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The last case of paralytic poliomyelitis caused by wild poliovirus in Brazil occurred in 1989. The interruption of the indigenous poliovirus transmission was obtained through mass immunization campaigns to eligible children and an active epidemiological and laboratorial surveillance of all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) among children under 15 y of age. This paper describes and evaluates the performance of the AFP surveillance system in different geographic areas of Brazil between 2005 and 2014, using indicators recommended by WHO. AFP surveillance indicators as well as virological investigation of polio and nonpolio enteroviruses in stool samples received in the laboratory were assessed from 2005-2014. During the period, 5463 cases of AFP were investigated. Of these, 55% were males and 45% were females. Those under 5 y of age represented 48% of all cases reported and investigated. AFP notification rate was within the acceptable values with mean value of 1.3 (North), 1.4 (Northeast), 1.1 (Southern), 1.0 (Southeast) and 1.4 (Midwest) cases of AFP per 100.000 population aged 15 y as well as the adequacy of fecal specimens received in the laboratory. Sabin-related polioviruses accounted for 1.7% of the isolates while, 6.7% were non-polio enterovirus with the values ranging from 5.0% to 8.9 %. No wild-type polio was found. The AFP epidemiological and laboratorial surveillance activities have been kept at appropriate levels in Brazil. These data are a very strong indication, which supports the status of country free of polio.

Energy-yielding metabolism is an important biochemistry subject that is related to many daily experiences and health issues of students. An adequate knowledge of the general features of EYM is therefore important, both from an academic and social point of view. In a previous study, we have shown that high-school students present the misconception that carbohydrates, especially glucose, are the sole metabolic fuel for ATP production by human cells. In the present work, we investigated the possible origins of the occurrence of this misconception among students. The analysis of students' answers to questionnaires indicated that the misconception appears as soon as in the 8th grade and remains unchanged throughout subsequent school years. The analysis of grade textbooks showed that the misconception is likely to be a consequence of the teaching of nutrition in the 8th grade, when a single function is emphasized for each nutrient. The energetic function is mainly associated with carbohydrates, while proteins and lipids are considered structural and storage molecules, respectively. An extreme similarity was observed between students' knowledge of nutrient's function and textbook contents. Analysis of high-school textbooks suggested that the misconception would be reinforced because of the detailed teaching only of glucose metabolism, with rare mention of lipids or amino acids as metabolic fuels. The consequences of that approach are discussed and suggestions are made on an alternative teaching of energy-yielding metabolism.Keywords: Misconception, energy-yielding metabolism, textbooks analysis. Energy-yielding metabolism (EYM)1 is an important biochemistry subject for the comprehension of how the whole organism functions. The metabolism is also deeply related to students' daily experiences such as diets, physical exercise, puberty, and adolescence. It is also relevant to the understanding of common diseases such as diabetes, for instance. Moreover, the media constantly exerts pressure on youngsters, stimulating them to go on countless diet and exercise programs. Obesity cases have been increasing among young individuals in Brazil and in other developing countries [1]. Although the data regarding developing countries are scarce, the reports on steroid anabolic hormones abuse among young gym members [2] as well as those on trainers who recommend those substances to their pupils are worrisome [3]. Both problems are related to EYM, and its control is likely to benefit from an adequate knowledge of this subject by young individuals.In a previous study, we investigated students' misconceptions about EYM [4]. In that study, undergraduate students, at the early weeks of their courses, were asked to answer questions about the regulation of metabolism in low-carbohydrate diets and fasting, and the results indicated that they are unaware that other molecules besides glucose can be used as fuel for ATP production in human cells. A more explicit attempt to stimulate students to connect EYM and daily experiences proved that even af...

Cellulosic ethanol is an alternative for increasing the amount of bioethanol production in the world. In Brazil, sugarcane leads the bioethanol production, and to improve its yield, besides bagasse, sugarcane straw is a possible feedstock. However, the process that leads to cell wall disassembly under field conditions is unknown, and understanding how this happens can improve sugarcane biorefinery and soil quality. In the present work, we aimed at studying how sugarcane straw is degraded in the field after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Non-structural and structural carbohydrates, lignin content, ash, and cellulose crystallinity were analyzed. The cell wall composition was determined by cell wall fractionation and determination of monosaccharide composition. Non-structural carbohydrates degraded quickly during the first 3 months in the field. Pectins and lignin remained in the plant waste for up to 12 months, while the hemicelluloses and cellulose decreased 7.4 and 12.4%, respectively. Changes in monosaccharide compositions indicated solubilization of arabinoxylan (xylose and arabinose) and β-glucans (β-1,3 1,4 glucan; after 3 months) followed by degradation of cellulose (after 6 months). Despite cellulose reduction, the xylose:glucose ratio increased, suggesting that glucose is consumed faster than xylose. The degradation and solubilization of the cell wall polysaccharides concomitantly increased the level of compounds related to recalcitrance, which led to a reduction in saccharification and an increase in minerals and ash contents. Cellulose crystallinity changed little, with evidence of silica at the latter stages, indicating mineralization of the material. Our data suggest that for better soil mineralization, sugarcane straw must stay in the field for over 1 year. Alternatively, for bioenergy purposes, straw should be used in less than 3 months.

Introdução: O diabetes é uma doença crônica que está em ascensão, com números crescentes de diagnósticos em diversos países. Viver com diabetes leva a necessidade de maiores cuidados com a saúde, mudanças alimentares e na vida social dos indivíduos, o que pode afetar de formanegativa a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, definida como sendo a percepção do indivíduo de bem-estar físico, emocional e social. Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com diabetes mellitus por meio de uma revisão integrativa, utilizando o instrumento de confiabilidade em nível internacional, o SF-36. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma busca de artigos publicados entre 2016 e 2021 nas bases de dados Pubmed e BVS, utilizando os seguintes termos: “Diabetes” AND “quality of life” AND “SF-36”. 14 estudos foram inclusos nesta revisão integrativa, com uma amostra total de 7727 pessoas. Conclusões: O diabetes afetou a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos e fatores sociodemográficos foram significativos nessa redução. Entre os domínios analisados, o estado geral de saúde foi o mais prejudicado. Mais estudos são necessários para elucidar melhor esses fatores.