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The advancement of nanobiocomposites reinforced with 2D nano-materials plays a pivotal role in enhancing bone tissue engineering. In this study, we introduce a nanobiocomposite that reinforces bovine collagen with 2D nano -talc, a recently exfoliated nano-mineral. These nanobiocomposites were prepared by blending collagen with varying concentrations of 2D nano -talc, encompassing mono- and few-layers talc from soapstone nanomaterial. Extensive characterization techniques including AFM, XPS, nano-FTIR, s-SNOM nanoimaging, Force Spectroscopy, and PeakForce QNM® were employed. The incorporation of 2D nano -talc significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the nanobiocomposites, resulting in increased stiffness compared to pristine collagen. In vitro studies supported the growth and proliferation of osteoblasts onto 2D nano -talc-reinforced nanobiocomposites, as well as showed the highest mineralization potential. These findings highlight the substantial potential of the developed nanobiocomposite as a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering applications. We have successfully developed a valuable nanobiocomposite using the abundant and cost-effective mineral, 2D nano -talc. The incorporation of 2D nano -talc into bovine collagen at various concentrations has enabled the formation of distinct scaffolds. Rigorous in vitro assays were conducted to systematically evaluate factors such as cell viability, biocompatibility, and osteoinductive potential. Additional tests provide compelling evidence that these biocomposites are not only biocompatible and non-cytotoxic but also promote superior bone maturation compared to pure collagen scaffolds. The nanomechanical properties, which often limit collagen applications, have been significantly enhanced. Consequently, the resulting biocomposite shows substantial potential for applications in bone tissue engineering. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaching climate changes are expected to cause an increase in the frequency of very severe events (see, e.g., Global Risk Report, 2017, Czajkowski et al., 2013, Botzen et al., 2009), such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods that affect the well-being of millions of people all over the world. Therefore, interest has grown in risk management associated with climatic events from the perspective of the financial services consumer and from the actors that provide protection – the insurance companies. We conduct a survey of over 1000 lower middle-class heads of household in a country with an emerging economy (Brazil), including people living in high risk areas, to verify the intuition that there is a causal link between the existence of information and the willingness of individuals to acquire flood insurance. The results of the experiment reveal that supplying information regarding the probability and severity of flood events increases the demand for protective services. Furthermore, living in a high-risk flood area encourages the acceptance of higher insurance premiums. We also document a set of attitudes of the surveyed subjects towards flood risk, according to the region in which they reside and the availability of information about flood risk. • Flood disasters are closely connected with climate change. • Financial institutions and governments must understand individual behaviors around flooding and financial protection. • Empirical evidence is required to make effective climate policies at different levels. • supplying information regarding the probability and severity of flood events increases the demand for protective services. • Vulnerable and low-income populations, when informed, are sensitive to buying insurance coverage against flood risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pilates Method has become more popular as an option for physical activity, also among healthy individuals, who seek a better quality of life and also an improve in body composition. This paper is a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of Pilates in the body composition of healthy individuals. A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the PEDro, Cochrane Library, Medline and Pubmed databases; the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and the final studies were evaluated using the PEDro checklists. To ensure methodological quality, all steps were performed by two examiners and when discrepancies appeared, these were resolved by a third reviewer. Nine studies, published between 2004 and 2019, met the inclusion criteria. Six articles showed some improvement in relation to body composition, such as increased skeletal muscle mass and decrease in body fat mass and of these, when evaluated by the PEDro scale, only one obtained good methodological quality. This systematic review shows that the influence of Pilates on the body composition of healthy individuals is still uncertain due to the controversial results and the scarcity of studies with this public. The lack of studies with excellent methodological quality can be considered one of the factors that prevent a statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational trophoblastic diseases are a group of pregnancy-related disorders, originated from trophoblast cells. They include benign and aggressive tumors, such as the invasive mole, the choriocarcinoma, the placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and the epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). These malignancies are characterized as gestational trophoblastic neoplasm (GTN), rarer, although more dangerous. The diagnosis of GTN is made in most cases by monitoring serum chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) with histological confirmation. The use of specific tissue biomarkers has been increasingly employed as a differential diagnosis, leading to more accurate results and different therapy protocols and prognosis for each GTN. The treatment is based on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics anatomical staging system and the World Health Organization prognostic score system. If an accurate diagnosis is made and the guidelines followed, the cure for choriocarcinoma and invasive mole cases can reach 98%, whereas PSTT and ETT still present mild success rates. The improved knowledge about GTN and its peculiarities allows physicians to efficiently achieve the differential diagnosis and choose the best available therapy protocol, thus increasing the overall survival of affected women. Nevertheless, obtaining epidemiological data and improving knowledge through basic and translational research are essential to answer open questions on GTN physiopathology, their causes, and cellular behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a cross-sectional study. The wrist extensor muscles have a fundamental role in the stabilization of the wrist while performing manual activities. However, it is unknown if the clinical signs of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) cause impairment in the activation of these muscles The purpose of this study was to investigate whether early-stage HOA affects the magnitude of activation and coactivation between the wrist extensor and flexor muscles Thirty-two subjects were divided into two groups: control group (n = 16; 55 ± 7.42 years) and a group with HOA grades 2 or 3 (HOAG; n = 16; 57 ± 7.82 years). Muscle activation was measured in m. flexor digitorum superficialis, m. flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and extensors (EXT) during the evaluation of grip strength and three manual activities (write, cut a paper with scissors, and close and open a bottle). The coactivation index was calculated between the electromyography of the flexors (FCU and FSD) and wrist EXT. HOAG presented reduced muscle activation in all tasks, with a statistical difference for the flexor digitorum superficialis and EXT in the scissors activity, and for the FCU in the bottle activity. No differences were found between groups for the coactivation index and grip strength. The reduced muscle activity may be due to an inability of the patients of the HOAG to recruit all motor units or to an inhibition related to the presence of pain. In the early stages of HOA, there is a functional deficit associated with a reduced muscle activity of the wrist muscles during manual activities. This cross-sectional study determined that • Hand osteoarthritis in the initial stages may contribute to the activation deficit of the flexor and extensor muscles of the wrist. • Hand osteoarthritis in the initial stages has a negative impact on hand function. • There is a functional deficit in this population with no change in maximum grip strength in the initial stages of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body adiposity index (BAI) was recently proposed as a better indicator of body adiposity than body mass index in adults. The association between BAI and cardiometabolic risk factors has been widely investigated. However, the strength and magnitude of these associations varied as a function of the endpoint evaluated, the study design, the population investigated, and the cut-off points used. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between BAI and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in a large sample of Brazilian adults and to propose the most appropriate cut-off points for BAI for the identification of CHD risk in the adult Brazilian population. Data from 15,092 civil servants (54.4% women) from universities and research institutes in six Brazilian states were evaluated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). All were aged 35–74 years at baseline. The Framingham coronary risk score was used to identify a very high risk of CHD (≥20% risk of CHD over the next 10 years) and a high risk of CHD (≥10% risk). BAI cut-off points capable of detecting a risk of CHD were determined using ROC curves and associations were tested using Poisson regression with robust variance, according to sex and age. Three multivariable models were examined. BAI remained positively associated with a very high and high risk of CHD following adjustment for potential confounding factors in all the strata and multivariable models (p < 0.05), with the exception of model 3 (adjusted for education level and waist-to-hip ratio) for very a high risk of CHD in younger women (p = 0.06). In the adjusted models, the prevalence ratios for a very high and high risk of CHD, irrespective of age group, varied between 1.23 (95%CI: 1.09–1.39) and 1.64 (1.33–2.03) and 1.07 (1.03–1.12) and 1.47 (1.36–1.60) in men; and 1.57 (1.08–2.31) and 2.42 (1.36–4.31) and 1.29 (1.13–1.47) and 1.82 (1.54–2.15) in women, respectively. The optimal cut-off points of BAI to determine a risk of CHD were: 28.0 in men of both age groups, and 34.0 in younger women and 36.0 in older women to determine a very high risk; and 26.0 in younger men and 34.0 in women of both age groups to determine a high risk. BAI showed a reasonable ability to predict coronary risk in participants of the ELSA-Brasil (AUC>60%, except for the group of men of 60–74 years of age). Higher BAI levels were found to be associated with a greater risk of developing CHD in both men and women of different ages participating in the ELSA-Brasil, suggesting that BAI may be a useful tool for screening for CHD risk in Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee osteoarthritis tends to modify the kinematics and kinetics of the sit-to-stand task. However, it is not clear whether the different degrees of knee osteoarthritis differentiate regarding these aspects. The objective was to identify if the trunk flexion, lower limb kinetics, total support moment, and individual joint contributions to the total support moment during the sit-to-stand task are different between patients with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-two participants were grouped as follows: moderate knee osteoarthritis (n = 16), mild knee osteoarthritis (n = 25), and controls (n = 21). The participants performed a sit-to-stand task, which was analyzed using a 3D-motion system and a force plate. The three phases of the sit-to-stand task were analyzed. During Phase 1 , the moderate osteoarthritis group decreased the total support moment (P = 0.012). During Phase 2 , the moderate osteoarthritis group showed higher trunk flexion (P = 0.023) and lower internal hip and knee extension moments (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.040, respectively) when compared to controls. Also in Phase 2 , both the mild and moderate groups used lower total support moment (P = 0.019, and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). When compared to the controls and mild osteoarthritis group , those with moderate osteoarthritis presented higher hip joint contribution to the total support moment (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively) as well as lower knee joint contribution (P ≤ 0.003 and P = 0,013, respectively). Those with moderate osteoarthritis showed modified sit-to-stand movement pattern. While in Phase 3 a higher contribution of the hip joint to the total support moment was observed, during previous phases the individuals were able to decrease the load on the knee without influencing the lower limb load distribution. • Those with different degrees of knee osteoarthritis rise from the chair differently. • Moderate osteoarthritis presented an intersegmental incoordination at the end of the task. • Individuals with moderate osteoarthritis stand up using higher trunk flexion. • Individuals with mild/moderate osteoarthritis stand up with lower knee moment in the sagittal plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We studied spreading depression (CSD) and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) in young rats. • A sub-convulsive dose of pilocarpine given over 22 days impaired CSD but not MDA. • Ascorbic acid at a high dose partially counteracted the pilocarpine effects on CSD. • Malnutrition modulated the ascorbic acid effect on brain MDA levels, but not on CSD. • We suggest a pilocarpine/ascorbic acid interaction on CSD in immature rats. Abstract Ascorbic acid (AA) administration has been associated with neuroprotection against oxidative stress, although at high doses it can facilitate oxidation and acts like a proconvulsing drug. The pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model has been widely studied. However, less is known about the effects of sub-convulsive doses of pilocarpine on brain activity in immature animals under normal or deficient nutritional conditions. Herein, we investigated the effects of chronic pilocarpine administration in a sub-convulsive dose, with or without AA, on the excitability-related phenomenon denominated as cortical spreading depression (CSD) and levels of lipid peroxidation-induced malondialdehyde in well-nourished and malnourished rats. At postnatal days 7–28, rats received no gavage treatment (naïve group), saline (vehicle group), 45 mg/kg/d of pilocarpine and/or 120 mg/kg/d of AA. CSD propagation and malondialdehyde levels were analyzed at 34–40 days. The pilocarpine group presented with lower CSD velocities, while AA groups exhibited higher CSD velocities and augmented malondialdehyde levels compared with controls. The co-administration of AA partially antagonized the pilocarpine CSD effects, but did not revert it to control levels. Malnutrition increased CSD amplitude and velocity in comparison to the well-nourished condition. The electrocorticogram (ECoG) amplitude increased after CSD (ECoG potentiation) when compared with the baseline amplitude before CSD. However, no intergroup difference was observed in this CSD-related ECoG potentiation. The results support the hypothesis of a pilocarpine/ascorbic acid interaction in the immature rat brain and might help further the understanding of this interaction on neuronal electrical activity and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo Justificativa e objetivo Existe escassez de estudos sobre a associação entre a síndrome de burnout e ansiedade entre anestesiologistas. A identificação da relação entre as duas condições é de fundamental importância para a prevenção, o acompanhamento e tratamento dos profissionais. Assim, foi avaliada a associação entre síndrome de burnout e ansiedade nos anestesiologistas e residentes em anestesiologia do Distrito Federal. Método Estudo de corte transversal que usou amostra por conveniência composta por residentes e anestesiologistas do Distrito Federal. Correlação entre ansiedade ( State Trait Anxiety Inventory ) e síndrome de burnout ( Maslach burnout Inventory ) foi testada a partir da análise de regressão linear múltipla, considerou‐se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Dos 78 formulários respondidos, houve predominância de indivíduos do sexo masculino (57,69%), com média de 42 ± 9,7 anos para os anestesiologistas e de 30 ± 2,9 anos para os residentes. A síndrome de burnout apresentou prevalência de 2,43% entre os anestesiologistas e 2,70% entre médicos residentes, enquanto alto risco para sua manifestação nos anestesiologistas foi de 21,95% e para médicos residentes, de 29,72%. Observou‐se correlação entre ansiedade‐estado e as variáveis exaustão emocional de burnout , despersonalização de burnout e ansiedade‐traço. Em relação à ansiedade‐traço não houve correlação estatisticamente significante com as demais variáveis. Conclusão Existe associação entre ansiedade‐estado e as dimensões exaustão emocional de burnout , despersonalização de burnout e ansiedade‐traço. A ocorrência de ansiedade pode influenciar negativamente a maneira como o indivíduo enfrenta os fatores estressores cotidianos, o que pode estar relacionado ao uso de ineficazes estratégias de enfrentamento diante do estresse. Background and objective There is a shortage of studies addressing the association between burnout syndrome and anxiety among anesthesiologists. Identifying the relationship between these two conditions is of fundamental importance for the prevention, follow‐up, and treatment of the professionals. Thus, we evaluated the association between burnout syndrome and anxiety in anesthesiologists and residents of anesthesiology in the Federal District. Method A cross‐sectional study using a convenience sample of residents and anesthesiologists from the Federal District. The correlation between State Trait Anxiety Inventory and Burnout Syndrome (Maslach Burnout Inventory) was tested using multiple linear regression analysis, considering a significance level of 5%. Results Of the 78 completed forms, there were predominance of males (57.69%), mean age of 42 ± 9.7 years for anesthesiologists and 30 ± 2.9 years for residents. Burnout syndrome had a prevalence of 2.43% among anesthesiologists and 2.70% among resident physicians, while a high risk for its manifestation was 21.95% in anesthesiologists and 29.72% in resident physicians. There was a correlation between state‐anxiety and the variables burnout emotional exhaustion, burnout depersonalization, and trait‐anxiety. Regarding trait‐anxiety, there was no statistically significant correlation with other variables. Conclusions There is association between state‐anxiety and the emotional exhaustion dimensions of burnout, burnout depersonalization, and trait‐anxiety. The occurrence of anxiety can negatively influence the way the individual faces daily stressors, which may be related to the use of ineffective strategies to cope with stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussions on sustainable development are increasingly present and essential in the current scenario. In this sense, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an important tool to help ensure adequate sustainability by assessing products’ environmental impacts in the development stage. This work aims to propose a methodology for LCA integration in the product development process. The proposed methodology was conducted in three macro phases: Pre-integration, Integration and Post-integration. These macro phases consist of four stages: choice of the reference product, LCA of the reference product, LCA integration in the product development process (PDP) and analysis of LCA integration in the PDP. Each stage has specific activities to perform. In LCA integration in the PDP stage, actions are presented for integration in each phase of the PDP and the analysis of the results of the integration is carried out through an assessment matrix that considers the impact categories and the phases of the product life cycle. The validation of the proposed methodology was given through an example for the development of a softener package, assisted by the Umberto LCA software NXT Universal. The developed methodology can help companies in the process of developing more sustainable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finance literature has documented efforts to assess the economic impacts of climate on the global economy. However, the literature regarding empirical evidence from the energy sector is limited, particularly at the firm level. Therefore, this study assesses the impact of climate variables, i.e., temperature, rainfall, and localization, on the value of energy distribution companies. We used a unique dataset from a representative emerging market where hydropower plants are the most relevant source of energy. Based on static and spatial panel data analysis, the findings suggest that temperature and rainfall have a significant effect on the value of these companies. These results highlight the need for investments to ensure the resilience of the infrastructure of the energy sector and the operational efficiency of these companies against possible risks posed by climate variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study evaluated the variation in the protein profile of the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) formed in vivo according to its location in the dental arches. Design The AEP was formed for 120 min in 9 volunteers. Pellicle formed at upper + lower anterior facial (ULAFa; teeth 13–23 and 33–43), upper anterior palatal (UAPa; teeth 13–23), lower anterior lingual (LALi; teeth 33–43), upper + lower posterior facial (ULPFa; teeth 14–17 24–27, 34–37 and 44–47), upper posterior palatal (UPPa; teeth 14–17 and 24–27) and lower posterior lingual (LPLi; teeth 34–37 and 44–47) regions were collected separately and processed for analysis by label-free LC-ESI–MS/MS. Results Three-hundred sixty three proteins were identified in total, twenty-five being common to all the locations, such as Protein S100-A8, Lysozyme C, Lactoferrin, Statherin, Ig alpha-2, ALB protein, Myeloperoxidase and SMR3B. Many proteins were found exclusively in the AEP collected from one of the regions (46-UAPa, 33-LALi, 59-ULAFa, 31-ULPFa, 44-LPLi and 39-UPPa). Conclusions The protein composition of the AEP varied according to its location in the dental arches. These results provide important insights for understanding the differential protective roles of the AEP as a function of its location in the dental arches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the existence of associations between the gender of the driver, their risk behavior when driving motor vehicles and their inclination to acquire automobile insurance. To conduct this investigation a random survey was carried out with 566 middle class adults in 66 Brazilian towns and cities. By using non-parametric tests and logit models, the results suggest that even when controlling for other variables, women feel a greater need to have automobile insurance to protect themselves in the event of possible accidents under rainy conditions and also to have access to driver support services. Women also tend to have more respect for speed limits in various situations, such as during the rush hour, on local roads and on highways. The results also showed that men feel safer than women driving in more precarious situations: at night, in unfamiliar areas, after drinking, or even when they are tired. These results, in addition to contributing to the theoretical development of road traffic and transportation safety, are of special relevance to the financial industry and the regulatory agency. The insurance industry may find these results particularly helpful in designing future policies and setting premiums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the rising interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) globally, this paper investigates whether the financial profile of a firm is associated with superior environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, considering firms from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (the so-called BRICS countries) with the aim of addressing a gap in relevant research. The study entails an analysis of ESG performance in sensitive industries (i.e., those subject to systematic social taboos, moral debates, and political pressures and those that are more likely to cause social and environmental damage). To test our hypotheses, we applied linear regressions with a data panel using the Thomson Reuters Eikon- database to analyze data from 365 listed companies selected from BRICS between 2010 and 2012. The results suggest that companies in sensitive industries present superior environmental performance, even when controlling for the firm's size and country. Our study contributes to research on both the impact of ESG disclosure and the relationship between financial and ESG performance, as well to the practice of sustainability management in firms in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal environment is one of the main factors that influences Thermal Comfort and, consequently, the productivity of the occupants. The poor quality of the indoor environment in classrooms can be a risk to the health and productivity of students. This study evaluated the relationship between thermal dissatisfaction and productivity in university classrooms through a cluster analysis by hierarchical and non-hierarchical (k-means clustering) methods to verify how thermal dissatisfaction influences students' productivity. Two methods were adopted for determining the actual percentage of dissatisfaction (APD1 and APD2) and productivity (PROD1 and PROD2). After all calculations, 4 clusters were obtained; from the dendrogram, it was observed that clusters 2, 3, and 4 had the solutions with the highest stability. With the formation of clusters and their subsequent characterization, it was possible to observe the relationship between the two productivity methods and other variables, such as thermal dissatisfaction. The most significant variable for separating the clusters was PROD2. A discriminant analysis was performed to confirm that the clusters formed were effective, obtaining a 95.4% success ratio. Thus, when comparing the two most populous clusters, it was found that if self-perceived productivity is the highest, then thermal dissatisfaction based on thermal sensation votes will be the lowest. Also, it is suggested that there was a relation between the time of day and self-perceived productivity. Cold sensation is related to lower self-perceived productivity, while thermal neutrality is related to higher self-perceived productivity. • Thermal dissatisfaction and productivity were evaluated through cluster analysis. • Clusters were validated with a success ratio of 95.4% by discriminant analysis. • If self-perceived productivity is high, thermal dissatisfaction is low. • A relationship between the time of day and self-perceived productivity was verified. • Thermal neutrality is related to higher self-perceived productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of dexamethasone (Dex) to treat chronic lung disease in preterm infants may produce adverse effects in the developing brain. Here, we evaluated the effects of neonatal Dex on the propagation of cortical spreading depression (CSD), and tested the action of vitamins C and E against the effect of Dex. Five groups of Wistar rats received, respectively: [1] no treatment (Naïve); [2] Vehicle (V); [3] tapering doses of Dex (Dex; 0.5 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.1 mg/kg) on postnatal day (PND) 1–3; [4] Dex plus 200 mg/kg vitamin C and 100 mg/kg vitamin E (DexCE); [5] only vitamins C and E (CE). Vehicle and vitamins were administered on PND 1–6. CSD was recorded after the pups reached maturity (PND 60–70). The Dex-treated group presented with higher CSD velocities (mean values±SD, in mm/min: 4.14±0.22, n =10) compared with the control groups (Naïve: 3.52±0.13, n =8; V: 3.57±0.18, n =10; CE: 3.51±0.24, n =10; p <0.05 for all). Vitamins C and E antagonized this effect (DexCE group; CSD velocity: 3.43±0.12, n =9). No intergroup difference was observed concerning P-wave amplitude and duration. In all groups, after the cortex underwent CSD, the electrocorticogram (ECoG) amplitude increased approximately 50% compared with the baseline amplitude for the same animal (CSD-induced ECoG potentiation); however, no intergroup difference was observed. Data suggest that coadministration of antioxidant vitamins with Dex may be a helpful therapeutic strategy to reduce brain adverse effects of dexamethasone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ascorbic acid (AA) is an antioxidant, under certain conditions it can facilitate oxidation, which may underlie the opposite actions of AA on brain excitability in distinct seizure models. Here, we investigated whether chronic AA administration during brain development alters cortical excitability as a function of AA dose, as indexed by cortical spreading depression (CSD) and by the levels of lipid peroxidation-induced malondialdehyde. Well-nourished and early-malnourished rats received per gavage 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg/d of AA, saline, or no gavage treatment (naïve group) at postnatal days 7–28. CSD propagation and malondialdehyde levels were analyzed at 30–40 days. Confirming previous observations, CSD velocities were significantly higher in the early-malnourished groups than in the well-nourished groups. AA dose was important: 30 mg/kg/d AA decelerated CSD and reduced malondialdehyde levels, whereas 60 mg/kg/d and 120 mg/kg/d accelerated CSD and augmented malondialdehyde levels compared with the corresponding saline and naïve groups. Our findings reinforce previous suggestion that AA acts as an antioxidant in the brain when administered at low doses, but as a prooxidant at high doses, as indicated by CSD propagation and malondialdehyde levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We topically applied ionophore A23187 in rat cortex to increase calcium influx. [•] This ionophore (10–100μM) dose-dependently accelerates spreading depression (CSD). [•] Topical application of a much higher dose of this compound (2mM) triggers CSD. [•] Increased Ca2+ influx is suggested as a key element in the CSD induction mechanism. [•] Data stimulate and justify further experiments on brain disorders related to CSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One way to investigate the magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling is through the simultaneous observation of different parameters measured at different locations of the geospace environment and try to determine some relationships among them. The main objective of this work is to examine how the solar energetic particles and the interplanetary medium conditions may affect the space and time configuration of the ring current at low-latitudes and also to get a better understanding on how these particles interfere with the lower ionosphere in the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly region (SAMA). To accomplish this, the cosmic noise absorption (CNA) and the horizontal component of the Earth''s magnetic field data measured from sites located in the SAMA region were compared with the proton and electron fluxes, interplanetary medium conditions (solar wind and the north–south component of the interplanetary magnetic field measured on board satellites), the SYM-H index and magnetometer data from Kakioka (KAK-Japan), located significantly outside the SAMA region. The time series analyzed correspond to the geomagnetic disturbance that occurred on August 25–30, 1998. The analysis was performed by implementing wavelet techniques, with particular attention to singularities detection, which highlights the presence of transient signals. The results are discussed in terms of the first three wavelet decomposition levels of the parameters. The magnitude of wavelet coefficients of the solar wind and proton flux at the two energy ranges analyzed is timely well correlated, indicating that these two signals are energetically linked. The larger wavelet coefficient amplitude of KAK and VSS magnetograms shows time delays that are compatible with an asymmetric configuration of the ring current, considering that at the storm time, VSS was at the dawn sector of the magnetosphere and KAK at the dusk side. The wavelet analysis of CNA signals reveals that the signal may be sensitive to the ionization produced by energetic electrons and protons as well. The time delays observed in wavelet coefficients may give an indication of the different accelerating process to which the particles are submitted when traveling along the magnetic field lines, from higher to lower latitudes, and the likely contribution of these particles to the ionization measured as an absorption of the cosmic noise in the lower ionosphere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The goal of the present study was to investigate morphological changes in the serotonergic neurons/terminals in the dorsal (DR) and median (MnR) raphe nuclei and on the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in neonatal rats treated from the 1st to the 21st postnatal day with fluoxetine (10mg/kg sc, daily) or drug vehicle (0.9% saline 1ml/kg). The results show that postnatal chronic treatment with fluoxetine promoted: (1) a smaller body weight increase during the pre-weaning period; (2) smaller number of 5-HT neurons in the DR; (3) smaller 5-HT neuronal cell bodies (area, perimeter and diameter) in the DR and the MnR and (4) diminished serotonergic terminals in the DG. These data suggest that the development of the serotonergic system was impaired and that early exposure to fluoxetine damaged the morphology of 5-HT neurons in young adult rats. While these findings are consistent with other work, more studies are needed to better clarify the effects of postnatal chronic treatment with fluoxetine on the serotonergic system and, consequently, on the functions modulated by serotonin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the normative data available on the perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the voice of adults of both sexes who have hearing-impairment and who use cochlear implants? To identify in the literature, normative data about the perceptual auditory and acoustic characteristics of the voice of hearing-impaired cochlear implant adult users. A systematic search was carried out in the Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, SciELO, and SCOPUS databases with no temporal restriction. The articles were selected if they led with citation to normative data of the acoustic analysis of the voice of deaf cochlear implant users. And duplicate articles, case studies, letters to the editor, reviews, and studies that were not directly related to the topic were excluded. The data from each article were extracted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis checklist: title, abstract, year of publication, journal, authors and country of origin, identification of background, purpose, study design, participants, variables, and data measurement. There were 1,052 publications that met the search criteria. After applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis checklist, excluding duplicates, and reading of the full text, 10 papers were selected for further analysis. Although several voice parameters have been studied, there is a great variation in study designs, sample sizes, age of participants, voice samples analyzed, and cochlear implant specifications. The normative data available in the literature concerning the voice of cochlear implant users are consistent only in terms of fundamental frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The attempts to reduce heat transmission heterogeneity all over the external surface of building envelopes include several recommendations about external protection of concrete structures with thin clay brick walls. This procedure was extensively adopted in Portugal during the last ten years in consequence of the new national thermal code. This practice has generated several defects in consequence of the insufficient technological knowledge in this domain. This work analyses some of those defects adopting an experimental and a numerical approach, using the traditional Portuguese clay brick with a high percentage of horizontal voids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is currently accepted that experimental acute infection by Trypanosoma cruzi promotes changes in secondary lymphoid organs, with general T and B lymphocyte polyclonal activation. Here we show that mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of acutely infected mice show severe atrophy due to extensive lymphocyte apoptosis. Accordingly, clusters of apoptotic cells are detected in the initial phase of infection in MLN but not in subcutaneous nodes. Moreover, such atrophy is independent of the infection route, parasite load or the mouse strain used. Studies in Fas-L deficient (BALB gld/gld+/+ ) and in TNF type 1 receptor (p55 –/– ) knockout mice indicate that both molecules are involved in MLN atrophy: Fas-L participates in cell death of CD4+ as well as B lymphocytes, whereas the TNF type 1 receptor is important for the apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, perforin does not play a role, as lymph nodes from perforin-deficient mice do not behave differently from the corresponding wild types. Our data support the concept that, even in a systemic infection, differential (even opposing) responses can be found in different lymph node chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The fermented cassava starch (polvilho azedo) in 1:5 starch to water ratio (w/v), was subject to annealing treatment at 50°C for 72, 96, 144 and 240h. The annealing treatment changed the internal structure of polvilho azedo when the time was increased. Peak viscosities decreased significantly, denoting that there was a decreasing in leaching of amylose from the granules. The pasting temperature was increased, while hold, final viscosities, and breakdown were reduced showing an enlargement on the stability of the paste. The swelling power and the solubilities underwent reductions in all temperatures. The DSC data showed that there was an increased on T o, T p, T c and ΔH in all samples annealed. The X-ray diffraction pattern did not change but crystallinity increased (all samples annealed), denoting increase in organization of double helical of amylopectin. The polvilho azedo samples submitted to annealing treatment acquired some characteristics of cereal starches (waxy starches). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The environment surrounding a planet is composed of plasma, ionized gases and a neutral atmosphere that are continuously under the influence of solar effects. The complex dynamical interactions among these media and the generated electric fields create complicated interrelated current systems in the magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere of the planets. Electric fields, currents and the related magnetic disturbances constitute the planetary electrodynamics scenario that will be considered in this tutorial. Beside providing a comprehensive and integrated view of the planetary electrodynamics, this tutorial intends to introduce the necessary theoretical background to understand the physical processes involved and particularly, to discuss some topics in which the authors are currently focussing their interests: Sun–Earth electrodynamical coupling, numerical simulations, plasmaspheric electron content variability, atmospheric electrical discharges, and the effects of intense magnetic storms at the Earth’s surface and in the magnetic anomaly region. New results on these subjects are also presented. A deeper and broader comprehension of this complex scenario involving multidisciplinary investigations will certainly bring several implications in the observational, theoretical, computational and technological developments, with repercussions in biological and medical sciences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the thymic and peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets in BALB/c mice undergoing acute or chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection, in terms of expression of particular Vβ rearrangements of the T-cell receptor. We first confirmed the severe depletion of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes following acute T. cruzi infection. By contrast, the numbers of CD4+CD8+ cells in subcutaneous lymph nodes increased up to 16 times. In subcutaneous lymph nodes, we found CD4+CD8+ cells that expressed prohibited segments TCRVβ5 and TCRVβ12 (which are physiologically deleted in the thymus of BALB/c mice), as did some mature single-positive cells (CD4+CD8– and CD4–CD8+). In the thymus of infected animals, although higher numbers of immature cells bearing such Vβ segments were seen, they were no longer detected in the mature single-positive stage, suggesting that negative selection occurs normally. We also found increased numbers of cells bearing the potentially autoreactive phenotype TCRVβ5+ and TCRVβ12+ in T-lymphocyte subsets from subcutaneous lymph nodes of T. cruzi chronically infected mice. In conclusion, our data indicate that immature T lymphocytes bearing prohibited TCRVβ segments leave the thymus and gain the lymph nodes, where they further differentiate into mature CD4+ or CD8+ cells. Conjointly, these findings show changes in the shaping of the central and peripheral T-cell repertoire in both acute and chronic phases of murine T. cruzi infection. The release of potentially autoreactive T cells in the periphery of the immune system may contribute to the autoimmune process found in both murine and human Chagas’ disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]