Abstract Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main etiological factor for the development of cervical cancer. HPV 18 is the second most frequent type, accounting for up to 65% of all cases. HPV intratypic variation may influence the potential for progression to invasive cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus 18 intratypic variants in cervical cancer samples from women in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Methods The study included 118 women over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cervical cancer. Tumor fragments were collected and subjected to DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for HPV detection using the PGMY09/11 and GP+5/6 primers. Positive samples were submitted to automated sequencing for viral genotyping. To determine the HPV 18 lineages, positive samples were submitted to PCR, using specific primers to amplify the LCR and E6 regions of HPV 18 virus. Results HPV was present in 88 women (73.3%). Of those, 48 (54%) were HPV 16, the most prevalent, followed by 12 (13.6%) HPV 18. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma was predominant (79.1%). Among the HPV 18 variants identified, 10 (80%) belonged to lineage A, and sublineages A1, A2, A3, and A4. Two (29%) HPV 18 B variant was also detected, with the sublineages B1 and B2. In this study, the C variant was not found. There was no statistically significant association between the HPV 18 lineages found and sociodemographic and lifestyle variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions A higher frequency of HPV 16 and 18 were found in women with cervical cancer in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, with a high prevalence of the lineage A among women with HPV 18.

Resumo O sucesso do Programa Nacional de DST/Aids no Brasil se deve, em boa medida, à pluralidade de atores sociais engajados no combate à Aids. Este artigo visa analisar a dinâmica de mudanças ocorridas dentro do subsistema da Política Nacional de DST/Aids à luz do modelo de coalizões de defesa (MCD). Trata-se de um estudo que se vale da análise documental dos marcos normativos e de entrevistas com informantes-chave. Os resultados apontam para a formação de três coalizões: Coalizão A (engajamento social), Coalizão B (força governamental), e Coalizão C (parcerias internacionais), que, mediadas pelos parlamentares e instituições científicas, travam disputas traduzindo seus pontos de vista em ações governamentais. Os achados mostram que, embora bem-sucedida, a Política Nacional de DST/Aids enfrentou grandes dificuldades em estabelecer padrões que contemplassem as necessidades da população. Entretanto, mesmo que as coalizões contem com estratégias distintas, apresentam-se como convergentes, pois se direcionam para o mesmo objetivo. Vale ressaltar que, nos dias atuais, a onda conservadora atuante no Brasil apresenta tendência a inviabilizar novas políticas no campo da Aids e ameaça direitos humanos e sociais adquiridos. Tais impactos devem ser analisados em estudos futuros.

Abstract The success of the National STD/AIDS Program in Brazil is, to a great extent, associated with the multiplicity of social actors involved in the fight against AIDS. The scope of this article is to analyze the dynamics of changes occurring within the subsystem of national STD/AIDS policy in the light of the advocacy coalition framework (ACF) model. The study is based on documentary analysis of regulatory frameworks and interviews with key informants. The results point to the formation of three coalitions: Coalition A (social engagement); Coalition B (the force of governmental policies/actors); and Coalition C (international partnerships) which, mediated by the House of representatives and scientific institutions, wage disputes to translate their viewpoints into government actions. The data show that, despite being successful, the National STD/AIDS Policy faced great difficulties in establishing standards that addressed the needs of the population. However, although coalitions have different strategies, they are convergent, as they are directed towards the same objectives. It is worth mentioning that nowadays, the conservative wave in Brazil tends to preclude renewed policies in the field of AIDS and may threaten well-established human and social rights. Such impacts need to be analyzed in future studies.

Resumo O sucesso do Programa Nacional de DST/Aids no Brasil se deve, em boa medida, à pluralidade de atores sociais engajados no combate à Aids. Este artigo visa analisar a dinâmica de mudanças ocorridas dentro do subsistema da Política Nacional de DST/Aids à luz do modelo de coalizões de defesa (MCD). Trata-se de um estudo que se vale da análise documental dos marcos normativos e de entrevistas com informantes-chave. Os resultados apontam para a formação de três coalizões: Coalizão A (engajamento social), Coalizão B (força governamental), e Coalizão C (parcerias internacionais), que, mediadas pelos parlamentares e instituições científicas, travam disputas traduzindo seus pontos de vista em ações governamentais. Os achados mostram que, embora bem-sucedida, a Política Nacional de DST/Aids enfrentou grandes dificuldades em estabelecer padrões que contemplassem as necessidades da população. Entretanto, mesmo que as coalizões contem com estratégias distintas, apresentam-se como convergentes, pois se direcionam para o mesmo objetivo. Vale ressaltar que, nos dias atuais, a onda conservadora atuante no Brasil apresenta tendência a inviabilizar novas políticas no campo da Aids e ameaça direitos humanos e sociais adquiridos. Tais impactos devem ser analisados em estudos futuros.

Abstract The success of the National STD/AIDS Program in Brazil is, to a great extent, associated with the multiplicity of social actors involved in the fight against AIDS. The scope of this article is to analyze the dynamics of changes occurring within the subsystem of national STD/AIDS policy in the light of the advocacy coalition framework (ACF) model. The study is based on documentary analysis of regulatory frameworks and interviews with key informants. The results point to the formation of three coalitions: Coalition A (social engagement); Coalition B (the force of governmental policies/actors); and Coalition C (international partnerships) which, mediated by the House of representatives and scientific institutions, wage disputes to translate their viewpoints into government actions. The data show that, despite being successful, the National STD/AIDS Policy faced great difficulties in establishing standards that addressed the needs of the population. However, although coalitions have different strategies, they are convergent, as they are directed towards the same objectives. It is worth mentioning that nowadays, the conservative wave in Brazil tends to preclude renewed policies in the field of AIDS and may threaten well-established human and social rights. Such impacts need to be analyzed in future studies.

Resumo Anaplasma marginale é uma bactéria Gram-negativa intracelular obrigatória de eritrócitos de ruminantes e responsável pela anaplasmose bovina. A diversidade genética de A. marginale tem sido caracterizada com base nas sequências das principais proteínas de superfície (MSPs), como a MSP1α. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a diversidade genética de A. marginale em bovinos no estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. Dessa forma, 343 amostras de sangue foram submetidas ao ensaio iELISA, utilizando-se a proteína recombinante MSP5. Das 343 amostras de sangue, 235 (68,5%) foram escolhidas aleatoriamente e submetidas à extração de DNA, qPCR e PCR convencional para gene msp1α, para determinação das sequências de aminoácidos e classificação dos genótipos. Os resultados do iELISA mostraram 81,34% de soropositividade (279/343), enquanto qPCR revelou 224 amostras positivas (95,32%). Dentre estas na qPCR, 67,4% (151/224) mostraram-se positivas no PCR convencional. Das 50 sequências obtidas, 21 cepas não haviam sido relatadas anteriormente. Em relação aos genótipos, H (26/50) e E (18/50) foram os mais frequentes, enquanto os genótipos F e C foram identificados apenas duas vezes cada, e B e G uma vez cada. Em conclusão, alta prevalência e marcante diversidade genética de A. marginale foram observadas em rebanhos leiteiros no estado do Maranhão.

Abstract Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium found in ruminants’ erythrocytes and is the etiological agent of bovine anaplasmosis. The bacterium’s genetic diversity has been characterized based on sequences of major surface proteins (MSPs), such as MSP1α. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity of A. marginale in cattle in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. To this end, 343 blood samples were harvested and subjected to iELISA assays using the recombinant surface protein MSP5. Out of 343 blood samples, 235 (68.5%) were randomly chosen and submitted to DNA extraction, qPCR and conventional PCR targeting the msp1α gene to determine amino acid sequences and classify the genotypes. The iELISA results showed 81.34% seropositivity (279/343), whereas qPCR revealed 224 positive samples (95.32%). Among these qPCR-positive samples, 67.4% (151/224) were also positive in the cPCR. Among the 50 obtained sequences, 21 strains had not been previously reported. Regarding the genotypes, H (26/50) and E (18/50) were identified most often, while genotypes F and C were only identified twice each and B and G once each. In conclusion, high prevalence and genetic diversity for A. marginale were observed in dairy cattle herds in the state of Maranhão.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to employ the principal component technique to physiological data and environmental thermohygrometric variables correlated with detection of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. A total of 24 lactating Girolando cows with different clinical conditions were selected (healthy, and with clinical or subclinical mastitis). The following physiological variables were recorded: udder surface temperature, ST (°C); eyeball temperature, ET (°C); rectum temperature, RT (°C); respiratory frequency, RF (mov. min-1). Thermohygrometric variables included air temperature, AirT (°C), and relative humidity, RU (%). ST was determined by means of thermal images, with four images per animal, on these quarters: front left side (FL), front right side (FR), rear right side (RR) and rear left side (RL), totaling 96 images. Exploratory data analysis was run through multivariate statistical technique with the employment of principal components, comprehending nine variables: ST on the FL, FR, RL and RR quarters; ET, RT; RF, AirT and RU. The representative quarters of the animals with clinical and subclinical mastitis showed udder temperatures 8.55 and 2.46° C higher than those of healthy animals, respectively. The ETs of the animals with subclinical and clinical mastitis were, respectively, 7.9 and 8.0% higher than those of healthy animals. Rectum temperatures were 2.9% (subclinical mastitis) and 5.5% (clinical mastitis) higher compared to those of healthy animals. Respiratory frequencies were 40.3% (subclinical mastitis) and 61.6% (clinical mastitis) higher compared to those of healthy animals. The first component explained 91% of the total variance for the variables analyzed. The principal component technique allowed verifying the variables correlated with the animals' clinical condition and the degree of dependence between the study variables.

ABSTRACT Consumers around the world appreciate strawberries for their taste. They have low calories and high concentrations of soluble fibers, vitamin C and flavonoids. This paper verified the combined effect of O2, CO2, and N2O levels on ‘Oso Grande’ strawberries stored at 10° C, under controlled atmosphere (CA). Five different gas mixtures were used: 0.03 kPa CO2 + 20 kPa O2, 80 kPa N2O + 20 kPa O2, 90 kPa O2 + 10 kPa N2, 60 kPa O2 +40 kPa CO2, and 20 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 + 60 kPa N2O. The lowest incidence of postharvest decay was observed with treatment20 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 + 60 kPa N2O, followed by 80 kPa N2O +20 kPa O2 and 90 kPa O2 + 10 kPa N2. The treatment 60 kPa O2 + 40 kPa CO2 induced an increase in the production of acetaldehyde and ethanol, and these levels were considered inadequate for human consumption. The first factor, named senescence, displayed a positive correlation with soluble solids, luminosity, hue angle, firmness and incidence of decay. hpsThe second factor, named CA-induced injury, showedhps that total acidity correlated negatively with ethanol and acetaldehyde levels. Hiehpsrarchical cluster analysis indicated that strawberries stored underhps80 kPa N2O + 20 kPa O2hps for 14hps hpsdays more closely resembled the quality of fresh fruit at the moment of harvesthps. ‘Oso Grande’ strawberries stored at 10 ºC under 80 kPa N2O + 20 kPa O2 and 90 kPa O2 +10 kPa N2 were in better conditions, with no metabolic alterations, showing that these are the ideal storage conditions.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alterações nos teores de C e N e abundância natural de δ13C e δ15N de um Cambissolo Háplico Tb distrófico em uma área com sistema agroflorestal (SAF). Em cada área de estudo foram coletadas amostras de solo, em 8 profundidades de 0,0–1,0 m. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 2 × 8 (2 áreas florestais e 8 profundidades), com três repetições. Com exceção da camada superficial do solo (0,0-0,10), a área de SAF está preservando os teores de C e aumentando os teores de N (0,2-1,0) em relação à mata nativa. Ambas as áreas avaliadas apresentaram sinais de abundância natural de δ13C referente a plantas do ciclo fotossintético C3, e a área de mata nativa apresentou nas camadas superficiais (0,0-0,20) maiores valores de δ15N, demonstrando maior decomposição da matéria orgânica.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in C and N levels and in the natural abundance of δ15N and δ13C of a Inceptisol in an agroforestry system (AFS). Soil samples were collected from eight depth levels from 0.0-1.0 m in each studied area. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized 2 × 8 (2 forest areas and 8 depths) split-plot design with three replications. Except for the topsoil (0.0-0.10), the area of this AFS has preserved content of C and increased level of N (0.2-1.0) compared to the Forest. Both areas showed signs of natural abundance of δ13C in plants with C3 photosynthetic pathway, and the forest area presented higher values of δ15N in the superficial layers (0.0-0.20), indicating greater decomposition of organic matter.

RESUMO O cajuízeiro (Anacardium spp) é uma das muitas espécies frutíferas arbóreas endêmicas da região Nordeste do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar os coeficientes de herdabilidade e repetibilidade das variáveis agrotecnológicas e predizer os ganhos genéticos de uma população de melhoramento de cajuí da Embrapa Meio Norte. Os dados das variáveis estudadas de cada safra foram avaliados no programa Selegen-REML/BLUP. A ordem das variáveis analisadas foi: V1: peso do fruto (PF, em g), V2: peso do pedúnculo (PP, em g), V3: peso da castanha (PC, em g), V4: diâmetro basal (DB, em cm), V5: diâmetro apical (DA, em cm), V6: comprimento do fruto (CP, em cm), V7: firmeza do endosperma (FIRMEZA, em N), V8: teor de vitamina C (VitC, em mg/100g), V9: teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST, em %), V10: pH do endosperma (pH), V11: acidez total titulável (ATT, em %) e V12: relação STT/ATT (adimensional). O peso do fruto e teor de vitamina C podem ter seus valores preditos a partir do diâmetro basal e/ou comprimento do pedúnculo cujas medidas são de fácil mensuração. As medianas e altas estimativas dos coeficientes de herdabilidade e repetibilidade possibilitaram selecionar precocemente um dos genótipos, 4, com acurácia a partir de duas medições (anos). O genótipo 4 apresentou as maiores médias para os atributos físicos e tecnológicos do fruto, podendo ser considerado candidato à seleção para reprodução assexuada no cultivo com objetivo duplo (consumo in natura e industrializado).

ABSTRACT Cajuí (Anacardium spp) is an endemic fruit trees species in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Thus, this trial aimed to estimate the repeatability coefficients of the agrotechnological variables and to predict the genetic gains of a cajuí improvement population located at the Embrapa Meio-Norte. The data of twelve variables from every crop were evaluated using Selegen-REML/BLUP. The variables were ordered accordingly: V1 fruit mass (FM, in g), V2 peduncle mass (PM, in g), V3 chestnut mass (CM in g), V4 basal diameter (BD in cm), V5 apical diameter (AD in cm), V6 fruit length (FL in cm), V7 firmness of endosperm (FIRM, in N), V8 content of vitamin C (PVC in %), V9 total soluble solids (TSS in %), V10 pH of endosperm (pH), V11 total titratable acidity (TTA in %), and V12 relation TSS/TTA (undimensional). The fruit mass and its vitamin C contents can be estimated from measures of the fruit basal diameter and/or peduncle length, which are easy to be taken and measured experimentally. The medium and high estimates of the repeatability coefficient allowed for the early selection of the genotype 4 with accuracy from the two measures (years). The genotype 4 showed the best prediction means for physical and technological attributes and may be considered a possible candidate for asexual reproduction on crops with double purpose (fresh consumption and industrial).

Leishamaniasis is a disease that affects more than 2 million people worldwide, whose causative agent is Leishmania spp. The current therapy for leishmaniasis is far from satisfactory. All available drugs, including pentavalent antimony, require parenteral administration and are potentially toxic. Moreover, an increase in clinical resistance to these drugs has been reported. In this scenario, plant essential oils used traditionally in folk medicine are emerging as alternative sources for chemotherapeutic compounds. In this study, in vitro leishmanicidal effects of a thymol- and a carvacrol-rich essential oil from leaves of Lippia sidoides Cham. were investigated. The essential oils were extracted and their constituents were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Both essential oils showed significant activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania chagasi. However, we found that carvacrol-rich essential oil was more effective, with IC50/72 h of 54.8 μg/mL compared to 74.1 μg/mL for thymol-rich oil. Carvacrol also showed lower IC50 than thymol. Our data suggest that L. sidoides essential oils are indeed promising sources of leishmanicidal compounds.

Today society development is determined by an increasing capacity for knowledge production and application. Despite participating in social dynamics, higher educational centers have contributed poorly to the repercussion of research results on the quality of life, especially in Latin America. This paper deals with the assessment of research relations at the Center of Immunology and Biological Products within the context of the Medical University of Camagüey. We carried out a retrospective descriptive study, using the methods of theoretical and empiric knowledge. The characterization of the center’s research process showed unconnected and dependent working style, and an unfavorable work environment. In addition, the center failed to be among the strengths of the Vice-Rector’s Office of Investigations. In a general sense, the Medical University of Camagüey showed a reductionistic scientific culture and little social commitment caused by a lack of vision as well as of knowledge of the specific activities of science and technique. As research management has been considered an essential element for establishing general contexts to integrate research processes with the most inclusive purposes of higher educational centers, we recommend designing a strategy to involve the center in the university’s research activity.

La capacidad de producir y aplicar conocimiento de manera creciente y de “aprender aprendiendo”, decidirá el desarrollo de las sociedades en la época moderna. A pesar de la participación de los Centros de Educación Superior (CES) en las dinámicas sociales, sobre todo en América Latina, su contribución no ha sido suficiente en cuanto a la repercusión de los resultados investigativos en la calidad de vida. En el presente trabajo se aborda la evaluación de las relaciones de investigación del Centro de Inmunología y Productos Biológicos (CENIPBI) en el contexto del Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey (ISCM-C), para lo que se realizó un estudio de carácter descriptivo- retrospectivo y se utilizaron los métodos generales del conocimiento teórico y empírico. En la caracterización del proceso investigativo, el CENIPBI reveló un estilo de trabajo inconexo y dependiente, y un ambiente laboral desfavorable; además, no estuvo representado como una fortaleza de la Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones. De manera general en el ISCM- C se encontraron rasgos de una cultura científica reduccionista y de poco comprometimiento social, determinados como principal causa por la falta de visión y el desconocimiento respecto a las actividades concretas de ciencia y técnica. Se consideró a la gestión de la actividad científica como un elemento indispensable en el establecimiento de los marcos generales para la integración del proceso investigativo a los propósitos más amplios de los CES, por lo que se propone el diseño de una estrategia que propicie la inserción del centro en la actividad investigativa de la Institución y lo contemple como “institución fuerza” en la conducción del cambio.

A batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) é um alimento fonte rico em energia, minerais, vitaminas C e B. Algumas cultivares são ricas em pró-vitamina A. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar e comparar o conteúdo de carotenóides totais em duas cultivares de batata-doce e determinar suas perdas na obtenção da farinha desidratada e processada por extrusão. Foram analisadas amostras de sistema de cultivo orgânico e convencional, tanto as frescas como as extrusadas desidratadas. O conteúdo de carotenóides totais do produto fresco, expressos em base úmida, foi de 437 µg 100 g-1 para a cultivar creme e de 10,120 µg 100g-1 para a cultivar alaranjada. Após o processo de desidratação das amostras, as perdas de carotenóides totais foram de 41% para a batata-doce creme e 38% para a alaranjada, respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram alto conteúdo de carotenóides totais para a cultivar alaranjada fresca, quando comparado com a cultivar creme. A amostra de farinha de batata-doce extrusada apresentou menor perda de carotenóides totais. Desta forma, verifica-se que a farinha de batata-doce alaranjada pode ser utilizada na obtenção de uma farinha pré-gelatinizada com alto conteúdo de carotenóides totais.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a food crop that supplies energy, minerals and vitamins C and B. Some cultivars are very rich in carotenoids (pro-vitamin A). In this study were evaluated and compared the total carotenoids content of two cultivars and the losses on the dehydrated extruded sweet potato flour. Samples from organic and conventional crops were analyzed, in the form of fresh and dehydrated extruded samples. Total carotenoids content of the fresh product, expressed on wet basis, was of 437 µg 100 g-1 for the cream cultivar and 10,12 µg 100 g-1 for the orange cultivar. After dehydration, losses of total carotenoids were of 41% and 38%, respectively. The fresh orange cultivar presented high total carotenoids content in comparison to the cream cultivar. The extruded orange sweet potato flour showed the lowest losses in total carotenoids. Therefore, the processed flour of orange sweet potato could be used to obtain pre-gelatinized extruded flour with high total carotenoids content.

OBJETIVO: Aplicar a metodologia de Análise Envoltória de Dados na avaliação do desempenho de hospitais públicos em termos das internações em suas clínicas médicas. MÉTODOS: A eficiência dos hospitais foi medida a partir do desempenho de unidades de decisão nas variáveis estudadas para cada hospital, no ano 2000. Foram analisados dados referentes às internações em clínica médica dos hospitais SUS das capitais estaduais do Brasil e Distrito Federal (taxas de mortalidade e tempo médio de internação, valor médio da internação e perfil de doenças). A técnica de análise de correlação canônica foi introduzida na restrição do intervalo de variação das variáveis. O modelo Constant Returns to Scale foi utilizado para gerar escores que permitissem avaliar a eficiência das unidades. A partir dos escores obtidos, os municípios foram classificados de acordo com seu desempenho relativo nas variáveis analisadas. Procurou-se correlação entre os escores de classificação com variáveis exógenas: despesas com programas de saúde básica por habitante e índice de desenvolvimento humano das capitais. RESULTADOS: Nos hospitais estudados se destacaram as doenças do aparelho circulatório (23,6% das internações); e a taxa de mortalidade foi de 10,3% das internações. Das 27 capitais, quatro alcançaram 100% de eficiência (Palmas, Macapá, Teresina e Goiânia), sete ficaram entre 85% e 100%, dez entre 70% e 85% e dez com menos de 70%. CONCLUSÕES: A ferramenta utilizada mostrou ser aplicável para a avaliação de desempenho de hospitais públicos, revelando a grande variabilidade entre as capitais brasileiras, no que se refere às internações em clínica médica.

OBJECTIVE: To apply the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology for evaluating the performance of public hospitals, in terms of clinical medical admissions. METHODS: The efficiency of the hospitals was measured according to the performance of decision-making units in relation to the variables studied for each hospital, in the year 2000. Data relating to clinical medical admissions in hospitals within the public system in Brazilian state capitals and Federal District (mortality rate, mean length of stay, mean cost of stay and disease profile) were analyzed. The canonical correlation analysis technique was introduced to restrict the variation range of the variables used. The constant returns to scale model was used to generate scores that would enable assessment of the efficiency of the units. From the scores obtained, these cities were classified according to their relative performance in the variables analyzed. It was sought to correlate between the classification scores and the exogenous variables of the expenditure on primary care programs per inhabitant and the human development index for each state capital. RESULTS: In the hospitals studied, circulatory diseases were the most prevalent (23.6% of admissions), and the mortality rate was 10.3% of admissions. Among the 27 state capitals, four reached 100% efficiency (Palmas, Macapá, Teresina and Goiânia), seven were between 85 and 100%, ten were between 70 and 85% and ten had efficiency of less than 70%. CONCLUSIONS: The tool utilized was shown to be applicable for evaluating the performance of public hospitals. It revealed large variations among the Brazilian state capitals in relation to clinical medical admissions.

OBJETIVO: Aplicar a metodologia de Análise Envoltória de Dados na avaliação do desempenho de hospitais públicos em termos das internações em suas clínicas médicas. MÉTODOS: A eficiência dos hospitais foi medida a partir do desempenho de unidades de decisão nas variáveis estudadas para cada hospital, no ano 2000. Foram analisados dados referentes às internações em clínica médica dos hospitais SUS das capitais estaduais do Brasil e Distrito Federal (taxas de mortalidade e tempo médio de internação, valor médio da internação e perfil de doenças). A técnica de análise de correlação canônica foi introduzida na restrição do intervalo de variação das variáveis. O modelo Constant Returns to Scale foi utilizado para gerar escores que permitissem avaliar a eficiência das unidades. A partir dos escores obtidos, os municípios foram classificados de acordo com seu desempenho relativo nas variáveis analisadas. Procurou-se correlação entre os escores de classificação com variáveis exógenas: despesas com programas de saúde básica por habitante e índice de desenvolvimento humano das capitais. RESULTADOS: Nos hospitais estudados se destacaram as doenças do aparelho circulatório (23,6% das internações); e a taxa de mortalidade foi de 10,3% das internações. Das 27 capitais, quatro alcançaram 100% de eficiência (Palmas, Macapá, Teresina e Goiânia), sete ficaram entre 85% e 100%, dez entre 70% e 85% e dez com menos de 70%. CONCLUSÕES: A ferramenta utilizada mostrou ser aplicável para a avaliação de desempenho de hospitais públicos, revelando a grande variabilidade entre as capitais brasileiras, no que se refere às internações em clínica médica.

OBJECTIVE: To apply the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology for evaluating the performance of public hospitals, in terms of clinical medical admissions. METHODS: The efficiency of the hospitals was measured according to the performance of decision-making units in relation to the variables studied for each hospital, in the year 2000. Data relating to clinical medical admissions in hospitals within the public system in Brazilian state capitals and Federal District (mortality rate, mean length of stay, mean cost of stay and disease profile) were analyzed. The canonical correlation analysis technique was introduced to restrict the variation range of the variables used. The constant returns to scale model was used to generate scores that would enable assessment of the efficiency of the units. From the scores obtained, these cities were classified according to their relative performance in the variables analyzed. It was sought to correlate between the classification scores and the exogenous variables of the expenditure on primary care programs per inhabitant and the human development index for each state capital. RESULTS: In the hospitals studied, circulatory diseases were the most prevalent (23.6% of admissions), and the mortality rate was 10.3% of admissions. Among the 27 state capitals, four reached 100% efficiency (Palmas, Macapá, Teresina and Goiânia), seven were between 85 and 100%, ten were between 70 and 85% and ten had efficiency of less than 70%. CONCLUSIONS: The tool utilized was shown to be applicable for evaluating the performance of public hospitals. It revealed large variations among the Brazilian state capitals in relation to clinical medical admissions.

We describe a simple method using percoll gradient for isolation of highly enriched human monocytes. High numbers of fully functional cells are obtained from whole blood or buffy coat cells. The use of simple laboratory equipment and a relatively cheap reagent makes the described method a convenient approach to obtaining human monocytes.