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This article employs Miyazawa's method to investigate the interaction between productive and unproductive sectors during the 2002–2014 period in Brazil. The results showed a growing dependence of productive on unproductive sectors together with a rise in the unproductive share in the economy, particularly after 2008. Our findings stressed the relationship between the rising importance of unproductive industries and lower total output growth, as emphasized by the classical-Marxian literature. JEL Classification: B51, C67, P16 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Whereas pulmonary exacerbations and aerobic fitness play a key role in the prognosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), the use of ventilatory threshold data as markers of exacerbation risk has been scarcely addressed. This study sought to examine the association between aerobic fitness, assessed through ventilatory threshold variables recorded during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and the risk of exacerbations in individuals with CF. METHODS: Participants of this retrospective cohort study were subjects from 6 y of age. Over a 4-y period, the following data were recorded: lung function indicators, CPET variables, time to first exacerbation and antibiotic use, along with demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data. RESULTS: The mean age of 20 subjects included was 16 ± 5.4 y. Univariate regression analysis revealed that lung function (FEV1: Cox hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, P = .03; and forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity [FEF25-75]: Cox HR 0.98, P = .036) and aerobic fitness (oxygen consumption [...O2] at ventilatory threshold: Cox HR 0.94, P = .01; and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide [...E/...CO2] at ventilatory threshold: Cox HR 1.13, P = .049) were associated with exacerbation risk, whereas in the multivariate model, only ...O2 at the ventilatory threshold (%max) (Cox HR 0.92, P = .01) had a significant impact on this risk. Consistently, individuals experiencing exacerbation had significantly lower ...O2 values (%max) at the ventilatory threshold (P = .050) and higher ventilatory equivalent for oxygen consumption (...E/...O2) (P = .040) and ...E/...O2 (P = .037) values at the ventilatory threshold. Time to exacerbation was significantly correlated with ...O2 at the ventilatory threshold (r = 0.50, P = .02), ...E/...O2 (r = -0.48, P = .02), and ...E/...CO2 (r = -0.50, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an association between CPET variables at the ventilatory threshold and exacerbations. Percentage ...O2 at the ventilatory threshold could serve as a complementary variable to monitor exacerbations in people with CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal erosion affects several beaches worldwide in association with natural and human pressures. In recent decades, the coastland located on the Paraíba do Sul River mouth has been recognized as one of the main areas that suffer from this geomorphological dynamic. Furthermore, the scientific literature, even if scarce, has pointed out that these dynamics are causing negative socio-environmental responses and making the area less resilient. In the last few decades, hundreds of homes and other urban structures have become debris due to erosion caused by sea ingression, triggered by the coupling of environmental processes and dynamics occurring at different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, the present research aimed to analyze how the anthropic changes carried out in the Paraíba do Sul hydrographic basin are related to the intense coastal erosion at the mouth. Variations in fluvial–marine hydrosedimentary dynamics triggered this due to the construction of dams to supply large cities and for agricultural purposes. Water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed in different sectors of the main channel and on the adjacent coast, mapping land use in the basin area and surveying socioeconomic data. The results suggest that human pressures on the hydrographic basin during the last century are directly associated with the imbalance of the environmental system and, consequently, the progression of coastal erosion on the Paraíba do Sul delta shoreline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nova Economia is the property of Nova Economia 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 Ciencia, Cuidado e Saude is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa 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.)

• Huffing, HFOO, PEP and volume-based techniques were the most prescribed. • Important regional differences were found across the country. • Age influences the recommendation of techniques. Respiratory therapy is a part of the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, there is no information about the main factors influencing the recommendation of the use of different techniques or devices by physical therapists from different specialized centers. To determine the respiratory therapy techniques recommended for the treatment of patients with CF seen in specialized treatment centers in Brazil. This is a descriptive study including a sample of Brazilian CF specialized treatment centers. Data on demographics, spirometric variables, and recommended respiratory therapy treatment techniques were collected. Twelve specialized treatment centers with a total of 974 patients were included (13.5 ± 11.3 years old and FEV 1 (%) 75.7 ± 27.9). The most recommended techniques were huffing (61.1% of patients), high frequency oral oscillation (HFOO) (52.0%), and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) (45.3%). Most often, recommendation was to perform treatment once (54.8% of patients) or twice (34%) a day. There was great variability in the recommendation among the different states. When data were separated by age, there was a predominance of performing conventional and manual techniques in infants and preschool children. There were no significant variations according to pulmonary function. Based on the literature, techniques based on volume, huffing, and PEP were most prevalently performed in international centers. The most recommended treatment techniques for patients with CF in Brazil are huffing, HFOO, and PEP, followed by volume-based techniques. There were geographical variations in the preferred treatment techniques, as well as based on patient age, but not based on the level of pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patients with cystic fibrosis develop decreased exercise capacity. However, the main factors responsible for this decline are still unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing exercise capacity assessed with the modified shuttle test (MST) in individuals with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in subjects with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis who were 6-26 y old and were regularly monitored at 2 cystic fibrosis reference centers in Brazil. Individuals who were unable to perform the tests or who exhibited hemodynamic instability and exacerbation of respiratory symptoms were excluded. Anthropometric, clinical, and genotype data were collected. In addition, lung function and exercise capacity were evaluated with the MST. RESULTS: 73 subjects (mean age 12.2 ± 4.9 y and FEV1 76.8 ± 23.3%) were included. The mean distance achieved in the MST was 765 ± 258 m (71.6% of predicted). The distance achieved on the MST correlated significantly with age (r = 0.49, P < .001), body mass index (r = 0.41, P < .001), resting heart rate (r = -0.51, P < .001), and FEV1 (r = 0.24, P = .042). Subjects with FEV1 > 67% of predicted (P = .02) and those with resting heart rate < 100 beats/min (P = .01) had a greater exercise capacity. Resting heart rate, age, and FEV1 (%) were found as significant variables to explain the distance achieved on the MST (R² = 0.48, standard error = 191.0 m). CONCLUSIONS: The main determinants of exercise capacity assessed with the MST in individuals with cystic fibrosis were resting heart rate, age, and lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The consumption of Brazil nuts has been associated with benefits to lipid metabolism and reductions in total cholesterol and LDL concentrations. They are the richest natural source of selenium which has essential functions in human physiology. Genetic polymorphisms in Selenoprotein P could impair lipid and glucose metabolisms. The aim of this work was to verify the influence of polymorphisms in genes for selenoproteins on blood lipid levels after dietary supplementation with Brazil nuts in healthy adults.Methods: The study included 130 healthy volunteers selected at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. They were supplemented with one nut a day for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks without intervention. The following analyses were performed: anthropometric measurements, serum fasting glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein and plasma MDA levels. The volunteers were genotyped for SNPs rs1050450, rs3811699, rs1800699, rs713041, rs3877899, rs7579, rs34713741, and rs5845 in genes for selenoproteins.Results: The concentrations of total cholesterol and fasting glucose levels decreased after 8 weeks of supplementation (p < 0.05). Glucose levels were modulated by rs3877899 in SEPP1, with significantly lower levels observed for individuals with the GA + AA genotype (p = 0.025). In addition, rs7579 was associated with cholesterol concentrations, which were significantly lower for individuals with the GG genotype (p = 0.053).Conclusions: Supplementation with one Brazil nut a day for 8 weeks reduced total cholesterol and glucose levels. Furthermore, our results suggest that rs3877899 might be associated with glucose concentrations and rs7579 with cholesterol concentrations. Therefore, the effect of genetic variations should be considered in future nutritional interventions evaluating the response to Brazil nut supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary changes that occur in cystic fibrosis may influence inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. We evaluated inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis in comparison with healthy subjects. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study with subjects with cystic fibrosis and paired healthy individuals, age 6-18 y. Spirometry, impulse oscillometry, plethysmography, manovacuometry, and a protocol of inspiratory muscle endurance were performed. RESULTS: Subjects with cystic fibrosis (n = 34) had higher maximum percent-of-predicted inspiratory pressure (PImax) than healthy (n = 68) subjects (118.5 ± 25.8% vs 105.8 ± 18.0%) and no significant difference in endurance (60.9 ± 13.3% vs 65.3 ± 12.3%). When restricting the analysis to subjects without Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and with FEV1 > 80%, PImax values were significantly higher, and inspiratory muscle endurance was lower, in comparison with the control group. PImax correlated significantly with FVC (r = 0.44, P = .02) and FEV1 (r = 0.41, P = .02), whereas endurance correlated better with total airway resistance (r = 0.35, P = .045) and with central airway resistance (r = 0.48, P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis with no colonization by P. aeruginosa and normal lung function present increased inspiratory muscle strength and decreased endurance compared with healthy individuals, indicating that changes in the respiratory muscle function seem to be distinctly associated with pulmonary involvement. Strength was related to pulmonary function parameters, whereas endurance was associated with airway resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine normative values for the Timed Up and Go ( TUG) test in typically developing children and adolescents and to validate its use in individuals with Down syndrome. Method Participants in this cross-sectional study were South Brazilian schoolchildren aged 3 to 18 years. In phase 1, 459 typically developing individuals (227 males, 232 females; mean age 10y 8mo ( SD 4y 4mo) were included; and in phase 2, 40 individuals with Down syndrome (16 males, 24 females; mean age 10y 6mo ( SD 4y 4mo). Anthropometric measurements, real leg length, TUG test scores, and Gross Motor Function Measure ( GMFM) scores were evaluated. The association between the TUG test and possible predictive variables was analyzed. Results In phase 1, the mean time to perform the TUG test was 5.61 seconds ( SD 1.06). Values were stratified in age groups that served as normative data for both sexes. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted and the best variables to predict TUG scores were age and weight. The best model obtained presented an R 2 of 0.25 and a standard error of the estimate of 0.92. Excellent intrasession reliability in the three tests performed (intraclass correlation coefficient [ ICC] of 0.93, 0.94, and 0.95) and between the sessions (both with an ICC of 0.95) was demonstrated. In phase 2, the test also showed excellent reproducibility ( ICC=0.82 between the two tests performed). The performance time was significantly longer ( p<0.001) in individuals with Down syndrome compared with sex- age-, and weight-matched typically developing children with a mean difference of −3.53 (95% confidence interval −4.05 to −3.00). Dimension E of the GMFM (Walking, Running and Jumping) showed the highest correlation ( r=−0.55, p<0.001) with the test. Interpretation This study provides normative values for the TUG test and shows that TUG scores can be predicted as a function of age and weight in typically developing individuals. The test can also be used for assessment of functional mobility in individuals with Down syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]