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Gluten-related disorders, including celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, have emerged as a significant phenomenon affecting people worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of nearly 5% globally. The only currently available treatment for this disease involves the exclusion of gluten from the diet, which is particularly challenging in the case of bakery products. Gluten-free bread (GFB) presents certain disadvantages when compared to traditional wheat bread, including inferior sensory attributes, technological characteristics, and lower protein and fiber content. Numerous studies have focused on strategies to improve these aspects of GFB. However, there are limited reviews regarding the content of the bioactive compounds of GFB, such as polyphenols. Polyphenols are molecules found in various foods that play a vital role in protecting the body against oxidative stress. This is particularly relevant for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, as they often experience increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, the objective of this review is to explore the use of different strategies for increasing the polyphenolic content and the antioxidant properties of GFB. Gluten-free cereals and pseudocereals are the most used matrices in GFB. Buckwheat can be a valuable matrix to enhance the nutritional profile and antioxidant properties of GFB, even more so when the whole grain is used. In the same way, the addition of various by-products can effectively increase the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of GFB. Furthermore, regarding the contribution of the phenolics to the bitterness, astringency, color, flavor, and odor of food, it is essential to analyze the sensory properties of these breads to ensure not only enriched in bioactive compounds, but also good consumer acceptance. In vitro studies are still in few number and are very important to execute to provide a better understanding of the bioactive compounds after their consumption.

A presença de espécies dominantes pode afetar a biodiversidade de zonas costeiras e oceânicas alterando o ecossistema local. Esse parece ser o caso da plântula de Dalbergia Ecastophyllum (L.) que vem apresentando crescimento acelerado na região da zona costeira e oceânica da APA da Baleia Franca, em Santa Catarina, no atlântico sul do Brasil. Florações de espécies são eventos naturais que ocorrem em zonas costeiras e oceânicas, no entando, quando se tornam espécies dominantes podem estar associadas com a presença de fatores externos relacionado à mudança climática. Ao mesmo tempo, alterações na disponibilidade de fitoplâncton no oceano pode indicar perturbação ecossistêmica no Atlântico Sul. Neste trabalho pretende-se investigar a relação sistêmica de pertubação ecossistêmica entre zonas costeiras e oceanica diante de mudanças de temperatura heterogêneas (IPCC, 2021). Essa relação é considerada como fundamental para entender a correlação entre diferentes níveis de temperatura e os impactos no ecossistema costeiro e oceânico do Atlântico Sul, área onde as baleias se reproduzem. Os dados são coletados de base de dados especializadas para estimar biomassa oceânica na região do Atlântico Sul, crescimento da planta Dalbergia Ecastophyllum no perímetro da APA da Baleia Franca e variáveis ambientais (morfologia local) e climáticas relacionadas a temperatura, para o período de 1970 a 2020. A compreensão integrada dos ecossistemas costeiros e oceânicos é de grande relevância para subsidiar políticas diante da emergência e heterogeneidade das mudanças climáticas.

Arboviruses such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and zika are transmitted mainly by the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Especially in the tropics, inefficacy of mosquito control causes arboviruses outbreaks every year, affecting the general population with debilitating effects in infected individuals. Several strategies have been tried to control the proliferation of A. aegypti using physical, biological, and chemical control measures. Other methods are currently under research and development, amongst which the use of nanotechnology has attracted a lot of attention of the researchers in relation to the production of more effective repellents and larvicides with less toxicity, and development of rapid sensors for the detection of virus infections. In this review, the utilization of nano-based formulations on control and diagnosis of mosquito-borne diseases were discussed. We also emphasizes the need for future research for broad commercialization of nano-based formulations in world market aiming a positive impact on public health.

Micose fungoide é um tipo de linfoma não Hodgkin de células T raro que acomete primariamente a pele. Caracteriza-se pela presença de placas eritematosas que evoluem para lesões ulceradas, tumores em toda a pele ou ainda infiltração de medula óssea em estágios avançados. Como opção de tratamento para os casos iniciais, tem-se quimioterapia e corticoterapia tópica, fototerapia e radioterapia. Este estudo relata o caso de um doente com múltiplas lesões tumorais na pele já biopsiadas com diagnóstico de micose fungoide. O paciente foi refratário ao tratamento com quimioterapia tópica e fototerapia, sendo então indicada irradiação total da pele com elétronsMycosis fungoides is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of T cells that primarily affects the skin. It is characterized by the presence of erythematous plaques that evolve into ulcerated lesions, tumors throughout the skin or even bone marrow infiltration in advanced stages. Chemotherapy and topical steroids, phototherapy and radiotherapy are treatment options for early cases. This study reports the case of patient with multiple tumor lesions in the skin already biopsied with diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. The patient was refractory to both treatments with topical chemotherapy and phototherapy. It was then indicated total skin irradiation with electrons

El sulforafano es un isotiocianato con propiedades antimicrobianas y anticarcinogénicas, se encuentra en una amplia variedad de vegetales del género Brassica oleracea, considerándose las más importantes el brócoli y repollo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue cuantificar sulforafano en las partes comestibles de brócoli y en hojas de repollo por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La preparación de la muestra para la cuantificación del sulforafano incluye la conversión de glucorafanina a sulforafano (45 ± 2°C durante 2,5 h), extracción con diclorometano, purificación del extracto en columnas de extracción de fase sólida, y detección por HPLC-UV. En brócoli la concentración de sulforafano está en el rango de 214 µg/g bs (tallos) a 499 µg/g bs (inflorescencias). El repollo morado (101,99 µg/g bs) presentó valores mayores de sulforafano que el repollo verde (7,58 µg/g bs). Las inflorescencias de brócoli y las hojas de repollo morado son ricos en sulforafano.Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate which has antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties, this compound is found in a wide variety of plants from genus Brassica oleracea, being the most important broccoli and cabbage. The objective of this research was to quantify sulforaphane in the edible parts of broccoli and cabbage leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sample preparation for the quantification of sulforaphane include the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane (45 ± 2 °C for 2.5 h), extracted with dichloromethane, purification of the extract in columns of solid phase extraction and detection by HPLC- UV. Sulforaphane concentration in broccoli is in the range of 214 µg/g DW (stems) to 499 µg/g DW (inflorescences). The purple cabbage (101.99 µg/g DW) has values greater than the green cabbage (7.58 µg/g DW). The inflorescences of broccoli and red cabbage leaves are rich in sulforaphane.

The present study aimed to identify hygienic and motivational factors in the nursing work according to the Two-Factor Theory, as well as their relation with professional satisfaction/dissatisfaction. This exploratory-descriptive study involved nine nurses from the cardiology ward of a hospital in the interior of the State of São Paulo, between August and September 2013. A self-applied questionnaire was used, including open and closed questions. The data were categorized as hygienic and motivational. Results show the nurses' satisfaction with autonomy, work itself and teamwork, duties, content and responsibilities of the job. Dissatisfaction is related to career growth possibilities; work, political and administrative conditions at the institution, supervision and lack of institutional support. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction factors include relationships, acknowledgements and remuneration. Nurses' satisfaction is determined by multiple and often controversial factors.

El sulforafano es un isotiocianato con propiedades antimicrobianas y anticarcinogénicas, se encuentra en una amplia variedad de vegetales del género Brassica oleracea, considerándose las más importantes el brócoli y repollo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue cuantificar sulforafano en las partes comestibles de brócoli y en hojas de repollo por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La preparación de la muestra para la cuantificación del sulforafano incluye la conversión de glucorafanina a sulforafano (45 ± 2°C durante 2,5 h), extracción con diclorometano, purificación del extracto en columnas de extracción de fase sólida, y detección por HPLC-UV. En brócoli la concentración de sulforafano está en el rango de 214 µg/g bs (tallos) a 499 µg/g bs (inflorescencias). El repollo morado (101,99 µg/g bs) presentó valores mayores de sulforafano que el repollo verde (7,58 µg/g bs). Las inflorescencias de brócoli y las hojas de repollo morado son ricos en sulforafano.

This paper presents an artificial intelligence-based classification model for the detection of pulmonary embolism in computed tomography angiography. The proposed model, developed from public data and validated on a large dataset from a tertiary hospital, uses a two-dimensional approach that integrates temporal series to classify each slice of the examination and make predictions at both slice and examination levels. The training process consists of two stages: first using a convolutional neural network InceptionResNet V2 and then a recurrent neural network long short-term memory model. This approach achieved an accuracy of 93% at the slice level and 77% at the examination level. External validation using a hospital dataset resulted in a precision of 86% for positive pulmonary embolism cases and 69% for negative pulmonary embolism cases. Notably, the model excels in excluding pulmonary embolism, achieving a precision of 73% and a recall of 82%, emphasizing its clinical value in reducing unnecessary interventions. In addition, the diverse demographic distribution in the validation dataset strengthens the model's generalizability. Overall, this model offers promising potential for accurate detection and exclusion of pulmonary embolism, potentially streamlining diagnosis and improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children diagnosed with pediatric adrenocortical tumors (pACT) have variable outcomes, and, to date, the disease lacks robust prognostic biomarkers. The prognostic potential of tumor methylation has been demonstrated in several cancers. We aimed to evaluate the pACT methylation profile and its association with disease presentation and survival. In this cross-sectional study, we accessed the DNA methylation (MethylationEPIC Array, Illumina) of 57 primary pACT from Southeastern Brazil and the r espective patients' clinicopathological features. We also applied our analysis in an independent 48 pACT methylation dataset. Unsupervised learning whole-methylome analysis showed two groups with distinct methylation signatures: pACT-1 and pACT-2. Compared to pACT-2, pACT-1 tumors were enriched with higher methylation in CpG islands, mainly in gene promoter regions. The topmost hypermethylated gene in these samples was shown to be underexpressed. Patients in the pACT-1 group were older at d iagnosis and were more likely to have carcinomas and nonlocalized/advanced and recurrent/metastatic disease. Univariate and bivariate regressions showed that pACT-1 methylation signature confers superior hazard ratio of disease progression and death than known prognostic features. The methylation groups had similar frequencies of germline mutations in the TP53 gene, including the regionally frequent p.R337H. Our analysis replication validated our findings and reproduced those recently described in pACT. We demonstrated the existence of different tumor methylation signatures associated with pACT presentation and clinical evolution, even in the context of germline TP53 mutations. Our data support tumor methylation profiling as a robust and independent prognostic biomarker for pACT and suggest a list of candidate genes for further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Muscle strength is an important component of physical ability. In sports such as swimming, this physical capacity has been increasingly evident in training programs, thus becoming important for the performance of aquatic practices. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the strength capacity and the body mass index (BMI) of swimmers. Methods. For this, 20 swimmers of both sexes with a mean age of 38 ± 2 years were evaluated. The handgrip strength (HS) was assessed using a dynamometer and weight and height for calculating BMI. Results. There were no differences in BMI between genders (men (M): 25±1 kg./cm2; women (W): 24±0.9.kg./cm2. Men had a higher HS (M: 42±2; W: 29 ± 2 kgf.) There was no correlation between the HS and the BMI of the swimmers (M: r: 0.44; p: 0.19; W: r: 0.34, p: 0.30). However, the behavior of the relation of the variables differs between the sexes, in men the HS is higher according to a lower BMI, and in women, the HS is higher according to a higher BMI. referring to HS (M: 8.0±0.2; W: 8.4±0.6). Conclusions. Thus, the results of the present study show that the handgrip strength in swimmers is greater in males and does not present correlation with BMI, however it is possible to observe a different behavior between HS and BMI between genders, in men the relationship behavior is negative and in women the relationship behavior is positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the –11391G>A polymorphism in the regulatory region of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) is associated with birth size, postnatal growth, adiponectinemia, and cardiometabolic risk in adult life. DESIGN: Case–control study nested within a prospective cohort of 2063 community subjects born in 1978/1979 and followed since birth to date. METHODS: ADIPOQ –11391G>A genotype–phenotype associations were evaluated in 116 subjects born large for gestational age (LGA) and 392 gender-matched controls at birth (birth size), at 8–10 years (catch-down growth), and at 23–25 years of age (cardiometabolic profile). RESULTS: The –11391A variant allele frequency was higher in LGA subjects (P=0.04). AA genotype was associated with augmented probability of being born LGA (odds ratio=4.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–16.7; P=0.03). This polymorphism was associated neither with body composition nor with postnatal growth pattern. At the age of 23–25 years, the –11391A variant allele was associated with higher serum adiponectin levels (GG: 10.7±6.2 versus GA: 12.2±6.5 versus AA: 14.2±6.8 µg/ml; P<0.01). Subjects born LGA presented higher body mass index (BMI; P=0.01), abdominal circumference (P=0.04), blood pressure (P=0.04), and homeostasis assessment model for insulin resistance (P=0.01) than adequate for gestational age. Symmetry at birth did not influence these variables. The occurrence of catch-down of weight was associated with lower BMI and abdominal circumference (P<0.001) at 23–25 years. CONCLUSIONS: The –11391A ADIPOQ gene variant was associated with increased chance of being born LGA and with higher adiponectin levels in early adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Understanding the experiences of families of children with autism spectrum disorder in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in emergency and urgent care services. Methods: This is a multiple case study with a qualitative, descriptive approach. The collection of evidence took place during the year 2022, in an online manner, with 13 families of children with autism, through semi-structured interviews in a virtual environment. Results: The evidence resulted in two thematic categories: “Pandemic” and “Experiencing urgency and emergency”. The families expressed that the pandemic had a negative impact on their lives and the use of urgent services was also experienced negatively, affecting the child with the disorder, as well as their family, on different levels and aspects. Final considerations: Families are capable of promoting actions that directly refer to the aspect of the resilience process that their members were able to establish during this period.

Objetivo: Compreender a vivência das famílias de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista, no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19, em serviços de urgência e emergência. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de casos múltiplos com abordagem qualitativa, de caráter descritivo. A coleta de evidências ocorreu durante o ano de 2022, de forma online, com 13 famílias de crianças com autismo, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada em ambiente virtual. Resultados: As evidências resultaram em duas categorias temáticas: “Pandemia” e “Vivência da urgência e emergência”. As famílias externaram que a pandemia repercutiu negativamente em suas vidas e a utilização dos serviços de urgência e emergência também foi experienciada de forma negativa, afetando a criança com o transtorno, bem como sua família, em diferentes níveis e aspectos. Considerações finais: As famílias são capazes de promover ações que remetem diretamente ao aspecto do processo de resiliência que seus membros conseguiram estabelecer nesse período.

Objetivo: Comprender la vivencia de las familias de niños con trastorno del espectro autista, en el contexto de la pandemia de Covid-19, en servicios de urgencia y emergencia. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio de casos múltiples con enfoque cualitativo, de carácter descriptivo. La recolección de evidencias ocurrió durante el año 2022, de forma online, con 13 familias de niños con autismo, a través de una entrevista semiestructurada en un entorno virtual. Resultados: Las evidencias resultaron en dos categorías temáticas: “Pandemia” y “Vivencia de la urgencia y emergencia”. Las familias expresaron que la pandemia repercutió negativamente en sus vidas y la utilización de los servicios de urgencia y emergencia también fue experimentada de forma negativa, afectando al niño con el trastorno, así como a su familia, en diferentes niveles y aspectos. Consideraciones finales: Las familias son capaces de promover acciones que remiten directamente al aspecto del proceso de resiliencia que sus miembros lograron establecer en ese período.

A ocorrência de metástases de carcinoma de células renais para a vagina é rara. Ocorre principalmente em mulheres na pós-menopausa e o principal fator prognóstico é se essa metástase apresenta-se ou não isolada. Poucos casos foram relatados na literatura mundial e a maioria destes envolve metástases originadas no rim esquerdo. Os autores apresentam um caso de metástase vaginal de carcinoma de células renais em uma paciente de 53 anos de idade cuja apresentação clínica inicial foi de uma massa pediculada com bordas irregulares na parede posterior da vagina. Realizou-se a retirada cirúrgica da lesão que revelou tratar-se de adenocarcinoma de células claras. A ultrasonografia abdominal evidenciou presença de massa incidental no rim esquerdo e foi realizada a nefrectomia deste rim. O estudo imunoistoquímico realizado demonstrou tratar de lesão neoplásica primária do rim com metástase para a vagina. A paciente, então, recebeu radioterapia adjuvante na vagina e na pelve. Após oito meses do início do tratamento, realizou-se imunoterapia com interferon 2 devido ao aparecimento de metástase também para o fígado. A paciente encontra-se viva 17 meses após a cirurgia.

Abstract Background The successful use of semiochemicals to attract insects to traps is based on research on the most suitable compounds and their release profiles over time. Based on the group's promising results, matrices with a more adequate release profile and more eco-friendly properties for the release of 1-hexanol were developed. To use a more suitable prototype in the field, the most promising systems were added to a capsule and evaluated in a wind tunnel. Behavioral experiments were performed using the sand fly species, Lutzomyia longipalpis, to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed system. Methods Different delivery systems were developed by varying the polymer (gellan gum and pectin) ratio, crosslinker (aluminum chloride) concentration, and glutaraldehyde removal.The delivery systems were loaded with 1-hexanol, and their release profiles were evaluated using gravimetric analysis under ambient and high-humidity conditions. When the matrix system was placed inside a plastic container, modulations in the active release profile were observed and the system could be reused. Actid attraction behaviors of the sand fly species, Lu. longipalpis, were evaluated in a wind tunnel when exposed to 1-hexanol-loaded release systems at different times. Results Among the four formulations evaluated, System 2 (gellan gum and pectin in a 1:1 ratio with 5% aluminum chloride) exhibited the most promising release profile, with greater uniformity and longer compound release time. The maximum 1-hexanol release uniformity was achieved over a longer time, mainly every 24 h, under both ambient and high-humidity conditions. System 2 can be reused at least once with the same structure. The wind tunnel trials exhibited efficient activation and attraction of Lu. longipalpis to 1-hexanol after 24, 48, and 72 h in System 2 placed inside the capsules. Conclusions The polymeric matrix supplemented with 1-hexanol and introduced in plastic capsules showed promising results in attracting sand flies. This system can be used as a solution for other attractive compounds as well as in other applications where their release needs to be controlled or prolonged. Graphical Abstract

Water deficit is the main limiting factor constraining sugarcane productivity, and its impact is expected to increase due to climate changes. During prolonged drought periods, most plants become extremely vulnerable to ROS accumulation, which can severely damage their photosynthetic apparatus. The PetC gene, encoding a Rieske FeS protein (ISP), has been shown to regulate the electron transport chain and protect photosystems (PSs) under drought conditions in some plant species. In sugarcane, transcriptome analysis revealed that ScPetC is repressed during drought stress in the field. In this study, we have overexpressed ScPetC in tobacco plants and evaluated its role in water-deficit tolerance. Our results indicate that the ScPetC protein structure is conserved when compared to other species. ScPetC overexpression reduced the negative impact of water deficit on plant development. This effect was associated with a positive impact on ScPetC quantum efficiency and the electron transport rate of PSII, the photosynthetic rate, and water use efficiency. The total chlorophyll content under water deficit was higher in plants overexpressing ScPetC, and this was correlated with less chlorophyll degradation from oxidative damage. Together, these results demonstrate that ScPetC confers tolerance to water deficit and oxidative stresses, making it a candidate gene for crop improvement.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Cancer of the uterine cervix is still very common in Brazil. It is important to evaluate factors that influence its prognosis. The aim here was to analyze the prevalence of prognostic anatomoclinical factors among patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix undergoing radical hysterectomy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on 301 patients with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix who underwent Level III Piver-Rutledge hysterectomy surgery at São Marcos Hospital. METHODS: The following variables were analyzed: age, histological type, degree of differentiation, invasion of lymphatic, vascular and perineural space, lymph node metastasis, distance to nearest margin, tumor invasion depth, vaginal cuff size, largest diameter of the tumor, presence of necrosis and surgical margin involvement. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test were performed. A significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.27 years. The following were not important for the prognosis, in relation to survival analysis: degree of differentiation and tumor invasion depth; presence of lymphatic, blood and perineural invasions; distance to nearest margin; and vaginal cuff size. Tumor size (P < 0.036), presence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0004), necrosis (P < 0.05) and surgical margin involvement (P < 0.0015) presented impacts on survival. The overall survival with 98 months of follow-up was 88.35%. CONCLUSION: The most prevalent prognostic factors were the presence of lymph node metastasis, tumor size and surgical margin involvement.

Few studies have assessed biomarkers for the differentiation of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, some elements of depression such as hormones and receptors of the renin–angiotensin–adrenal system (RAAS), the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and history of early-life stress (ELS) could be considered for differential diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess aldosterone and cortisol levels, MR and GR gene polymorphisms, and ELS as potential biomarkers for differentiating MDD and BD. This study presents a case–control design. Groups comprised samples for genetic, cortisol, and aldosterone analysis: healthy control (HC; n = 113/97/103), MDD (n = 78/69/67) and BD (n = 82/68/65) subjects. Furthermore, all subjects were assessed for diagnostic screening, the severity of depression, and history of ELS by applying MINI-PLUS, GRID-HDRS, and CTQ, respectively. In addition, genotype and allelic frequencies of GR (N363S, R22/23K and BclI) and MR (MI180V and -2G/C) polymorphisms were evaluated via PCR. Our findings demonstrate that basal aldosterone levels may be a biomarker for differentiating BD and MDD. Furthermore, ELS affects the HPA axis in BD, cortisol may be considered a biomarker for distinguishing BD and MDD, but only in the absence of ELS, and, finally, history of ELS and MR-2G/C variant alleles are factors that contribute to the severity of depressive symptoms in MDD and BD.

ABSTRACT Ground-glass opacity is a very frequent and unspecified finding in chest computed tomography. Therefore, it admits a wide range of differential diagnoses in the acute context, from viral pneumonias such as influenza virus, coronavirus disease 2019 and cytomegalovirus and even non-infectious lesions, such as vaping, pulmonary infarction, alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary edema. For this diagnostic differentiation, ground glass must be correlated with other findings in imaging tests, with laboratory tests and with the patients’ clinical condition. In the context of a pandemic, it is extremely important to remember the other pathologies with similar findings to coronavirus disease 2019 in the imaging exams.

ABSTRACT Radiology departments were forced to make significant changes in their routine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus and optimize medical care as well. In this article, we describe our Radiology Department’s policies in a private hospital for coronavirus disease 2019 preparedness focusing on quality and safety for the patient submitted to imaging tests, the healthcare team involved in the exams, the requesting physician, and for other patients and hospital environment.

Ground-glass opacity is a very frequent and unspecified finding in chest computed tomography. Therefore, it admits a wide range of differential diagnoses in the acute context, from viral pneumonias such as influenza virus, coronavirus disease 2019 and cytomegalovirus and even non-infectious lesions, such as vaping, pulmonary infarction, alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary edema. For this diagnostic differentiation, ground glass must be correlated with other findings in imaging tests, with laboratory tests and with the patients’ clinical condition. In the context of a pandemic, it is extremely important to remember the other pathologies with similar findings to coronavirus disease 2019 in the imaging exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (c-SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease which increases cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) such as elevated homocysteine, TNF-α, and hs-C reactive protein. Methods We evaluated BMI, waist circumference (WC), 24-h recalls, SLEDAI-2 K, SLICC/ACR-DI, serum levels of homocysteine, folate, TNF-α, hs-C reactive protein, lipid profile, proteomic data, and duration of corticosteroid therapy in 19 c-SLE and 38 healthy volunteers. Physiological and anthropometric variables of c-SLE and healthy controls were compared by ANCOVA. k-cluster was used to separate c-SLE into two different groups with the best and the worst metabolic profile according to previous analysis showing some metabolites that were statistically different from controls, such as homocysteine, TNF-α, hs-CRP and folate levels. These two clusters were again compared with the control group regarding nutritional parameters, lipid profile and also proteomic data. Results Individuals with c-SLE presented higher BMI, WC, homocysteine, triglycerides, TNF-α, hs-CRP and lower folate levels when compared to controls. We found 10 proteins whose relative abundances were statistically different between control group and lupus clusters with the best (LCBMP) and the worst metabolic profile (LCWMP). A significant positive correlation was found between TNF-α and triglycerides and between hs-CRP and duration of corticosteroid therapy. Conclusion Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk parameters were worse in c-SLE. A less protective CVD proteomic profile was found in LCWMP.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare two different empiric treatments for late-onset neonatal sepsis, vancomycin and oxacillin, in a neonatal intensive care unit with a high prevalence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an neonatal intensive care unit from 2011 to 2014. Data from the medical records of at-risk newborns were collected daily. Infections were defined according to the National Health Surveillance Agency criteria. Data analysis was performed using an internal program. Results: There was a significant reduction in the number of Staphylococcus aureus infections (p = 0.008), without endocarditis, meningitis, or lower respiratory tract infection, as well as a reduction in the frequency of deaths related to S. aureus infection. There were no significant changes in the incidence of Gram-negative bacterial or fungal infections. An increase in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infections was observed (p = 0.022). However, there was no measured increase in related morbidity and mortality. There was a reduction in the median number of days of treatment with oxacillin from 11.5 to 6 days (p

As recomendações de adubação potássica para a cultura do meloeiro variam de região para região, sendo essas recomendações influenciadas principalmente pelas condições de clima, solo, e condições de cultivo. Portanto, o objetivo foi avaliar doses de potássio sobre a produtividade e a qualidade dos frutos de duas cultivares de meloeiro produzidas em céu aberto no município de Cassilândia-MS. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 2x5 (cultivares x doses de potássio), utilizando-se duas cultivares, o híbrido Amarelo Giorgio (Cucumis melo var. inodorus), e o híbrido Cantaloupe Rafael (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) e cinco doses de potássio (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1 de K2O) aplicadas no plantio e em cobertura na forma de grânulos. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: produtividade, massa, comprimento e diâmetro médio dos frutos, espessura da casca, ºBrix e pH da polpa, e porcentagem de frutos comerciais. A dose de potássio estimada que proporcionou a maior produtividade do meloeiro foi de 136,75 kg de K2O ha-1. Dentre as cultivares estudadas em cultivo a céu aberto no município de Cassilândia-MS, o híbrido Amarelo Giorgio produziu frutos que atendem os padrões de comercialização em níveis adequados.

The economic and financial crisis that struck Europe over the last few years has imposed much stricter capital and liquidity requirements for commercial banks thereby reducing their ability to provide funding to infrastructure projects. To circumvent this problem the European Union has promoted the Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative (PBI) aimed at using European funds for credit enhancement to increase the appetite of institutional investors – such as pension funds and insurance companies – to boost large-scale infrastructure financing. In this paper we describe the specific constraints and attractiveness of the PBI within Europe using the SWOT methodology to analyse the information coming from both pilot case studies and the responses that institutional investors and other stakeholders provided to the EC public consultation about the PBI. On the basis of this information we found that even though the initiative may contribute to facilitate infrastructure financing in Europe, there are still some challenges to be addressed for its right implementation. First published online 9 January 2017

Although the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has made progress towards appraising and measuring the performance of smart and sustainable transport projects, it still has important issues that need to be addressed such as the problem associated with incomparable quantities, the inherent subjective qualitative assessment, the complexity of identifying impacts to be included and its measurement method, and the corresponding weights. The issue of trading-off different sustainability criteria is the main unresolved matter. This problem may lead to lack of accuracy in the decision making process. This paper presents a new methodology to set the weights of the sustainability criteria used in the MCDA in order to reduce subjectivity and imprecision. We suggest eliciting criteria weights based on both expert preferences and the importance that the sustainability criteria have in the geographical and social context where the project is developed. This novel methodology is applied to a real case study to quantify sustainable practices associated with the design and construction of a new roadway in Spain. The outcome demonstrates that the approach to the weighting problem has significance and general application in a multi-criteria evaluation process.