Brazilian Population Research Articles

Trust on the BRICS Scale as in the Case of Brazil

The paper presents historical, political, legal and economic facts taken from open sources that have formed the specifics of the political mentality and public consciousness in Brazil. They have an impact on the established community of factors affecting trust in this country. Brazil is a BRICS member with high economic growth potential, on the one hand, and cultural and business characteristics, on the other, which makes this state attractive for research. The author comprehensively approaches the issue of trust, considering the trust of the electorate in the first person, the level of implementation of artificial intelligence and trust in Brazilian society, the influence of the media on the perception of other states and trust in them. The relationship of trust — economy — culture is being analyzed. It is noted that the level of education of the population raises the level of trust in society. There is a struggle for scientific and technological progress between the leading economic powers. The use of soft and smart power as a tool of influence or a weapon of mass influence is considered. The prerequisites for the accumulation of trust potential as a necessary element of economic growth are analyzed.

Developing a Materiality Matrix for a Health Institution

The third sector plays an important role in Brazilian society and, its essential characteristics such as promoting socio-environmental responsibility, developing social causes and, reducing inequality are in line with the fundaments of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). The materiality matrix is considered one of the main ESG management tools, helping organizations identify, define, and communicate actions related to the most relevant topics for the institution and its stakeholders. The objective of this study is to develop a Materiality Matrix for a third-sector health institution based on the priority topics defined by the organization and its stakeholders, alongside the guidelines of GRI and SASB. The result identified that the most relevant topics were Information Security and Privacy, Expansion/Democratization of Access to Health Services, Support for Public Health Management, Quality of Care and Patient Satisfaction, Health and Safety of Employees, and Human and Professional Development. This article contributes to enhance the health institutions in driving their efforts in a strategic way, aligning their activities with the social and environmental agendas and, at same time, raise the awareness of on critical material topics/issues for their stakeholders’ expectations.

(PM-24) TRANSLATION AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF THE KAROLINSKA INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE SCALE INTO BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE: A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract Introduction Interpersonal violence is a global concern with significant implications for mental health and mortality. The Karolinska Institute in Sweden developed the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS), a semi-structured interview assessing interpersonal violence experiences as victims or aggressors across childhood and adulthood. Objective Our aim was to translate and culturally adapt the KIVS for use in the Brazilian population. Methods: The translation process involved ten stages based on The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines. Back-translation was performed by a clinical psychologist unfamiliar with the original scale. The English versions were cross compared by the original instrument author. The consensus version underwent comprehension evaluation by eight participants, comprising four healthcare professionals and four patients from the AISEP - Excessive Sexual Drive and Prevention of Negative Outcomes Related with Sexual Behavior at Instituto de Psiquiatria of Hospital das Clínicas of São Paulo. A 5-point Likert scale assessed participant comprehension, with 80% agreement indicating successful equivalence. Sentences were revised until this consensus was achieved. The finalized translation, incorporating contextual revisions, underwent syntactic and spelling review. Results After application to eight participants (4 women and 4 men), 7 rated with the highest comprehension score (5.0), and 1 with 4.9. A final report documented the entire KIVS translation and validation process. Conclusion The translation and cultural adaptation of the KIVS into Brazilian Portuguese were successful. Minor adjustments were made to enhance comprehension without compromising meaning. This adaptation provides a valuable tool for assessing interpersonal violence in the Brazilian context, with implications for research and clinical practice. Financing FAPESP.

Indigenous agriculture in Brazil: review (2011-2021)

Modern agricultural practices have caused severe impacts on nature, especially in traditional communities such as indigenous peoples, leading to the loss of knowledge about traditional agriculture. The objective of this study was to carry out a bibliographical survey of works on indigenous agriculture in Brazil in the period between 2011 and 2021. Papers in the form of thesis, dissertations and abstracts were excluded, as well as articles that, despite including the term indigenous agriculture in the text, did not address the subject as the main theme. The selected articles were analyzed in order to determine the main agricultural practices used by indigenous people in Brazil. Data analysis took place in a qualitative manner. The analyzed studies covered 69 ethnic groups and 87 ethnospecies were used in in their agriculture. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) stood out as the most important species. The plantations are established in backyards, on the outskirts of the village or in coivara (slash-and-burn) fields. The choice of location for the fields and the planting of species are based on the traditional knowledge of each ethnic group. Cutting, burning, planting, cleaning, and harvesting actions are generally governed by the seasons. Religious influences are also cited in some ethnicities. The analysis of the word cloud presents the main themes addressed in the publications and demonstrates the undeniable link between issues involving the environment and the traditional knowledge when the central theme is indigenous peoples. The works suggest that many ethnic groups preserve their traditional agricultural practices, however the influence and changes caused by the arrival of modern agriculture are also perceived and caused an impact on the eating habits of several ethnic groups.

Aortic\\Height Index as a Predictor of Symptomatic Status in Patients With AAA in a Southern Brazilian Population

Aortic\\Height Index as a Predictor of Symptomatic Status in Patients With AAA in a Southern Brazilian Population

Genomic analysis of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors.

The Kell blood group system is clinically important in transfusion medicine, particularly in patients with antibodies specific to Kell antigens. To date, genetic variations of the Kell metallo-endopeptidase (KEL) gene among Thai populations remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the frequencies of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors using an in-house polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. Blood samples obtained from 805 unrelated central Thai blood donors at a blood bank in Pathumthani, Thailand, from March 2023 to June 2023, were typed for Kpa and Kpb antigens using the column agglutination test, and the results for 400 samples were confirmed using DNA sequencing. A PCR-SSP method was developed to detect the KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles, and genotyping results were validated using known DNA controls. DNA samples obtained from Thai donors in central (n = 2529), northern (n = 300), and southern (n = 427) Thailand were also genotyped using PCR-SSP for comparison. All 805 (100%) donors had the Kp(a-b+) phenotype. The PCR-SSP genotyping results agreed with the column agglutination test and DNA sequencing. All 3256 Thai blood donors had the homozygous KEL*04/KEL*04 genotype. Frequencies of the KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai donors differed significantly from those of Japanese, Native American, South African, Brazilian, Swiss, and German populations. This study found a 100% KEL*04 allele frequency in three Thai populations. These data could provide information on KEL*03 and KEL*04 allele frequencies to estimate the risk of alloimmunisation in Thai populations. This study demonstrates that in-house PCR-SSP can be used to determine KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles to predict Kpa and Kpb antigens. Even though only homozygous KEL*04/KEL*04 genotypes were found among Thai donor populations, the established PCR-SSP method may be useful for estimating the risk of alloimmunisation in other populations.

Polyphenol contents in meal recommendations from the Brazilian dietary guidelines

Research has demonstrated that consuming polyphenols is linked to a lower risk of non-communicable chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to quantify the polyphenol content in the meal recommendations provided by the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population (2014). This quantitative and descriptive analysis was conducted on the data from photographic documentation in the national food guide, focusing on the food items, their preparation methods, and the suggested quantities for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The polyphenol contents of the foods and meals were estimated using the Phenol-Explorer database, which allowed determining the contribution of foods and polyphenol classes to the total polyphenol content. The mean total polyphenol content for breakfast patterns was found to be 242.67 ± 161.09 mg, with coffee being the primary contributor to this amount. Phenolic acids were the most significant contributors, accounting for ≥95% of the total. For lunch and dinner patterns, the average polyphenol contents were 311.97 ± 208.15 mg and 337.14 ± 220.17 mg, respectively. Contrary to breakfast, flavonoids emerged as the predominant class in these meals (p < 0.005), with legumes making a notable contribution to the total polyphenol content in both lunch and dinner. No significant difference was observed between the polyphenol contents of the different breakfast, lunch, and dinner patterns (p = 0.71). Therefore, the inclusion of different meals throughout the day is important for the intake of different polyphenol classes. Staple items in the national diet, particularly coffee and beans, were identified as key contributors to the polyphenol content in the meals suggested by the national food guide. Furthermore, in natura and minimally processed foods are highlighted as significant sources of polyphenols in the Brazilian diet.

Revision of the South American genera Andinocopris new genus and Homocopris Burmeister, 1846 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Homocoprini new tribe)

Although initially described as a subgenus of Copris Geoffroy, 1762, Homocopris had long been treated as a junior synonym of Dichotomius Hope, 1838 (Martínez 1951) until it was reclassified as a distinct genus (Vaz-de-Mello et al. 2010). Herein, we revisit the taxonomy of Homocopris. In doing so: we describe two new species previously considered to represent the Brazilian population of Homocopris torulosus (Eschscholtz, 1822); revalidate Pinotus punctatissimus from synonymy under Homocopris torulosus and place it in Homocopris as had previously been done only informally (González et al. 2015; Rebolledo et al. 2017); recognize two new synonymies; and describe a new genus, Andinocopris gen. nov., which includes two former members of Homocopris. Presently, Homocopris includes four species: H. torulosus, H. punctatissimus (Curtis, 1845) comb. nov., H. grossiorum sp. nov. and H. williami sp. nov. Andinocopris includes A. achamas (Harold, 1867) gen. et comb. nov. and A. buckleyi (Waterhouse, 1891) gen. et comb. nov. Pinotus simulator Luederwaldt, 1936 is here considered a new junior synonym of Andinocopris buckleyi. An identification key to members of both genera is provided as well as images of diagnostic characters for all species. Finally, we discuss the placement of Andinocopris and Homocopris within Scarabaeinae and propose a new tribe, Homocoprini tribe nov., to include both genera.

Mass Atrocities against Indigenous Peoples: Atrocity Structure and the Brazilian Amazon under Bolsonaro

Abstract Throughout the four years of his presidency, President Jair Bolsonaro implemented policies, sponsored initiatives, and promoted discourses that were fundamentally detrimental to indigenous peoples in Brazil. This resulted in the most acute and irreconcilable disparity in interests between settlers and indigenous communities over the control of land in the Amazon, a dispute which is at the core of the eruption of the anti-indigenous atrocity structure existent in Brazil in the 21st century. As a result, the Amazonian indigenous peoples were victims of several mass atrocities, consisting of destructive, exterminatory, persecutory, and other inhumane acts, especially through invasion, deforestation, contamination, and deprivation of health care. This article explains and analyses each pillar of this atrocious process.

Mapping breast and prostate cancer in the Brazilian public health system: study protocol of the Onco-Genomas Brasil.

Breast and prostate cancers are the most common malignancies diagnosed in women and men respectively, and present with great clinical heterogeneity, even in tumors with the same histology and same site of origin. Somatic and germline molecular alterations in DNA may have prognostic and predictive impact, influencing response to therapies and overall survival. Our aim is to characterize the somatic and germline genomic landscape of women with locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer and men with metastatic prostate cancer in Brazil. Secondarily, we aim to identify genetic variants associated with tumor prognosis and treatment response, identify patients carrying pathogenic alterations in cancer-predisposing genes, and characterize the genetic ancestry of the population included in the study. This observational multicenter cohort study will include 550 adult patients from the five macro-regions of Brazil, divided into two arms: 1) breast cancer and 2) prostate cancer. Clinical and pathological data will be collected, as well as DNA samples from peripheral blood and tumor samples. In arm 1, the inclusion criteria are a histological diagnosis of breast carcinoma with overexpression of HER-2, clinical stage II or III, and current neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy plus trastuzumab. In arm 2, the criterion is a histological diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IV. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) will be performed to identify variants that may be drivers and/or actionable in a specific patient or tumor. These variants will be interpreted and classified according to their population frequencies, in silico predictors, functional studies, and literature data, following international guidelines proposed by expert societies. This trial will contribute to the construction of a robust database that should provide a better understanding of the genomic profile of patients with breast and prostate cancer in Brazil. Considering the miscegenation of the Brazilian population, knowledge generated from these data will have implications for future studies of this specific population. [clinicaltrial.gov], identifier [NCT05306600].

Gut microbiome signature and nasal lavage inflammatory markers in young people with asthma

BackgroundAsthma is a complex disease and a severe global public health problem resulting from interactions between genetic background and environmental exposures. It has been suggested that the gut microbiota may be related to asthma development, however, such relationships needs further investigation. ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota as well as the nasal lavage cytokine profile of asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals. MethodsStool and nasal lavage samples were collected from 29 children and adolescents with Type 2-asthma (defined as asthma with >2.5% eosinophils in sputum, and a positive skin prick test) and 28 children without asthma in Brazil. Amplicon sequencing of the stool bacterial V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using Illumina MiSeq. Microbiota analysis was performed using QIIME2 and PICRUST. Type 2-asthma phenotype was characterized by high sputum eosinophil counts and positive skin prick tests for house dust mites, cockroaches, cat or dog dander. The nasal immune marker profile was assessed using a customized multiplex panel. ResultsThe stool microbiota differed significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic participants (p=0.001). Bacteroides was more abundant in participants with asthma (p<0.05), while Prevotella was more abundant in non-asthmatics (p<0.05). In asthmatics, the relative abundance of Bacteroides correlated with IL-4 concentration in nasal lavage. Inference of microbiota functional capacity identified differential fatty acid biosynthesis in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatics. ConclusionThe stool microbiota differed between asthmatics and non-asthmatics in young people in Brazil. Asthma was associated with higher Bacteroides which correlated with nasal IL-4 concentration.

The applicability of alternative penalties and measures and their effects in the reintegration of the individual into society

For centuries, the purpose of punishment has been as a method of revenge and reaffirmation of state power against the offender of the laws imposed on society, neglecting its duty to reeducate the individual. This article presents a perspective on penalties throughout the history of Law as a means of protecting social and individual rights, demonstrating the importance of alternative sentences and measures as an innovative and restorative element within Criminal Law, listing the main challenges faced in their use, in addition to a quali-quantitative analysis of their applicability within the Brazilian Judiciary, as an effective means for the resocialization of the convict, thus minimizing the existing stigma towards those returning from prison. Finally, it will be demonstrated the great advance and progress from the recognition of the unconstitutional state of things of the Brazilian prison and the consequent incentive to the use of alternatives to punishment as an attempt to mitigate these problems experienced in Brazilian society

Assessing the effects of gender stereotype in STEM in a Brazilian university

PurposeIn Brazil, over 4.7 million women enrolled in university in the year 2017. However, Brazilian women have been consistently overrepresented in humanities and care majors and underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Given that observed gender differences in math-intensive fields have lasting effects on gender inequality in the labor market, and that observed gender variations do not necessarily associate with differences in innate ability, in this paper we explore the paths of societal gender bias and gender differences in a Brazilian university.Design/methodology/approachWe conduct a social experiment at a University in Southeastern Brazil, applying the gender-STEM Implicit Association Test.FindingsWe found that women in STEM are less likely to show gender-STEM implicit stereotypes, compared to women in humanities. The results indicate a negative correlation between implicit gender stereotyping and the choice of math-intensive majors by women.Originality/valueThe stereotype-congruent results are indicative of the gender bias in Brazilian society, and suggest that stereotypes created at early stages in life are directly related to future outcomes that reinforce gender disparities in Brazil, which can be observed in career choices.

Major clinical approaches at the aesthetic level and complications of bichectomy: a systematic review

Introduction: According to the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery in 2016, 7,362 people underwent bichectomy (BC), which represents 0.5% of the total number of aesthetic surgeries. In an attempt to achieve facial harmonization, BC surgery presents little complexity and is based on some well-defined steps. Even when appropriately indicated, it is still a controversial procedure, as there is no surgical technique adequately systematized in current literature, aiming to make it safe and reproducible. Objective: It was to present the main aesthetic considerations and complications of bichectomy, as well as discuss its safe management to avoid and treat problems. Methods: The PRISMA Platform systematic review rules were followed. The search was carried out from November 2023 to February 2024 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 96 articles were found, 40 articles were evaluated in full and 28 were included and developed in the present systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 12 studies with a high risk of bias and 10 studies that did not meet GRADE and AMSTAR-2. Most studies did not show homogeneity in their results, with X2=67.9%&gt;50%. It was concluded that on an aesthetic level, performing a bichectomy thins the middle third of the face, outlining and highlighting the bone angulations of the zygomatic region, contributing to a more pleasant facial aesthetics. Surgical removal of the Bichat ball induces a mild inflammatory process controlled by rescue medication, significantly reduces facial volume, and improves the quality of life and satisfaction with facial aesthetics 3 months postoperatively. Several studies have presented the importance of using the Bichat ball as an oral layer to close fistulas and also to cover bone grafts in implant dentistry.

Chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects of phenolic-rich extract of Commiphora leptophloeos against inflammatory bowel disease: Preclinical evidence

Ethnopharmacology relevanceCommiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillet (Burseraceae) is a medicinal plant native to Brazil, popularly known as “imburana”. Homemade leaf decoction and maceration were used to treat general inflammatory problems in the Brazilian Northeast population. Our previous research confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of the C. leptophloeos hydroalcoholic leaf extract. Aim of the studyInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gut with no ideal treatment to maintain the remissive status. This work aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and physicochemical properties of the C. leptophloeos hydroalcoholic leaf extract and its efficacy in chemopreventive and immunomodulatory responses in inflammatory bowel disease in non-clinical models. Materials and methodsMass spectrometry and physicochemical tests determined the phytochemical profile and physicochemical characteristics of the Commiphora leptophloeos (CL) extract. The chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects of CL extract (50 and 125 μg/mL) were evaluated in vitro in the RAW 264.7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cell assay and in vivo in the model of intestinal inflammation induced by 2,4-Dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) in mice when they were treated with CL extract by intragastric gavage (i.g.) at doses of 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg. ResultsPhytochemical annotation of CL extract showed a complex phenolic composition, characterized as phenolic acids and flavonoids, and satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. In addition, CL extract maintained the viability of RAW macrophages, reduced ROS and NO production, and negatively regulated COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 (p < 0.05). In the intestinal inflammation model, CL extract was able to downregulate NF-κB p65/COX-2, mTOR, iNOS, IL-17, decrease levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase and cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.05). ConclusionBased on these findings, CL extract reduced inflammatory responses by down-regulating pro-inflammatory markers in macrophages induced by LPS and DNBS-induced colitis in mice through NF-κB p65/COX-2 signaling. CL leaf extract requires further investigation as a candidate for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

What is the importance of family planning in multiple sclerosis? A study in the Brazilian population

IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis is a disease of young females at a reproductive age. Objectivediscuss family planning in the context of providing care for women with MS. Methodpatients with Multiple Sclerosis, female, aged between 18 and 45 years, from 01/Nov/2021 to 16/Jan/2022 participated, all of whom answered a questionnaire made available on the Google forms platform. ResultsA total of 233 responses were validated. Most patients discuss family planning during their medical care (61.4 %), use low-efficacy contraceptive methods (68.7 %) and do not plan to become pregnant (70.1 %). There is a high rate of use of disease-modifying treatments (88.9 %). Among those who had already become pregnant, most of them became pregnant before diagnosis and were statically younger than patients who became pregnant after diagnosis. ConclusionFamily planning should be discussed early on and be actively initiated by the health care professional assisting the patient and incorporated into the routine consultation. We suggest efforts should be put into ensuring a decrease in the rate of unplanned pregnancy in this population. Also, it is crucial to guarantee effective contraception in patients who express the wish not to become pregnant and are using disease-modifying treatments.

Exploring Diet and Nutrient Insufficiencies across Age Groups: Insights from a Population-Based Study of Brazilian Adults.

Assessing dietary inadequacies can contribute to understanding the nutritional vulnerabilities of a country. This study aimed to investigate nutrient intakes and micronutrient inadequacies in the Brazilian adult population, with an interest in different age subgroups. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1812 individuals aged 19 to 65 years from a population-based study with a representative sample of Brazilian adults. Dietary intake was assessed by two 24 h food recalls, and the probabilities of inadequate intake were estimated using the Dietary Reference Intake targets. Adequate macronutrient intake was over 99% for proteins, 84.7% for carbohydrates, and 80.7% for total fats. There was a high probability of inadequacy (above 90%) for vitamins D and E, but vitamin D inadequacy was very similar between the sexes. In contrast, vitamin E was more likely to be inadequately consumed among women. A high probability of inadequacies (above 85%) of calcium and magnesium were found in the population, regardless of age group. Except for iron, the probability of an inadequacy of other minerals increased with age. The results showed a relevant proportion of nutrient inadequacies, with those most at risk being women and older individuals, helping with the better targeting and monitoring of public-health policies that address nutritional problems in the population.

Predicting the Need for Blood Transfusions in Cardiac Surgery: A Comparison between Machine Learning Algorithms and Established Risk Scores in the Brazilian Population.

Blood transfusion is a common practice in cardiac surgery, despite its well-known negative effects. To mitigate blood transfusion-associated risks, identifying patients who are at higher risk of needing this procedure is crucial. Widely used risk scores to predict the need for blood transfusions have yielded unsatisfactory results when validated for the Brazilian population. In this retrospective study, machine learning (ML) algorithms were compared to predict the need for blood transfusions in a cohort of 495 cardiac surgery patients treated at a Brazilian reference service between 2019 and 2021. The performance of the models was evaluated using various metrics, including the area under the curve (AUC), and compared to the commonly used Transfusion Risk and Clinical Knowledge (TRACK) and Transfusion Risk Understanding Scoring Tool (TRUST) scoring systems. The study found that the model had the highest performance, achieving an AUC of 0.7350 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.7203 to 0.7497). Importantly, all ML algorithms performed significantly better than the commonly used TRACK and TRUST scoring systems. TRACK had an AUC of 0.6757 (CI: 0.6609 to 0.6906), while TRUST had an AUC of 0.6622 (CI: 0.6473 to 0.6906). The findings of this study suggest that ML algorithms may offer a more accurate prediction of the need for blood transfusions than the traditional scoring systems and could enhance the accuracy of predicting blood transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery patients. Further research could focus on optimizing and refining ML algorithms to improve their accuracy and make them more suitable for clinical use.

The national spatial governance and planning systems in the LAC region: The structure of Brazil, Bolivia, and Cuba

The Spatial Governance and Planning System (SGPS) analysis was born in European studies, has reached a certain stage of maturity in Europe and can be adopted by researchers in other continents. Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries currently represent an interesting field to experiment with this analytical approach for several reasons. One of them is the ascertainment that LAC national SGPSs are deeply influenced by the ongoing national democratization which started after the demise of conservative right-wing authoritarian regimes, somehow belonging to the postcolonial political stream and pushed by imperialist and neocolonial pressures. By its own nature, democratization as a whole is an extremely complex, articulated, and multidimensional process that deserves to be treated ad hoc. Within democratization, this work merely considers the institutionalization of spatial governance and planning activities and processes and so, the Structure of SGPSs. Supposedly, the formation and functioning of institutions are central in the process of consolidation of a democratic state which ensures rights and redistributes resources to citizens. To do this, based on the reconstruction of the overall SGPSs of three different countries included in the doctoral thesis of the author, this article presents the analysis of the so-called “Structure” of the Brazilian, Bolivian and Cuban SGPSs. Arguably, the set of Structures of the SGPSs of these countries is especially representative of the wide range of the LAC national cases. In fact, Brazil, Bolivia, and Cuba are iconic cases of distinguished spatial configurations. Brazil, which has experienced industrialization, tertiarization and metropolisation, has become an emergent economy characterized by structured democratic public institutions. Despite a range of well-known redistributive policies, however, Brazilian society remains extremely unequal and stratified. Bolivia has experimented with the promotion of plurinationalism in political and social terms, potentially improving the reciprocal integration of different ethnic groups and cultures. Nevertheless, a great developmental delay is shown by social and economic indicators, if compared to other LAC countries. Cuba, which has experimented with its own form of socialism for decades, is still a socialist republic with tragic problems of widespread poverty in a flattened society. To analytically present the Structure of the three selected national cases, four main scopes of investigation were adopted: (i) National spatial configuration, (ii) Postcolonial legacy in spatial governance and planning, (iii) Spatial governance and planning as redistributive practices, (iv) Metropolitan governance. The identification of these scopes represented the first result of the field research carried out in 2018–2019 in those countries. Assumably, those four scopes are sufficiently comprehensive to describe the Structure of SGPS of a LAC national system and they help systematize at least the main “Structural” factors – which are described one-by-one in this article – and characterize the LAC SGPSs. The article presents the four scopes for each country, according to a case-by-case logic. After that, it analyses the four scopes simultaneously comparing the three cases. Based on the analytical comparison of the main factors from the four scopes, the article discusses a range of issues that emerged, to problematize and operate convenient generalizations on the quality and characterization of the Structure of national SGPSs.

A implementação do art. 26-A da LDBEN: desafios e possibilidades para a atuação do tribunal de contas

Law No. 10,693/2003 established an important public policy by adding art. 26-A in the National Education Guidelines and Bases Law (LDBEN), mandating the teaching of Afro-Brazilian history and culture in primary and secondary education establishments. This is a reparatory and anti-racist policy, motivated by the erasure of the collective memory and culture of the black Brazilian population. However, the effective application of art. 26-A is still incipient, showing that this discussion needs to be deepened in external control institutions, especially after the inclusion of the topic in the performance measurement framework of the Courts of Accounts. This work intends to discuss the possibilities of action by the Court of Accounts to implement art. 26-A, considering the role of this institution in evaluating public policies to ensure fundamental rights, such as education.