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With a global push towards achieving the Paris Agreement as an imperative, there is a growing focus on how this will be achieved, and the role of organisations in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy and broader sustainability action. Investment decision-making is increasingly being informed by sustainability information, with stakeholders demanding greater transparency and comparability of disclosures, especially climate-related disclosures from organisations typically categorised as heavy emitters. This has ramifications for the oil and gas industry. Today, the sustainability reporting landscape is complicated, with a proliferation of sustainability disclosure frameworks developed by various standard setters. In an effort to standardise disclosures, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation launched the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in November 2021 to develop baseline global sustainability reporting standards including for climate disclosure (based on Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures). We have also seen proposals from The US Securities Exchange Commission on climate-related disclosures, which have sparked extensive public comment. Locally, the Government has committed to introducing standardised internationally aligned reporting requirements, including climate-related disclosures, which will be mandatory for certain entities. Regardless of exactly where each jurisdiction lands, it is clear that the sustainability reporting requirements will be significant, leading to increased costs for reporters, resulting in a business imperative to leverage value creation from this compliance transformation. Indeed, organisations putting sustainability at the heart of their business strategy will be the game changer in the new sustainable and equitable energy transition. And just as there will be leaders, there will also be laggards who risk value erosion.

This study sought to identify and quantify the trampling of carcasses of animals along the highways in the northwest region of the state of Paraná and for this it was necessary the support of the Environmental Police of Paraná, where animals carcasses were collected along the highways BR-376, PR-082, PR-151, PR-180, PR-182, PR-323, PR-486, PR-489, PR-490, PR-151 and PR-518. After the receipt of the specimens, the identification was carried out through the external morphology according to the taxonomic classification, then, were realized the dissection and autopsy. Roadkill of 50 specimens were recorded, being 10 birds, seven reptiles and 33 mammals. With the identification of the animals species run over in this study, it is possible to conclude that the construction of highways and the intense traffic of cars and trucks have caused significant environmental problems because it is necessary to deforest areas rich in flora and fauna to their construction and with this situation there is change in the migratory routes of animals and food behavior change that significantly increases the chances of a roadkill and the animals come to death. Studies like this one, are required to submit the environmental impacts (environment and wild animals) that the constructions or even the increase of highways cause on flora, fauna, and also for the environment itself to be proposed before the work plan with measures that aim to reduce these impacts.

Analisamos as possíveis condutas do professor diante do transtorno de oposição desafiante (TOD). Participaram do estudo 17 professoras do Ensino Fundamental I de uma escola da rede particular da cidade de Campinas/SP. Para a coleta de dados foi elaborada uma história fictícia sobre uma criança que apresenta sintomas semelhantes ao TOD e questões relacionadas às possíveis condutas do professor. Os resultados evidenciaram que as condutas relatadas pelas professoras são em sua maioria menos assertivas. Foram identificadas concepções de que a culpa reside na família e sentimentos de falta de capacitação. Por outro lado, o estudo identificou que os professores acreditam que o trabalho deva ser realizado em parceria com a família. Os resultados são discutidos ressaltando a necessidade de diálogo constante entre a comunidade escolar.

Background and study aims Since 2014, we have been using a new endoscopic approach to improve management of biliary adverse events (BAEs) after bilio-digestive anastomosis. We provide an update about our experience at 7 years. Patients and methods Patients with BAEs on hepatico-jejunostomy underwent entero-enteral endoscopic by-pass (EEEB) creation between the duodenal/gastric wall and the biliary jejunal loop. Evaluation of results during our seven-year experience was performed. Results Eighty consecutive patients (32 patients from Jan 2014 to Dec 2017 and 48 patients from Jan 2018 to Jan 2021) underwent EEEB, which was successful in all but one patient. The cumulative AEs rate was 32 %. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) through the EEEB successfully treated all types of BAEs in these patients. Cumulative disease recurrence was 3.8 % (three patients) and was retreated through the EEEB. Conclusions The update of our experience with EEEB confirmed that in patients with BAEs after bilio-digestive anastomosis, EEEB allows successful long-term treatment of different BAEs in a tertiary referral center with an acceptable rate of related AEs.

Lysine-specific demethylase 5C (KDM5C) has been identified as an important chromatin remodeling gene, contributing to X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The KDM5C gene, located in the Xp22 chromosomal region, encodes the H3K4me3-me2 eraser involved in neuronal plasticity and dendritic growth. Here we report 30 individuals carrying 13 novel and one previously identified KDM5C variants. Our cohort includes the first reported case of somatic mosaicism in a male carrying a KDM5C nucleotide substitution, and a dual molecular finding in a female carrying a homozygous truncating FUCA1 alteration together with a de novo KDM5C variant. With the use of next generation sequencing strategies, we detected 1 frameshift, 1 stop codon, 2 splice-site and 10 missense variants, which pathogenic role was carefully investigated by a thorough bioinformatic analysis. The pattern of X-chromosome inactivation was found to have an impact on KDM5C phenotypic expression in females of our cohort. The affected individuals of our case series manifested a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by psychomotor delay, intellectual disability with speech disorders, and behavioral features with particular disturbed sleep pattern; other observed clinical manifestations were short stature, obesity and hypertrichosis. Collectively, these findings expand the current knowledge about the pathogenic mechanisms leading to dysfunction of this important chromatin remodeling gene and contribute to a refinement of the KDM5C phenotypic spectrum.

The photoelectric effect is an abstract phenomenon that is difficult to observe and understand by students, creating an obstacle to their learning. The photoelectric effect consists of the ejection of electrons from a material exposed to a certain frequency of electromagnetic radiation. The packets of light, called photons, transfer energy to electrons. If this amount of energy is greater than the minimum energy needed to pull out the electrons, they will be pulled from the surface of the material, forming a photoelectron current. This article aims to describe the development, application and evaluation of a proposal for a didactic sequence in a high school class to teach the photoelectric effect, using the History of Science as a knowledge building tool. The strongly technical tradition in the field of Physics is reflected in the initial teacher training, making the learning process mechanistic, led to study and understand only what can be measured. However, the process of teaching physics is a human activity and needs to be analyzed from this perspective. This is the great relevance of approaches with a historical, philosophical and social bias in understanding science not as an entity that knows the whole truth, but as something that has been built over time in the most different possible ways, being subject to changes over time. of new discoveries.

O tétano é uma doença cosmopolita, toxinfecciosa, não contagiosa que acomete diversas espécies. A intoxicação ocorre através do contato de esporos com soluções de descontinuidade da pele como feridas, onde encontram um ambiente propício caso o ferimento seja profundo ou possuir tecido necrótico. Após entrar em contato com o organismo, por necessitar de um ambiente propício, a doença pode se manifestar de forma aguda ou crônica, podendo permanecer latente de 24 horas até 60 dias. Os equinos e humanos são altamente susceptíveis a doença, sendo os cães e gatos mais resistentes. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso de tétano em um animal da espécie canina. Uma cadela, fêmea de 10 anos de idade, atendida em clínica privada, apresentando espasticidade aguda de orelhas e musculatura facial, tremores, ataxia com histórico de passeios esporádicos em um terreno baldio. Em exame físico, constatou-se hipertonia de músculos faciais, redução da propriocepção, rigidez cervical, temperatura de 38,3ºC. Após dois dias, os tutores relataram aumento de tremores e espasticidade, dificuldade de apreensão da ração e andar rígido. Diante do exposto, apesar de incomum em cães, o tétano deve ser considerado em diagnósticos diferenciais para instituir uma terapêutica assertiva possibilitando melhor prognóstico nos pacientes.

Objective To assess the effect of Nordic walking (NW) on cardiometabolic health, physical performance, and well-being in sedentary older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Fifteen subjects with T2D (female, 5; male, 10; age, 65 ± 6.2 years [mean ± standard deviation]; body mass index, 27.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2[mean ± standard deviation]) were enrolled in a 6-month NW training program. The fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Participants’ quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey) and physical fitness (6-minute walking test) were also evaluated. Results Compared with baseline, NW significantly improved the fasting glucose level (103.5 ± 18.5 vs 168.7 ± 37.7 mg/dL,P= .01), SBP (121.8 ± 12.2 vs 133 ± 14.4 mm Hg,P= .02), physical fitness (759.88 ± 69 vs 615.5 ± 62.6 m,P< .001), and both mental health (54.5 ± 4.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.6,P< .01) and physical health (49.8 ± 4.7 vs 40.3 ± 5.9,P< .01). The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (6.15% ± 0.8% vs 6.4% ± 1%,P= .46), total cholesterol (162.2 ± 31.2 vs 175.5 ± 28.8 mg/dL, P= .13), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (95.2 ± 24.2 vs 106.3 ± 32.3 mg/dL,P= .43), and triglycerides (135.5 ± 60.8 vs 127.6 ± 57.4 mg/dL,P= 0.26) improved without reaching significance. Conclusion NW training improved the glycemic levels, SBP, physical fitness, and perception of quality of life in older adults with T2D. NW represents a suitable complementary strategy to improve the global health status in this population.

Background Cancer patients are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and are thus given high priority in vaccination campaigns. In solid cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, we evaluated the amount of anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies and antibody avidity after two or three doses of the vaccine. Methods Thirty-eight solid cancer patients, 15 untreated hematological patients and 21 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected before the first dose (T0), 21 days after the second (T2) and in 18 solid cancer patients also 15 days after the third dose of vaccine (T3). IgG, IgM and IgA anti-RBD antibodies were detected by ELISA. Neutralizing antibodies were measured testing the inhibition of RBD binding to ACE2. Antibody avidity was evaluated in 18 patients by a urea avidity ELISA. Results IgG anti-RBD antibodies were produced in 65.8% of the cancer patients at T2, and in 60% of hematological patients at levels lower than healthy controls. IgM and IgA anti-RBD antibodies were also produced in 5.3% and 21% cancer patients, respectively. At T3, a significant increase in anti-RBD IgG levels was observed. Neutralizing antibodies were produced in 68.4% of cancer patients as compared with 93% of untreated hematological patients and 100% of controls, at titers lower than in healthy subjects. At T3, neutralizing antibodies and avidity of IgG anti-RBD increased; 6/18 patients negative at T2 developed neutralizing antibodies at T3. Conclusion The data indicate that in cancer patients mRNA vaccine induces high avidity anti-RBD antibodies and neutralizing antibodies that increase after the third dose. The process of induction and selection of high-affinity antibodies is apparently unaffected by the treatment with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies.

The multichannel objective response detection (MORD) techniques are statistical methods, which use information from more than one electroencephalography (EEG) channel, to infer the presence of evoked potential. However, the correlation level between the channels can lead to a decrease in MORD performance, such as an increase in the false positive (FP) rate and/or a decrease in the detection rate (DR). The present study aims to propose a method to deal with the correlations in the multichannel EEG. The method consists of making an adjustment in the Monte Carlo simulation, considering the information between channels. The MORD techniques with and without the new method were applied to an auditory steady-state response (ASSR) database, composed of the EEG multichannel of eleven volunteers during multifrequency stimulation. The proposed method kept the FP rate at values equal to or less than the significance level of the test and led to an increase of 8.51% in the DR in relation to non-application of the method. Results of this study indicate that the proposed method is an alternative to deal with the effect of the correlation between channels in situations where MORD techniques are applied.

Introduction: Knowledge about the clinical endodontic practices of dental school graduates in the first years of their professional life may contribute to the discussions about Dentistry teaching. Methods: An online questionnaire with seven open and closed questions hosted on the Google forms platform was applied to dentists trained in the first half of 2019 in a School of Dentistry in southern Brazil. The questionnaire is structured to analyze how clinical Endodontics has been practiced in the labor market. The data collected in the questionnaires were transferred to an Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed as absolute and relative frequencies for closed questions and descriptions for open questions. Results: Molars and two-rooted teeth are the dental groups most frequently treated endodontically (64.3% and 35.7%). Both retreatment and conservative treatment of the pulp corresponded to up to 25% of all procedures in the graduates’ clinical practice. The endodontic protocol learned in their dental school was used by 64.3% of the graduates who provided endodontic treatments, and 42.9% reported the occurrence of at least one accident. The difficulty in access reported by the participants suggests that more training should be provided for this operative stage. Conclusions: After two years in the job market and having faced the initial difficulties existing in any profession, more than half of the graduates still performed endodontics in their dental clinical practice and used the same protocols learned in dental school.

Algumas metodologias ativas podem ser utilizadas para a capacitação do acadêmico de enfermagem, como a simulação realística, que tem como objetivo contribuir para um melhor desempenho na realização da consulta de enfermagem. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a avaliação de um curso de simulação online sobre prevenção do pé diabético oferecido aos acadêmicos de enfermagem do último ano. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa. Da análise do conteúdo, emergiram três categorias: Carga horária; Estratégias de ensino, didática e conhecimento do tema pelos profissionais; e Formas de avaliação. A simulação realística aplicada durante a graduação contribui para que os enfermeiros sejam capazes de avaliar corretamente a pessoa com DM, visando promover saúde e prevenir complicações, como o PD.

O presente artigo, através de instrumentos do Direito Comparado, realiza abordagem qualitativa ponderando os institutos de tutela coletiva do sistema jurídico brasileiro com o fenômeno da entre peneurlitigation no contexto do sistema norte-americano. O marco teórico utilizado é a teoria dos jogos ocultos, de Tsebelis, pela qual é possível arguir que a estrutura da tutela coletiva de direitos no sistema brasileiro, por não considerar fator relevante a escolha racional econômica de seus participantes (interessados, legitimado, integrante da classe, advogados, empresa), desestimula a cooperação entre tais agentes e desequilibra as forças em favor das empresas acionadas em tais demandas, o que acaba por comprometer a efetividade da tutela jurisdicional buscada em favor da coletividade e desencorajar o ajuizamento de ações coletivas, notadamente aquelas que possuem como objeto a defesa de direitos individuais homogêneos.

Objetivo: rastrear audiências, eventos públicos, denúncias, julgamentos e medidas protetivas no âmbito da Comissão Interamericana de Direitos Humanos (CIDH) para analisar suas considerações em casos relacionados à COVID-19. Metodologia: trata-se de pesquisa documental e descritiva, realizada a partir da análise de documentos relacionados à pandemia de COVID-19, disponíveis no site da CIDH. O recorte temporal utilizado compreendeu março de 2020, início da pandemia, até junho de 2021. Resultados e discussão: com base nos dados coletados em oito medidas cautelares, estabeleceram-se sete categorias temáticas para a discussão: Povos indígenas e a COVID-19; Pessoas privadas de liberdade e a COVID-19; Pessoas com deficiências e a COVID-19; Serviços de saúde e a COVID-19; Corrupção durante a pandemia; Acesso à Justiça durante a pandemia; e Acesso à informação durante a pandemia. Conclusão: ficou evidente que a pandemia afetou as populações vulneráveis e os Estados analisados adotaram medidas insuficientes para conter o vírus e garantir os direitos humanos das pessoas. Submetido em: 15/12/21 | Aprovado em: 03/06/22

Asthma can present in early childhood or de novo in adulthood. Our understanding of the burden of comorbidities in adult asthmatic patients stratified by age at onset is incomplete.To evaluate how different comorbidities may affect symptom control in two distinct groups of patients with early- and late-onset asthma (EOA and LOA, respectively) and to explore whether reported comorbidities are associated with lung function and inflammatory parameters.We conducted a cross-sectional study of 175 adult asthmatic patients (aged 57.5 ± 17.1 years) recruited at our university asthma clinic. We defined EOA as asthma onset less than 12 years, and LOA as onset greater than 40 years. The primary outcome was symptom control and main comorbidities evaluated were rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux, obesity, cardiovascular conditions, and bronchiectasis. We used multivariable regression analysis to identify potential predictors of poor control in EOA and LOA.Of 175 subjects, 77 had EOA (44%), 98 had LOA (56%), and comorbidities had a differential impact in the two groups. Rhinitis was more frequent in EOA (76 vs 53%; P = .02) and was associated with uncontrolled asthma (P .001), reduced FEVEarly-onset persistent asthma and late-onset asthma are distinct phenotypes with different underlying inflammatory patterns and different comorbidities affecting symptom control.

Background Administration of supplemental oxygen is a life-saving treatment in critically ill patients. Still, optimal dosing remains unclear during sepsis. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to assess the association between hyperoxemia and 90-day mortality in a large cohort of septic patients. Methods This is a post-hoc analysis of the Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients with sepsis who survived the first 48 h since randomization were included and stratified into two groups according to their average PaO2 levels during the first 48 h (PaO2 0–48 h). The cut-off value was established at 100 mmHg (average PaO2 0–48 h >100 mmHg: hyperoxemia group; PaO2 0–48h≤100: normoxemia group). The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Results 1632 patients were included in this analysis (661 patients in the hyperoxemia group, 971 patients in the normoxemia group). Concerning the primary outcome, 344 (35.4%) patients in the hyperoxemia group vs. 236 (35.7%) in the normoxemia group had died within 90 days from randomization (p = 0.909). No association was found after adjusting for confounders (HR 0.87; CI [95%] 0.736–1.028, p = 0.102) or after excluding patients with hypoxemia at enrollment, patients with lung infection or including post-surgical patients only. Conversely, we found an association between lower risk of 90-day mortality and hyperoxemia in the subgroup including patients who had the lung as primary site of infection (HR 0.72; CI [95%] 0.565–0.918). Mortality at 28 days, ICU mortality, incidence of acute kidney injury, use of renal replacement therapy, days to suspension of vasopressor or inotropic agents, and resolution of primary and secondary infections did not differ significantly. Duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in ICU were significantly longer in patients with hyperoxemia. Conclusions In a post-hoc analysis of a RCT enrolling septic patients, hyperoxemia as average PaO2>100 mmHg during the first 48 h was not associated with patients’ survival.

This study illustrates two patients who developed autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) after silicone breast implant (SBI) and improved after SBI extraction.

As Empresas Juniores (EJs) oferecem ao mercado diversos projetos de Consultorias, de acordo com as suas áreas de conhecimento. Cada EJ possui uma maneira particular para o planejamento e a execução dos projetos, sendo que as Abordagens Ágeis, como o Scrum, estão sendo cada vez mais utilizadas. Com isso, este artigo visa analisar a aplicação do framework no Gerenciamento de Projetos da Apoio Consultoria, Empresa Júnior dos cursos de Graduação em Administração e Gestão da Informação da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), verificando como foi realizada a implantação, bem como a sua aplicabilidade. Para isso, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco pós-juniores que atuaram na Apoio durante e/ou após a implementação. As entrevistas foram transcritas e foi realizada a análise de conteúdo utilizando o software MAXQDA®. O estudo obteve como resultado que o Scrum ajudou na melhoria do gerenciamento e execução dos projetos da Apoio, fazendo com que as entregas fossem mais ágeis e assertivas, porém, não foi implantado em sua totalidade. Concluiu-se que, apesar das dificuldades durante a sua implementação, foi possível a abordagem ser adaptada para a realidade da Apoio.

A úlcera venosa acomete cerca de 1% a 2% da população mundial, com evolução lenta, localizadas, geralmente, em membros inferiores. Sua principal etiologia é a insuficiência venosa crônica que causa obstrução parcial ou total do fluxo venoso. É considerada um problema de saúde pública, devido ao tratamento prolongado, sua cronicidade, complexidade e recidivas. O conhecimento e manejo correto das úlceras venosas, é imprescindível aos profissionais de Enfermagem que atendem a este tipo de lesão, sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo é relatar a experiência de uma enfermeira de Estratégia Saúde da Família quanto aos cuidados de enfermagem prestados a um paciente portador de úlcera venosa. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo do tipo relato de experiência. A assistência de enfermagem prestada pela Enfermeira com qualidade impactou não apenas na redução do diâmetro da lesão, como também na auto estima do paciente. Portanto, o cuidado à pessoa com úlcera venosa exige que o profissional enfermeiro tenha o vínculo com o paciente, conhecimento científico, utilização de terapia tópica adequada, terapia compressiva, além da adesão do paciente ao tratamento evoluiu para melhor cicatrização da lesão.

We performed two experiments in high milk-producing Holstein cows. First, we evaluated the repeatability of the antral follicle count (AFC) - where all follicles were ≥2 mm in diameter - during the days of the ovulation synchronization protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) in dairy cows (n = 20). In the second study we investigated the follicular dynamics and Doppler ultrasonography in cows with low (≤15 follicles, n = 9) and high (≥25 follicles, n = 9) AFC, and measured progesterone (P4) concentrations during CL evaluation. In addition, the diameter of the preovulatory follicle, area of blood flow of the preovulatory follicle, CL area, and CL blood flow were compared between groups with high and low AFC. Ultrasound examinations were performed during the days of the protocol and 10 days after ovulation to assess the CL. The constancy of the AFC was analyzed by calculating the repeatability. Parametric variables were analyzed using the t-test, and nonparametric variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test (P ≤ 0.05). The repeatability of the AFC on different days of the protocol was 0.98. Cows with low AFC showed a greater diameter of the preovulatory follicle (16 ± 0.3 vs. 15 ± 0.4 mm), blood flow area of the preovulatory follicle (17.3 ± 2.3 vs. 8.1 ± 3.2 mm

11 p.-7 fig.-4 tab. 7 schem., Maytansinoids are a successful class of natural and semisynthetic tubulin binders, known for their potent cytotoxic activity. Their wider application as cytotoxins and chemical probes to study tubulin dynamics has been held back by the complexity of natural product chemistry. Here we report the synthesis of long-chain derivatives and maytansinoid conjugates. We confirmed that bulky substituents do not impact their high activity or the scaffold's binding mode. These encouraging results open new avenues for the design of new maytansine-based probes., This work was supported by the H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019 (860070 TUBINTRAIN), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PID2019-104545RB−I00 (JFD), Proyecto de Investigación en Neurociencia Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno 2020, and by the European Union NextGenerationEU (J.F.D.). Open Access Funding provided by $INSTITUTION within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the follicular development, morphological integrity, and oxidative stress of preantral ovarian follicles from Bos taurus indicus females grown in vitro with ascorbic acid. Ovaries (n = 20) from Bos taurus indicus females were collected, fragmented, and were cultured in vitro for 6 or 12 days in minimum essential medium (MEM), or MEM supplemented with 50 or 100 ng/ml ascorbic acid, with an extracellular matrix of agarose gel, in an incubator at 38.5°C; every 2 days, 100% of the culture medium was replaced. The data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and/or Fisher’s exact test. In the event of a significant effect, the proportions were compared using a 2 × 2 proportion test. The oxidative stress analysis data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni test. Values were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. The addition of 100 ng/ml of ascorbic acid to the in vitro culture medium of preantral ovarian follicles from bovine females promoted follicular development, was efficient in maintaining morphological integrity, as well as the stability of reactive oxygen species, after 6 days of in vitro culture.

A ocorrência das infecções do trato urinário (ITU) causadas por leveduras do gênero Candida estão aumentando consideravelmente nas últimas décadas, sendo a Candida albicans a mais comumente diagnosticada como causadora deste tipo de infecções. Contudo, outras espécies, como exemplo da Candida tropicalis, estão emergindo como preocupantes causadores da doença. Neste sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho é revisar os aspectos relacionados com as ITU causadas por leveduras do gênero Candida. Foi realizada uma pesquisa na base de dados PubMed, buscando artigos sobre a epidemiologia, patogenia e tratamento das ITU causadas por leveduras do gênero Candida. As espécies de Candida são os fungos patogênicos oportunistas mais relevantes causadores de infecções nosocomiais e podem causar infecção no trato urinário, tanto inferior (ureteres, bexiga e uretra) quanto superior (rins), principalmente em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Existem alguns fatores predisponentes, como gênero feminino, idade avançada, diabetes mellitus, hospitalização prolongada, imunossupressão, gravidez, hipertensão, neutropenia, cálculos renais, infecções nosocomiais, terapia antibiótica e procedimentos, como a cateterização, que atuam como facilitadores das ITU por Candida spp. A doença pode ocorrer de forma assintomática, porém, pode evoluir para casos mais graves com comprometimento sistêmico em situações de candidemia que pode causar a morte do paciente, principalmente se tratando de indivíduos imunocomprometidos. Sendo assim, devido ao risco existente, a doença não pode ser negligenciada e um diagnóstico preciso e um tratamento adequado devem ser estabelecidos.

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar alternativas de políticas públicas sustentáveis para municípios de pequeno porte nas regiões da Serra e Vale do Caí, no Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, a partir de entrevistas em profundidade. Os resultados evidenciam que existem políticas públicas sustentáveis nos municípios investigados, contudo, há muito trabalho a se desenvolver em busca de cidades mais sustentáveis, considerando tanto o papel do poder público quanto da comunidade em geral. O poder público se tornou um impulsionador da adoção de políticas públicas de sustentabilidade, especialmente se houver algum tipo de incentivos nos municípios. Assim, atrela-se a importância da sustentabilidade com alguma forma de reconhecimento aos indivíduos que se engajam na causa. Entretanto, destaca-se aqui que o poder público é o agente que deve atender as demandas da sociedade, a qual deve possuir interesse em tais práticas, sejam elas envolvidas com benefícios ou não. Portanto, a pesquisa retrata de modo geral o contexto de municípios de pequeno porte e o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas, reforçando a importância de tais discussões, especialmente sobre a própria conceituação do que significa a sustentabilidade e o quanto é abrangente.

The global emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused substantial human casualties. Clinical manifestations of this disease vary from asymptomatic to lethal, and the symptomatic form can be associated with cytokine storm and hyperinflammation. In face of the urgent demand for effective drugs to treat COVID-19, we have searched for candidate compounds using in silico approach followed by experimental validation. Here we identified celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, as one of the best compounds out of 39 drug candidates. Celastrol reverted the gene expression signature from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected cells and irreversibly inhibited the recombinant forms of the viral and human cysteine proteases involved in virus invasion, such as M

Tissue engineering strongly relies on the use of hydrogels as highly hydrated 3D matrices to support the maturation of laden cells. However, because of the lack of microarchitecture and sufficient porosity, common hydrogel systems do not provide physical cell-instructive guidance cues and efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen to the inner part of the construct. A controlled, organized cellular alignment and resulting alignment of secreted ECM are hallmarks of muscle, tendons, and nerves and play an important role in determining their functional properties. Although several strategies to induce cellular alignment have been investigated in 2D systems, the generation of cell-instructive 3D hydrogels remains a challenge. Here, we report on the development of a simple and scalable method to efficiently generate highly macroporous constructs featuring aligned guidance cues. A precross-linked bulk hydrogel is pressed through a grid with variable opening sizes, thus deconstructing it into an array of aligned, high aspect ratio microgels (microstrands) with tunable diameter that are eventually stabilized by a second photoclick cross-linking step. This method has been investigated and optimized both in silico and in vitro, thereby leading to conditions with excellent viability and organized cellular alignment. Finally, as proof of concept, the method has been shown to direct aligned muscle tissue maturation. These findings demonstrate the 3D physical guidance potential of our system, which can be used for a variety of anisotropic tissues and applications., ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 8 (9), ISSN:2373-9878

Future mobile networks are envisioned to become multi-service systems, enabling the dynamic deployment of services with vastly different performance requirements, accommodating the needs of diverse service providers. Virtualizing the mobile network infrastructure is of fundamental importance for realizing this vision in a cost-effective manner. While there have been extensive research efforts in virtualization for the mobile core network, virtualization in the radio access network (RAN) is still at an early stage. In this paper, we present AIRTIME, a new RAN slicing system that enables the dynamic on-the-fly virtualization of RANs, with the programmability required by service providers to customize any aspect of their virtual RAN to meet their service needs. We present a prototype implementation of AIRTIME and evaluate the: (i) capacity to create virtual RANs on-the-fly, (ii) performance experienced by slice owners, (iii) isolation among multiple virtual RANs sharing the same physical infrastructure, and (iv) scalability to accommodate a large number of virtual RANs. Accepted version

Lipid and cholinergic mediators are inflammatory regulators, but their role in the immunopathology of COVID-19 is still unclear. Here, we used human blood and tracheal aspirate (TA) to investigate whether acetylcholine (Ach), fatty acids (FAs), and their derived lipid mediators (LMs) are associated with COVID-19 severity. First, we analyzed the perturbation profile induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the transcriptional profile of genes related to the ACh and FA/LM pathways. Blood and TA were used for metabolomic and lipidomic analyses and for quantification of leukocytes, cytokines, and ACh. Differential expression and coexpression gene network data revealed a unique transcriptional profile associated with ACh and FA/LM production, release, and cellular signaling. Transcriptomic data were corroborated by laboratory findings: SARS-CoV-2 infection increased plasma and TA levels of arachidonic acid, 5-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, 11-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,12E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, and ACh. TA samples also exhibited high levels of PGE2, thromboxane B2, 12-oxo-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, and 6-trans-leukotriene B4. Bioinformatics and experimental approaches demonstrated robust correlation between transcriptional profile in Ach and FA/LM pathways and parameters of severe COVID-19. As expected, the increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil counts, and cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-8) correlated with worse clinical scores. Glucocorticoids protected severe and critical patients and correlated with reduced Ach levels in plasma and TA samples. We demonstrated that pulmonary and systemic hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19 are associated with high levels of Ach and FA/LM. Glucocorticoids favored the survival of patients with severe/critical disease, and this effect was associated with a reduction in ACh levels.

Apoptotic cell clearance by professional and nonprofessional phagocytes in the process of efferocytosis is critical to preserve tissue homeostasis. Uptake of apoptotic cells by dendritic cells generates regulatory T cells and induces immunologic tolerance against self-antigens. In contrast, ingestion of infected apoptotic cells promotes activation of TLR4/MyD88-dependent bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and triggers Th17 cell differentiation. In this study, we evaluated the impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae–infected apoptotic cell efferocytosis by BMDCs derived from C57BL/6 mice on differentiation and expansion of CD4+ T cell subsets, as well as the role of TLR2/4 and receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2) receptors in recognizing intracellular pathogens during efferocytosis. We demonstrated that BMDC-mediated efferocytosis of S. pneumoniae–infected apoptotic cells induced Th1 cell differentiation and expansion. Although TLR2/4 and RIP2 deficiency in BMDCs did not affect Th1 cell differentiation during efferocytosis, the absence of RIP2 decreased IFN-γ production by CD4 T cells during the expansion phase. These findings suggest that RIP2-mediated IL-1β production during efferocytosis of S. pneumoniae–infected apoptotic cells partially supports a Th1-mediated IFN-γ production microenvironment.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and communication systems are fundamental elements in mission critical services, such as search and rescue. In this article, we introduce an architecture for managing and orchestrating 5G and beyond networks that operate over a heterogeneous infrastructure with UAVs' aid. UAVs are used for collecting and processing data, as well as improving communications. The proposed System Intelligence (SI) architecture was designed to comply with recent standardization works, especially the ETSI Experiential Networked Intelligence specifications. Another contribution of this article is an evaluation using a testbed based on a virtualized non-standalone 5G core and a 4G Radio Access Network (RAN) implemented with open-source software. The experimental results indicate, for instance, that SI can substantially improve the latency of UAV-based services by splitting deep neural networks between UAVs and edge or cloud equipment. Other experiments explore the slicing of RAN resources and efficient placement of virtual network functions to assess the benefits of incorporating intelligence in UAV-based mission critical services.

Introduction: Infections caused by Candida spp are a major public health concern, due to the high mortality rate and the limited therapeutic arsenal. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of Candida spp infections and susceptibility to antifungal agents in a general hospital. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with collection of epidemiological and laboratory data on Candida spp cultures (2014 to 2019), at a large tertiary and philanthropic hospital in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo state, Brazil. Results: A total of 63 episodes of Candida spp infection were eligible, being more prevalent in adults (88.9%) aged ≥ 70 years (41.3%), causing 40 deaths (63.5%). The C. albicans species represented 41.3% of the infections, with a mortality rate of 37.5%, while non-albicans species accounted for 58.7%, highlighting C. tropicalis (25.4%) and C. glabrata (23.8%), with a mortality rate of 27.5% for both species. Regarding the susceptibility profile, most were sensitive to echinocandins and azoles over the years. C. glabrata presented one case of resistance and dose-dependent sensitivity to caspofungin and micafungin and fluconazole, which was expected due to the decreased sensitivity to azoles, while the results for echinocandins were in agreement with previous studies showing increased resistance to this group of drugs. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of hospital fungal infections and the associated mortality rate, determining the local epidemiological profile and susceptibility to drugs is an important strategy for guiding antifungal therapy.

Context Antral follicle count (AFC) has been related to bovine fertility and response to reproductive biotechnologies, but its relationship to oestrus expression during timed artificial insemination (TAI) is not known. Aims This study evaluated the relationship between the AFC and oestrus expression in regard to the conception rate in beef cows that received an ovulation synchronisation protocol for TAI. Methods Multiparous Nelore cows up to 40 days postpartum were evaluated by an ultrasound to determine the AFC, and were classified into low (≤15 follicles; n = 150), intermediate (≥19 and ≤26 follicles; n = 150) and high count (≥30 follicles; n = 150). AFC evaluation was performed on a random day of the oestrous cycle (Day 0). The animals received a conventional TAI protocol based on progesterone and oestradiol benzoate. On Day 8, the animals received cloprostenol, equine chorionic gonadotrophin and oestradiol cypionate, in addition to a painting in the sacrococcygeal region. On Day 10, TAI was performed, and oestrus expression was evaluated and classified as high, low or absent, according to the removal of paint. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound 30 days after TAI. The data were analysed using a generalised linear model and a binary logistic regression model (P

PurposeIn a context where human–machine interaction is growing, understanding the limits between automated and human-based methods may leverage qualitative research. This paper aims to compare human and machine analyses, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of both approaches.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied qualitative secondary analysis (QSA) with machine learning-based text mining on qualitative data from 25 interviews previously analyzed with traditional qualitative content analysis.FindingsBy analyzing both techniques' strengths and weaknesses, this study complements the results from the original research work. The previous human model failed to point to a particular aspect of the case, while the machine analysis did not recognize the sequence of time in the interviewee's discourse.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that combining content analysis with text mining techniques improves the quality of the research output. Researchers may, therefore, better handle biases from humans and machines in traditional qualitative and quantitative research.

Changes in the intracellular calcium concentration are a fundamental fingerprint of astrocytes, the main type of glial cell. Astrocyte calcium signals can be measured with two-photon microscopy, occur in anatomically restricted subcellular regions, and are coordinated across astrocytic networks. However, current analytical tools to identify the astrocytic subcellular regions where calcium signals occur are time-consuming and extensively rely on user-defined parameters. These limitations limit reproducibility and prevent scalability to large datasets and fields-of-view. Here, we present Astrocytic calcium Spatio-Temporal Rapid Analysis (ASTRA), a novel software combining deep learning with image feature engineering for fast and fully automated semantic segmentation of two-photon calcium imaging recordings of astrocytes. We applied ASTRA to several two-photon microscopy datasets and found that ASTRA performed rapid detection and segmentation of astrocytic cell somata and processes with performance close to that of human experts, outperformed state-of-the-art algorithms for the analysis of astrocytic and neuronal calcium data, and generalized across indicators and acquisition parameters. We also applied ASTRA to the first report of two-photon mesoscopic imaging of hundreds of astrocytes in awake mice, documenting large-scale redundant and synergistic interactions in extended astrocytic networks. ASTRA is a powerful tool enabling closed-loop and large-scale reproducible investigation of astrocytic morphology and function.

In recent years, perovskite nanocrystal superlattices have been reported with collective optical phenomena, offering a promising platform for both fundamental science studies and device engineering. In this same avenue, superlattices of perovskite nanoplates can be easily prepared on different substrates, and they too present ensemble optical response. However, the self-assembly and optical properties of these aggregates in solvents have not been reported to date. Here, we report on the condition for this self-assembly to occur and show a simple strategy to induce the formation of these nanoplates stacks in suspension in different organic solvents. We combined wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering and scanning transmission electron microscopy to evaluate CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3 perovskite nanoplates with different thickness distributions. We observed the formation of these stacks by changing the concentration of nanoplates and the viscosity of the colloidal suspensions, without the need of antisolvent addition. We found that, in hexane, the concentration threshold for the formation of the stacks is rather high and approximately 80 mg/mL. In contrast, in decane, dodecane, and hexadecane, we observe a much easier self-assembly of the nanoplates, presenting a clear correlation between the degree of aggregation and viscosity. We, then, discuss the impact of the self-assembly of perovskite nanoplates on Förster resonant energy transfer. Our predictions suggest an energy transfer efficiency higher than 50%, even in a low photoluminescence quantum yield scenario, for both perovskite compositions.