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PubMed2003

Brazil's mental health adventure.

This is an account of my trips to Brazil in 2001 where I worked on a series of mental health projects with Brazilian colleagues. I first got interested in Brazil after I graduated from college when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Northeast Brazil (Bahia state). After I got out of the Peace Corps I moved to Rio de Janeiro and went to work for United Press International (UPI) in their Rio bureau. I was UPI foreign news correspondent for a year and a half. Those years in Brazil were probably the happiest years of my life. Later on, after I became ill in the U.S., my Brazilian connection played an important role in my recovery. Raised in a Victorian family in a small town in the Midwest, and schooled in a traditional boarding school for boys and then at an all men's college, Brazil's lively Latino culture served as a healthy antidote for my tendency to be reserved and often depressed. My contact with Brazilians and Brazilian culture always beckoned me on. I maintained contact with my friends in Brazil and they stuck by me through my illness years. What seemed like my emotional and intellectual "excess" to me, was easily accepted by my Brazilian friends. I felt much more myself interacting with Brazilians and connected to a larger sense of self I developed in Brazil. I traveled to Brazil at every opportunity and made friends with Brazilians I met in the States. I initiated Portuguese classes at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1990s and then was invited to teach Brazilian culture to undergraduates. These appointments and my own resilience moved me past one depression and a dysthymia condition and into the wider community. I regained my confidence as a teacher, a role I had before and during the years of my illness. From this position, I organized a club for Brazilian students studying in the Cleveland area. After this teaching stint, I felt ready to pursue full time employment and began a job search that would eventually land me in New Haven at the Connecticut Mental Health Center. Since 1997, I've spent my vacations traveling and working in Brazil as an Outside Consultant on mental health projects with colleagues in Rio and Sao Paulo. In my travels I've been befriended and supported by adherents of a social movement, not unlike the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, that has struggled for many years to close Brazil's long-term psychiatric hospitals, create community-based services and expand the rights of mental patients. Now I see my Brazilian connection as part of my ongoing recovery. I see myself as having the opportunity to be a link between the mental health worlds of the U.S. and Brazil. I believe the two countries have much to offer each other when it comes to mental health.

Anecdotes as Topic↗

PubMed1996

Identification of a Brazil-nut allergen in transgenic soybeans.

BACKGROUND: The nutritional quality of soybeans (Glycine max) is compromised by a relative deficiency of methionine in the protein fraction of the seeds. To improve the nutritional quality, methionine-rich 2S albumin from the Brazil nut (Betholletia excelsa) has been introduced into transgenic soybeans. Since the Brazil nut is a known allergenic food, we assessed the allergenicity of the 2S albumin. METHODS: The ability of proteins in transgenic and non-transgenic soybeans, Brazil nuts, and purified 2S albumin to bind to IgE in serum from subjects allergic to Brazil nuts was determined by radioallergosorbent tests (4 subjects) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (9 subjects) with immunoblotting and autoradiography. Three subjects also underwent skin-prick testing with extracts of soybean, transgenic soybean, and Brazil nut. RESULTS: On radioallergosorbent testing of pooled serum from four subjects allergic to Brazil nuts, protein extracts of transgenic soybean inhibited binding of IgE to Brazil-nut proteins. On immunoblotting, serum IgE from eight of nine subjects bound to purified 2S albumin from the Brazil nut and the transgenic soybean. On skin-prick testing, three subjects had positive reactions to extracts of Brazil nut and transgenic soybean and negative reactions to soybean extract. CONCLUSIONS: The 2S albumin is probably a major Brazil-nut allergen, and the transgenic soybeans analyzed in this study contain this protein. Our study show that an allergen from a food known to be allergenic can be transferred into another food by genetic engineering.

2S Albumins, Plant↗

PubMed1994

Bioactivity of selenium from Brazil nut for cancer prevention and selenoenzyme maintenance.

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is one of very few consumable products with exceptionally high levels of selenium. The mean selenium concentrations of two shipments of Brazil nut used in the present study were determined to be 16 and 30 micrograms/g. In contrast, most common foods contain much less selenium, from 0.01 to 1 micrograms/g. Previous research on selenium cancer chemoprevention invariably used a pure compound, whereas little information is available on the efficacy of selenium delivered naturally in a food form. This paper reports the results of two mammary cancer prevention experiments in the rat dimethylbenz[a]anthracene model by continuous feeding of selenium-rich Brazil nut (processed to a smooth-textured nut material for mixing in the diet). A dose-dependent inhibitory response was observed at dietary selenium concentrations of 1-3 micrograms/g. Interestingly, Brazil nut was found to be just as powerful as sodium selenite, if not more so, at similar levels of dietary selenium intake. Mammary cancer protection gland, and plasma. The magnitude of tissue selenium accumulation was proportional to the amount of Brazil nut added to the diet. The nutritional biopotency of selenium in Brazil nut was also evaluated by the repletion of two selenoenzymes, glutathione peroxidase and type I 5'-deiodinase, in selenium-deficient rats. Supplementation with Brazil nut as the sole source of selenium produced an efficient gradient of enzyme restoration at 0.05-0.2 microgram/g of dietary selenium. A parallel comparison with sodium selenite indicated that the selenium in Brazil nut and selenite selenium were equally bioactive. Although at this point it can only be inferred that the above biologic effects are likely to be attributable to the high selenium content of Brazil nut, there is persuasive evidence to suggest that the models under investigation are responding to the selenium rather than to the other components of Brazil nut.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

PubMed2003

[An overview of hepatitis B in Brazil and in the state of Santa Catarina].

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of hepatitis B infection in Brazil overall, in the South of Brazil, and in the state of Santa Catarina (in southeastern Brazil) for the period of 1996 through 2002, taking into consideration such epidemiological aspects as age and sex. SOURCE OF DATA: Data were obtained through a literature review and by consulting with Brazil's National Health Foundation and with Santa Catarina's Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. RESULTS: In Brazil, from 1996 through 2000, hepatitis B was the second most prevalent type of viral hepatitis (25%), with hepatitis A leading in terms of the proportion of cases (43%). In Santa Catarina there was a predominance of hepatitis B in relation to other types of hepatitis from 1997 through 2001. In both Brazil and Santa Catarina there was a larger number of cases among males than among females. In terms of age, the highest incidence was found among those 20 to 49 years old in Santa Catarina and among those over 30 for Brazil overall. The South of Brazil was the country's region with the highest incidence of hepatitis B from 1997 through 1999. In Santa Catarina the largest number of cases from 1996 through 2002 occurred in the southern part of the state, followed by the northeastern and far western sections of the state. CONCLUSIONS: The number of cases of hepatitis B is still growing in Brazil, and it is important to consider that underreporting may have affected the results described in this study. Throughout Brazil, vaccination should be extended to include adolescents in regions that have a moderate to high incidence of hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrition support in Brazil: past, present, and future perspectives.

The history of nutrition support in Brazil is parallel to its development in the world. Inspired by the publications of the surgical group headed by Professor Rhoads at the University of Pennsylvania, a group of Brazilian physicians pioneered the beginning of parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy. The Brazilian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SBNPE) was officially founded in 1975. Soon, scientific contributions started to appear, reflected by articles in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and other journals and by books. In many states of Brazil, nutrition support services were created to carry out scientific and educational activities. The relationship with the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition was fundamental in the development of clinical nutrition in Brazil because of the strong scientific exchange between the United States and Brazil. However, after the stimulating initial launching, momentum slowed because of the lack of medical awareness and inadequate reimbursement. In Brazil, the federal government is responsible for the majority of health care, but enteral nutrition was not reimbursed. In response to this situation, a study in 4000 hospitalized patients was undertaken in Brazil. It was reported that nearly half of them presented with malnutrition, and > 12% had severe malnutrition. These alarming results were decisive in persuading the Brazilian government to begin reimbursement for enteral nutrition. Today, Brazilian hospitals that assist public health system patients receive reimbursement for enteral nutrition. However, it is required to have an officially registered nutrition support team and a certified and approved facility for enteral feeding preparation. Considering that low nutrition prescription in Brazil could be the result of lack of nutrition education (not required in most medical schools), the SBNPE participated in the creation of 2 very effective, practical, and dynamic courses for the basic teaching of clinical nutrition. These courses were created by the Latin American Federation of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: the TNT (Total Nutrition Therapy) Course and the CINC Course (Interdisciplinary Course in Clinical Nutrition). These 2 courses are available to members of all Latin American countries and are regularly offered by the SBNPE to its members all over Brazil. Altogether, > 4000 physicians, dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists have been introduced to the basic principles and practice of clinical nutrition. It is clear that the outstanding ideas of Professors Rhoads, Dudrick, and Wilmore and other collaborators from this group in the field of clinical nutrition have grown and flourished in Brazil.

Brazil↗

PubMed2000

Genetic analysis of Holstein cattle populations in Brazil and the United States.

Genetic relationships between Brazilian and US Holstein cattle populations were studied using first-lactation records of 305-d mature equivalent (ME) yields of milk and fat of daughters of 705 sires in Brazil and 701 sires in the United States, 358 of which had progeny in both countries. Components of(co)variance and genetic parameters were estimated from all data and from within herd-year standard deviation for milk (HYSD) data files using bivariate and multivariate sire models and DFREML procedures distinguishing the two countries. Sire (residual) variances from all data for milk yield were 51 to 59% (58 to 101%) as large in Brazil as those obtained from half-sisters in the average US herd. Corresponding proportions of the US variance in fat yield that were found in Brazil were 30 to 41% for the sire component of variance and 48 to 80% for the residual. Heritabilities for milk and fat yields from multivariate analysis of all the data were 0.25 and 0.22 in Brazil, and 0.34 and 0.35 in the United States. Genetic correlations between milk and fat were 0.79 in Brazil and 0.62 in the United States. Genetic correlations between countries were 0.85 for milk, 0.88 for fat, 0.55 for milk in Brazil and fat in the US, and 0.67 for fat in Brazil and milk in the United States. Correlated responses in Brazil from sire selection based on the US information increased with average HYSD in Brazil. Largest daughter yield response was predicted from information from half-sisters in low HYSD US herds (0.75 kg/kg for milk; 0.63 kg/kg for fat), which was 14% to 17% greater than estimates from all US herds because the scaling effects were less severe from heterogeneous variances. Unequal daughter response from unequal genetic (co)variances under restrictive Brazilian conditions is evidence for the interaction of genotype and environment. The smaller and variable yield expectations of daughters of US sires in Brazilian environments suggest the need for specific genetic improvement strategies in Brazilian Holstein herds. A US data file restricting daughter information to low HYSD US environments would be a wise choice for across-country evaluation. Procedures to incorporate such foreign evaluations should be explored to improve the accuracy of genetic evaluations for the Brazilian Holstein population.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Cancer mortality among Japanese immigrants and their descendants in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1999-2001.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies on the mortality of Japanese immigrants have been conducted in Brazil despite a large population of Japanese immigrants and their different environment and lifestyle from Japanese living in Japan. METHODS: To compare cancer mortality between Japanese in Japan and Japanese immigrants or Brazilians in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, we obtained official death certificates registered during 1999-2001. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) or the standardized proportional mortality ratio (SPMR) of major cancer sites was calculated for the first generation of Japanese immigrants to Brazil (Japan-born), their Brazil-born Japanese descendants, and native Brazilians using mortality data of Japanese in Japan as a standard. RESULTS: The SMRs of stomach and colorectal cancer did not differ between the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the native Japanese, but significantly low SMRs were found among the native Brazilians. Compared with the native Japanese, we observed significantly lower SMRs for liver, gallbladder and lung cancer and significantly higher SMRs for prostate, cervical, and brain and nervous system cancer among both the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the Brazilians. Generally, the SPMR results were similar to those of the SMRs. Significantly high SPMRs for breast and uterine cancer were found for both the Japan- and Brazil-born residents of Brazil, although the Japan-born residents had increased SMRs, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the different cancer mortality pattern in the Japanese immigrants from that in Japanese in Japan, thus demonstrating the relative importance of the environment in the development of cancer.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Eighty years of Japanese immigration in Brazil].

"Japanese emigration to Brazil started in 1908 with some eight hundred subsidized contract workers for coffee plantations. Hard conditions made many of them flee, and the paulista government suppressed subsidies for these projects; however, the Japanese emigration to Brazil kept on under Japanese subsidies from 1925 until 1934 when Brazil imposed immigration quotas unfavorable to Japanese immigration. International circumstances in the late 1930s and local prohibition on the use of the Japanese language in Brazil caused many immigrants to return to Japan between 1939-1941. Emigration to Brazil restarted as diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil were reestablished in 1952 but decreased in the late 1960s. Subsequent economic evolution in both countries caused Japanese emigrants in Brazil and their [descendants] to initiate dekasegui [labor] migration from Brazil to Japan as from the late 1980s." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Americas↗

PubMed1997

Introductory study of the once-a-month, injectable contraceptive Cyclofem in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru.

An introductory trial with the injectable contraceptive Cyclofem was carried out in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, with participation by 3,183 women. Women were followed-up for up to 2 years of use and the data were evaluated by life table analysis. A total of 29,676 women-months were accumulated for up to 2 years. No pregnancies were observed in the 2 years. The discontinuation rates for amenorrhea in the first year ranged from 3.4 in Brazil to 8.1 in Colombia, and for menstrual disturbances from 5.1 in Chile to 9.2 in Brazil. The discontinuation rates for other medical reasons ranged from 7.8 in Brazil to 26.3 in Colombia, and for personal reasons from 17.2 in Chile to 23.5 in Brazil. Continuation rates ranged from 42.3 in Colombia to 52 in Chile. In the second year of observation the rates of discontinuation were lower than those observed in the first year, with the exception of personal reasons in Brazil, which were the same as those observed in the first year. Continuation rates ranged from 19.4 in Brazil to 36.8 in Chile. The comparison of reasons for discontinuation in selected clinics showed that the rate for amenorrhea in one clinic in Chile was more than three times that in others and in Peru was seven times more in one clinic than in another. Regarding menstrual disturbances, in Peru one clinic presented a rate three times higher than the others. The main reasons for discontinuation due to other medical reasons were headache and weight gain. In conclusion, Cyclofem presented a high contraceptive efficacy and an acceptable rate of continuation and discontinuation for up to 2 years in the four countries.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Nephrology in Latin America, with special emphasis on Brazil.

Latin America constitutes a complex universe that shows extreme variation regarding socioeconomic and human development. Brazil is the largest and most populous Latin American country, and combines characteristics encountered in developed countries with problems typically associated with the poorest regions of the world. These disparities condition the profile of renal disease in Brazil, with glomerulonephritis still the leading cause of ESRD. Little is known about the epidemiology of renal disease in the Brazilian (or Latin American) native population, which is numerous in some Central and South American countries, but constitute a very small minority in Brazil. However, interesting information has been obtained from the Yanomamis, a tribe living in Northern Brazil and Southern Venezuela. Hypertension is virtually absent among these people, who ingest very little sodium, lending strong support to the concept that sodium retention, a "civilization" factor, plays a role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. Despite Brazil's striking socioeconomic disparities, access to RRT is in principle accessible to all those in need of it. The dialysis units have been modernized in recent years, whereas the Government covers most expenses related to RRT. However, the prevalence of RRT in Brazil is currently approximately 320 per million population, less than one third as high as in the US, suggesting that ESRD may be underdiagnosed in the country. Much effort is still needed to limit the prevalence of renal disease and to improve the quality and the reach of RRT in Brazil and in Latin America.

Brazil↗

PubMed2002

Case studies in international tobacco surveillance: cigarette smuggling in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This article is the first in a series of international case studies developed by the American Cancer Society to illustrate use of publicly available surveillance data for regional tobacco control. DESIGN: A descriptive analysis of Brazil and Paraguay cigarette production and trade data from official sources. METHODS: Per capita cigarette consumption for Brazil and its neighbour was calculated from 1970 to 1998 using data on production, imports, and exports from NATIONS, the National Tobacco Information Online System. RESULTS: A 63% decrease was observed in the estimate of per capita consumption of cigarettes in Brazil between 1986 and 1998 (from 1913 cigarettes per person in 1986 to 714 cigarettes per person in 1998) and a 16-fold increase in Paraguay was observed during the same period (from 678 cigarettes per person in 1986 to 10 929 cigarettes per person in 1998). Following Brazil's 1999 passage of a 150% cigarette export tax, cigarette exports fell 89% and Brazil's estimated per capita consumption rose to 1990 levels (based on preliminary data). Per capita consumption in Paraguay also fell to 1990 levels. CONCLUSIONS: These trends coincide with local evidence that large volumes of cigarettes manufactured in Brazil for export to Paraguay are smuggled back and consumed as tax-free contraband in Brazil. It is hoped that this case study will draw wider public attention to the problems that smuggling presents for tobacco control, help identify other countries confronting similar issues, and stimulate effective interventions.

Brazil↗

PubMed1995

[The social geography of AIDS in Brazil].

The first of a series of papers concerning the evaluation of the dynamics of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil employing techniques of geographical analysis, is here presented. Results of research undertaken in the US (especially in New York City) are compared with those of a recent investigation carried out in the city of S.Paulo, Brazil (Grangeiro, 1994). In both, geographical patterns of socio-demographic variables correlate with different patterns of the spread of the AIDS epidemic through the transmission groups. Recent trends of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil: the displacement toward medium sized cities and expansion frontiers, increasing report of AIDS cases among the poor and underprivileged, changes in the pattern of transmission with proportional augmentation of heterosexual transmission and IDUs as transmission groups, are described and analysed. The geographical distribution of the AIDS cases registered between 1987-1993 in Brazil throughout the Brazilian States is evaluated by means of worksheets, maps, and non-parametric statistics. Results show that Gravimetric Centers (obtained by the use of the calculus spatial means) of AIDS in Brazil are situated within a triangle the sides of which are formed lines joining the three main metropolitan areas of the wealthiest region of Brazil--the southeast, i.e. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. These especially S. Paulo, function as points of attraction for these Gravimetric Centers (GCs) towards the south as compared with the GCs of the general population calculated ia accordance with data from the 1980 and 1991 censuses. It is possible to observe a displacement of the GCs toward the northwest over this period in accordance with the migration patterns of the Brazilian population in general, though with a dynamic of its own. These changes in the geographical, socio-demographic and transmission group patterns show the complex nature of the epidemic in Brazil and pose additional difficulties for the development of prevention strategies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expanding drug access in Brazil: lessons for Latin America and Canada.

This paper discusses Brazil's efforts to provide essential medicines for its population while meeting international trade obligations. In the 1950s and 1960s, Brazil's pharmaceutical industry was largely overtaken by foreign companies. To counteract this, Brazil enacted a law in 1971 that allowed the production of patented drugs in order to provide affordable medicines, encourage research and development, and reduce dependency on imports. Eventually, pressure from the United States government (through tariffs and sanctions) drove Brazil to introduce pharmaceutical patent laws. Local interests prevailed, however, through Brazil's liberal interpretation of the TRIPS Agreement, which included a provision that pharmaceutical products must be "worked" or manufactured locally or the government could turn to the use of compulsory licensing. Brazil's willingness to use the threat of compulsory licensing compelled drug companies to lower HIV/AIDS drug prices substantially. Finally, the paper discusses how Canada can facilitate improving drug access in Latin America through helping Brazil expand its role as a manufacturer and providing medicines to countries without manufacturing capabilities.

Brazil↗

PubMed2006

The diagnosis of Brazil nut allergy using history, skin prick tests, serum-specific immunoglobulin E and food challenges.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to Brazil nut is a relatively common nut allergy and can be fatal. However, the evidence is lacking regarding the best approach to its diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the relative merits of history, skin prick testing, measurement of serum-specific IgE and challenge in the diagnosis of Brazil nut allergy. METHODS: Fifty-six children and adults with a history of an allergic reaction to Brazil nut or evidence of sensitization were investigated by questionnaire (n=56), skin prick tests (SPTs) (n=53), measurement of serum-specific IgE to Brazil nut (n=54) and double-blind, placebo-controlled labial, and if necessary oral, challenges (n=19). RESULTS: Brazil nut allergy occurred in highly atopic individuals of any age with a strong family history of atopy. In 24 of 56 (43%), the history of an immediate reaction was sufficient to make a diagnosis with confidence and an oral challenge was considered unsafe. Of the 19 subjects undertaking the 'gold standard' test of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, food challenge, all six subjects with a SPT of at least 6 mm had a positive challenge and all three subjects with a SPT of 0 mm had a negative challenge. In the remaining 10 (53%) subjects, where SPT was between 1 and 5 mm and serum-specific IgE was less than 3.5 kU/L, an oral challenge was performed resulting in three positive and seven negative challenges. CONCLUSION: A combination of history, SPT and serum-specific IgE was adequate in achieving a diagnosis in the majority (77%) patients with suspected Brazil nut allergy. However, a doubtful history with SPT between 1 and 5 mm, or a serum-specific IgE less than 3.5 kU/L may require an oral challenge to help determine the risk of a Brazil nut allergic reaction.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1995

Postweaning and feedlot growth and carcass characteristics of Angus-, gray Brahman-, Gir-, Indu-Brazil-, Nellore-, and red Brahman-sired F1 calves.

Postweaning, feedlot, and carcass data from crossbred calves sired by five Bos indicus breeds and one Bos taurus breed were evaluated. Data included records from F1 calves out of multiparous Hereford cows sired by Angus, Gray Brahman, Gir, Indu-Brazil, Nellore, and Red Brahman bulls. The Zebu crosses grew faster postweaning and were heavier and taller as yearlings than the Angus crosses (P < .05). Among the Zebu-sired calves, the Red and Gray Brahman crosses were faster gaining and were heavier at a year of age than the Gir, Indu-Brazil, and Nellore. The Nellore crosses were significantly taller than the Gray Brahman- and Gir-sired crosses; the Indu-Brazil and Red Brahman were intermediate. Angus crosses were lightest on and off feed but were not significantly different from Gir, and Red and Gray Brahman were heaviest (P < .05). The Nellore and Indu-Brazil were similar in initial weight, but Indu-Brazil calves were similar to Red and Gray Brahman for final weight. The Angus cross was more desirable (P < .05) in marbling score and quality grade although the Nellore crosses had the most desirable score and grade of the Zebu crosses. Gir crosses had higher skeletal maturity scores (P < .05) than Nellore, Gray Brahman, Indu-Brazil, and Angus crosses; Red Brahman crosses were intermediate Angus crosses had the lightest carcasses but not significantly lighter than the Indu-Brazil, Gir, or Nellore. Red Brahman-cross carcasses were heaviest and Gray Brahman-cross carcasses were intermediate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed2004

A fourth chemotype of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Jaibas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) is a species complex of Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis (Arrivillaga and Feliciangeli) and at least three other as yet undefined siblings. Isozyme and mitochondrial studies of allopatric populations across Central and South America have suggested the presence of four "clades" that have been hypothesized to have arisen mainly because of geographical isolation mechanisms. Parallel studies of sexual behavior as well as cross-mating and genetic analysis, of both allopatric and sympatric populations, suggest at least four sibling species that do not seem to correspond to the defined four "clades." In an effort to understand this apparent discrepancy, sympatric populations of L. longipalpis from a single South American country, Brazil, are being studied. In Brazil, three putative species can be identified by their male-produced sex pheromones: (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B, 3-methyl-a-himachalene, and a cembrene. We report here that analysis by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry shows that L. longipalpis from Jaibas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, occurs as two sympatric sex pheromone chemotypes. One chemotype is the cembrene type previously recorded in a L. longipalpis population from Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil, and the other is a new cembrene isomer not previously observed in L. longipalpis. The finding of this new chemotype strongly suggests that the L. longipalpis species complex in Brazil consists of four members rather than the three previously recognized and confirms previous analysis of genetic variation that had suggested the presence of a complex in Brazil.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Use of traditional medicine and globalized complementary and alternative medicine among low-income cancer service users in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly high profile in prosperous countries over the past 2 decades. Alongside this has been a renewed interest in the use of traditional medicine (TM) in poorer countries. Academic attention has tended to focus on either CAM in rich countries or indigenous TM in poorer ones. However, such a differentiation leads to a potential to gloss over global complexities, such as the study of countries where both CAM and TM are a potentially significant part of health options. Brazil is just such a country. Brazil is marked by massive socioeconomic inequalities; cancer is its second highest cause of death. To date, there has been little research on CAM/TM in cancer care in Brazil. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide the first exploratory data on the proportion of the use of CAM and/or TM among low-income cancer service users in Brazil. METHOD: A survey of cancer patients was conducted in November 2004 in a public-sector hospital in a major city in Brazil. A random sample (n = 92) was generated from a list of all appointments scheduled during that month (n = 570). Eighty-nine of the 92 patients contacted (97%) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the sample, 62.9% had used at least 1 form of CAM or TM. However, this headline figure is potentially misleading. The data reveal an almost total absence of use of non-indigenous international CAM; it also shows prayer to be a major contributor to the relatively high use rate. DISCUSSION: On the basis of this small-scale exploratory study, there is no evidence that those international CAMs ubiquitous in the West are spreading to low-income cancer service users in Brazil (despite anecdotal evidence of its increasing presence in the country generally). Moreover, when excluding prayer, use of indigenous traditional medicine was found to be relatively low. Further research is needed to examine these findings on a larger scale and to explore the relative importance of social, cultural, and economic factors behind them.

Brazil↗

PubMed2005

Microbiological and aflatoxin evaluation of Brazil nut pods and the effects of unit processing operations.

Harvesting of Brazil nuts not only helps to preserve the Amazon rainforest but also provides income to individuals who would otherwise have little means of making a livelihood. Recently, the European Community has tightened the quality requirements for Brazil nuts, particularly with regard to aflatoxin levels and microbiological contamination. The objectives of this research were to gain a better understanding of the origin of aflatoxins on Brazil nuts and to microbiologically evaluate some of the operations involved in processing. In this regard, five Brazil nut pods were aseptically picked from trees located in each of three concessions of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest (Madre de Dios province). The exteriors of the pods and the nuts were examined for yeast and molds, including Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, and for bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Brazil nuts obtained from various commercial process operations located in Peru were similarly evaluated. Exteriors of all Brazil nut pods did not contain A. parasiticus, and only pods from one concession yielded A. flavus isolates. All isolates tested were aflatoxigenic (630 to 915 ppb total aflatoxin). Coliforms, E. coli, and salmonellae were not recovered from any of the pods. Whole, in-shell nuts obtained after opening the pods yielded no A. flavus or A. parasiticus. Aflatoxins were not detected (detection limit 1.75 ppb) in any of the nuts. Whole, in-shell and shelled nuts from various process operations were all positive for A. flavus but negative for E. coli and salmonellae. Soaking of whole, in-shell nuts before cracking or shelling increased coliform numbers, whereas levels of A. flavus decreased. In order to gain a better understanding of the sanitary performance of the unit process operations, additional evaluations should be conducted on product lots processed on different days. Also, the microbiology of product processed from common lots should be followed through the various unit operations and compared.

Aflatoxins↗