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Aridity indices have been widely applied in dividing climate regimes and monitoring drought events. The knowledge of the aridity index and reference evapotranspiration is very important not only for understanding climate change and its effects on ecosystem stability but also for managing agricultural water resources. Therefore, in this work, we studied the spatial-temporal variation and trend of ETo, Tmean, and four aridity indices, such as the De Martonne aridity index, Pinna combinative index, FAO aridity index, and Thornthwaite aridity index, and its climatic attribution in Northeast Iran using the observed climate records from 10 synoptic meteorological stations from 1950 to 2021. The results showed that ETo for Northeast Iran as a whole exhibited an increase at a rate of +9.65 mmyr-1; Tmean showed an increasing trend at the rate of 0.03 ºC year−1 from the beginning of the statistical period of each station until 2021. Also, the AIT, AIDM, AIP, and AIF increased significantly by +0.001, -0.03, -0.01, and -0.001 year-1, respectively. Approximately 100% of stations showed an increasing trend in AIT and AIF, while 50% of stations reached up to a significant increasing level, and about 60% of stations showed an increasing trend in AIDM and AIP, while 70% of stations reached a significantly increasing level, which demonstrated that Northeast Iran was getting drier for the recent 40 years. This analysis of this study enhances the understanding of the relationship between climate change and drought in Northeast Iran, may be helpful for the agricultural irrigation system.

Resumo A Hipereosinofilia (HE) é definida como uma contagem de eosinófilos superior a 1500 células/microL no sangue periférico em dois exames, realizados com intervalo mínimo de um mês e/ou confirmação anatomopatológica de HE, com eosinófilos compreendendo mais de 20% de todas as células nucleadas da medula óssea. A Síndrome hipereosinofílica (SHE) indica a presença de HE com comprometimento de órgãos por ação eosinofílica, podendo ser classificada como primária (ou neoplásica), secundária (ou reativa) e idiopática. O comprometimento cardíaco ocorre em até 5% dos casos na fase aguda e em 20% na fase crônica da doença, variando de casos oligossintomáticos até miocardite aguda fulminante ou cardiomiopatia restritiva crônica (endomiocardite de Loeffler). No entanto, o grau de disfunção cardíaca não se correlaciona diretamente com o grau de eosinofilia. O envolvimento cardíaco na SHE ocorre em três fases: necrótica inicial, trombótica e necrótica final. Pode se manifestar como insuficiência cardíaca, arritmias e fenômenos tromboembólicos. O diagnóstico de cardiopatia é baseado em métodos de imagem multimodalidade, com ênfase na importância do ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT). Em pacientes com janela acústica limitada, podem ser utilizados agentes de contraste ultrassonográfico, que permitem melhor visualização das bordas endocárdicas e da região ventricular apical. Técnicas para análise da deformação miocárdica podem evidenciar redução do strain em segmentos apicais e preservação nos demais segmentos (reverse apical sparing). A ressonância magnética cardíaca permite a caracterização do realce tardio subendocárdico de gadolínio, e a biópsia endomiocárdica é considerada o padrão ouro no diagnóstico de cardiopatia. O tratamento é baseado na etiologia da SHE.

Urban agriculture (UA) is increasingly recognized in policy and academic discussions for its potential to promote sustainable food systems and reduce food insecurity. Due to their proximity to citizens, local governments are well-positioned to advance these initiatives. However, the factors that drive governments in densely populated cities to develop UA policies remain relatively understudied, especially in the Global South. To address this gap, we employ a comparative case study approach based on key informant interviews and documents to examine how local government actors pursue UA policies in the Brazilian cities of Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba. We find that certain municipal bureaucrats act as “policy entrepreneurs,” emerging as pivotal figures in creating, maintaining, and adapting municipal UA policies in Brazilian cities. These policy entrepreneurs use a number of strategies to advance their policy preferences, secure resources, and legitimize their actions within the public administration. These approaches include collaborating with civil society, forging partnerships within and outside of government, framing their proposals within international policy guidelines, and leveraging media coverage and external recognition. In doing so, policy entrepreneurs shape UA policies by introducing new programs, making them resilient to changes related to electoral turnover, and diversifying initiatives from direct government support for gardeners to, for example, incorporating UA into urban planning regulations. This article thus provides valuable insights for policymakers and underscores the crucial role of local government bureaucrats, particularly those acting as policy entrepreneurs, in shaping policies that contribute to making cities sustainable.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma amostra dos dados coletados, das reflexões realizadas e dos resultados obtidos no âmbito do projeto de pesquisa “Análise Lexicográfica Bilíngue Contrastiva de Expressões Idiomáticas (Português-Espanhol)”. Esta pesquisa se enquadra no contexto dos estudos fraseológicos e norteia-se pelos princípios teóricos da Lexicografia Bilíngue Contrastiva (DURÃO; SASTRE-RUANO; WERNER, 2009). Trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada por amostragem (GIL, 2008; 2010; LAKATOS; MARCONI, 2007), com análises qualitativas (PRODANOV; FREITAS, 2013). Seu corpus está constituído por uma seleção de expressões idiomáticas (EIs) formadas com nomes de partes do corpo no português brasileiro (da letra A até a letra L), coletadas em dois dicionários monolíngues, o Houaiss (2009) e o Aurélio (2010), e cinco dicionários bilíngues (Português-Espanhol): Gran Diccionario (2001); Diccionario Bilingüe de Uso (2003); Océano Compact Diccionario (2004); Dicionário Escolar WMF (2011) e Michaelis Dicionário Escolar (2008). Dentre os principais problemas identificados na análise estão: a inexistência de indicação específica que facilite a identificação das EIs; a apresentação de informações equivocadas; a carência de informações; e a falta de sistematicidade na apresentação das EIs.

Water scarcity is the main natural limitation for agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi and salicylic acid on yield and quality of watermelon under water stress. For this purpose, a split factorial experiment was conducted with three replications based on a randomized complete block design in two years. Irrigation treatment at three levels of receiving 100%, 80% and 60% of water requirement were placed as the main factor in the main plots. Mycorrhizal fungus in two levels (including no inoculation and soil inoculation by 20 g m-2) along with spraying of salicylic acid in three levels (including 0, 50 and 100 mg L-1) were designated to the subplots. The highest amounts of proline concentration, peroxidase and catalase enzymes activities were recorded in 60% irrigation treatment. Electrolyte leakage decreased by salicylic acid application, though in each irrigation treatment the lowest electrolyte leakage was recorded in 100 mg L-1 treatment of salicylic acid. Electrolyte leakage was significantly reduced by mycorrhizal fungi application. The highest (9.12%) and the lowest (8.08%) level of total soluble solids were recorded respectively in 80% and 100% irrigation treatments. The highest amount of TSS (9.07%) was obtained with mycorrhizal fungi. TSS was significantly increased by 6.70% and 11.20% with 50 and 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid treatments, respectively, compared to the control. The lowest fruit yield (34.76 t ha-1) was obtained when the plants were exposed to 60% irrigation treatment and no mycorrhizal fungus inoculation conditions. Fruit yield increased significantly in the presence of mycorrhizal fungi inoculation across all irrigation treatment levels, with the highest fruit yield (68.82 t ha-1) being obtained when plants were grown under 100% irrigation treatment and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation conditions. It may be concluded that using mycorrhizal fungus as a biofertilizer and salicylic acid as a plant growth regulator can reduce the harmful effects of drought stress and, hence, it can be recommended to increase the fruit yield and quality of watermelon at least in arid-semiarid conditions.

RESUMO Candido Portinari trilhou trajetória gloriosa nos Estados Unidos entre 1935 e 1942, marcada por obras emblemáticas elaboradas para este país: Café, os painéis do pavilhão brasileiro na Feira Mundial de Nova York e os murais da Biblioteca do Congresso. Examinamos o caráter único e experimental dessas representações de Brasil elaboradas por Portinari para a América do Norte - quase todas patrocinadas pelo Estado Novo -, bem como sua recepção pelo público estadunidense. Esta investigação fundamenta-se em fontes primárias do período, especialmente correspondências, memorandos institucionais, textos críticos e artigos de periódicos. As obras analisadas são um breviário dos conceitos de brasilidade fomentados nos Estados Unidos pela pintura nacional durante a Política da Boa Vizinhança e esclarecem a promoção do Brasil ali nesse período.

Introduction The Genus Thymus is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. According to Jalas (1971), Thymus is divided into eight sections: Micantes, Mastichina, Piperella, Teucrioides, Pseudothymbra, Thymus, Hyphodromi, and Serpyllum. About 18 species exist in some areas of Iran and most of them belong to Serpyllum Section and kotschiani Subsection. Chromosomal information is an important key for taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution, genetics and breeding in thyme. Therefore, this work was carried out to study the cytogenetic characteristics of genus Thymus belonging to the Subsection Kotschyani for breeding purposes and taxonomy.Materials and MethodsSeeds were collected from 5 wild populations and germinated on wet filter paper at 20 oC. One cm long roots were pretreated with 8-hydroxyquinolin and then washed in distilled water and fixed in carnoy solution for 24 hours. Hydrochloric acid (1N) was applied for 7 min to hydrolyze the roots. Staining was done by orcein for 24 h at room temperature. Stained roots squashed in one drop of 45% acetic acid and examined by a ZEISS Axiophot compound microscope. Cells in metaphase stage were photographed with a D450; Canon Inc. Japan digital camera. Ten well prepared metaphasic cells were selected and some chromosomal characteristics such as total chromosomal length (TL), long arm length (L), short arm length (S), the arm ratio (AR) [LA/SA], and centromeric index (CI), were measured using Micro Measure ver. 3.3 software. The following karyological parameters were determined: total chromosome form (TF%), intrachromosomal asymmetry index (A1) and interchromosomal asymmetry index (A2). Karyotypic characteristics have been determined using the symmetry classes of Stebbins (SC). Karyotype formula was determined from chromosome morphology based on centromere position in accordance with the classification of Levan.Results and Discussion This study reports the chromosome number and meiotic behavior of 31 populations belonging to 8 species of Thymus Subsect. kotschyani from Iran. In most species of this subsection, the base number of chromosome x = 15 and two diploid and tetraploid ploidy levels with chromosome number of 2n = 30 and 60 were observed. Only in T. migricus species, the base number of chromosome x = 14 was reported with two levels of diploid and tetraploid ploidy and chromosome numbers of 2n= 28 and 56. The chromosomes were mostly metacentric (m) or sub-metacentric (sm) in all species Among the various species with basic number of x= 15, the highest percentage of TF and the lowest amount of A1 were observed in populations belonging to T. eriocalyx (T7) indicating that this species has the most symmetric karyotypes. The lowest percentage of TF and the highest amount of A1 are in population of T. lancifolious (27) and T. fedtschenkoi (T28) species; this shows that the species has the most asymmetric karyotype among the species of this subsection. The highest amount of A2 was observed in T. eriocalyx (T7) species, indicated the asymmetry between chromosomes and chromosomal length. The difference in the number of chromosomes, ploidy levels and karyotype asymmetry in the populations and different species may be related to different environmental conditions in their habitat, pollination system (cross pollination) or polyploidy (Aneuploidy) in this genus.Conclusion The results showed that basic chromosome number in most species is 15 (x= 15). Two ploidy levels (diploid and tetraploid) were observed among different species. Chromosomes in most species, were metacentric and sub-metacentric. Based on intra- chromosomal symmetry (A1 and TF) T. eriocalyx species (T7) has the most symmetric and most primitive karyotype and the species T. lancifolius (T27) and T. fedtschenkoi (T28) have the most complete and the most asymmetric karyotypes. Also based on inter- chromosomal symmetry, (A2) T. eriocalyx (T) species has the most asymmetric karyotype.

Attempts to avoid property vacancy represent an immense challenge for local authorities and planning policy design. Despite recent normative and regulatory advances witnessed in the recent past with the recognition of the social function of the property by the federal constitution (1988) and statutory instruments included in the city statute (2001) and local master plans, Brazilian cities still experience difficulty in producing evidence-based indicators to support the implementation of progressive planning policies. This article offers a methodological approach using a multi-criteria index to identify vacancy propensity levels in the central area of São Paulo. The research results from a partnership between the municipal authority and two planning laboratories from public universities and financial support from UNESCO. The index was designed using a multi-criteria decision aid technique, PROMETHEE II. The proposed methodology involved the manipulation of eight variables related to the vacancy phenomenon and a two-phased validation process: one quantitative using statistical tests and the second qualitative through the scrutiny of the index by urban specialists. The result represents the potential vacancy levels for 3,254 urban blocks and their spatial distribution. For the 344 blocks inspected through fieldwork, 619 potential vacant properties were identified. The development and analysis of the index show that this approach provides valuable information on vacancy levels accounting for its spatial distribution. The index is a flexible tool that can absorb particular local conditions and support evidence-based policy-making.

Resumo Com o aumento da expectativa de vida da população e a maior frequência de fatores de risco como obesidade, hipertensão arterial e diabetes, espera-se um aumento na prevalência de insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEp). Entretanto, no momento, o diagnóstico e o tratamento de pacientes com ICFEp permanecem desafiadores. O diagnóstico sindrômico de ICFEp inclui diversas etiologias e doenças com tratamentos específicos, mas que apresentam pontos em comum em relação à apresentação clínica e à avaliação laboratorial no que diz respeito aos biomarcadores como BNP e NT-ProBNP, à avaliação ecocardiográfica do remodelamento cardíaco e às pressões de enchimento diastólico ventricular esquerdo. Extensos ensaios clínicos randomizados envolvendo a terapia nesta síndrome falharam na demonstração de benefícios para o paciente, fazendo-se necessária uma reflexão acerca do diagnóstico, dos mecanismos de morbidade, da taxa de mortalidade e da reversibilidade. Na revisão, serão abordados os conceitos atuais, as controvérsias e, especialmente, os desafios no diagnóstico da ICFEp através de uma análise crítica do escore da European Heart Failure Association.

BackgroundThe significance of detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood of antibody-positive patients for risk of development of Chagas heart disease is not well established. The objective of this study was to compare detection of T. cruzi DNA with known clinical and laboratory markers of Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) severity.MethodsThis is a case-control study nested within a retrospective cohort developed in Brazil to understand the natural history of Chagas disease. The study enrolled 499 T. cruzi seropositive blood donors (SP-BD) and 488 frequency matched seronegative control donors (SN-BD) who had donated between 1996 and 2002, and 101 patients with clinically diagnosed CC. In 2008-2010 all enrolled subjects underwent a health questionnaire, medical examination, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. A blinded panel of three cardiologists adjudicated the outcome of CC. Trypanosoma cruzi kinetoplast minicircle sequences were amplified by real-time PCR using an assay with a sensitivity of one parasite per 20 mL of blood. All testing was performed on coded samples.ResultsRates of PCR detection of T. cruzi DNA were significantly (P = 0.003) higher in CC patients and SP-BD diagnosed with CC (79/105 [75.2 %]) compared with SP-BD without CC (143/279 [51.3%]). The presence of parasitaemia was significantly associated with known markers of disease progression such as QRS and QT interval duration, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher left ventricular index mass, and elevated troponin and NTpro-BNP levels.ConclusionTrypanosoma cruzi PCR positivity is associated with presence and severity of cardiomyopathy, suggesting a direct role of parasite persistence in disease pathogenesis.

DOR: 98.1000/2383-1251.1397.5. 139.10.2.1606.1610 Extended abstract Introduction: Using of plant growth regulators is one of the methods can improve plant growth against environmental stresses such as salinity. Salicylic acid plays an important role in physiological processes regulation, including germination. Today, using of growth promoting bacteria has been increased and it causes to raise the seed vigor, uniformity, germination percentage and better seedling establishment. Growth promoting bacteria can be effect on increasing plant resistance to adverse environmental conditions by interposition in plant hormones production such as auxin, GA, cytokinins, and as well as the stabilization of nitrogen or phosphorus availability and other nutrients Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. Salicylic acid factor (SA) was selected at two levels (0 and 1 mM). The bacterial treatments included Azotobacter (AZ), Azospirilum (AZP), complex of Azotobacter and Azospirillum (AZ + AZP), and without inoculation (C) and salinity treatment (S) was at five levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM). Results: Results showed that all treatments had no significant effect on germination percentage. Radicle and plumule length, seed vigor index and seedling fresh weight was significantly increased at 50 mM NaCl. Generally speaking, the elongation of plant organs when treated with low concentrations of salts may induce osmotic adjustment activity in the plants which may improve growth. Germination rate, Radicle and plumule length and seed vigor index were significantly increased by salicylic acid treatment. AZ and AZ+AZP increased germination parameters significantly than control. Generally germination factors were better improved by combination salicylic acid with AZ than AZP and AZ+AZP. These results could indicate the synergistic relationship between growth promoting bacteria and salicylic acid. Conclusion: According to the results pre-treatment of melon seeds by 1 mM salicylic acid and Azotobacter can be proposed to improve seed germination and seedling establishment under salinity stress. Highlights: Effect of salinity on seed germination characteristics of melon. Effect of biofertilizer and salicylic acid on germination and seedling growth of melon under salt stress.

Na cidade de São Paulo cerca de 10 % dos domicílios estão fechados ou vagos, sendo grande parte deles em áreas bem providas com infraestrutura, enquanto parte da população vive em assentamentos precários e sem acesso a serviços básicos. Em 2014, a prefeitura municipal deu início à aplicação de instrumentos urbanísticos para reduzir a vacância imobiliária e, com isso, possibilitar a ampliação da oferta de moradia. A partir de um estudo de caso baseado em pesquisa documental, complementados por entrevistas com atores-chave e observação participante, este artigo descreve e analisa a implementação dos instrumentos da função social da propriedade entre os anos de 2014 a 2016, explorando o arranjo institucional constituído para levar a cabo essa iniciativa, e os resultados quantitativos para o período de 2014 a 2019. Observando a trajetória do setor de planejamento urbano em São Paulo, argumentamos que o arranjo institucional em tela representou uma ampliação do seu escopo de atuação e foi pilar fundamental para a aplicação dos instrumentos, que atingiu resultados expressivos e se consolidou como relevante experiência nacional.

BackgroundVery few studies have measured disease penetrance and prognostic factors of Chagas cardiomyopathy among asymptomatic Trypanosoma cruzi-infected persons.Methods and resultsWe performed a retrospective cohort study among initially healthy blood donors with an index T cruzi-seropositive donation and age-, sex-, and period-matched seronegatives in 1996 to 2002 in the Brazilian cities of São Paulo and Montes Claros. In 2008 to 2010, all subjects underwent medical history, physical examination, ECGs, and echocardiograms. ECG and echocardiogram results were classified by blinded core laboratories, and records with abnormal results were reviewed by a blinded panel of 3 cardiologists who adjudicated the outcome of Chagas cardiomyopathy. Associations with Chagas cardiomyopathy were tested with multivariate logistic regression. Mean follow-up time between index donation and outcome assessment was 10.5 years for the seropositives and 11.1 years for the seronegatives. Among 499 T cruzi seropositives, 120 (24%) had definite Chagas cardiomyopathy, and among 488 T cruzi seronegatives, 24 (5%) had cardiomyopathy, for an incidence difference of 1.85 per 100 person-years attributable to T cruzi infection. Of the 120 seropositives classified as having Chagas cardiomyopathy, only 31 (26%) presented with ejection fraction

BackgroundBlood donor screening leads to large numbers of new diagnoses of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, with most donors in the asymptomatic chronic indeterminate form. Information on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in infected blood donors is lacking and may help in counseling and recognizing those with more severe disease.ObjectivesTo assess the frequency of ECG abnormalities in T.cruzi seropositive relative to seronegative blood donors, and to recognize ECG abnormalities associated with left ventricular dysfunction.MethodsThe study retrospectively enrolled 499 seropositive blood donors in São Paulo and Montes Claros, Brazil, and 483 seronegative control donors matched by site, gender, age, and year of blood donation. All subjects underwent a health clinical evaluation, ECG, and echocardiogram (Echo). ECG and Echo were reviewed blindly by centralized reading centers. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (EF)

In this study, results related to boehmite synthesis by hydrothermal processes starting from a Bayer commercial gibbsite are reported. The processes have been conducted from aqueous suspensions with initial acidic or alkaline pH, without or with acetate ion, at 160oC for 72h to 168h. The final materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal methods (DTA and TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of the synthesis conditions on the morphology of the boehmite crystals obtained from the gibbsite at different hydrothermal processes are discussed.

O artigo analisa as percepções dos jovens sobre atuação política na sua participação nas ocupações das escolas públicas durante os anos de 2015 e 2016. Para tanto, foram realizadas cinco entrevistas semiestruturadas com jovens de 18 a 20 anos e que se propuseram a falar dessa experiência em 2017. Os jovens entrevistados apontam que, embora as ocupações das escolas tenham possibilitado adesão significativa dos secundaristas e da comunidade local, elas contribuíram muito mais em teor pedagógico de aprendizado político – no que se refere à convivência comunitária e uso dos espaços públicos – e menos para uma perspectiva de engajamento e continuidade da própria atuação política da juventude nas ocupações. Palavras-chave: Juventude. Atuação Política. Escolas Públicas. Ocupação nas Escolas.

Despite the increasing attention that the circular economy (CE) has received at the international level in recent years, the literature has paid limited attention to the importance of institutional factors that may influence firms' disclosure of CE. Thus, there is a gap in the study of CE disclosure, especially when compared with other studies dedicated to environmental disclosure. This paper aims to fill this gap by investigating the institutional pressures, in terms of coercive, normative, and mimetic factors, that influence firms' behavior with respect to CE disclosure. This research focuses on a sample of 366 nonfinancial firms, operating in 14 EU countries between 2015 and 2020. The results show that coercive and mimetic institutional pressures positively influence the level of CE disclosure issued by the firms. More specifically, the stringency of the environmental policy (coercive pressure) and the belonging to an environmentally sensitive sector (mimetic pressure) have a positive impact on the CE disclosure provided. With respect to normative pressure, the results are mixed. In fact, only the adoption of Global Reporting Initiatives' (GRIs) standard requirements is positively and significantly related to CE disclosure. The presence of an external assurance, as well as the commitment to the SDGs, is not significantly related to the CE disclosure. The absence of an analytical standard that organically addresses the issue of CE, by guiding companies in their disclosure, may explain the irrelevance of these factors in the process of convergence of the information produced. This research contributes to this area by filling a gap in the CE literature, providing some insights into the determinants of disclosure and the role of institutional pressures in influencing the level of CE information. In addition, the research adds to previous studies on disclosure by measuring the CE information provided by companies with an indicator developed based on specific environmental items collected from the Refinitiv Eikon database, which could be used in future research. The findings of this paper have some important practical implications. In particular, the results confirm to policymakers that stricter regulations have a positive impact on disclosures related to the CE. Thus, a new specific European regulation should promote more homogeneous and analytical CE disclosure, increasing the sensitivity among firms and practitioners on this topic. A similar approach may be followed for the same purpose by other regional or local policymakers. The paper also emphasizes the necessity of introducing more stringent regulations on assurance and SDGs by the regulatory or professional bodies to achieve greater uniformity of behavior by firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FUNDAMENTO: A norepinefrina miocárdica está alterada na disfunção ventricular esquerda. Em pacientes com cardiomiopatia chagásica (CC), essa questão ainda não foi discutida. OBJETIVO: Determinar o nível de norepinefrina (NE) miocárdica em pacientes com CC e compará-la em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e relacionar NE miocárdica com a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). MÉTODOS: Estudamos 39 pacientes com CC, divididos em grupo 1: 21 indivíduos com FEVE normal e grupo 2: 18 com FEVE diminuída. Dezessete pacientes com DAC foram divididos em grupo 3: 12 indivíduos com FEVE normal e grupo 4: 5 indivíduos com FEVE diminuída. Ecocardiografia bidimensional foi usada para medir a FEVE. A NE miocárdica foi determinada através de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (HPLC). RESULTADOS: A NE miocárdica na CC com e sem disfunção ventricular foi 1,3±1,3 e 6,1±4,2 pg/μg de proteína não-colagenosa, respectivamente (p

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the impairment of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent coronary blood flow reserve after administration of intracoronary acetylcholine and adenosine, and its association with hypertensive cardiac disease. INTRODUCTION: Coronary blood flow reserve reduction has been proposed as a mechanism for the progression of compensated left ventricular hypertrophy to ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Eighteen hypertensive patients with normal epicardial coronary arteries on angiography were divided into two groups according to left ventricular fractional shortening (FS). Group 1 (FS >0.25): n=8, FS=0.29 ± 0.03; Group 2 (FS

OBJECTIVES: We compared left ventricular regional wall motion, the global left ventricular ejection fraction, and the New York Heart Association functional class pre- and postoperatively. INTRODUCTION: Endomyocardial fibrosis is characterized by fibrous tissue deposition in the endomyocardium of the apex and/or inflow tract of one or both ventricles. Although left ventricular global systolic function is preserved, patients exhibit wall motion abnormalities in the apical and inferoapical regions. Fibrous tissue resection in New York Heart Association FC III and IV endomyocardial fibrosis patients has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We prospectively studied 30 patients (20 female, 30±10 years) before and 5±8 months after surgery. The left ventricular ejection fraction was determined using the area-length method. Regional left ventricular motion was measured by the centerline method. Five left ventricular segments were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Abnormality was expressed in units of standard deviation from the mean motion in a normal reference population. RESULTS: Left ventricular wall motion in the five regions did not differ between pre- and postoperative measurements. Additionally, the left ventricular ejection fraction did not change after surgery (0.45±0.13% x 0.43±0.12% pre- and postoperatively, respectively). The New York Heart Association functional class improved to class I in 40% and class II in 43% of patients postoperatively (p

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) and restrictive cardiomyopathy share many similarities in both their clinical and hemodynamic characteristics and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a sensitive marker of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether serum NT-proBNP was high in patients with endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) and CP, and to investigate how this relates to diastolic dysfunction. Thirty-three patients were divided into two groups: CP (16 patients) and EMF (17 patients). The control group consisted of 30 healthy individuals. Patients were evaluated by bidimensional echocardiography, with restriction syndrome evaluated by pulsed Doppler of the mitral flow and serum NT-proBNP measured by immunoassay and detected by electrochemiluminescence. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association between log NT-proBNP and echocardiographic parameters. Log NT-proBNP was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CP patients (log mean: 2.67 pg/mL; 95%CI: 2.43-2.92 log pg/mL) and in EMF patients (log mean: 2.91 pg/mL; 95%CI: 2.70-3.12 log pg/mL) compared with the control group (log mean: 1.45; 95%CI: 1.32-1.60 log pg/mL). There were no statistical differences between EMF and CP patients (P = 0.689) in terms of NT-proBNP. The NT-proBNP log tended to correlate with peak velocity of the E wave (r = 0.439; P = 0.060, but not with A wave (r = -0.399; P = 0.112). Serum NT-proBNP concentration can be used as a marker to detect the presence of diastolic dysfunction in patients with restrictive syndrome; however, serum NT-proBNP levels cannot be used to differentiate restrictive cardiomyopathy from CP.

FUNDAMENTO: O NT pro-BNP é marcador de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. OBJETIVO: Determinar os níveis de NT pro-BNP em pacientes com cardiopatia chagásica, hipertrófica, restritiva e afecções pericárdicas, e sua relação com medidas ecocardiográficas de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. MÉTODOS: Cento e quarenta e cinco pacientes foram divididos nos respectivos grupos: 1) cardiopatia chagásica (CCh) - 14 pacientes; 2) miocardiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) - 71 pacientes; 3) endomiocardiofibrose (EMF) - 26 pacientes; 4) derrame pericárdico (DP) - 18 pacientes; 5) e pericardite constritiva (PC) - 16 pacientes. Foi constituído um grupo-controle de 40 indivíduos sem doença cardíaca. O grau de acometimento miocárdico e o derrame pericárdico foram avaliados pelo ecocardiograma bidimensional e a restrição pelo Doppler pulsátil do fluxo mitral. O diagnóstico de PC foi confirmado por meio da ressonância magnética. Os níveis de NT pro-BNP foram medidos por imunoensaio com detecção por eletroquimioluminescência. RESULTADOS: O NT pro-BNP esteve aumentado (p < 0,001) na CCh (mediana 513,8 pg/ml), CMH (mediana 848 pg/ml), EMF (mediana 633 pg/ml), PC (mediana 568 pg/ml), DP (mediana 124 pg/ml), quando comparados ao grupo-controle (mediana 28 pg/ml). Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre PC e EMF (p = 0,14). No grupo hipertrófico, o NT pro-BNP correlacionou-se com tamanho de átrio esquerdo (r = 0,40; p < 0,001) e relação E/Ea (p < 0,01). No grupo restritivo, houve uma tendência de correlação com pico de velocidade de onda E (r = 0,439; p = 0,06). CONCLUSÃO: O NT pro-BNP encontra-se aumentado nas diversas miocardiopatias e afecções pericárdicas, e apresenta relação com o grau de disfunção sistólica e diastólica.BACKGROUND: NT pro-BNP is a marker of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To determine NT pro-BNP levels in patients with chagasic, hypertrophic, and restrictive heart diseases, as well as with pericardial diseases, and their relation to echocardiographic measurements of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 145 patients were divided into the following groups: 1) Chagas' heart disease (CHD) - 14 patients; 2) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - 71 patients; 3) endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) - 26 patients; 4) pericardial effusion (PE) - 18 patients; and 5) constrictive pericarditis (CP) - 16 patients. The control group was comprised of 40 individuals with no heart disease. The degree of myocardial impairment and pericardial effusion were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography and the degree of restriction by pulsed Doppler transmitral flow. The diagnosis of CP was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. NT pro-BNP levels were determined through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: NT pro-BNP was increased (p < 0.001) in CHD (median = 513.8 pg/ml), HCM (median = 848 pg/ml), EMF (median = 633 pg/ml), CP (median = 568 pg/ml), and PE (median = 124 pg/ml), when compared with the control group (median = 28 pg/ml). No statistically significant differences were found between CP and EMF (p = 0.14). In the hypertrophic group, NT pro-BNP was correlated with left atrial size (r = 0.40; p < 0.001) and with E/Ea ratio (p < 0.01). In the restrictive group, there was a trend of correlation with E-wave peak velocity (r = 0.439; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: NT pro-BNP is increased in the different cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases and is correlated with the degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND:Blood donor screening leads to large numbers of new diagnoses of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, with most donors in the asymptomatic chronic indeterminate form. Information on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in infected blood donors is lacking and may help in counseling and recognizing those with more severe disease. OBJECTIVES:To assess the frequency of ECG abnormalities in T.cruzi seropositive relative to seronegative blood donors, and to recognize ECG abnormalities associated with left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS:The study retrospectively enrolled 499 seropositive blood donors in São Paulo and Montes Claros, Brazil, and 483 seronegative control donors matched by site, gender, age, and year of blood donation. All subjects underwent a health clinical evaluation, ECG, and echocardiogram (Echo). ECG and Echo were reviewed blindly by centralized reading centers. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (EF)

A prevenção de complicações cardiovasculares tardias após radioterapia (RT) para tratamento de um tumor maligno é um desafio. Relatamos o caso de um jovem paciente com linfoma de Hodgkin submetido a tratamento com RT que desenvolveu doença cardíaca isquêmica no seguimento, embora não apresentasse fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Concluímos que pacientes submetidos a RT que apresentam dor torácica deveriam ser criteriosamente avaliados em relação à doença arterial coronariana.

Attempts to avoid property vacancy represent an immense challenge for local authorities and planning policy design. Despite recent normative and regulatory advances witnessed in the recent past with the recognition of the social function of the property by the federal constitution (1988) and statutory instruments included in the city statute (2001) and local master plans, Brazilian cities still experience difficulty in producing evidence-based indicators to support the implementation of progressive planning policies. This article offers a methodological approach using a multi-criteria index to identify vacancy propensity levels in the central area of São Paulo. The research results from a partnership between the municipal authority and two planning laboratories from public universities and financial support from UNESCO. The index was designed using a multi-criteria decision aid technique, PROMETHEE II. The proposed methodology involved the manipulation of eight variables related to the vacancy phenomenon and a two-phased validation process: one quantitative using statistical tests and the second qualitative through the scrutiny of the index by urban specialists. The result represents the potential vacancy levels for 3,254 urban blocks and their spatial distribution. For the 344 blocks inspected through fieldwork, 619 potential vacant properties were identified. The development and analysis of the index show that this approach provides valuable information on vacancy levels accounting for its spatial distribution. The index is a flexible tool that can absorb particular local conditions and support evidence-based policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chagas disease is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, and information about left atrial (LA) function in this disease still lacks. Objective: To assess the different LA functions (reservoir, conduit and pump functions) and their correlation with the echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions. Methods: 10 control subjects (CG), and patients with Chagas disease as follows: 26 with the indeterminate form (GI); 30 with ECG alterations (GII); and 19 with LV dysfunction (GIII). All patients underwent M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Results: Reservoir function (Total Emptying Fraction: TEF): (p

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In the fields of art, particularly in the modern and post-modern era, the cohabitation of different cultures from various areas of the world and from different historical periods as well as the attempt to connect unrelated languages, has very often defined the framework for triggering the creation of new art and even for shaping the aesthetics of some artists. It is worth then, and even more crucial - primarily for artists - to reflect on the meaning and the value of mixing cultures and/or languages in art. As music composers, the authors have been deepening why the use of materials from distant cultures could be relevant in music composition. In particular, the authors studied how the tension created by the cohabitation between different cultures could of er unique devices for defining aesthetics and for changing perspective on the composition and transcription practice. The examples are from some of the authors’ original compositions and arranging for ukulele and for choir. Finally, some reflections on the implication of creating art through the use of different cultures or languages are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negrao, Carlos Eduardo, Maria Urbana P. Brandao Rondon, Tais Tinucci, Maria Janieire N. Alves, Fabiana Roveda, Ana Maria W. Braga, Soraya F. Reis, Luciano Nastari, Antonio Carlos P. Barretto, Eduardo M. Krieger, and Holly R. Middlekauff. Abnormal neurovascular control during exercise is linked to heart failure severity. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 280: H1286-H1292, 2001.--The purpose of this study was to determine if abnormalities of sympathetic neural and vascular control are present in mild and/or severe heart failure (HF) and to determine the underlying afferent mechanisms. Patients with severe HF, mild HF, and age-matched controls were studied. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) in the nonexercising arm were measured during mild and moderate static handgrip. MSNA during moderate handgrip was higher at baseline and throughout exercise in severe HF vs. mild HF (peak MSNA 67 [+ or -] 3 vs. 54 [+ or -] 3 bursts/rain, P [is less than] 0.0001) and higher in mild HF vs. controls (33 [+ or -] 3 bursts/rain, P [is less than] 0.0001), but the change in MSNA was not different between the groups. The change in FVR was not significantly different between the three groups during static exercise. During isolation of muscle metaboreceptors, MSNA and blood pressure remained elevated in normal controls and mild HF but not in severe HF. During mild handgrip, the increase in MSNA was exaggerated in severe HF vs. controls and mild HF, in whom MSNA did not increase. In summary, the increase in MSNA during static exercise in severe HF appears to be attributable to exaggerated central command or muscle mechanoreceptor control, not muscle metaboreceptor control. autonomic nervous system

Resumo Fundamento As características histopatológicas da doença de Chagas (DCC) são: presença de miocardite, destruição das fibras cardíacas e fibrose miocárdica. A Galectina-3 (Gal-3) é um biomarcador envolvido no mecanismo de fibrose e inflamação que pode ser útil para a estratificação de indivíduos com DCC por risco. Objetivos Nosso objetivo foi avaliar se níveis elevados de Gal-3 estão associados a formas graves de cardiomiopatia chagásica (CC) e são preditivos de mortalidade. Métodos Estudamos doadores de sangue (DS) positivos para anti-T. cruzi: não-CC-DS (187 DS sem CC com eletrocardiograma [ECG] e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo [FEVE] normais); CC-Não-Dis-DS (46 DS com CC e apresentando ECG anormal, mas FEVE normal); e 153 controles negativos correspondentes. Esta amostra foi composta por 97 pacientes com CC grave (CC-Dis). Usamos as correlações de Kruskall-Wallis e Spearman para testar a hipótese de associações, assumindo um p bicaudal

Provides information on a study which examined the presence of sympathetic neural and vascular control abnormalities in mild and/or severe heart failure and its underlying afferent mechanisms during exercise. Methods used in the study; Results and discussion.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training reduces resting sympathetic neural activation in patients with chronic advanced heart failure.Background: Exercise training in heart failure has been shown to be beneficial, but its mechanisms of benefit remain unknown.Methods: Sixteen New York Heart Association class II to III heart failure patients, age 35 to 60 years, ejection fraction < or =40% were divided into two groups: 1) exercise-trained (n = 7), and 2) sedentary control (n = 9). A normal control exercise-trained group was also studied (n = 8). The four-month supervised exercise training program consisted of three 60 min exercise sessions per week, at heart rate levels that corresponded up to 10% below the respiratory compensation point. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded directly from peroneal nerve using the technique of microneurography. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous plethysmography.Results: Baseline MSNA was greater in heart failure patients compared with normal controls; MSNA was uniformly decreased after exercise training in heart failure patients (60 +/- 3 vs. 38 +/- 3 bursts/100 heart beats), and the mean difference in the change was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than the mean difference in the change in sedentary heart failure or trained normal controls. In fact, resting MSNA in trained heart failure patients was no longer significantly greater than in trained normal controls. In heart failure patients, peak VO(2) and forearm blood flow, but not left ventricular ejection fraction, increased after training.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that exercise training in heart failure patients results in dramatic reductions in directly recorded resting sympathetic nerve activity. In fact, MSNA was no longer greater than in trained, healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillomaviruses, belonging to the Papillomaviridae family, are small oncogenic viruses, causing papillomas and fibropapillomas in the mucosal and cutaneous epithelia of several animals. In bovine species, thirteen types (BPV 1-13) were characterized to date. In this study, the occurrence of papillomatosis in four outbreaks in cattle herds, coming from Brazilian states were registered. The papillomatous lesions were found located in the teats, udders, head and neck. Under the transmission electron microscope, by the negative staining technique, it was possible to visualized rounded-format papillomavirus, with icosahedral symmetry, characterized as "full" and "empty" particles, measuring on average 60 nm in diameter, in all the 40 samples observed of skin lesion fragments. The ultrathin sections revealed the presence of groups of viral, intranuclear, rounded particles measuring 35 nm in diameter and tubular particles with a diameter of 35-39 nm. At immunoelectron microscopy technique, positivity obtained was marked by the presence of aggregates of viral particles formed by the antigen-antibody interaction. In the immunocytochemistry technique, the antigen-antibody reaction showed colloidal gold particles evenly distributed over the surface of the virus. These results showed the importance of the transmission electron microscopy techniques in the diagnosis of bovine papillomatosis that can be used in routine procedures to identify viral agent of this important disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The porcine transmissible gastroenteritis is a highly severe contagious disease, caused by virus of the Coronaviridae family, genus Coronavirus. Its epizootic shape can reach a rate of up to 100% mortality in piglets under two weeks of age as a result of severe dehydration. In this study fragments of small intestine and stool samples were collected from 75 autopsied pigs from properties. The samples of the fragments were frozen and sent to the Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Instituto Biológico, SP, Brazil, for histological and transmission electron microscopic analyses. According to histological H&E technique, atrophy, villous necrosis and destruction of the enterocytes were observed in 35 (46.6%) out of the 75 fragments of the small intestine samples. On the immunohistochemistry technique 19 (25.3%) fragments were positively stained with DAB in the Ag-Ac reaction (MabTGEV). In 19 (25.3%) positive samples analyzed by in situ hybridization, a brown stain of enterocytes was observed, mainly in the epithelial cells of the villi. By the negative staining technique, we visualized enveloped, pleomorphic coronavirus particles, with typical radial projections resembling solar corona, with 140 nm diameter in 21 samples (28%) of the small intestine fragments and in 16 (21.3%) stool samples. In the ultrathin sections of 21 (28%) samples of small intestine, complete coronavirus particles with 80 nm diameter were seen among the microvilli and in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Immature particles with 60 nm diameter, budding from cell membrane and from a rough endoplasmic reticulum and also inside the vacuoles were visualized. In 19 (25.3%) out of 75 analyzed samples of small intestine, the antigenantibody interaction was characterized by aggregation of viral particles in the immunoelectron microscopy technique. In the immunocytochemistry technique, the antigen-antibody interaction was strongly enhanced by the dense colloidal gold particles over the coronavirus in 19 (25.3%) out of the 75 samples of fragments of small intestine examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diseases caused by avian paramyxovirus (APMV) occur in commercial, captive and wild birds worldwide, demonstrating the significant economic and ecological importance of these agents. Paramyxoviruses belong to the Paramyxoviridae family, Paramyxovirinae subfamily and Avulavirus genus. During the period 2000 to 2011, stool and small intestine samples of 1647 birds species were sent to the Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Biological Institute of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for diagnosis of viral agents. The samples wers processed by negative staining (rapid preparation) and resin embedding techniques. Under the transmission electron microscope by negative staining technique, in 294 (17.8%) samples of 1647 were visualized paramyxovirus particles pleomorphic, roughly spherical or filamentous, measuring 100 to 500 ran of diameter containing an envelope covered with spikes and characteristic helical herring-bone-like nucleocapsid measuring 15 to 20 nm in diameter. Ultrathin sections of the small intestine fragments revealed the presence of amorphous granular intracytoplasmic inclusions surrounded by membrane and containing viral nucleocapsid measuring 10-14 nm in diameter. Immature particles budding from cell membranes, pleomorphic, spherical and tubular particles containing viral nucleocapsid strands, and the complete particles measured up to 170 nm in diameter were seen in the cytoplasm. Intranuclear inclusions containing viral nucleocapsid were also visualized. Nuclei showed a marginalized chromatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical tolerance and biological properties of 6 x 10(6) IU of Chinese hamster glycosylated recombinant interferon-beta (rHuIFN-beta) and natural IFN-beta (Frone) given i.v. were compared in 12 healthy volunteers in a randomized cross-over, double-blind trial. All subjects received a single injection of each type of IFN-beta. Both were well tolerated and provoked similar changes in clinical indices. Serum neopterin (Np) values increased significantly from the 24th to 72nd h post-injection of rHuIFN-beta and Frone. beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2-M) serum levels were statistically above baseline 24-96 h after rHuIFN-beta, and from the 24th to the 120th h with Frone. Both IFNs provoked a rise in intracellular 2',5'-adenylate (2-5A) levels from the 10th to the 48th h, as well as in Hu-Mx synthesis, which was significant from the 10th to the 96th h. Serum levels of 2-5A, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) remained unchanged. There were no statistical differences in the changes provoked by the two differently derived IFN-beta in any of the biological parameters studied. Overall, the results of this study indicate that rHuIFN-beta and Frone have similar pharmacodynamics.

The clinical tolerance of and the effects recombinant human interferon-beta (rHuIFN-beta) obtained from mammalian cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells) exerts on 2',5'-oligoadenyl (2-5A) synthetase activity, human-Mx protein, neopterin, beta 2-microglobulin, interleukin-1 (IL-1) alpha and beta synthesis were compared to those of natural IFN-beta in 12 healthy volunteers. Each subject received a single i.m. injection of 6 x 10(6) IU rHuIFN-beta and natural IFN-beta according to a randomized double-blind cross-over study design. Both were well tolerated and provoked similar changes in clinical indices. Moreover, rHuIFN-beta and natural IFN-beta induced significant and similar increases in 2'-5' adenylates, human Mx protein, and neopterin levels, but neither modulated beta 2-microglobulin, IL-1 alpha or beta synthesis. The sum of these findings indicates that rHuIFN-beta and natural IFN-beta are biologically equivalent. In view of these results, we are of the opinion that these two types of IFN are probably also therapeutically equivalent and, in consequence, that trials to evaluate the response of viral and neoplastic disease patients to rHuIFN-beta are fully justified.