Universidade Estadual de Londrina

About: Universidade Estadual de Londrina is a education organization based out in Londrina, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Toxoplasma gondii. The organization has 13052 authors who have published 19291 publications receiving 212123 citations.

Attitudes and norms affecting scientists' data reuse.

Abstract: The value of sharing scientific research data is widely appreciated, but factors that hinder or prompt the reuse of data remain poorly understood. Using the Theory of Reasoned Action, we test the relationship between the beliefs and attitudes of scientists towards data reuse, and their self-reported data reuse behaviour. To do so, we used existing responses to selected questions from a worldwide survey of scientists developed and administered by the DataONE Usability and Assessment Working Group (thus practicing data reuse ourselves). Results show that the perceived efficacy and efficiency of data reuse are strong predictors of reuse behaviour, and that the perceived importance of data reuse corresponds to greater reuse. Expressed lack of trust in existing data and perceived norms against data reuse were not found to be major impediments for reuse contrary to our expectations. We found that reported use of models and remotely-sensed data was associated with greater reuse. The results suggest that data reuse would be encouraged and normalized by demonstration of its value. We offer some theoretical and practical suggestions that could help to legitimize investment and policies in favor of data sharing.

Distribuição da leishmaniose tegumentar por imagens de sensoreamento remoto orbital, no Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Abstract: FUNDAMENTOS: A leishmaniose tegumentar (LT) tem sua epidemiologia pouco conhecida no Estado do Parana. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a distribuicao geografica dos casos de LT em quatro municipios do Parana, usando imagens por sensoriamento remoto orbital (ISRO), correlacionando-a com a presenca de vegetacao remanescente e cursos d'agua. METODOS: A distribuicao de 4.416 casos no Parana, de 1993 a 1998, foi feita com informacoes da ficha de notificacao da Secretaria de Saude do Estado do Parana. Por ISRO verificou-se a distribuicao de 231 casos de LT e a correlacao destes com as matas residuais e o grau de antropia nos municipios de Cianorte, Japura, Jussara e Sao Tome. RESULTADOS: Houve concentracao de casos no Norte e Oeste do Parana. As ISRO mostram que ha relacao muito intima da LT com as areas de mata nativa modificada, pequenas matas ciliares ou resquicios destas, nos municipios de Cianorte, Japura, Jussara e Sao Tome. CONCLUSAO: Em Cianorte, Japura, Jussara e Sao Tome a LT tem intima relacao com areas de mata nativa modificada, pequenas matas ciliares ou resquicios de ambas. Possivelmente, as areas onde ha mais casos de LT no Parana guardam semelhancas com as desses municipios.

Lipoproteins and CETP levels as risk factors for severe sepsis in hospitalized patients.

Abstract: Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (4): 330–338 Abstract Background The magnitude of lipoprotein level reduction during the acute-phase response may be associated with the severity and mortality of sepsis. However, it remains to be determined whether low lipoprotein levels can be considered a risk factor for developing sepsis. We aimed to investigate lipoprotein levels as risk factors for sepsis in hospitalized patients, and also describe sequential changes in lipoprotein and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) levels during sepsis. Design This is a prospective cohort study and case–control analysis from selected hospitalized patients. Blood samples were collected at admission, and participants were monitored for severe sepsis. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were compared between sepsis cases and controls. Cholesterol, apolipoprotein, phospholipid and CETP concentrations were monitored in the case group. Results Of 1719 enrolled patients, 51 developed severe sepsis and were paired with 71 controls by age, gender, presence of infection at admission and chronic disease. HDL cholesterol level at admission was a risk factor for severe sepsis (OR = 0·969; 95% CI: 0·944–0·995). Mean CETP levels diminished between hospital admission and day 3 of sepsis. The magnitude of this variation (ΔCETP) was more pronounced in non-survivors (0·78 ± 1·08 μg mL−1) than that in survivors (0·02 ± 0·58 μg mL−1, P = 0·01). Conclusions HDL cholesterol may have a protective effect against sepsis. Each 1 mg dL−1 increase in HDL decreased the odds of severe sepsis by 3% during hospitalization. The reduction of plasma CETP was associated with mortality.