 individuals were exposed to juveniles (J2) of M. incognita. Meloidogyne incognita infection affected the development of parsley, reducing the growth of some agronomical characteristics such as root weight and shoot weight and height. Giant cell formation was noticed at 18 days after inoculation, promoting disorganization of the vascular system. Epitopes of HGs detected in giant cells reveal the continuous capacity of giant cells to elongate under the stimulus of RKN, essential processes for feeding site establishment. In addition, the detection of epitopes of HGs with low and high methyl-esterified groups indicates the PMEs activity despite biotic stress.

Efficacy of a single dose of esmolol to prevent extubation-related complications during emergence from anesthesia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background Few trials have examined the efficacy of esmolol to attenuate hemodynamic and respiratory responses during extubation. However, the most appropriate dose of esmolol and an optimal protocol for administering this beta-blocker are uncertain. Methods Ninety patients ASA physical status I, II, and III (aged 18-60 years) scheduled to procedures with general anesthesia and tracheal extubation were selected. Patients were randomized into esmolol and placebo group to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single bolus dose of esmolol (2 mg.kg-1) on cardiorespiratory responses during the peri-extubation period. The primary outcome was the rate of tachycardia during extubation. Results The rate of tachycardia was significantly lower in esmolol-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients (2.2% vs. 48.9%, relative risk (RR): 0.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.01 to 0.32, p= 0.002). The rate of hypertension was also significantly lower in the esmolol group (4.4% vs. 31.1%, RR: 0.14, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.6, p= 0.004). Esmolol-treated patients were associated with higher extubation quality compared to patients who received placebo (p< 0.001), with an approximately two-fold increase in the rate of patients without cough (91.1%) in the esmolol group compared to the placebo group (46.7%). The rate of bucking was approximately 5-fold lower in the esmolol group (8.9% vs. 44.5%, respectively, RR: 0.20 (95% CI, 0.1 to 0.5, p= 0.002, with an NNT of 2.8). Conclusion A single bolus dose of esmolol is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy to attenuate cardiorespiratory responses during the peri-extubation period.

Impact of Meloidogyne incognita (nematode) infection on root tissues and cell wall composition of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench, Malvaceae).

Root-knot nematodes are endoparasites whose mature females lodge and grow inside the root of some cultivated plants, leading to losses in productivity. Herein, we investigated if the infection of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae), promoted by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Meloidogynidae) changes some agronomic traits of the host plant, as well as the cell wall composition of the root tissues. The okra Santa Cruz 47® cultivar was infected with a suspension of 5000 M. incognita juveniles. The inoculated and non-inoculated okra plants were then submitted to morphological analysis at the end of experiment, as well as histological (at 4, 11, 18, 39, ad 66 days after inoculation) and immunocytochemical analysis (control and 66 days after inoculation). Root-knot nematode infection reduced the dry weight of the stem system but, unexpectedly, the number and weight of fruits increased. At 11 days after inoculation, we detected the presence of giant cells that increased in number and size until the end of the experiment, at 66 days after inoculation. These cells came from the xylem parenchyma and showed intense and moderate labeling for epitopes recognized by JIM5 and JIM7. The presence of homogalacturonans (HGs) with different degrees of methyl esterification seems to be related to the injuries caused by the nematode feeding activity and to the processes of giant cell hypertrophy. In addition, the presence of HGs with high methyl-esterified groups can increase the cell wall porosity and facilitate the flux of nutrients for the root-knot nematode.

Prevalência de lesões em órgãos-alvo em diabéticos tipo 2 / Prevalence of lesions in target organs in type 2 diabetes patients

Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de lesões em órgãos-alvo. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal e retrospectivo utilizando dados do Sistema de Cadastramento e Acompanhamento de Hipertensos e Diabéticos considerando diabéticos tipo 2 do Estado de Minas Gerais, entre os anos de 2003 e 2012. Foram analisadas quatro lesões características da má evolução do diabetes mellitus tipo 2: infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral, pé diabético e doença renal crônica. Resultados: Foram encontrados 36.270 diabéticos tipo 2. O infarto agudo do miocárdio acometeu 2,9% dos pacientes, gerando 1.087 casos. A idade mais atingida foi acima de 40 anos. O acidente vascular cerebral acometeu 2,4% dos diabéticos, provocando 892 ocorrências. A idade de maior prevalência se situou entre 50 e 64 anos, sendo responsável por 41,4% dos casos. O sexo feminino apresentou superioridade, sendo responsável por 56% dos casos. O pé diabético foi registrado em 1.160 pacientes, somando 3,1% do total de diabéticos. A doença renal crônica foi a lesão secundária ao diabetes mellitus tipo 2 mais prevalente no estado, gerando 2.094 registros, o que representa 5,7% do total de diabéticos. O sexo feminino foi consideravelmente mais acometido (65,1% dos casos), sendo a faixa etária entre 45 e 64 anos a mais prevalente. Conclusão: Este estudo sobre a prevalência e os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de lesões secundárias em diabéticos tipo 2 de Minas Gerais permitiu identificar que se trata de complicações muito prevalentes no Estado, e que os aspectos clínicos analisados constituem importantes fatores de risco para a má evolução da doença. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of target organ damage. Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective study was performed using data from the Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients Registry and Monitoring System considering type 2 diabetes patients from the state of Minas Gerais, from 2003 to 2012. Four characteristic lesions due to poor evolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus were analyzed: acute myocardial infarction; Stroke; Diabetic foot; Chronic kidney disease. Results: A total of 36,270 type 2 diabetic patients was found. Acute myocardial infarction affected 2.9% of the patients, generating 1,087 cases. The most affected age was over 40 years. Stroke affected 2.4% of diabetics, causing 892 occurrences. The highest prevalence age was between 50 and 64 years, accounting for 41.4% of the cases. The female gender was prevalent, being responsible for 56% of the cases. The diabetic foot was recorded in 1,160 patients, accounting for 3.1% of the total number of diabetics. Chronic kidney disease was the most prevalent lesion secondary to diabetes mellitus in the state, generating 2,094 records, representing 5.7% of the total number of diabetics. The female gender was considerably more affected (65.1% of the cases), with the age group between 45 and 64 years being more prevalent. Conclusion: This study of the prevalence and risk factors for the development of secondary lesions in type 2 diabetics from Minas Gerais allowed us to identify that these are very prevalent complications in the state, and that the clinical aspects analyzed are important risk factors for poor outcome of the disease. (AU)

Avaliação microbiológica de filés de surubim (Pseudoplatystoma spp) submetidos à defumação com alecrim / Microbiological evaluation of fillets of surubim (Pseudoplatystoma spp) submitted to defumation with rosemary

O objetivo foi avaliar a microbiota dos filés de surubim (Pseudoplatystoma spp.) submetidos à defumação com alecrim. Foram coletados fragmentos dos filés para cada etapa de avaliação (in natura, salmoura e defumação em 2, 4, e 6 horas). Da salga para a defumação houve uma redução, no qual, os microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos diminuíram de 1,4x105UFC/g para 1,8x104 UFC/g nos filés sem alecrim e 1,4x104 UFC/g nos filés com alecrim e na contagem de microrganismos aeróbios psicrotróficos foi observada redução de 1,9x105UFC/g para 7,8x104 UFC/g nos filés sem alecrim e 2,6x104 UFC/g nos filés com alecrim. Portanto, os filés adicionados de alecrim apresentaram queda constante e mais brusca na contagem bacteriana e resultou em uma boa redução da carga bacteriana.

Time-motion analysis of goalball players in attacks: differences of the player positions and the throwing techniques.

In this study, we aimed to analyse goalball players time-motion variables (distance covered, time spent, maximum and average velocities) in official goalball match attacks, taking into account the attack phases (preparation and throwing), player position (centres and wings) and throwing techniques (frontal, spin and between the legs). A total of 365 attacks were assessed using a video based method (2D) through manual tracking using the Dvideo system. Inferential non-parametric statistics were applied for comparison of preparation vs. throwing phase, wings vs. centres and, among the throwing techniques, frontal, spin and between the legs. Significant differences were found between the attack preparation versus the throwing phase for all player time-motion variables: distance covered, time spent, maximum player velocity and average player velocity. Wing players performed most of the throws (85%) and covered longer distances than centres (1.65 vs 0.31 m). The between the legs and the spin throwing techniques presented greater values for most of the time-motion variables (distance covered, time spent and maximum player velocity) than did the frontal technique in both attack phases. These findings provide important information regarding players' movement patterns during goalball matches that can be used to plan more effective training.

BioWorkbench: a high-performance framework for managing and analyzing bioinformatics experiments.

Advances in sequencing techniques have led to exponential growth in biological data, demanding the development of large-scale bioinformatics experiments. Because these experiments are computation- and data-intensive, they require high-performance computing techniques and can benefit from specialized technologies such as Scientific Workflow Management Systems and databases. In this work, we present BioWorkbench, a framework for managing and analyzing bioinformatics experiments. This framework automatically collects provenance data, including both performance data from workflow execution and data from the scientific domain of the workflow application. Provenance data can be analyzed through a web application that abstracts a set of queries to the provenance database, simplifying access to provenance information. We evaluate BioWorkbench using three case studies: SwiftPhylo, a phylogenetic tree assembly workflow; SwiftGECKO, a comparative genomics workflow; and RASflow, a RASopathy analysis workflow. We analyze each workflow from both computational and scientific domain perspectives, by using queries to a provenance and annotation database. Some of these queries are available as a pre-built feature of the BioWorkbench web application. Through the provenance data, we show that the framework is scalable and achieves high-performance, reducing up to 98% of the case studies execution time. We also show how the application of machine learning techniques can enrich the analysis process.

Development and evaluation of an observational system for goalball match analysis / Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um sistema de observação para análise do jogo de goalball / Desarrollo y evaluación de un sistema de observación para el análisis del juego del goalball

Abstract Our purpose was to develop and evaluate an observational system for goalball match analysis. We used a non-participant systematic game observation method including eight elite games, video recorded, and randomly chosen. Observational categories and performance indicators were determined for each offensive (i.e., ball control, attack preparation, and throwing) and defensive principles (i.e., defensive balance, throw reading, and blocking). The comprehensive method of development and the ideal reliability levels (kappa coefficient of 0.81-1.00) of this protocol ensure the generation of quantitative and qualitative information for players and coaches and the rigor required for scientific use.

Resumo Nosso objetivo foi desenvolver e avaliar um sistema de observação para análise do jogo no goalball. Foi usado um método de observação sistemática não participante, incluindo vídeos de oito jogos de elite escolhidos aleatoriamente. Categorias de observação e indicadores de desempenho foram determinadas para cada princípio ofensivo (i.e., controle de bola, preparação do ataque e efetivação do arremesso) e defensivo (i.e., balanço defensivo, leitura da trajetória e interceptação do arremesso). O abrangente método de desenvolvimento e os níveis de confiabilidade ideais (coeficiente kappa de 0,81-1,00) desse protocolo asseguram a geração de informações quantitativas e qualitativas para jogadores e treinadores e o rigor necessário para uso científico.

Resumen Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar y evaluar un sistema de observación para el análisis del juego del goalball. Se utilizó un método de observación sistemática no participante, que incluía vídeos de ocho juegos de élite elegidos al azar. Se determinaron las categorías de observación y los indicadores de rendimiento de cada principio ofensivo (p.ej., control del balón, preparación del ataque y lanzamiento) y defensivo (p.ej., equilibrio defensivo, lectura de la trayectoria e interceptación del lanzamiento). El método completo del desarrollo y los niveles de fiabilidad ideales (coeficiente kappa de 0,81 a 1,00) del presente protocolo aseguran la generación de información cuantitativa y cualitativa para jugadores y entrenadores, y el rigor necesario para el uso científico.

Variation in the degree of pectin methylesterification during the development of Baccharis dracunculifolia kidney-shaped gall.

Insect galls may be study models to test the distribution of pectins and arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) and their related functions during plant cell cycles. These molecules are herein histochemically and immunocitochemically investigated in the kidney-shaped gall induced by Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae (Psyllidae) on leaves of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. (Asteraceae) on developmental basis. The homogalacturonans (HGAs) (labeled by JIM5) and the arabinans (labeled by LM6) were detected either in non-galled leaves or in young galls, and indicated stiffening of epidermal cell walls, which is an important step for cell redifferentiation. The labeling of HGAs by JIM7 changed from young to senescent stage, with an increase in the rigidity of cell walls, which is important for the acquaintance of the final gall shape and for the mechanical opening of the gall. The variation on the degree of HGAs during gall development indicated differential PMEs activity during gall development. The epitopes recognized by LM2 (AGP glycan) and LM5 (1-4-ß-D-galactans) had poor alterations from non-galled leaves towards gall maturation and senescence. Moreover, the dynamics of pectin and AGPs on two comparable mature kidney-shaped galls on B. dracunculifolia and on B. reticularia revealed specific peculiarities. Our results indicate that similar gall morphotypes in cogeneric host species may present distinct cell responses in the subcelular level, and also corroborate the functions proposed in literature for HGAs.

Patterns of cell elongation in the determination of the final shape in galls of Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae (Psyllidae) on Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae).

Cell redifferentiation, division, and elongation are recurrent processes, which occur during gall development, and are dependent on the cellulose microfibrils reorientation. We hypothesized that changes in the microfibrils orientation from non-galled tissues to galled ones occur and determine the final gall shape. This determination is caused by a new tissue zonation, its hyperplasia, and relative cell hypertrophy. The impact of the insect's activity on these patterns of cell development was herein tested in Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae-Baccharis dracunculifolia system. In this system, the microfibrils are oriented perpendicularly to the longest cell axis in elongated cells and randomly in isodiametric ones, either in non-galled or in galled tissues. The isodiametric cells of the abaxial epidermis in non-galled tissues divided and elongated periclinally, forming the outer gall epidermis. The anticlinally elongated cells of the abaxial palisade layer and the isodiametric cells of the spongy parenchyma originated the gall outer cortex with hypertrophied and periclinally elongated cells. The anticlinally elongated cells of the adaxial palisade layer originated the inner cortex with hypertrophied and periclinally elongated cells in young and mature galls and isodiametric cells in senescent galls. The isodiametric cells of the adaxial epidermis elongated periclinally in the inner gall epidermis. The current investigation demonstrates the role of cellulose microfibril reorientation for gall development. Once many factors other than this reorientation act on gall development, it should be interesting to check the possible relationship of the new cell elongation patterns with the pectic composition of the cell walls.

The role of pectic composition of cell walls in the determination of the new shape-functional design in galls of Baccharis reticularia (Asteraceae).

The pectic composition of cell wall is altered during the processes of cell differentiation, plant growth, and development. These alterations may be time-dependent, and fluctuate in distinct regions of the same cell or tissue layer, due to the biotic stress caused by the activity of the gall inducer. Among the roles of the pectins in cell wall, elasticity, rigidity, porosity, and control of cell death may be crucial during gall development. Galls on Baccharis reticularia present species-specific patterns of development leading to related morphotypes where pectins were widely detected by Ruthenium red, and the pectic epitopes were labeled with specific monoclonal antibodies (LM1, LM2, LM5, LM6, JIM5, and JIM7) in distinct sites of the non-galled and the galled tissues. In the studied system B. reticularia, the epitopes for extensins were not labeled in the non-galled tissues, as well as in those of the rolling and kidney-shaped galls. The high methyl-esterified homogalacturonans (HGA) were labeled all over the tissues either of non-galled leaves or of the three gall morphotypes, while the intense labeling for arabinogalactans was obtained just in the rolling galls. The pectic composition of non-galled leaves denotes their maturity. The kidney-shaped gall was the most similar to the non-galled leaves. The pectic dynamics in the gall tissues was particularly altered in relation to low methyl-esterified HGA, which confers elasticity and expansion, as well as porosity and adhesion to cell walls, and are related to the homogenization and hypertrophy of gall cortex, and to translocation of solutes to the larval chamber. Herein, the importance of the pectic dynamics of cell walls to the new functional design established during gall development is discussed for the first time. The repetitive developmental patterns in galls are elegant models for studies on cell differentiation.

Is the oxidative stress caused by Aspidosperma spp. galls capable of altering leaf photosynthesis?

The generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in plant galls may induce the degradation of the membrane systems of a plant cell and increase the number of plastoglobules. This numerical increase has been related to the prevention of damage to the thylakoid systems, and to the maintenance of photosynthesis rates. To investigate this hypothesis in gall systems, a comparative study of the ultrastructure of chloroplasts in non-galled leaves and in leaf galls of A. australe and A. spruceanum was conducted. Also, the pigment composition and the photosynthetic performance as estimated by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were evaluated. The ultrastructural analyses revealed an increase in the number and size of plastoglobules in galls of both species studied. The levels of total chlorophylls and carotenoids were lower in galls than in non-galled tissues. The chlorophyll a/b ratio did not differ between the non-galled tissues and both kinds of galls. The values of maximum electron transport rate (ETR(MAX)) were similar for all the samples. The occurrence of numerous large plastoglobules in the galled tissues seemed to be related to oxidative stress and to the recovery of the thylakoid membrane systems. The maintenance of the ETR(MAX) values indicated the existence of an efficient strategy to maintain similar photosynthetic rates in galled and non-galled tissues.

Cytological and histochemical gradients on two Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae)--Cecidomyiidae gall systems.

Previous ultrastructural and histochemical analysis proposed patterns in the accumulation of substances in galls of Diptera: Cecidomyiidae in some plant species of the temperate region. Similar analyses were done to verify the conservativeness of these patterns in the Neotropical region, where a great number of species of Cecidomyiidae is responsible for a wide diversity of morphotypes. Two gall morphotypes induced by Cecidomyiidae in a unique host plant, Copaifera langsdorffii, were studied. The gradients of carbohydrates and the activity of invertases and acid phosphatases were similar, but the cytological gradients and distribution of proteins evidenced that the sites of the induction as well as the amount of neoformed tissues may be peculiar to each gall system. The production of lipids just in the secretory cavities either in the non-galled or galled tissues indicated a potentiality of the host plant which could not be manipulated by the galling insects. Further, the absence of nucleus in the nutritive tissue, an exclusive feature of the horn-shaped galls, indicates cell death attributed to the feeding habit of the galling herbivore.

Do Cecidomyiidae galls of Aspidosperma spruceanum (Apocynaceae) fit the pre-established cytological and histochemical patterns?

Cecidomyiidae galls commonly present a zonation of tissues with lignified cell layers externally limiting a reserve tissue and internally limiting a specialized nutritive tissue next to the larval chamber. The cytological aspects of this specialized tissue indicate high metabolic activity as well as carbohydrate accumulation. In Aspidosperma spruceanum-Cecidomyiidae gall system, ultrastructural and histochemical investigations corroborated this pattern and also revealed the storage of proteins in the nutritive cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), callose, and pectin accumulation were related to the feeding activity of the galling herbivore. Phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, acid phosphatases, invertases, and sucrose synthase activities were detected for the first time, in the Neotropical region, and discussed in relation to gall maintenance and the feeding activity of the Cecidomyiidae.

Validação das escalas de habilidades sociais, comportamentos problemáticos e competência acadêmica (SSRS-BR) para o ensino fundamental / Validating scales of social skills, behavior problems and academic competence (SSRS-BR) for elementary school

Não obstante o interesse crescente em habilidades sociais, há carência de escalas de medida no Brasil para avaliá-las. Esta pesquisa validou a escala SSRS, que avalia habilidades sociais, comportamentos problemáticos e competência acadêmica de estudantes do Ensino Fundamental. Participaram 416 estudantes (224 meninos e 192 meninas), da primeira a quarta série de escolas públicas e particulares, em cinco cidades de quatro estados brasileiros, 312 pais e 86 professoras. Os resultados mostraram uma estrutura de componentes que explicaram de 40 por cento a 62 por cento da variância dos dados. A análise da consistência interna indicou os seguintes valores de alfa de Cronbach, para as escalas de habilidades sociais (estudante=0,78; pais=0,86; professores=0,94), comportamentos problemáticos (pais=0,83; professores=0,91) e competência acadêmica (0,98). A análise da estabilidade temporal indicou correlações teste-reteste positivas e significativas para os escores globais das escalas de habilidades sociais (estudantes: r=0,78; pais: r=0,69; professores: r=0,71), comportamentos problemáticos (pais: r=0,75; professores: r=0,80) e competência acadêmica (r=0,73).(AU)

Besides the growing interest on social skills, there are few scales available in Brazil. This research validated the SSRS scale, which evaluates social skills, behavior problems, and academic competence of elementary school students. The participants were 416 students (224 boys and 192 girls) from the first to the fourth elementary school grades, from public and private schools of five cities of four Brazilian states as well as 312 parents and 86 teachers of these children. The results showed some components structure explaining 40 percent to 62 percent of data variance. The internal consistency analysis, measured by Cronbach coefficients, showed the following values for each scale: social skills (student=0,78; parents=0,86; teachers=0,94), behavior problem (parents=0,83; teachers=0,91), and academic competence (0,98). Concerning on the temporal stability, results showed positive and significant correlations between test-retest applications for the global scores of the social skills (students: r=0,78; parents: r=0,69; teachers: r=0,71), behavior problems (parents: r=0,75; teachers: r=0,80), and academic competence (r=0,73) scales.(AU)

Validação das escalas de habilidades sociais, comportamentos problemáticos e competência acadêmica (SSRS-BR) para o ensino fundamental / Validating scales of social skills, behavior problems and academic competence (SSRS-BR) for elementary school

Não obstante o interesse crescente em habilidades sociais, há carência de escalas de medida no Brasil para avaliá-las. Esta pesquisa validou a escala SSRS, que avalia habilidades sociais, comportamentos problemáticos e competência acadêmica de estudantes do Ensino Fundamental. Participaram 416 estudantes (224 meninos e 192 meninas), da primeira a quarta série de escolas públicas e particulares, em cinco cidades de quatro estados brasileiros, 312 pais e 86 professoras. Os resultados mostraram uma estrutura de componentes que explicaram de 40 por cento a 62 por cento da variância dos dados. A análise da consistência interna indicou os seguintes valores de alfa de Cronbach, para as escalas de habilidades sociais (estudante=0,78; pais=0,86; professores=0,94), comportamentos problemáticos (pais=0,83; professores=0,91) e competência acadêmica (0,98). A análise da estabilidade temporal indicou correlações teste-reteste positivas e significativas para os escores globais das escalas de habilidades sociais (estudantes: r=0,78; pais: r=0,69; professores: r=0,71), comportamentos problemáticos (pais: r=0,75; professores: r=0,80) e competência acadêmica (r=0,73).

Besides the growing interest on social skills, there are few scales available in Brazil. This research validated the SSRS scale, which evaluates social skills, behavior problems, and academic competence of elementary school students. The participants were 416 students (224 boys and 192 girls) from the first to the fourth elementary school grades, from public and private schools of five cities of four Brazilian states as well as 312 parents and 86 teachers of these children. The results showed some components structure explaining 40 percent to 62 percent of data variance. The internal consistency analysis, measured by Cronbach coefficients, showed the following values for each scale: social skills (student=0,78; parents=0,86; teachers=0,94), behavior problem (parents=0,83; teachers=0,91), and academic competence (0,98). Concerning on the temporal stability, results showed positive and significant correlations between test-retest applications for the global scores of the social skills (students: r=0,78; parents: r=0,69; teachers: r=0,71), behavior problems (parents: r=0,75; teachers: r=0,80), and academic competence (r=0,73) scales.