Abstract Morality policies tend to be associated with religious values, despite not being defined by religious actors. However, in contexts characterized by high religious vitality in terms of belonging, beliefs or behavior, the relationship between politics and religion tends not to be exempt from cooperation and negotiation. This article analyzes the arguments and strategies of intervention displayed by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in relation to four policies of morality: voluntary interruption of pregnancy, medical assisting in dying, same sex marriage and same sex adoption. Empirically, the article presents a systematic analysis of documents of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference during the last two decades.

Resumo As políticas de moralidade tendem a estar associadas a valores religiosos, embora não sejam definidas pela religião. Contudo, em contextos caracterizados por elevada vitalidade religiosa em termos de pertença, crenças ou comportamentos, a relação entre a política e a religião tende a não ser isenta de cooperação e negociação. Este artigo analisa de que forma a Conferência Episcopal Portuguesa (CEP) se posiciona, examinando os argumentos e estratégias de intervenção relativamente a quatro políticas de moralidade: interrupção voluntária da gravidez; morte medicamente assistida; casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo; e adoção por casais do mesmo sexo. Empiricamente, o artigo apresenta uma análise sistemática dos documentos da CEP das duas últimas décadas.

Resumen Introducción: El sargazo es una mezcla de varias especies de macroalgas que crecen en las rocas de la costa de Minho y que sintetizan diferentes metabolitos durante su desarrollo. Durante el proceso de extracción de macroalgas, algunos de estos metabolitos no se utilizan, lo que no promueve la economía circular. Objetivos: Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el potencial de germinación de semillas de los residuos descartados del proceso de extracción acuosa de “Sargazo”. Proporcionar un uso potencial al subproducto infravalorado de la extracción. Métodos: Fue utilizado frijol cv. semillas de torino (Phaseolus vulgaris) y col rizada (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) en ensayos con los siguientes tratamientos de residuos “Sargazo” cosechados en 2017 y 2018, con y sin el proceso de lavado (CL y SL). Durante la prueba, verificamos la tasa de emergencia, la tasa de germinación y la diferencia de peso total. Al final se midió la longitud de la raíz y el brote y lo mismo para el peso fresco. Resultados: En frijol, el tratamiento con “Sargazo” lavado 2018 fue el único que presentó germinación (C = 60%; CL2018 = 32%) además del control, y obtuvo resultados superiores en el peso radicular (C = 0,0350 g; CL2018 = 0,299 g). En col rizada, solo el sargazo 2017 lavado tuvo una tasa de germinación similar al control (C = 80%, CL2017 = 64%) y el peso total fue mejor (C = 0,0026 g, CL2017 = 0,0102 g). Conclusiones: Está claro que los residuos tienen potencial para la germinación de las semillas, pero solo si se realiza el proceso de lavado.

Resumo Introdução: O Sargaço é uma mistura de várias macroalgas que crescem nas rochas do litoral minhoto e que produzem vários metabolitos. Durante o processo de extração de macroalgas, alguns desses metabólitos não são aproveitados, não promovendo assim a economia circular. Objetivos: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de germinação de sementes utilizando o subproduto do processo da extração aquosa de Sargaço, o substrato extrativo de macroalgas. Métodos: Usou-se sementes de feijão torino (Phaseolus vulgaris) e couve (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), aplicando os seguintes tratamentos: controlo (C), Sargaço recolhido em 2017 e 2018, com e sem o processo de lavagem (CL e SL, respetivamente). Durante o ensaio, foi estudada a taxa de emergência, a taxa de germinação e as diferenças de peso total. No final do ensaio, o comprimento da raiz e da parte aérea das plântulas foi avaliado e o mesmo para o peso fresco. Resultados: No feijão, o tratamento com Sargaço com lavagem 2018 foi o único a apresentar germinação (C = 60%; CL2018 = 32%) além do controlo. O Sargaço com lavagem 2018 obteve resultados superiores no peso radicular em relação ao controlo (C = 0,0350 g; CL2018 = 0,299 g). Na couve, apenas o Sargaço com lavagem 2017 apresentou uma taxa de germinação semelhante ao controlo (C = 80%, CL2017 = 64%) e o peso total foi melhor (C = 0,0026 g, CL2017 = 0,0102 g). Conclusões: No final, ficou claro que os resíduos das macroalgas têm potencial para estimular a germinação das sementes, mas somente se os resíduos forem lavados.

Abstract Introduction: The “Sargaço” is a mixture of seaweeds that grow on the rocks of the Minho coast and the seaweeds during their development synthesize different metabolites. During the seaweed extraction process, some of these metabolites are not taken, thus not promoting the circular economy. Objectives: This work aimed to evaluate the seed germination potential of the residues discarded from aqueous extraction process of “Sargaço”. Providing a potential use to the undervalued sub product of the extraction it was used bean cv. Methods: Torino (Phaseolus vulgaris) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) seeds in assays with the following treatments of residues: control (C), “Sargaço” harvested in 2017 with (W) and without the washing process (NW), and the same for the “Sargaço” harvested in 2018 (W and NW). During the experiment, the emergence rate, the germination rate and the total weight difference, were recorded. At the end, the root and shoot length were measured as well as fresh plantlet weight. Results: In bean, the treatment with washed “Sargaço” 2018 was the only one showing seed germination (C = 60%; W2018 = 32%) beyond the control and with better results in the radicular weight than control (C= 0,0350 g; W2018= 0,299 g). In kale, only the washed “sargaço” 2017 had a germination rate like the control (C=80%, W2017=64%) and the overall weight was better (C= 0,0026 g, W2017= 0,0102 g). Conclusions: The washed residues produced the best results comparatively which is probably due to the higher salinity of the unwashed residues.

RESUMO O uso de cama sobreposta de suínos (CSS) na adubação de pastagens pode ser uma importante alternativa do ponto de vista ambiental e econômico. Com o objetivo de avaliar a adubação com CSS de forma exclusiva ou associada a fertilizantes minerais, na qualidade e produtividade de Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, foi conduzido um experimento em condições de campo, em Ipameri, GO. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 com quatro repetições, em parcelas de 24 m². Foram testadas as doses de CSS (0; 5; 10; 15 e 20 Mg ha-1), com ou sem adubação com NPK (50 kg ha-1 de P2O5, 10 kg ha-1 de K2O e 10 kg ha-1 de N). O adubo orgânico foi aplicado a lanço na implantação da pastagem, e os fertilizantes minerais parcelados no plantio e em cobertura. Foram avaliadas a massa seca, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente ácido e fibra em detergente neutro. As doses de CSS associadas à adubação mineral apresentaram incrementos lineares de 52 a 282% nas variáveis avaliadas, e melhor composição bromatológica. A aplicação de CSS é benéfica à produção de pastagens e as aplicações crescentes até à dose de 20 Mg ha-1 de CSS associadas à adubação mineral apresentaram melhores resultados quantitativos e qualitativos. Com a adubação exclusiva com CSS os ganhos de qualidade e produtividade do capim Mombaça são menores.

ABSTRACT The use of pig deep-litter (PDL) in pasture fertilization can be an important alternative from an environmental and economic point of view. This study was conducted to evaluate the fertilization with PDL exclusively or in association with mineral fertilizers on the quality and productivity of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa. The experiment was carried out in Ipameri, GO, Brazil. The design was a randomized block design in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme with four repetitions, in plots of 24 m². The doses of PDL (0; 5; 10; 15 and 20 Mg ha-1) were tested, with or without fertilization with NPK (50 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 10 kg ha-1 of K2O and 10 kg ha-1 of N). The organic fertilizer was applied broadcast at the planting of the pasture, and the mineral fertilizers were split and applied at planting and as topdressing. Dry mass, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were evaluated. PDL doses associated with mineral fertilization led to linear increases from 52 to 282% in the analyzed variables and better bromatological composition. PDL application is beneficial to the production of pastures, and increasing applications up to the PDL dose of 20 Mg ha-1 associated with mineral fertilization promoted better quantitative and qualitative results. With exclusive fertilization with PDL, the gains in quality and productivity were more modest.

RESUMO Na busca de alternativas para o controle de plantas daninhas, tem sido estudado o efeito físico e alelopático de culturas de cobertura. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar o potencial alelopático do taxóne Sorghum bicolor (sorgo) em diferentes quantidades de biomassa à superfície ou incorporada no solo na emergência e crescimento da planta daninha Senna obtusifolia. O estudo foi realizado em estufa num delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial (2 x 4) + 1 constituído por duas formas de adição ao solo do sorgo - incorporado e à superfície -, com quatro quantidades de biomassa - 3, 6, 9 e 12 t ha-1 de sorgo, mais um tratamento sem a utilização de cultura de cobertura (testemunha). As variáveis analisadas foram número total de plantas emergidas, área foliar, biomassa seca da parte aérea, volume de raízes e biomassa seca de raízes de S. obtusifolia. As formas de gestão em diferentes quantidades de biomassa de S. bicolor mostraram-se eficientes no controle de fedegoso (S. obtusifolia), com uma redução significativa (superior a 50%) na emergência, a partir de 2,81 t ha-1. A utilização do sorgo à superfície do solo proporcionou uma maior e significativa redução do número de plantas emergidas da planta daninha, independentemente da quantidade aplicada. A incorporação ao solo da biomassa de S. bicolor evidenciou também uma maior e significativa redução do crescimento de S. obtusifolia.

ABSTRACT In the search for alternatives to weed control, the physical and allelopathic effect of cover crops has been studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Sorghum bicolor in the emergence and growth of the weed Senna obtusifolia. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized experimental design, with four replications, in a factorial scheme (2 x 4) + 1, consisting of two soil addition forms of S. bicolor dry biomass (built-in and surface) with four amounts of the cover crop straws (3, 6, 9 and 12 t ha-1), plus one treatment without the use of cover crop (control). The analyzed variables were total number of emerged plants, leaf area, shoot dry matter, root volume and root dry matter of S. obtusifolia. The different amounts of dry biomass addition of S. bicolor were efficient in the control of S. obtusifolia, with a significant reduction (more than 50%) in the emergency when it was used in quantities from 2.81 t ha-1. Regardless of the biomass amount of S. bicolor, its use on the soil surface provided a greater reduction in the number of emerged weed plants. While the use of biomass incorporated in the soil, provided greater reduction of the growth of S. obtusifolia.

Abstract Objective To describe the development of weCope, a Portuguese mobile app for people with schizophrenia. Methods The development of weCope followed 4 stages: I-102 people with psychotic disorders completed an online questionnaire; II-a multidisciplinary focus group was conducted among five mental health professionals; III-we developed the app; IV-9 participants used weCope during 8 weeks to assess its efficiency. Results weCope targets coping with voices, problem solving, goals setting and stress management, and results indicated that: weCope improved symptoms, sense of recovery and personal and social functioning; 59% of the participants were willing to download an application for illness self-management; professionals revealed some concerns about mHealth but enhanced the high importance to develop these apps; usability testing revealed that 89% considered weCope useful for illness self-management. However, the more years with mental illness, the less importance is given to a mobile application for this purpose. Discussion weCope was developed through a comprehensive development process and may contribute to a subjective perception of the patient’s better well-being and health condition.

In this study, MAO treatment was used to enrich, with bioactive Ca, Mg and P atoms, as-casted and heat-treated Ti-15Zr-xMo (x = 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt%) alloys, for potential use as advanced metallic biomaterials. The chemical composition of the surface was evaluated by EDS and XPS measurements. The morphology and microstructure was analyzed by OM and SEM images. Crystalline structure and phase composition were characterized by XRD measurements. The results indicated that the oxide layers were porous, with microstructural features of the bulk (grain size and secondary phases) slightly affecting the surface characteristics (pore size, chemical and phase composition). The crystalline structure of the oxide layers were composed by a mixture of anatase and rutile phases (TiO2), with a minority of tetragonal zirconia (ZrO2) and traces of CaCO3 and P2O3 compounds. Chemical analysis indicated that the oxide layers were composed mainly by Ti and Zr oxides, with successful incorporation of the bioactive elements. The obtained results evidenced that the surface characteristics of MAO-treated Ti surfaces can be properly adjusted by the addition of alloying elements and implementation of specific heat treatments on the substrate. This finding can be quite useful for the development of novel biomedical implants.

RESUMO O tamanho da semente constitui um importante indicador de qualidade fisiológica, por afetar sua germinação e o crescimento de plântulas, especialmente em condições adversas. Objetivou-se investigar os efeitos do tamanho da semente na germinação e no crescimento inicial de plântulas de amendoim, em condições de salinidade e restrição hídrica. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 × 3: três classes de tamanho de sementes (pequena, média e grande) e três tratamentos de estresse (controle e estresse salino ou hídrico), com quatro repetições. Estresses salino e hídrico não reduzem a porcentagem de germinação das sementes de tamanho médio e grande; no entanto, a germinação das sementes pequenas é reduzida sob estresse salino. O estresse hídrico reduz drasticamente o crescimento da parte aérea das plântulas, independentemente do tamanho da semente, enquanto o crescimento das raízes é maior nas plântulas oriundas de sementes médias e grandes sob condições de estresse hídrico. Em condições controle, o uso de sementes grandes é preferível, resultando em plântulas mais vigorosas e com maior acúmulo de matéria seca. Sementes de tamanho médio são mais adaptadas às condições adversas do ambiente e, portanto, devem ser utilizadas em condições de escassez de água e de excesso de sal no solo na época de semeadura. As plântulas são mais tolerantes à salinidade do que ao estresse hídrico durante a fase de germinação e de crescimento inicial em condições de laboratório.

ABSTRACT Seed size is an important indicator of physiological quality, since it may affect seed germination and seedling growth, especially under stress conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of seed size on germination and initial seedling growth, under salinity and water stress conditions. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme: three seed size classes (small, medium and large) and three stress treatments (control, saline or water stress), with four replicates. Water and salt stresses do not reduce the germination rate of medium and large seeds; however, the germination rate of small seeds is reduced under salt stress conditions. Drought stress drastically reduces the shoot growth of seedlings regardless of seed size, whereas root growth is higher in seedlings from medium and large seeds under water stress conditions. Under non-stressful environments, the use of large seeds is preferable, resulting in more vigorous seedlings with a greater dry matter accumulation. Medium-size seeds are more adapted to adverse environmental conditions and, therefore, should be used under conditions of water shortage and salt excess in the soil at sowing time. Seedlings are more tolerant to salinity than to water stress during the germination stage and initial growth under laboratory conditions.

Abstract The use of viscoelastic materials (VEMs) has becoming more and more frequent both as vibration control in general or as parts of structural components. In all applications, the mechanical behavior of such materials can be predicted by the complex moduli (Young’s, shear or volumetric) and the complex Poisson’s ratio. Over recent decades, various methodologies have been presented aiming at characterizing complex moduli. On the other hand, the indirect identification of the Poisson’s ratio, in the frequency domain, proves to be underexplored. The present paper discusses two computational methodologies in order to obtain, indirectly, the complex Poisson’s ratio in linear and thermorheologically simple solid VEMs. The first of them uses a traditional methodology, which individually identifies the complex Young’s and the shear moduli and, from them, one obtains the complex Poisson’s ratio. The second methodology - proposed in the present paper and called ‘integrated’ - obtains the complex Poisson’s ratio through a simultaneous identification of those two complex moduli. Both methodologies start from a set of experimental points of the complex moduli in the frequency domain, carried out at different temperatures. From those points, a hybrid optimization technique is applied (Genetic Algorithms and Non-Linear Programming) in order to obtain the parameters of the constitutive models for the VEM under analysis. For the experiments described here, the integrated methodology proves to be very promising and with a great application potential.

RESUMO A época de colheita é um dos fatores mais importantes que influencia a qualidade das sementes. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes épocas de colheita na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Coriandrum sativum L., cv. Palmeira. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos (épocas de colheita) e quatro repetições. O experimento foi conduzido durante os meses de abril a outubro de 2010, em que a primeira época de colheita das sementes foi realizada aos 15 dias após a floração quando aproximadamente 50% das plantas apresentavam flores. As demais colheitas (22, 29, 36, 43 e 50 dias após floração) foram realizadas em intervalos de 7 dias até as sementes atingirem aproximadamente 16% de umidade, o que ocorreu na 6ª colheita. Imediatamente após cada colheita as sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, germinação e vigor (primeira contagem, emergência de plântulas e índice de velocidade de emergência). A época mais adequada para a colheita de sementes de C. sativum cv. Palmeira ocorreu entre 46 e 50 dias após a floração quando as sementes apresentaram a mais alta qualidade fisiológica e teor de umidade entre 20 e 16%.

ABSTRACT The season of harvest is one of the most important factors influencing seed quality. This study evaluated the effect of different harvesting times on the physiological quality of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds, cv. Palmeira. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments (harvest times) and four replications. The experiment was conducted during the months of April to October 2010. The first moment to harvest seeds was carried out 15 days after full bloom, when approximately 50% of plants were in flowering phase. Other harvests (22, 29, 36, 43 and, 50 days after bloom) were carried out at 7 days intervals until the seeds reached 16.0% of moisture, which occurred in the 6th harvest. Immediately after each harvest, the seeds were analysed for water content, germination and vigor (first count, seedling emergence and emergence rate index). The harvest season most suitable for C. sativum seeds cv. Palmeira occurred between 46 and 50 days after flowering, when the seeds have the highest physiological quality and moisture content between 20 and 16%.

Determinou-se a variabilidade genética de 37 isolados de Fusarium solani e 13 isolados de Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae patogênicos ao maracujazeiro por meio do uso de marcadores ISSR e RAPD. Os isolados foram obtidos de maracujazeiros com sintomas de murcha, encontrados nas principais regiões produtoras do Norte Mineiro e no município de Sebastião Laranjeira – BA. Após obtenção de culturas monospóricas, os isolados tiveram seus DNAs extraídos e submetidos à reação de PCR. Foram selecionados nove primers ISSR e nove primersRAPD, e a análise de dados foi realizada, utilizando-se do coeficiente de similaridade de Jaccard. A partir da amplificação com os primers ISSR e RAPD, foram obtidos 121 e 126 locos, respectivamente, sendo quetodos apresentaram polimorfismo entre, pelo menos, dois isolados. Demonstraram-se, por meio das análises ISSR, índice de similaridade genética interespecífica de 0,15 e índices de variabilidade intraespecífica de 0,27 a 0,92 para F. solani e de 0,30 a 0,89 para F. oxysporum. f. sp. passiflorae. Já, por meio das análises RAPD, foram gerados índice de similaridade genética interespecífica de 0,11 e índices de variabilidade intraespecífica de 0,17 a 0,79 para F. solani e de 0,21 a 0,73 para F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae. Os isolados de F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae e F. solani agruparam-se em dois clustersdistintos, e observou-se uma alta variabilidade intraespecífica nas duas espécies.

The diversity of 37 isolates of Fusarium solani and 13 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae was evaluated using ISSR and RAPD molecular markers. The isolates were obtained from passion fruit plants with wilt symptoms, found in the main producing regions of the Northern of Minas Gerais and Sebastião Laranjeira - BA. Molecular fingerprinting were obtained using DNA extract from mycelium of monosporic culture and nine ISSR and RAPD primers. Amplification with ISSR and RAPD primers generated 121 and 126 bands, respectively, all of which showed polymorphism between at least two isolates. ISSR analysis showed interspecific genetic similarity index of 0.15. The intraspecific variability was large, ranging from 0.27 to 0.92 for F. solani and from 0.30 to 0.89 for F. o. f. sp. passiflorae. The RAPD analysis generated interspecific genetic similarity index of 0.11 and intraspecific variability indices ranging from 0.17 to 0.79 for F. solani and from 0.21 to 0.73 for F. o. f. sp. passiflorae. The isolates of F. oxysporumf. sp. passiflorae and F. solani were clustered into two distinct groups. The intraspecific variability within the two species was high.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercícios sobre a força de preensão manual (FPM) em idosas com baixa massa óssea. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis idosas foram randomizadas em: grupo intervenção - GI (n = 18) e grupo controle - GC (n = 18), avaliadas pelo teste de FPM, utilizando-se um dinamômetro de mão. O GI realizou exercícios de força muscular, equilíbrio e mobilidade funcional. O GC realizou alongamentos. Ambos os grupos realizaram duas sessões semanais de 50 minutos, durante quatro meses. RESULTADOS: O GI apresentou aumento da FPM em 31,38% (p = 0,00). O GC não mostrou diferença. Houve correlações entre a FPM e a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) do colo do fêmur (r = 0,582, p = 0,003) e do fêmur total (r = 0,485, p = 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem uma tendência ao incremento da FPM de idosas e mostraram correlações significantes entre a FPM e a DMO.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on handgrip strength (HS) in elderly women with low bone mass. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six elderly women were randomized to the intervention group - GI (n = 18) and control group - GC (n = 18). Participants were evaluated by means of a HS test, using a handgrip dynamometer. GI performed strength, balance and functional mobility exercises, and GC performed stretching exercises. Both groups had sessions twice a week for 50 minutes, during 4 months. RESULTS: GI had a significant increase in handgrip strength equal to 31.38%. No differences were observed in GC. There were correlations between HS test and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck (r = 0.582, p = 0.003) and total femur (r = 0.485, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Results indicate a propensity to increase elderly HS, and showed significant correlations between HS and BMD.

O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu no reconhecimento das necessidades de formação das competências profissionais de treinadores de Futebol em função dos anos de experiência profissional e da formação federativa. A amostra foi constituída por 81 treinadores portugueses. A recolha dos dados foi realizada através da aplicação de um questionário após validação de construção e de conteúdo. Como procedimentos estatísticos, recorremos ao teste paramétrico One-Way ANOVA para a comparação entre dois grupos e para mais de dois grupos foram estimados os Post-Hocs com recurso ao teste de Tukey. Os resultados mostraram que os treinadores com formação federativa mais elevada, níveis II e III, reconhecem menores necessidades de formação que os treinadores sem formação nas áreas do Treino, Competição e Papel de Formador. Por sua vez, os treinadores mais experientes reconheceram menores necessidades de formação nos domínios do Treino, da Gestão Desportiva e do Papel de Formador em relação aos menos experientes.

The aim of the present study consisted in the recognition of Football coaches' perceptions of training needs related to the professional competences according to their experience and level of certification, as coach. A sample of 81 Portuguese coaches answered a questionnaire applied after its construction and content validation. The statistical procedure used was One-Way ANOVA to make comparison between two groups and the Tukey' test for post-hoc comparisons. The results showed that the coaches with the highest level of certification, levels II and III, recognized lower training needs than coaches without certification in the areas of Training, Competition and Coach Education. Moreover, the more experienced coaches recognized, also, lower training needs than less experienced coaches in the areas of Training, Sport Management and Coach Education.

The idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDMC) is a disease of the cardiac muscle characterized by systolic dilation and/or dysfunction of one or both ventricles, symptoms of congestive heart failure and risk of early death. Several studies in animal models and in humans have supported the hypothesis of the viral infection as initial event in the immunopathogenesis of the ventricular dilation. The objective of this study was to correlate the presence of hepatitis C virus chronic infection and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, comparing samples of cases with IDCM with paired controls with Chagas-type specific dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic-type specific dilated cardiomyopathy. Only 2.9% (1/34) of IDCM patients were HCV carriers, which strongly argue against this hypothesis. Therefore, based on our results, there is no justification for investigating HCV in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosis.

Recent studies have suggested that some patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) are also afflicted with insidious forms of viral myocarditis. Participation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in this process has been postulated. The objective of this study was to evaluate a possible association between hepatitis C virus and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Systematic review of the literature using electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASES, LILACS and COCHRANE) for the period from 1995 to 2005, limited to papers published in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Sixty-two papers were found, of which six were in accordance with the proposed methodology. After selection, the articles were classified by quality of data and number of variables studied. Most of the patients were male adults from 31 and 75 years old, who had ischemic cardiopathy excluded as etiology of the dilated cardiomyopathy. A significant association between dilated cardiomyopathy and hepatitis C virus was found in only two papers, both from Japan and by the same author. Most of the papers received low classifications, as they did not fulfill the systematization criteria.