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This paper discusses the pandemic of COVID-19 as an integral phenomenon, which is formed not only by the virus in itself but by the whole range of relationships and activities emerging from this phenomenon. The object of analysis is Science Education, especially how it has been developing throughout the pandemic situation. In this sense, we point out the need to understand the current pandemic, taking into account not only the virus's microfauna but the pandemic as a social issue. In this scenario, in educational terms, emerged what was called "remote emergency activity" emerged and even with the use of technology it is necessary to highlight that no technology, however best and most developed, will supply the work of a teacher, or better, contact and human sense cannot be replaced. Concerning educational activities in science, they must go beyond a mere "transmission of content", that is, an Education in Science for the development of concrete possibilities of human emancipation, through the Discussions About Science. Finally, we consider that we will not rebuilding human culture from the beginning in a post-pandemic world, but continue to develop movements of resistance and struggles engaged in transformation based on Science Education attentive social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information and communication technologies using features based on the web 2.0 platform may contribute to a more interactive and dynamic educational process. This article aims to evaluate the contributions of an interactive ebook, written by undergraduates in Biological Sciences on the subject of AIDS, used on teaching in elementary school's final years. The quantitative and qualitative methodology was adopted in this study, a pre-test and a post-test were done with 8th graders of elementary education at a public school, they were divided into a control and an experimental group. The data gathered were submitted to two-tailed hypothesis test using two independent and variable samples utilizing the t distribution showed that students who used the ebook were able to have a better understanding of AIDS prevention methods and its importance, displaying better performance in the ratings with a significance value of more than 5%. In addition, the results showed that students do not talk about STDs in school or with their families, so it is necessary to expand the debate of the matter and make access to information easier for this audience as well as promote events at the school so that this issue can also be discussed with the parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Oxidation behavior of the quasicrystalline alloy with nominal composition Al62,2 Cu25,3 Fe12,5 was analyzed under different conditions of duration of thermal treatment. It was used X - Ray Diffratometry to follow the alloy phases evolution and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze the quasicrystal morphology and oxidation. Below 750° C the alloy shows intermetallic phases with associations of the alloy elements and above 675° C the crystalline phase is stable. In icosahedral phase, aluminum oxidation forms a dense passivating layer at the outmost surface of the quasicrystal which causes depletion in both copper and iron. In the dense layer it was observed not only the presence of alumina, γ - Al2O3, but also the formation of hematite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparou-se os níveis de mindfulness e ruminação entre meditadores e não meditadores entre 16 e 65 anos e investigou-se a correlação dessas variáveis em cada grupo, e com a quantidade de prática. Utilizou-se os questionários sociodemográfico, Ruminação e Reflexão (QRR) e Cinco Facetas de Mindfulness (FFMQ). Os meditadores apresentaram escore significativamente menor de ruminação e maior de mindfulness nas facetas observar, descrever, agir com consciência e não reagir. Agir com consciência, não julgar e não reagir correlacionaram negativamente com ruminação em ambos os grupos, sendo a associação maior entre meditadores. Tempo em meses e frequência semanal correlacionaram positivamente com agir com consciência, não julgar e não reagir e negativamente com ruminação. Os achados corroboram que aumento de mindfulness e redução da ruminação constituem benefícios da prática meditativa, caracterizando potenciais mecanismos psicológicos por trás da relação entre meditação e regulação emocional

Despite numerous publications about the versatility of the technique by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), especially in emerging applications such as biological and chemical decontamination, little is presented on the influence of process parameters. In this paper we analyzed the influence of process parameters on the active species of the plasma formed when air is used as the atmosphere. We analyzed the influence of the distance between electrodes and applied voltage, and the pulse rate applied. The analyzes were performed species diagnosing the plasma by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). These results were correlated with data from the power consumed in the production process of plasma obtained from the Lissajous figures. The equipment used has a maximum DBD production efficiency of atmospheric plasma with the distance between electrodes 0.5 mm set at 15 kV and voltage frequency of 500 or 600 Hz depending on the species one wishes active in greater quantity N2 357nm or N2 337nm respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate associations between level of maternal education as the dependent variable and several variables present in birth certificates under the official Brazilian Ministry of Health model. A total of 3,843 birth certificates were analyzed from Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State, for singleton hospital deliveries in 1998. Statistically significant associations were found between low maternal educational level and low birth weight, 3 or more live births, history of stillbirth, and prenatal care including up to 6 visits. No association was found between abortions and preterm delivery as described in other studies, perhaps due to insufficient information. Maternal educational level can thus be considered an obstetric marker for some risk factors for the mother and infant.

Staphylococcus aureus belongs to the normal flora of the skin, mucosa and nasopharynx of several animal species, including man, but it is also associated to illnesses such as abscesses, bacteremia, endocarditis and osteomyelitis, besides showing resistance to multiple drugs. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the disinfecting ability of ozone when dissolved in water. Suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus with concentrations varying from 10(6) to 10(16) microorganisms/ml were prepared. One milliliter of each recently prepared suspension was added to 99 ml of distilled water (with or without previous ozonization) contained in a crystal reactor. Aliquots of 0.1 ml of this new suspension were taken at various time intervals and, then, serially diluted and inoculated on plaques. The data indicated that there was difference in the disinfecting effect when distilled water was used with and without previous ozonization.

This study was realized with 2.684 students of the high school in Rio Branco-Acre, Brazil, to verify aspects of the sexual activity and the occurrence of DST/AIDS. From the researched students, 48.9% had sexual intercourse, and the largest frequency was 34.3% for male sex, with the beginning at 13 years old, and for female sex 31.6%, with the beginning at 16 years old. The occurrence of mentioned DST/AIDS was: 58.4% for Hepatitis B, 39.4% for Monilíase and 2.2% for Gonorrhea. Among those ones who had their first sexual intercourse, 47.6% were with the boyfriend, 25.8% with the neighbor and 10.5% with the domestic maid. Concluding, the students who had sexual intercourse were 52.3% of private schools, 50.0% of federal ones, 45.7% of state ones and 41.8% of municipal ones.

OBJECTIVE: To emphasize that congenital defects of the diaphragm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden onset of respiratory distress in children. MATHOD: Two illustrative cases of children (aged 2 years) with late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia who developed sudden respiratory distress and were managed at the University Hospital of Santa Maria are reported. The medical literature was reviewed to identify cases reports and other articles related to late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A computerized search was performed using the MEDLINE data base to identify papers published within the last 25 years. RESULTS: In both cases the initial clinical examination and plain chest X-rays were misinterpreted as another pleuropulmonary disease like pneumothorax/pneumatoceles. One of the children underwent to emergency chest tube placement without clinical improvement. The absence of respiratory symptoms that could justify this kind of pathology motivated a more careful investigation, involving fiberoptical endoscopy and intestinal seriography. This subsequent investigation revealed that the cause was late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia. CONCLUSION: Although many congenital diaphragmatic hernias that present late have a history of chronic respiratory symptoms, some of them present with acute symptoms. A higher degree of attention is required to avoid confusion with other intrathoracic conditions, such as pneumatoceles and pneumothorax, if an incorrect diagnosis is to be avoided. Misinterpretation of the radiographs is likely if the possibility of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is not considered, and may result in increased morbidity. Gastric atony may occur in the early postoperative period.

Purpose: To evaluate short-term efficacy of awareness programs (AP) in reducing coronary heart disease risk factors (CHDRF)., Methods: High risk hypercholesterolemic patients were divided in 2 groups during 16 weeks. Group A (n = 417, 54.3 +/- 10.0 years, 55% males) received verbal and written orientation on CHDRF control, and group B (n = 180, 54.4 +/- 10.9 years, 45% males) received only verbal orientation. All participants received pravastatin 10 mg q.d. for 12 weeks. The evolution of body weight, arterial pressure, lipid profile, Castelli's I and II indexes (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL), and Framingham scores were evaluated., Results: At baseline, A had a lower HDL-C (40.0 +/- 11.0 vs 43.0 +/- 11.0 mg/dl, p = 0.013) and a higher index I (8.2 +/- 3.0 vs 7.6 +/- 2.3, p = 0.008) than B. After 16 weeks, A had greater change than B in TC (-28.0 vs -25.0, p < 0.05), LDL-C (-29.0 vs -27.6, p < 0.05), HDL-C levels (+13.7 vs +10.8, p < 0.05) and in the Castelli's Index (-39.0 vs -33.0; p < 0.05). In both groups pravastatin use potentialized the effects of diet on the lipid profile., Conclusion: The AP seemed to be more effective than verbal orientation alone in CHDRF reduction at short-term.

Through regression analysis the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and variables "total cumulative working time", "arterial blood pressure" and "age" was examined. The study was carried out among 278 bus drivers and ticket takers, users of an occupational health center in Campinas, São Paulo State (Brazil). The main results were a positive association between hearing loss and cumulative working time, as well as an interaction between this variable and the bus workers' age.

Purpose: To analyze the physical performance of the patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), grades I and II of the New York Heart Association (NYHA), submitted to ergometric test: 1) under conventional treatment with digitalis and diuretic; 2) with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, associate with conventional treatment; 3) using captopril associated with digitalis or diuretic., Methods: A randomized double blind study was performed in 20 patients with CHF (I and II-NYHA) submitted to ergometric test in different therapeutic phases. The initial workload was 5 watts and load was increased until the appearance of limiting symptoms., Results: The introduction of captopril to the conventional treatment for CHF or associated with digitalis or diuretic promotes significant increase in the duration of the physical exercise, in the oxygen consumption and in the total workload during the ergometric test., Conclusion: In the initial forms of CHF, captopril provides better physical performance when compared with conventional treatment and the diuretic treatment can be changed for the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor with equal efficacy.

Purpose: Evaluation of the clinical effects of captopril addition to the conventional therapy of functional class II and III (NYHA) congestive heart failure (CHF)., Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients with CHF, 46 (40%) class II and 69 (60%) class III, on conventional treatment (digitalis and diuretic) were the subject of this study. The age ranged from 22 to 75 years (mean 56.6 +/- 11); 67 were male and 66 were caucasians. The etiologies of the heart failure were: hypertensive heart disease 47 (40.9%), ischemic heart disease 27 (23.5%), Chagas cardiomyopathy 20 (17.4%), idiopathic cardiomyopathy 15 (13.0%), and other causes 6 (5.2%). Diuretic and digitalis were maintained in the same dosage during all the treatment. Captopril therapy was started with 6.25 mg b.i.d. or t.i.d., and the dosage was increased gradually to 25 mg b.i.d. or t.i.d. The duration of the study was 12 weeks. Clinical visits occurred every four weeks and laboratory tests were performed in the beginning and at the end of the study., Results: The dosage of captopril ranged from 12.5 to 75 mg (mean 28.5 +/- 13.1 mg/day). The addition of captopril to the conventional therapy of CHF was associated with significant reduction (p < 0.01) of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the end of the study 13 patients (11.3%) were in functional class III, 50 (43.5%) in class II and 52 (45.2%) in class I. Globally, functional class was improved in 98 (85.2%) patients and remained unchanged in 17 (14.8%) (p < 0.01). The side effects (dizziness, cough, hypotension and headache) were moderate and uncommon and did not need interruption of the treatment., Conclusion: The addition of captopril to the conventional therapy of class II and III CHF was associated with significant improvement of functional class and with good tolerability.

Nowadays mercury poisoning usually results from the oral ingestion of methylmercury or from inhalation of mercury vapor. Mercury intoxication in a gold prospector after inhalation of mercury vapor is described. The patient presented a history of fever, tachypnea and headache. Despite the treatment with dimercaprol, penicillamine and intensive supportive care the patient died with symptoms of acute respiratory distress.

The files of 222 patients (112 men) admitted to a Medical Department (Medicina 1) of the Hospital de Santa Maria (Lisbon) between 1/1/87 and 21/6/88 with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) were studied retrospectively. The next parameters were considered: sex, age, cause of cardiac disease, duration of CHF, presence of diabetes, predispondent factors of CHF episodes, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure on admission, presence of rales, ascitis and edema, echocardiographic findings and evolution. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) (50%) and hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (31%) were the most frequent causes of CHF in this study. The mean age was 70 years, being higher in women (74 versus 66 years). Men were predominant in the younger groups. The rheumatic heart disease (RHD) group had the lowest mean age (54) while the cardiac diseases of unknown origin had the highest mean age (79). Patients with RHD were those with longer CHF (16 years) while patients with IHD, idiopathic cardiomyopathy and cor pulmonale had a shorter duration of CHF (less than 5 years). The respiratory infection was the most frequent predisponent factor (40%). In a high number of cases (31%) it was not possible to find the presumable cause of the CHF episode. Atrial fibrillation was the predominant disarrhythmia (44%) on admission, specially in patients with RHD. Patients with HHD isolated or associated to other causes were those with higher initial blood pressure. Echocardiographic studies were suggestive that HHD can be associated with CHF without a significant increase in left atrium and ventricle dimensions nor impairment of left ventricle systolic function. Echocardiographic analysis of larger numbers of patients and the study of left ventricular diastolic function and Doppler flow patterns will eventually contribute to a better understanding of CHF physiopathology.

A case of mercurial poisoning caused by ingestion of an organic mercurial compound, thimerosal, found in local antiseptic solutions. The clinical picture consisted of grave neurological symptoms which were not reversed by penicillamine and resin administration despite rapid plasma level reduction of mercury. We call attention to this case because of the widespread availability of antiseptic solutions containing mercurial compounds and alcohol.

Objective: 1. local validation of a protocol of measurement of pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (QP/QS) by echo-Doppler in children with septal defects; 2. to assess continuous wave Doppler efficacy mainly in those patients where peak pulmonary flow velocity was beyond the Nyquist limit of pulsed Doppler., Design: To correlate QP/QS ratio determined by echo-Doppler with that obtained by cardiac catheterization (oximetric method) performed within 48 hours, in children with isolated septal defects., Material and Methods: The QP/QS ratio was evaluated by pulsed and or continuous wave echo-Doppler in 50 children who were submitted within 48 hours to cardiac catheterization. All children had an intracardiac shunt (12 atrial septal defects--ASD; 26 ventricular septal defects--VSD and 12 atrio ventricular septal defects--AVDS). Identical measurements were performed in a group of 20 children without cardiac malformation--control group. To test inter-observer variability, all the measurement in 31 patients were repeated by a second observer. Pulmonary and aortic flow was calculated as: Q = A x V x ET x CF where, A is the valvular orifice area (cm2), V the mean flow velocity (cm/sec), ET the ejection time (sec) and CF the cardiac frequency (cycles/min). The Doppler beam-flow direction angle in the pulmonary (P) artery and ascending aorta (Ao) was less than 20 degrees. Results were correlated with those obtained by catheterization (oximetric method)., Results: We obtained a fairly good correlation with both pulsed wave Doppler (n = 43; r = 0.88; p less than 0.001; y = 0.84x + 0.40) and continuous wave Doppler (n = 50; r = 0.91; p less than 0.001; y = 0.86x + 0.35) or with pulsed wave Doppler in the P artery and continuous wave Doppler in the Ao (n = 43; r = 0.92; p less than 0.001; y = 0.86x + 0.27). In the control group, QP/QS ratio was evaluated by echo-Doppler: pulsed wave Doppler at 1.05 +/- 0.15 (mean +/- DS); continuous wave Doppler at 1.05 +/- 0.12 and, pulsed wave Doppler in the P artery and continuous wave Doppler in the Ao at 1.03 +/- 0.12. There was no significant difference in all three groups to the normal range of 1.00 (p less than 0.01). Inter-observer variability was less than 5.5% (p less than 0.001)., Conclusion: Pulsed and/or continuous wave echo-Doppler measurements are a reliable noninvasive method in evaluating QP/QS ratio in children with isolated septal defects.

The authors describe a case of eccrine spiradenoma with unusual histological features generally associated with syringoma. The clinical aspects of this case and the histogenesis of the tumor are discussed.

The AA have characterized undifferenciated or indeterminate forms of Hanseniasis on the clinical, immunological, bacteriological and histological aspects. They too signaled the epidemiological importance and demonstrated its position in the statistics showing it to be the prevalent form of the disease. In 90 patients from Rio de Janeiro they discussed the many clinical manifestations and the therapeutics, prognosis, evolution and most important manners to discovered new cases.

The efficacy of captopril 25 mg/day as monotherapy or when necessary, in association with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day, was studied during three months in 472 patients, average age 45 (17-59) years, 51% males with mild (73%) 95 less than PAD less than 104 mmHg, and moderate (27%) arterial hypertension 104 less than PAD less than 114 mmHg. Were included in the study hypertensive patients with previous antihypertensive therapy or when in the course of any previous antihypertensive treatment (52.4%) blood pressure control were not observed and side effects compromised patient's compliance. Captopril 25 mg/day was used once a day as single dose or subdivided in two daily doses (12.5 mg b.i.d.), during 30 days. If blood pressure was not normalized or dyastolic blood pressure drop was not equal or bigger than 10% after this period, it was added hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day. After three months under treatment, 411 (87%) patients normalized their dyastolic blood pressure DBP (less than 90 mmHg), from them, 273 (57.6%) had received only captopril and the others 138 (29.4%) with the addition of hydrochlorothiazide. The drop of mean arterial pressure, MAP = 2 DBP + 1 SBP was in average, 17.3 mmHg, in the 3 patients whose blood pressure normalized with captopril alone, and in average of 18.5 mmHg in those patients requiring addition of hydrochlorothiazide (difference without statistical significance). A small decrease of body weight, but with statistical significance (p less than 0.001) were observed during the use of captopril as monotherapy. Expressive reduction of side effects were observed during the period under captopril related to the period with previous antihypertensive therapy.

The response to the use of converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) either alone or associated to hydrochlorothiazide was evaluated during three months in 128 patients over 60 years old, with mild (79.7%) and moderate (20.3%) hypertension. Seventy (55%) were female and 58 (45%) male, being 64.8% white, 33.6% non-white and 1.6% asiatic. All patients received initially either a single dose of 25 mg of captopril or twice 12.5 mg, and after 1 month those in which hypertension was maintained 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide was associated. During this period the analysis of the results showed a significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DP), however, there was a marked reduction during the first month. Thus, DP decreased from 101 +/- 8.8 (control) to 93 +/- 8.7 in the first month, to 89.6 +/- 8.2 in the second and 86 +/- 8.2 in the third, all significant at p less than 0.001. Similar distinction with previous treatment were observed when ranges on DP were analysed in patients receiving isolated or associated captopril. There was a small but significant weight and heart rate fall in patients receiving only captopril. Reduction of side effects was observed in 79% of the patients, as compared to previous treatment there being distinct improvement, while 21% showed no alterations and none showed complications. Therefore, we may conclude that use of captopril in elderly hypertensive patients was efficacious in the control of arterial blood without influence on quality of life.