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Ações de prevenção e controle da diabetes do tipo 2 (T2DM) são prioridades dentro da atenção primária de saúde, desde a dispensação de medicações específicas, às ações não medicamentosas como atividade física e nutrição. O objetivo foi caracterizar ações de prevenção e manejo (PM) e seus componentes na atenção primária no Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Estudo observacional baseado no modelo RE-AIM. Estratégias adotadas em ações de PM foram descritas pelas 5 dimensões: (R) Alcance, (E) Efetividade, (A) Adoção, (I) Implementação e (M) Manutenção. Dados foram coletados em Unidades Básicas de Saúde em 6 cidades do Amazonas, Brasil. Os questionários endereçados aos gestores visavam ações de PM e seu desenvolvimento. Este estudo identificou 17 diferentes tipos de ações. Onze ações contemplaram ambas as estratégias de PM com 53,8% focadas em atividade física e orientações nutricionais. No entanto, nenhuma ação relatou mensuração para avaliação de mudanças no nível de atividade física e no comportamento nutricional. As ações baseiam suas avaliações em coleta de feedback dos participantes, equipe executora e profissionais de saúde. Ao todo, 310 profissionais de saúde participaram de ações, incluindo 4 profissionais de educação física e 3 nutricionistas, sendo 100% dos esforços coordenados por enfermeiros. As ações de PM da T2DM são baseadas em práticas tradicionais de educação em saúde como palestras e não possuem atividades práticas que auxiliem na mudança e manutenção de comportamentos saudáveis. Apesar disso, a atenção primária exerce um papel fundamental no cuidado ao usuário portador de doença crônica em municípios do interior do Amazonas.

Nos últimos anos, os provedores de conexão têm investido em sua infraestrutura de redes a fim de atender a demanda dos usuários por maior largura de banda, com objetivo de oferecer serviços de maior qualidade. Nessa perspectiva, as redes FTTH (Fiber To The Home) surgiram como uma solução para as empresas de telecomunicações que buscavam oferecer maiores taxas de transmissão com menor custo de manutenção, proporcionando maiores taxas de download e upload, além de baixa atenuação, fatores tecnológicos essenciais para sobrevivência em um mercado competitivo. O trabalho descrito neste artigo aborda a implantação de uma rede FTTH para uma área residencial, baseada em rede óptica passiva com capacidade Gigabit (GPON). Foram destacadas as etapas de instalação da rede para o atendimento em uma área residencial composta por 4 condomínios na região da grande Natal, fornecendo uma quantidade de 1.103 HP’s (Home Potencial), levando soluções tecnológicas de melhor qualidade para provimento dos serviços de Internet, TV e Telefonia.

Due to an increased awareness of climate change and other environmental issues, methods to reduce the energy consumption of buildings has become of great importance. One way to improve the efficiency of a building is to use thermal storage material. A recent thermal storage strategy is to use phase change material (PCM) which allows for the storage and release of thermal energy. One of the main advantages of using PCM over traditional thermal storage (like concrete) is that PCM can achieve the same level of thermal storage as concrete while using less material. Using PCM can also reduce and delay peak load, improve the thermal comfort, and reduce the overall energy consumption of a building. One of the main parameters that affect the performance and effectiveness of PCM in buildings is the convective heat transfer between a PCM wall and room air. Current convective heat transfer coefficients used in whole building simulation and in building codes (such as ASHRAE) may not be adequate for PCM applications. The present study investigates thermal performance of a vertical PCM panel. The investigation includes experiments using laser MachZehnder Interferometry (MZI) and a comparative numerical study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The study focuses on a vertical flat plate filled with PCM (soy wax) undergoing transient convective heat transfer by natural convection while the PCM solidifies. A novel method was developed to make interferometric surface temperature measurements using partial fringes as a reference temperature. The experimental results show a deviation from predicted heat transfer coefficients from established correlation and significant subcooling was observed as a temperature jump. The subcooling effect was reproduced using CFD by implementing the speed of crystallization within the PCM cavity.

Autism is an infantile disorder of development characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and unusual and repetitive behavior. Diagnosis is essentially grounded on behavioral tests and there is no pharmacological specific treatment, treatment is merely symptomatic. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect of homeopathic remedies on the cognitive and motor development in children with infantile autism. It is presented the evolution of 7 out of 30 children that already were evaluated twice with Psychoeducational Profile Revised (PEP-R), the first was performed before and the second 4-10 months after the onset of homeopathic treatment. Remedies were selected according to similarity between pathogenetic and repertory data and the general symptoms of autism, as well as specific individualization of symptoms in each case, and included organotherapics chosen according to studies related to the brain areas affected by autism. Results showed a positive interference of homeopathic treatment on development and behavior. These results encourage us to continue the study with a larger number of patients. Keywords: Autism; Homeopathy; Cognitive skills; Motor skills. Resumo O autismo é um distúrbio do desenvolvimento caracterizado por deficiências na interação social, comunicação e conduta inusual e repetitiva. O diagnóstico está essencialmente baseado em testes de conduta; não há tratamento farmacológico específico; o tratamento é meramente sintomático. O objetivo do presente estudo consiste em demonstrar o efeito dos medicamentos homeopáticos no desempenho cognitivo e motor de crianças com autismo infantil. Apresenta-se a evolução de 7 das 30 crianças incluídas no estudo, já testadas 2 vezes através do Perfil Psicoeducativo Revisado (PEP-R), o primeiro teste foi aplicado antes do início de tratamento, e o segundo 4 a 10 meses após. Os medicamentos foram escolhidos de acordo com a semelhança entre os dados patogenéticos e repertoriais e os sintomas gerais do autismo, assim como também os sintomas especificamente individualizados de cada caso. Foram também utilizados organoterápicos, escolhidos em função de estudos que apontam para as áreas cerebrais afetadas no autismo. Os resultados mostram uma interferéncia positiva do tratamento homeopático no desenvolvimento e a conduta. Esses resultados nos encorajam a continuar este estudo numa população maior de pacientes. Palavras-chave: Autismo; Homeopatia; habilidades cognitivas, habilidades motoras. Resumen El autismo es un trastorno del desarrollo caracterizado por deficiencias en la interacción social, comunicacion y conducta inusual y repetitiva. El diagnóstico está esencialmente basado en tests de conducta; no hay tratamiento farmacológico específico; el tratamiento es meramente sintomático. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en demostrar el efecto de los remedios homeopáticos en el desempeño cognitivo y motor de niños con autismo infantil. Se presenta la evolución de 7 de 30 niños que ya fueron testados dos veces mediante Perfil Psicoeducativo Revisado (PEP-R), el primer test aplicado antes del inicio del tratamiento y el segundo 4 a 10 meses despues. Los medicamentos fueron elegidos según la similaridad entre los datos patogenéticos y repertoriales y los síntomas generales del autismo, así como también los síntomas específicamente individualizados de cada caso. Fueron utilizados también organoterápicos seleccionados en función de estudios que apuntam para las áreas cerebrales afectadas en el autismo. Los resultados muestran una interferencia positiva del tratamiento homeopático sobre el desarrollo y la conducta. Estos resultados son animadores en el sentido de continuar nuestro estudio en una población mayor de pacientes. Palabras-clave: Autismo; Homeopatía; habilidades cognitivas, habilidades motoras. Correspondence author: Georgia Regina Macedo de Meneses Fonseca. georgiaregina@globo.com How to cite this article: Fonseca GRMM, Bolognani FA, Durão FF, Souza KM, Accioly MCC, Bagarollo, MF. Effect of homoepathic medication on the congnitive and motor performance of autistic children (pilot study). Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(23) 63-71. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/285/353.

Este estudo analisou a influência do financiamento de campanha no desempenho eleitoral dos candidatos para às prefeituras brasileiras nas eleições de 2008 e 2012 à luz da Teoria da Escolha Pública. Foi realizada uma pesquisa quantitativa, utilizando regressão logística. Os resultados indicaram uma influência positiva e significativa do financiamento de campanha no desempenho eleitoral dos candidatos, sinalizando que os prefeitos que foram eleitos arrecadaram mais recursos para as suas campanhas. Além disso, os resultados revelaram que os candidatos que já tinham sido eleitos em algum cargo público anteriormente, também levaram vantagem em relação aos candidatos que ainda não tinha sido eleitos. Outro aspecto observado é que as mulheres são a grande minoria dos candidatos e recebem menos recursos para as suas campanhas do que os homens, refletindo esse fato no desempenho eleitoral delas de forma negativa. A principal contribuição desse trabalho é o fato de que nos municípios com PIB per capita maior, bem como os municípios com a população mais escolarizada, os recursos de financiamento são menos relevantes para o desempenho eleitoral, sugerindo que os eleitores dos municípios mais ricos e mais escolarizados são menos suscetíveis às propostas pouco exequíveis divulgadas pelos candidatos com recursos de campanhas.

Background: A conservative physiotherapy service implementation addressed to treat urinary incontinence for older women was studied using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework. Design: We conducted a multimethod analysis structured based on RE-AIM. Settings/participants: Included women ≥ 60 years of age, with self-reported UI symptoms. Results: A total of 34 older women were enrolled in the service with a mean age of 61.53 years. There was a significant improvement in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, power, endurance, and fast contraction capacity after the intervention.Program implementation was supported by Physical Therapy teams who engaged in care coordination. The program has been maintained for over 4 years.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that UI patients would benefit from physiotherapy treatment and that this intervention is feasible. This RE-AIM evaluation provides lessons learned and strategies for future adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a Physical Therapy pelvic service.

The Covid-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, resulted in more than 5 million deaths being one of the biggest challenges the world faces today. Here we present optimizations to all steps of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based test to detect IgG, IgA and IgM against the trimeric spike (S) protein, receptor binding domain (RBD), and N terminal domain of the nucleocapsid (N-NTD) protein of SARS-CoV-2. We discuss how to determine the specific thresholds for antibody positivity and its limitations according to the antigen used. We applied the assay in a cohort of 126 individuals from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, consisting of 23 PCR-positive individuals; and 103 individuals without confirmed diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2 infection. To illustrate the differences in serological responses to vaccinal immunization, we applied the test in 18 individuals of our cohort before and after receive ChAdOx-1 nCoV-19 or CoronaVac vaccines. Taken together, our results show that the test can be customized at different stages depending on its application, enabling the user to analyze different cohorts, saving time, reagents, or samples. It also represents a valuable tool for elucidating the immunological consequences of new viral strains and for monitoring vaccination coverage and the duration of response to different immunization regimens.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the causative agent of Chikungunya fever, an acute febrile and arthritogenic illness with no effective treatments available. The development of effective therapeutics strategies could be significantly accelerated with detailed knowledge of the molecular components behind CHIKV replication. However, drug discovery is hindered by our incomplete understanding of their main components. The RNA-polymerase RNA-dependent (nsP4-CHIKV) is considered the key enzyme of the CHIKV replication complex and a suitable target for antiviral therapy. Herein, the nsP4-CHIKV was extensively characterized through experimental and computational biophysical methods. In the search for new molecules against CHIKV, a compound designated LabMol-309 was identified and mapped to bind to the nsp4-CHIKV active site. The inhibitory activity of LabMol-309 was evaluated in cellular-based antiviral assays using a CHIKV replicon system and a reporter virus. In conclusion, this study highlights biophysical features of nsP4-CHIKV and identified a new compound as a promising antiviral agent against CHIKV infection.

An experimental study has been conducted to examine free convection in a window with an enclosed aluminum Venetian blind. The unique feature of this experiment was that the blind slats were heated electrically to simulate absorbed solar radiation. Centre-glass convective heat transfer measurements and temperature field visualization were obtained using a laser Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Measurements were made for three plate (glazing) spacings, three blind slat angles, three blind heat fluxes, and two plate temperature differences. It was found that a recently proposed simplified model, called the Reduced Slat Length (RSL) model, closely predicted the experimental results when the flow appeared to be laminar and steady. Under these conditions, the temperature field and lateral heat transfer was dominated by conduction. Under some conditions, evidence of highly unsteady/turbulent flow was observed. As expected, the RSL model performed poorly under these conditions.

PURPOSE: Conventional imaging cannot definitively detect nodal metastases of prostate cancer. We histologically validated (11)C-acetate positron emission tomography/computerized tomography to identify nodal metastases, examining prostate cancer factors that influence detection rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with (11)C-acetate avid positron emission tomography/computerized tomography imaged pelvic/retroperitoneal lymph nodes underwent high extended robotic lymphadenectomy. A standardized mapping template comprising 8 predetermined anatomical regions was dissected during lymphadenectomy, allowing for matched, region based analysis and comparison of imaging and histological data. RESULTS: In 25 patients a total of 2,149 lymph nodes were excised (mean 86 per patient, range 27 to 136) and 528 (22%) harbored metastases (mean 21 positive nodes per patient, range 0 to 109). A total of 174 anatomical regions had matching imaging histological data. (11)C-acetate positron emission tomography/computerized tomography accurately identified 48 node-positive regions and accurately ruled out 88 regions as metastasis-free. (11)C-acetate sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 67%, 84%, 74% and 79%, respectively. An increasing, histologically measured metastatic lesion size in long axis diameter of 5 or less, 6 to 10, 11 to 15, 16 to 20 and 21 mm or greater correlated with improved (11)C-acetate detection rates of 45%, 62%, 81%, 89% and 100%, respectively. Each standard uptake value unit increase correlated with a 1.9 mm increase in nodal long axis diameter (p

Este artigo propõe situar a temática das Habilidades Sociais (HSs) entre os interesses de ensino, pesquisa e extensão do campo da Gestão Social (GS). Mediante a discussão conceitual sobre o fenômeno das HSs e de suas repercussões sobre o bem-estar e sobre o processo de desenvolvimento local, busca-se estabelecer a pertinência e relevância do tema para estudantes, gestores e pesquisadores da área. Apresenta-se e comenta-se os principais desafios teóricos e metodológicos e propõe-se uma agenda de pesquisa, ensino e extensão e possibilidades de atuação prática.

Background In the phase III ALSYMPCA trial, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients had few prior life-prolonging therapies. Following ALSYMPCA, which demonstrated radium-223 survival benefit, and before radium-223 U.S. commercial availability, an expanded access program (EAP) providing early-access radium-223 allowed life-prolonging therapies in current use. Subjects, Materials, and Methods This phase II, open-label, single-arm, multicenter U.S. EAP (NCT01516762) enrolled patients with symptomatic mCRPC, ≥2 bone metastases, and no lung, liver, or brain metastases. Patients received radium-223 55 kBq/kg intravenously every 4 weeks × 6. Primary outcomes were acute and long-term safety. Additional analyses were done by number of radium-223 injections, and prior or concomitant abiraterone or enzalutamide use. Results Of 252 patients, 184 received radium-223: 165/184 (90%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0–1; 183 (99%) had prior systemic anticancer therapy. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 93/184 (51%) patients during treatment and 11 (6%) during follow-up. Median overall survival was 17 months, with 134/184 (73%) patients censored because of short follow-up due to radium-223 approval. In post hoc analyses, patients with ≥3 prior anticancer medications, baseline ECOG performance status ≥2, and lower baseline hemoglobin were less likely to receive 5–6 radium-223 injections and unlikely to benefit from radium-223. Radium-223 was well tolerated regardless of concurrent or prior abiraterone or enzalutamide. Conclusion Radium-223 was well tolerated, with no new safety concerns; safety was maintained with abiraterone or enzalutamide. Patients with more advanced disease were less likely to benefit from radium-223. Clinicians should consider baseline characteristics and therapy sequence for greatest clinical value. Implications for Practice In this phase II U.S. expanded access program, radium-223 was well tolerated, with a median overall survival of 17 months in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. In post hoc analyses, radium-223 was safe regardless of concurrent abiraterone or enzalutamide, and median overall survival appeared longer when radium-223 was used earlier in patients with less prior treatment. Patients with more advanced disease were less likely to benefit from radium-223. Clinicians should consider baseline clinical characteristics and therapy sequence to provide the greatest clinical value to patients.

The field of morphometrics is developing quickly. Recent advances have enabled geometric techniques to be applied to many zoological problems, particularly those involving epidemiologically-relevant mosquitoes. Herein, we briefly introduce geometric morphometric (GM) techniques and then review selected groups of mosquitoes (Culicidae) to which those techniques have been applied. In most of the reviewed cases, GM was capable of satisfactorily discriminating among the tested groups primarily when the studies considered differences within and among species, sexual dimorphism, treatments and the separation of laboratory strains. Although GM approaches have developed quite rapidly, some caution must be taken during data processing for a reliable biometrical approach, such as allometry and asymmetry analyses, scale removal and wing clarification staining for landmark digitization. We also critically forecast directions in this field and discuss how the creation of image databases should enhance species identification in culicids.

Objectives To describe the technique of robot-assisted high-extended salvage retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenectomy (sRPLND+PLND) for ‘node-only’ recurrent prostate cancer. Patients and Methods In all, 10 patients underwent robot-assisted sRPLND+PLND (09/2015–03/2016) for ‘node-only’ recurrent prostate cancer, as identified by 11C-acetate positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging. Our anatomical template extends from bilateral renal artery/vein cranially up to Cloquet's node caudally, completely excising lymphatic-fatty tissue from aorto-caval and iliac vascular trees; RPLND precedes PLND. Meticulous node-mapping assessed nodes at four prospectively assigned anatomical zones. Results The median operative time was 4.8 h, estimated blood loss 100 mL and hospital stay 1 day. No patient had an intraoperative complication, open conversion or blood transfusion. Three patients had spontaneously resolving Clavien–Dindo grade II postoperative complications. The mean (range) number of nodes excised per patient was 83 (41–132) and mean (range) number of positive nodes per patient was 23 (0–109). Seven patients (70%) had positive nodes on final pathology. Node-positive rates per anatomical level I, II, III and IV were 28%, 32%, 33% and 33%, respectively. In patients with positive nodes, the median PSA level had decreased by 83% at the 2-month follow-up. Conclusion The initial series of robot-assisted sRPLND+PLND is presented, wherein we duplicate open surgery with superior nodal counts and decreased morbidity. Robot-assisted technical details for an anatomical LND template up to the renal vessels are presented. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess oncological outcomes.

Wood cookstoves are common in the Brazilian semiarid region. Most families use traditional versions,which have a series of social, environmental and health-related impacts. “Improved cookstoves” referto cleaner and more efficient cookstoves. These include adaptations that improve energy efficiencyand reduce indoor air pollution, bringing benefits such as the reduction of firewood consumptionfor cooking, reduction of the emission of polluting gases originating from firewood burning andfewer health impacts, also contributing to forest conservation. Although the improved cookstovessector is still relatively underdeveloped in the Brazilian semiarid region, in recent years interest inthese technological alternatives has increased. In this context, the present study contributes to thecompilation and organization of information referring to the use of improved cookstoves in the Braziliansemiarid region., O uso de fogão a lenha é comum no Semiárido brasileiro, porém a maioria das famílias usam fogões tradicionais que trazem um conjunto de impactos sociais, ambientais e sobre a saúde. Fogões melhorados é o nome dado aos fogões mais limpos e mais eficientes do que os fogões tradicionais de lenha. Eles incluem adaptações que melhoram a eficiência energética e diminuem a poluição do ar no interior dos domicílios, trazendo benefícios como a diminuição na quantidade de lenha necessária para cocção de alimentos, diminuição de emissões de gases poluentes provenientes da queima da lenha, menores impactos sobre a saúde e maior preservação da mata. O setor dos fogões melhorados ainda está pouco desenvolvido no Semiárido, mas nos últimos anos vem aumentando o interesse geral por essas alternativas. Neste contexto, o presente estudo contribui para compilar e organizar informações sobre a adoção e a utilização dos fogões melhorados no Semiárido.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:18:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-06-01 Leishmaniasis is considered a parasitic disease that still causes serious consequences for mankind, because it presents a high mortality rate worldwide. Considered multi-hosts, the parasites of the genus Leishmania are able of infecting a wide variety of animal species. The dog was considered the main source of infection of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), in the urban area. However, the role of other animal species in the epidemiological cycle of the disease, such as cattle, remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. in 100 bovines (Bos taurus) from an area endemic for canine VL, using blood culture and molecular analysis. By the sequencing analysis, one sample showed 100% similarity with Leishmania infantum. The results provide the first case of L. infantum isolation in one bovine from the periurban areas of Bauru, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Tropical Diseases Botucatu Medical School São Paulo State University - UNESP Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health São Paulo State University - UNESP Department of Preventive Medicine and Animal Health University of Sao Paulo - USP Adolfo Lutz Institute Bauru II Regional Laboratory Center Paulista Agency of Agribusiness Technology APTA Department of Tropical Diseases Botucatu Medical School São Paulo State University - UNESP Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health São Paulo State University - UNESP

The existence of multiple wave forecasts leads to the question of which one should be used in practical ocean engineering applications. Ensemble forecasts have emerged as an important complement to deterministic forecasts, with better performances at mid-to-long ranges, however, they add another option to the variety of wave predictions that are available nowadays. This study developed random forest (RF) postprocessing models to identify the best wave forecast between two National Centers for Environmental Protection (NCEP) products (deterministic and ensemble). The supervised learning classifier was trained using National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoy data and the RF model accuracies were analyzed as a function of the forecast time. A careful feature selection was performed by evaluating the impact of the wind and wave variables (inputs) on the RF accuracy. The results showed that the RF models were able to select the best forecast only in the very short range using input information regarding the significant wave height, wave direction and period, and ensemble spread. At forecast day 5 and beyond, the RF models could not determine the best wave forecast with high accuracy, the feature space presented no clear pattern to allow for successful classification. The challenges and limitations of such RF predictions for longer forecast ranges are discussed in order to support future studies in this area.

Leptospirosis is a worlwide zoonosis of great impact in both animal and public health. Bovine leptospirosis is commonly manifested by reproductive disorders, such as abortion, stillbirth and infertility; causing depletion of the economic balance of livestock farms, along with representing a health risk problem for farm workers. In view of these consequences, we aimed to evaluate the sanitary status of tropical cattle and their role as reproductive disseminators of leptospirosis. We analyzed blood and semen samples from 11 brazilian herds by three diagnostic methods -Culture, Microscopic Agglutination Test and Polymerase Chain Reaction. All animals were negative for bacteriological culture in Fletcher’s semisolid medium; 66% (264/400) animals were seropositive to at least one of 19 serovars (17 serogroups) ofLeptospiraspp. by MAT, given that 42.4% and 5.3% of animals presented titers against brazilians isolates Guaricura and Nupezo, respectively; furthermore, five animals were positive by PCR in blood and/or culture samples and three semen samples were positive by PCR (one of them also seropositive). These results highlight the coexistence of both disease's stages (acute and chronic) in the same environment, thus alert for venereal dissemination of leptospirosis, aggravating their sanitary condition and fomenting economic losses. We, authors, recommend the adoption of prophylactic measures, such as systemic vaccination, treatment of animals and improvement of hygienic-sanitary conditions.

Context: In organizational psychology literature, Task Variety and Skill Variety are considered different aspects of work design. Albeit related to different aspects of the work, it is common to find strong correlations between these constructs. After applying the Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) on a sample of 102 software professional, we found the similar correlations and conjectured that they were partly due to a misunderstanding about what a task is, what a skill is, and what could be considered a variety of those concepts in the practice of software development. Goal: Our goal in this study was to investigate the actual existence and the possible sources of such misunderstanding. Method: We performed semi-structured interviews with software professionals that had previously participated in the application of the WDQ and analyzed the results using qualitative research techniques. We selected four software professionals among those with higher experience in software development. Results: Qualitative data revealed insights regarding the reasons why the correlation identified in the quantitative results could have arisen in our sample. Conclusions: Our findings pointed out that the misunderstanding of such concepts might affect the results of the application of quantitative questionnaires that measure these constructs.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. It was initially described in rodents and rabbits. There are few data on the morbidity and mortality of this disease among Brazilian marsupial fauna, such as opossums. These animals are of great importance regarding the epidemiology of this disease, given that they are prey for felids and other carnivores. With the aim of ascertaining the serological response to Toxoplasma gondii among marsupials (Didelphis spp.), 38 animals that had been caught in 14 districts of the urban area of the municipality of Bauru, state of São Paulo, were evaluated. The modified agglutination test (MAT) showed that 26.3% (10/38) of the samples analyzed were seropositive. It can be suggested that the opossums’ behavior and persistent proximity to human housing results in contact with cats and T. gondii infection, based on the frequency found in this study. This was the first study on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in opossums caught in the urban area of the municipality of Bauru, SP, and it highlights the need for environmental and health authorities of the municipality to monitor this zoonosis.