Novel Biobased Textile Fiber from Colombian Agro-Industrial Waste Fiber.

Fique fibers, native to Colombia, are traditionally used for ropes and bags. In the extraction of long fibers for these purposes, the same amount of short fibers is generated; the short fibers are then discarded in the soil or in landfills. This agro-industrial waste is cellulose-rich and can be potentially developed into new biobased products. As an alternative use for these fibers, viscose regenerated fibers with potential applications in the textile industry were developed. Fique waste fibers were pulped (to produce fique cellulose pulp, FCP) using a 3³ design of experiment (DOE) to adjust the variables of the whitening treatment, and DOE analysis showed that time and hydrogen peroxide concentration do not have a significant effect on non-cellulosic remotion, unlike temperature. The behavior of this pulp in the production of viscose was compared against that of commercially available wood cellulose pulp (WCP). FCP showed a suitable cellulose content with a high degree of polymerization, which makes it a viable pulp for producing discontinuous viscose rayon filaments. Both pulps showed the same performance in the production of the viscose dope and the same chemical, thermal, and mechanical behavior after being regenerated.

Processo de implantação de um Centro Regional de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador no Rio Grande do Sul / The process of implanting a Regional Worker's Health Reference Center in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

O estudo avalia a implantação do Centro de Referência Regional em Saúde do Trabalhador da Região Oeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Cerest Oeste), mediante o diagnóstico do perfil ocupacional e de saúde do trabalhador em Alegrete, e propõe estratégias para viabilizar este processo e subsidiar o seu planejamento. Desenvolveu-se um estudo retrospectivo com base em análise quantitativa de dados secundários de bancos institucionais, referentes ao período de 2000 a 2009, e análise qualitativa por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com informantes-chave envolvidos no processo de implantação do Cerest. Evidenciou-se que a principal barreira na implantação foi a falta de articulação entre as diferentes esferas de gestão. Isso dificultou a definição de responsabilidades que dessem conta do caráter regional do Centro e implicou em problemas de infraestrutura e recursos humanos. A definição precoce da equipe e o envolvimento do controle social desde a fase de projeto podem auxiliar no enfrentamento das dificuldades. Faz-se necessário também ampliar as informações epidemiológicas em saúde do trabalhador e facilitar o acesso a elas de forma a instrumentalizar o planejamento das ações do Centro.

This study assesses the implementing of the Regional Worker's Health Reference Center (Cerest Oeste) by examining the worker's occupational and health profile in Alegrete, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It also proposes strategies to enable this process and subsidize its planning. The authors carried out a retrospective study concerning the period 2000 to 2009 based on quantitative analysis of secondary data from institutional databases, and also qualitative analysis through semi-structured interviews with the key-informers involved in the Cerest implanting process. They observed that the main trouble in implementing the Center was the lack of articulation among the different administrative levels. This led to difficulties in delegating responsibilities that would fit the regional characteristics of the Center and caused infrastructure and human resource problems. To help cope with these difficulties the authors suggest a precocious selection of the staff and the involvement of social control starting in an earlier stage of the project. To subsidize the Center plan of actions it is also necessary to increase and facilitate access to worker's health epidemiological information.

[Lipid profile in adolescents: effect of intrauterine exposures]. / Perfil lipídico na adolescência: efeito de exposições intra-uterinas.

This study assessed the effects of intrauterine growth restriction and risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction on blood lipids in adolescents from the 1982 birth cohort in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. All male subjects were identified in 2000 when enrolling in the national army; 79% (n = 2,250) were interviewed, and 2,089 provided blood samples. The following outcome variables were studied: total cholesterol and fractions (VLDL, LDL, and HDL), non-HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, and serum triglycerides. The explanatory variables were intrauterine growth restriction, maternal pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), and maternal smoking during pregnancy. After adjusting for confounding variables, total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol levels were slightly and significantly higher among adolescents whose mothers were in the 3rd and 4th quartiles of pre-gestational BMI. However, these associations disappeared after adjusting for the adolescent's diet, schooling, and BMI. Other associations were not significant (p > 0.05).

Perfil lipídico na adolescência: efeito de exposições intra-uterinas / Lipid profile in adolescents: effect of intrauterine exposures

Avaliou-se o efeito do retardo de crescimento intra-uterino e de fatores de risco para o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino sobre o perfil lipídico em adolescentes pertencentes ao estudo de coorte de nascimentos de 1982 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Em 2000, os participantes do sexo masculino foram identificados no alistamento militar; 79 por cento (n = 2.250) foram entrevistados e 2.089 doaram amostra de sangue. No presente estudo, as variáveis dependentes foram o colesterol total e suas frações (VLDL, LDL, HDL), colesterol não-HDL, razão LDL/HDL e triglicerídeos. As exposições estudadas foram o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino, o índice de massa corporal (IMC) materno pré-gestacional e o tabagismo materno durante a gravidez. Após ajuste para fatores de confusão, o colesterol total, LDL e não-HDL foram maiores entre os adolescentes cujo IMC materno pré-gestacional estava no terceiro e quarto quartil. No entanto, tais associações desapareceram após controle para dieta, escolaridade e IMC do adolescente. O retardo de crescimento intra-uterino e o tabagismo materno na gravidez não foram associados com o perfil lipídico aos 18 anos de idade.

This study assessed the effects of intrauterine growth restriction and risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction on blood lipids in adolescents from the 1982 birth cohort in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. All male subjects were identified in 2000 when enrolling in the national army; 79 percent (n = 2,250) were interviewed, and 2,089 provided blood samples. The following outcome variables were studied: total cholesterol and fractions (VLDL, LDL, and HDL), non-HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, and serum triglycerides. The explanatory variables were intrauterine growth restriction, maternal pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), and maternal smoking during pregnancy. After adjusting for confounding variables, total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol levels were slightly and significantly higher among adolescents whose mothers were in the 3rd and 4th quartiles of pre-gestational BMI. However, these associations disappeared after adjusting for the adolescent's diet, schooling, and BMI. Other associations were not significant (p > 0.05).