RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer as representações sociais de conforto para familiares de pacientes em cuidados paliativos na terapia intensiva. Método: Estudo descritivo, qualitativo, referencial teórico adotado foi Representações Sociais. Participaram 30 familiares de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva em cuidados paliativos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas, organizados e analisados por meio da técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Resultados: Apontaram como ideias centrais, sentimentos positivos e negativos dos familiares, a comunicação e a interação com a equipe, a UTI como excelência e o cuidado paliativo como medida de conforto para o paciente e a família. Conclusão: As representações sociais sobre o conforto dos familiares de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva em cuidados paliativos estão identificadas pelos sentimentos dos familiares durante a visita, comunicação, e o cuidado humanizado aplicado pelos profissionais de enfermagem nos pacientes em terapia paliativa.

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the social representations of comfort for patients’ family members in palliative care in intensive care. Method: Descriptive, qualitative study, theoretical framework adopted was Social Representations. 30 family members of patients admitted to an intensive care unit in palliative care participated. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews, organized and analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse technique. Results: Pointed out as central ideas, positive and negative feelings of family members, communication and interaction with the team, ICU as excellence and palliative care as a measure of comfort for the patient and the family. Conclusion: The social representations about the comfort of family members of hospitalized patients in an intensive care unit in palliative care are identified by the family members’ feelings during the visit, communication, and the humanized care applied by nursing professionals in the patients in palliative care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Conocer las representaciones sociales de confort para familiares de pacientes en cuidados paliativos en cuidados intensivos. Método: Estudio descriptivo, cualitativo, se adoptó el marco teórico de Representaciones Sociales. Participaron 30 familiares de pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos en cuidados paliativos. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas, organizadas y analizadas utilizando la técnica del Discurso del sujeto colectivo. Resultados: Señalados como ideas centrales, sentimientos positivos y negativos de los miembros de la familia, comunicación e interacción con el equipo, UCI como excelencia y cuidados paliativos como medida de confort para el paciente y la familia. Conclusión: Las representaciones sociales sobre la comodidad de los miembros de la familia de los pacientes hospitalizados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos en cuidados paliativos se identifican por los sentimientos de los miembros de la familia durante la visita, la comunicación y la atención humanizada aplicada por los profesionales de enfermería en los pacientes en cuidados paliativos.

Abstract During a period of 5 years, we monthly monitor the phenology and the stem diameter increment of 12 of Schinus terebinthifolius trees. Dendrometer bands were used for it. This study was aimed to answer the following questions: (i) Are there conflicting demands for resource allocation in different phenophases? (ii) In which period does the stem diameter increment occur? (iii) Which phenophases are more likely related to stem radial growth? The phenological observations were carried out using the Activity Index. In order to identify patterns in phenology and diameter increment over the assessment period (2010-2015), we performed an analysis of seasonal decomposition, followed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Apparently, there is no conflicting demand for resources, but an optimized distribution of them, regulated mainly by the allocation of nutrients derived from leaf senescence, as well as, temperature rise and photoperiod. Higher diameter growth rates occurred from December to March which coincided with the flowering period.

Resumo: Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada junto aos Conselhos Municipais de Assistência Social e da Criança e do Adolescente de Itajaí, SC. Seu objetivo é analisar as dinâmicas participativas nesses conselhos durante os anos de 2005 e 2006. Os procedimentos metodológicos foram a coleta e a análise das atas e das pautas discutidas nas reuniões ordinárias e extraordinárias. A análise foi orientada pelos seguintes eixos: o que se informa, o que se discute e o que se decide, com base na observação de quem foram os atores presentes na discussão e quais foram seus pronunciamentos e posicionamentos. Como principais resultados da pesquisa, foi possível compreender a importância da temática participativa no âmbito dos conselhos ao constatar as limitações e as possibilidades dos processos participativos que poderão, futuramente, melhor qualificar intervenções nesse processo nos municípios pesquisados e em outros que podem se beneficiar dos resultados encontrados.

Abstract: This article presents the results of a survey carried out by the Municipal Councils for Social Welfare and for the Welfare of Children and Adolescents of Itajaí, in the state of Santa Catarina. Its main objective is to analyze the participatory dynamics of counselors during 2005 and 2006. The methodological procedures used were the collection and subsequent analysis of the data contained in the minutes of the meetings, and in the agendas discussed at meetings ordinary and extraordinary. The analysis was guided by the following axes: what is informed, what is discussed, and what is decided, based on the observation of the actors who were present in the discussions, and their statements and positions. As the main results of the survey, it was possible to understand the importance of participatory theme in the context of the councils enabled us to understand the limitations and possibilities of participatory processes that may, in the future, better qualify interventions in this process in the municipalities surveyed and in others, which can benefit from the results of this study.

Resumen: Este artículo presenta los resultados de uma investigación realizada junto a los Consejos Municipales de Asistencia Social y del Niño y del Adolescente de Itajaí/SC. Su objetivo es analizar las dinámicas participativas en estos consejos durante los años 2005 y 2006. Los procedimientos metodológicos fueron la recolección y análisis de las actas y pautas discutidas en las reuniones ordinarias y extraordinarias. El análisis fue orientado por los siguientes ejes: lo que se informa, lo que se discute y lo que se decide, con base en la observación de quienes fueron los actores presentes en la discusión y cuáles fueron sus pronunciamientos y posicionamientos. Como principales resultados de la investigación, fue posible comprender la importancia de la temática participativa en el ámbito de los consejos al constatar limitaciones y posibilidades de los procesos participativos que podrán, en el futuro, mejor calificar intervenciones en este proceso en los municipios investigados y en otros que pueden beneficiarse de los resultados encontrados.

Isimila is a Middle Pleistocene archaeological site located in southern Tanzania. The site is known for large surface assemblages of later Acheulean lithics such as hand axes, cleavers, scrapers and cores. While hominin remains have yet to be discovered at the site, Isimila offers a unique window into Middle Pleistocene Homo behaviour. Although Isimila has been studied extensively, the last published map of the site and surrounding area was made available in the 1970s. Here, we present an updated high-resolution map of Isimila. Data for the map were collected during aerial survey with an uncrewed(unmanned) aerial vehicle. With this map, we identified new archaeological localities, erosional patterns, newly exposed geological features and changes in site topography. The map demonstrates patterns of stone tool and raw material distribution that may support previous hypotheses of short-distance raw material transport into the area by hominins. This open-access map establishes a baseline for tracking changes to site topography in the future and serves as a unique tool to enable collaboration between researchers, museum personnel and local populations to better conserve Isimila. SIGNIFICANCE: •New potential archaeological localities and significant changes to erosional patterns at Isimila were identified. •The open access map and associated raw data provided enable researchers to track seasonal and erosional changes and anthropogenic effects, and to develop protocols for conservation of this unique site.

The aim was to investigate stable pillar design procedures currently in use on chrome and platinum mines, subject them to a critical appraisal, and review some of the alternatives proposed in the literature. It is concluded that these pillar design methodologies suffer from drawbacks that can be detrimental to the mining industry and that an improvement is essential. It was decided that the increased availability of analytical models and failure criteria could be exploited to update the empirical to an analytical/empirical method. The proposed methodology adopted FLAC2D simulations using the Hoek-Brown failure criterion to calculate full stress-deformation curves for typical pillars. The mine stiffness concept was introduced to determine the pillar load, integrating the influence of the pillar and strata stiffness and mining geometry. The proposed methodology was calibrated by comparing experimental and predicted deformations and failure depth of pillars in one hard-rock mine. The conclusion was that the methodology is an improvement over the one currently in use. An improved factor of safety is given by the intersection point of curves for the stiffness of the system and the pillar strength.

Abstract The present study aimed at sampling the biomass of vascular epiphytes within a protected area in South Brazilian Atlantic Forest. All tree specimens with diameter at breast height equal or greater than 4.8 cm were measured and divided into classes. In each class, 10% of tree specimens were randomly selected for epiphytic biomass measuring. Furthermore, we divided the phorophytes into five tree parts to analyze epiphytic biomass. We generated mathematical models to estimate epiphytic biomass in similar forest areas. We analyzed 55 phorophytes and found an estimated epiphytic biomass of 5.3 Mg/ha. Epiphytic biomass ranged from 0.02 to 135 kg and the lower values were found on small-sized phorophytes. Higher values of epiphytic biomass were found on phorophytes with diameter at breast height between 30 and 36.5 cm. The tree part with higher epiphytic biomass was the outer crown. The epiphytic biomass showed a high correlation with phorophyte diameter, according to the mathematical models. We selected two equations which presented the most similar values to the ones we measured. Our results corroborate that epiphytes play a very important role as to the biomass level within tropical forests.

The understory is a component of great relevance to the flora and structure of tropical forests. Mountain environments, through physical factors, can show differences in the structure and composition of this stratum. We aimed to analyze whether there is a correlation between the slope and the understory plant community. A transition area between the Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest and the Araucaria Forest in the Atlantic Forest in South of Brazil was analyzed. 63 plots of 1 m² were made, being equally subdivided into three slope classes (0-25%, 40-60%, and >80%). 93 species, 63 genera and 42 families were recorded. The richest families were Myrtaceae (15 species), followed by Lauraceae (7), Dryopteridaceae (6), and Rubiaceae (5). The most frequent life forms were arboreal (43 species), followed by herbaceous (24) and shrubby (11). 58 species were transient and 35 were resident. The richness and diversity indices showed no significant differences between the structure and composition of the slope classes. The ordination analysis could not distinguish any slope class grouping. This is possibly justified by the environmental homogeneity of the sampled area created by the density and regularity of the canopy, climatic stability, high organic matter and shallow soil.

El sotobosque es un componente de gran relevancia para la flora y estructura de los bosques tropicales. Los ambientes montañosos, a través de factores físicos, pueden reflejar diferencias en la estructura y composición de este estrato. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar si existe una correlación entre la pendiente del terreno y la comunidad de plantas del sotobosque. Se analizó una zona de transición entre la Floresta Ombrófila densa y la Selva de Araucaria en el Bosque Atlántico en el sur de Brasil. Se delimitaron 63 parcelas de 1 m², subdivididas por igual entre tres clases de pendiente (0-25%, 40-60% y >80%). Se registraron 93 especies, 63 géneros y 42 familias. Las familias más ricas fueron Myrtaceae (15 especies), Lauraceae (7), Dryopteridaceae (6) y Rubiaceae (5). Las formas de vida más frecuentes fueron arbórea (43 especies), seguido de herbácea (24) y arbustiva (11). Se registraron 58 especies transitorias y 35 residentes. Los índices de riqueza y diversidad no mostraron diferencias significativas entre la estructura y la composición de las clases de pendientes. Los análisis de ordenamiento no distinguieron diferentes grupos para las clases de pendiente. Esto posiblemente se justifica por la homogeneidad ambiental del área muestreada generada por la densidad y regularidad del dosel, la estabilidad climática de la región, el alto contenido de materia orgánica y los suelos superficiales.

RESUMO Atualmente, os remanescentes em estágio avançado de sucessão no Estado do Paraná somam menos de 1% de sua área original. Este trabalho comparou a composição e estrutura da comunidade de sub-bosque em diferentes estágios sucessionais de Floresta Ombrófila Mista. Foram selecionados dois remanescentes florestais, um em estágio médio e outro em estágio avançado de regeneração natural, onde foram amostradas 38 parcelas de 5 × 5 m. Foram mensurados indivíduos com altura superiora 2 m e perímetro a 1,30 m de altura do solo ≤ 15 cm. Na área em estágio médio foram registradas 68 espécies, representadas por espécies secundárias com exigência de luz, destacando-se Nectandra megapotamica com os maiores valores de importância. Para área em estágio avançado foram registradas 52 espécies representadas por indivíduos tardios tolerantes à sombra, com destaque para Rudgea jasminoides. Como a comparação com outros estudos é prejudicada pelos diferentes tamanhos de parcelas e/ou os critérios de inclusão, sugerimos que uma padronização é necessária para melhorar o conhecimento e apoiar a conservação da biodiversidade das florestas tropicais da região Sul do Brasil.

ABSTRACT Currently, in Paraná State, forest remnants in advanced successional stages account for less than 1% of its original area. This study compared the understory community across different successional stages of the Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil. Forest remnants, one in intermediate and another in advanced stage of natural regeneration were selected, and a total of 38 plots of 5 × 5 m were sampled. Individuals reaching at least 2 m high or having circumference up to 15 cm at height 1.3 m above the soil surface were measured and identified. In the forest at an intermediate stage, 68 species were recorded being mostly light-dependent, with Nectandra megapotamica as the most important species. On the other hand, at an advanced stage, less species were found (52 species) but most individuals were shade-tolerant, with Rudgea jasminoides as the most important species. These differences are most probably caused because of the canopy density of each fragment. As the comparison with other studies is impaired due to different plot sizes and inclusion criteria, we suggest the standardization to improve knowledge and support biodiversity conservation of the southern tropical forest of Brazil.

Forest fragmentation affects biological communities by reducing habitat and increasing edges, thus reducing the effective size of the habitable zones. The subtropical atlantic Araucaria forest, typical on the southern Brazil, in some regions has been reduced to less than 1% of its original size lasting only in small isolated fragments. This study aimed to analyse the impact the edge has on vascular epiphyte ensemble in a remnant of Araucaria forest. We surveyed 40 host trees in four transects: one at the edge; and three at 15, 30 and 60 m from the edge. On each host tree we estimated the epiphyte biomass, using four size classes. We compared the transects using Jackknife estimator of absolute species number, diversity indices, non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and multi-response permutation procedure analysis. We recorded 85 epiphytes species. Absolute species richness and diversity were lower at the edge and higher at 60 m in from the edge. Shannon's evenness did not differ significantly among transects and Simpson's evenness values were inconsistent. The vascular epiphyte community under study was significantly altered by the edge.

A collection of identical and topologically equivalent rooms is the origin of three images that show the critical relationship between space and contained objects, and the diverse possibilities that a neutral field offers to dwelling.

A partir de una colección de habitaciones idénticas en planta y topológicamente equivalentes, tres imágenes dan cuenta de la crítica relación entre el espacio y los objetos contenidos en él, y de los matices de habitabilidad posibles en un campo neutro.

O Dossel é um ecossistema complexo e ecologicamente diverso, possuindo espécies, nichos e processos próprios. Dentre as diversas formas de vida que o compõem, destaca-se a epífita. Este trabalho procurou reunir informações sobre esta sinúsia estabelecendo padrões florísticos para as epífitas no bioma Mata Atlântica. A maioria das epífitas é monocotiledônea (63,5%), seguida das Monilophyta (16,4%), Eudicotiledôneas (14,1%), Magnoliídeas (4,5%) e Lycophyta (1,6%). As famílias mais ricas são Orchidaceae com 45,8 % das espécies, Bromeliaceae com 12,9%, Polypodiaceae, com 5,5%, Araceae, com 5,0% e Piperaceae, com 4,7%. O bioma inteiro suporta, possivelmente, até cerca de 3.300 espécies, 69% das quais observadas em zonas ecotonais, 60,6% na Floresta Ombrófila Densa, 42,4% nas Formações Edáficas de Primeira Ocupação, 25,5% nas Florestas Estacionais e 22,5% na Floresta Ombrófila Mista. São ainda apresentadas sessões sobre histórico dos estudos sobre epífitas, composição taxonômica, importância ecológica, distribuição geográfica, classificação, evolução e estratégias adaptativas e distribuição espacial, contendo revisão bibliográfica atualizada sobre estes assuntos.

Canopy is a structurally complex and ecologically distinct ecosystem with its own processes, species and niches. Among the life forms that join together to form the canopy, epiphytes are one of the most important. This paper aimed to summarize important information about this sinusia and establish floristic patterns for the Brazilian rain forest. The majority of the epiphytes were monocots (63.5% of the species), followed by monilophytes (16.4%), eudicots (14.1%), magnoliids (4.5%) and Lycophytes (1.6%). The most species-rich families were Orchidaceae (45.8%), Bromeliaceae (12.9%), Polypodiaceae (5.5%), Araceae (5.0%) and Piperaceae (4.7%). The bioma supports possibly 3,300 epiphyte species, 69% of them registered for ecotonal zones, 60.6% for tropical rain forest, 42.4% for restingas and mangroves, 25.5% for seasonal forests and 22.5% for subtropical rain forest. Sections on history of the epiphyte studies, taxonomic composition, ecological importance, geographyc distribution, evolution and spatial distribution with up-to-date revision are also presented.

El estudio se realizó en un área 3 000 m2 de bosque atlántico húmedo en una isla brasileña, Ilha do Mel (25o30’’ S 48o23’ W). Seleccionamos 100 árboles de las 10 principales especies y las dividimos en estratos de dos metros a partir de la superficie del suelo. En cada estrato registramos todas las especies epífitas observadas. Las especies muestreadas fueron agrupadas en tres categorías: exclusivas, preferenciales, e indiferentes (según su abundancia en los estratos), y selectivas, preferenciales e indiferentes (según su abundancia en los árboles). Los estratos intermedios registraron las más altas diversidades. Seis especies fueron consideradas exclusivas a uno o dos estratos, 15 estuvieron limitadas a algunos estratos y 5 presentaron amplia distribución. Para ninguna especie epífita hubo distribución horizontal uniforme. La riqueza de las epífitas en un forofito varió de cero a 30 especies. Según la fidelidad de las epífitas en los árboles, registramos pocas especies selectivas o preferenciales y muchas indiferentes. En los 100 árboles examinados encontramos 82 especies de epífitas, y el diagrama del Wittaker indicó alta dominancia de unas pocas especies.

The study was carried out in a 3 000m2 area of coastal Atlantic rain forest at Ilha do Mel island (25o30’’S 48o23’W), on 100 assorted trees separated into 2 meter-high strata starting from the ground. In each stratum all of the occurring epiphytic species were recorded. The sampled species were grouped into three categories: exclusive, preferential, and indifferent, according to their abundance in each strata, and selective, preferential and indifferent, according to abundance on the forophytes. Intermediate strata registered the highest diversity. Six species were considered exclusive to one or two strata, 15 were restricted to some strata and 5 presented a broad distribution. No epiphytic species showed uniform horizontal distribution on the area. The epiphyte richness in a host tree varied from zero to 30. Regarding to fidelity on host tree species, few selective or preferential, and mainly indifferent epiphyte species, were found. A total of 82 epiphyte species were sampled in the surveyed tree, and the Wittaker plot indicate a highly dominant assemblage. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 749-759. Epub 2009 September 30.

Modelos paramétricos de velocidade de correntes são utilizados na literatura oceanográfica para estudos teóricos envolvendo propriedades de instabilidade, ou como condições de contorno e iniciais para implementações regionais de modelos numéricos. Estes, no entanto, foram desenvolvidos na sua maioria para a Corrente do Golfo (Niiler & Robinson, 1967; Luther & Bane, 1985; Robinson et al., 1988; Arango et al., 1992; Xue & Mellor, 1993; Gangopadhyay et al., 1997). O sistema formado pela Corrente do Brasil (CB) e pela Corrente de Contorno Intermediária (CCI) apresenta características dinâmicas singulares enquanto flui ao largo do SE brasileiro, quando comparada as demais correntes de contorno oeste do oceano mundial. Neste trabalho, apresentamos um modelo paramétrico analítico original. O modelo parametriza a estrutura tanto da corrente de superfície (a CB) como da corrente intermediária (a CCI), visando preservar suas características essenciais. No caso da CB, suas principais características são a presença de um núcleo em superfície e o comportamento ocasionalmente assimétrico longitudinalmente devido ao fenômeno do meandramento. Fato que a faz aproximar e afastar o escoamento superficial da quebra de plataforma e do talude superior. Já para a CCI, a principal característica é apresentar o núcleo em torno dos 800-900 m de profundidade, geralmente junto ao talude intermediário. Adicionalmente ao modelo seccional de velocidades, um outro modelo de estrutura de densidade é obtido, assumindo que o campo de velocidades é estacionário e geostrófico: tratam-se, portanto, de campos básicos. Este modelo de densidade é construído a partir da integração da relação do vento térmico. Por fim, a parametrização é confrontada com três seções de velocidades baroclínicas obtidas a partir de observações dentro dos limites da bacia de Campos: 21ºS, 22ºS e 23ºS.

Velocity-based parametric models are often used in the oceanographic literature either in theoretical studies that involves linear stability properties or as boundary-initial conditions for regional implementations of numerical models. However, most of these models were developed for the Gulf Stream (Niiler & Robinson, 1967; Luther & Bane, 1985; Robinson et al., 1988; Arango et al., 1992; Xue & Mellor, 1993; Gangopadhyay et al., 1997). Because the Brazil Current (BC)- Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC) System is unique in terms of its vertical structure as it flows off SE Brazil, an original parametric model has been developed and is presented in this paper. The model parameterizes both the surface-core structure of the BC as well as the intermediate level-core of the IWBC, keeping their basic features such as the asymmetric configuration due to their interaction with the topography. In the BC case, the model allows for the current shape to be deformed if it is close to the shelf break or to acquire a hyperbolic-like shape when it is positioned far away from the continental margin. In the IWBC parameterization, the main characteristic of the model is to reproduce a core placed at 800-900 m depth, adjacent to the intermediate portion of the continental slope. Additionally, under the assumption that the currents are in geostrophic balance, a sectional model of the density structure was obtained from the velocity model. This density model was constructed based on the integration of the thermal wind equation. Finally, the parametric model has been successfully tested, it reproduced with great accuracy the structure of three velocity sections obtained from observations within the boundaries of the so-called Campos Bight: 21ºS, 22ºS e 23ºS.

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de pulmão é uma das principais causas de morte relacionadas ao câncer. Aproximadamente três quartos destes tumores são carcinoma não pequenas células. Ao diagnóstico, a maioria dos pacientes se apresenta com doença avançada localmente ou metastática. A quimioterapia é o tratamento de escolha para pacientes com câncer de pulmão em estadiamento avançado. A maioria dos estudos publicados com quimioterapia é realizada em centros acadêmicos sob controle rígido de protocolos de pesquisa. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os resultados do tratamento rotineiro de pacientes com carcinoma de pulmão não pequenas células metastático, fora de protocolos de pesquisa clínica em três centros oncológicos brasileiros. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células metastático, admitidos para tratamento em três diferentes centros oncológicos no Brasil. Foram avaliados 564 pacientes neste estudo provenientes do sistema de saúde público e privado. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 564 pacientes deste estudo, 335 (59,4%) receberam quimioterapia. Considerando todos os pacientes, foram identificados 47 esquemas diferentes de quimioterapia. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de oito meses e a sobrevida global mediana de todos os pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia foi de 9,7 meses. DISCUSSÃO: Havia uma grande heterogeneidade de esquemas de drogas para o tratamento de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células metastático. A sobrevida global foi significativamente melhor para pacientes tratados com quimioterapia de primeira linha comparado com pacientes que receberam somente tratamento de suporte clínico. Resultados de estudos clínicos prospectivos randomizados deverão ser cuidadosamente analisados antes de serem transferidos para a prática clínica diária.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer related deaths. Approximately three quarters of these tumors are non-small cell carcinomas. When diagnosed the majority of patients show the disease locally advanced or metastatic. The chemotherapy is the chosen therapy for patients with advanced lung cancer. The majority of published studies with chemotherapy are performed in academic centers under a strict control of research protocols. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usual management of metastatic NSCLC patients outside of a clinical trial setting in three different oncologic centers in Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer admitted for treatment in three different Cancer Centers in Brazil. 564 patients from Brazilian public heath system and private/health insurance system were considered for the present study. RESULTS: Among 564 patients in this study, 335 (59.4%) received chemotherapy. For all patients, 47 different regimens of chemotherapy were identified. The median follow-up time was eight months and the overall median survival of all patient population submitted to chemotherapy was 9.7 months. DISCUSSION: There was a great heterogeneity in the regimens of drugs to treat metastatic NSCLC patients. The overall survival was significantly better for patients treated with first line chemotherapy compared to patients that only received best supportive care. Results of prospective randomized clinical trials should be carefully analyzed before transferred to the daily clinical practice.