Assembly rules in a resource gradient: Competition and abiotic filtering determine the structuring of plant communities in stressful environments.

The relative importance of different community assembly mechanisms varies depending on the environment. According to the stress-dominance hypothesis (SDH), assembly mechanisms range from strong abiotic filtering to competition as the environment becomes more favourable. Most evidence for the SDH comes from studies in gradients of conditions (i.

Psychometric properties of the Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale for screening abuse of older adults.

Objective: Adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale to identify risk of domestic violence against older adults in Brazil.

Methods: The instrument was adapted and validated in a sample of 151 older adults from a geriatric reference center in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, in 2014. We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and abuse-related information, and verified reliability by reproducibility in a sample of 55 older people, who underwent re-testing of the instrument seven days after the first application.

The inclusion of disabled persons in the labor market in Belo horizonte, Brazil: scenario and perspective.

Even after the publication of Law 8213 in 1991, which established quotas for employing disabled persons, their inclusion in the workplace still presents a challenge for Brazilian society. In order to understand the main barriers that hamper this process a qualitative research study was conducted in the municipality of Belo Horizon-te. This study included interviews with important actors involved in the process of inclusion; and focus groups including disabled persons and members of their families.

Habronema muscae (Nematoda: Habronematidae) larvae: developmental stages, migration route and morphological changes in Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

The present paper describes the morphological modifications occurring during the larval development of Habronema muscae (Nematoda: Habronematidae) in Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), along with the reactions caused by parasitism and the migration route of the nematodes inside the flies. Houseflies were reared on faeces of a H. muscae-infected horse, then dissected and processed by histology.

Impact of the Staying Alive Program on the reduction of homicides in a community in Belo Horizonte.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a homicide prevention program.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed using time series analysis of homicide incidence in the Morro das Pedras area in the city of Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, from 2002 to 2006. The number of homicides occurring in this location was compared to other violent and non-violent favelas and to other neighborhoods of the city, during each of the Program phases.

Respiratory effects from industrial talc exposure among former mining workers.

Objective: To evaluate late respiratory effects from occupational inhalation of talc contaminated with asbestos.

Methods: This was a case series study on 29 former talc mining workers with asbestos contamination, in the municipality of Carandaí, Southeastern Brazil, who were attended at the State Workers' Health Reference Center in 2004 and 2005. Their clinical and occupational histories were obtained and they underwent spirometry and chest radiography.

Sociocultural factors associated with cigarette smoking among women in Brazilian worksites: a qualitative study.

This study examined the contextual factors associated with smoking initiation and cessation among women in Brazilian worksites (Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil). A total of 22 focus groups were conducted among 108 women in private and public worksites. The most frequently endorsed negative factors that contributed to smoking initiation included exposure to smoking-prompting behaviors through family members, peer pressure, media and easy access/low cost of cigarettes.

Returning to work for individuals with health problems: Experiences in Brazil.

Purpose: In 1999, the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) created the Worker Health Care Service with the purpose to implement health promotion and health protection policies in the workplace. This service supported workers with impairments and resulted from health proposals by a Professional Counseling Outplacement Program. The objectives of this study were to describe the demographic and impairment-related characteristics of workers and to evaluate their outcomes.

[Factors related to sickness absenteeism among nursing personnel].

Objective: To analyze short-term leaves among the healthcare staff of a university hospital.

Methods: Study population included 965 nursing professionals active on 1 January 2000. Leaves up to 30 days in one year were analyzed.

Hypertensive diabetic patients: guidelines for conduct and their difficulties.

Objective: To assess the effect of blood pressure (BP) control and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus in a referral service for the treatment of hypertension.

Methods: A retrospective study where diabetic patients (at least 2 fasting glucose levels above 126 mg/dL, use of hypoglycemic agents or insulin, or both of these) were included. They were evaluated at the first appointment (M1) and at the last appointment (M2), regarding blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), use of hypertensive drugs, glycemia, total cholesterol (TC), creatinine, and potassium.

[Retrospective analysis of permanent disability among retired workers at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1966 to 1999].

Objective: The aim of the present study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of all retirement cases from permanent disability (related or not to work) of the staff members at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), from 1966 to 1999.

Methods: a historical series analyses to observational study was done. The considered variables included age, gender, diagnosis, occupation, date of disability leave and data of retirement.