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High productivity of eucalypt plantations is the result of advances in research that have led to gradual improvements in intensive silvicultural technology. High productivity notwithstanding, eucalypt plantations remain the focus of environmental concerns. Our study aimed to compare the soil water regime, litter fall and nutrients dynamics either in a fragment of native forest or in an adjacent stand of growing eucalypt. We took field measurements during the first three years of eucalypt plantation in a sandy soil in the southeastern region of Brazil. Soil moisture and internal drainage were higher during the early stages of growth of the eucalypt stand, as compared with native vegetation. However, one and a half years after planting, available soil water was similar in both vegetations. Higher water availability under the eucalypt stand during the first year occurs because of silvicultural operations (soil preparation and weed control) and the small size of eucalypt trees; these factors increase water infiltration and decrease transpiration. Total leaf fall, over the study period, was similar for both ecosystems; however, differences were observed in the winter and early spring of 2010. The transfer of nutrients to soil by leaf fall was similar except for N and S, which was higher in native vegetation. Nitrogen concentration in the soil solution was higher in native vegetation, but K was higher under the eucalypt stand, mainly to a depth of up to 0.2 m.

A 49-year-old previously healthy woman from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, presented with a right malar rash that started as a tiny pustule and progressed to an ulcerated papulonodular lesion within ten weeks. A presumptive diagnosis of zoonotic sporotrichosis was made based on excellent response to treatment and epidemiological linkage with a diseased cat. Keywords: Subcutaneous mycosis, Sporotrichosis, Rio de Janeiro, Zoonotic infection

After a period of mild eruptive activity, Stromboli showed between 2017 and 2018 a reawakening phase, with an increase in the eruptive activity starting in May 2017. The alert level of the volcano was raised from “green” (base) to “yellow” (attention) on 7 December 2017, and a small lava overflowed the crater rim on 15 December 2017. Between July 2017 and August 2018 the monitoring networks recorded nine major explosions, which are a serious hazard for Stromboli because they affect the summit area, crowded by tourists. We studied the 2017−2018 eruptive phase through the analysis of multidisciplinary data comprising thermal video-camera images, seismic, geodetic and geochemical data. We focused on the major explosion mechanism analyzing the well-recorded 1 December 2017 major explosion as a case study. We found that the 2017−2018 eruptive phase is consistent with a greater gas-rich magma supply in the shallow system. Furthermore, through the analysis of the case study major explosion, we identified precursory phases in the strainmeter and seismic data occurring 77 and 38 s before the explosive jet reached the eruptive vent, respectively. On the basis of these short-term precursors, we propose an automatic timely alarm system for major explosions at Stromboli volcano.

Forested catchments generally present conserved aquatic ecosystems without anthropogenic disturbances; however, forest management operations can degrade these environments, including their water quality. Despite the potential degradation, few studies have analyzed the effects of forest management in subtropical regions, especially in forest plantations with intensive management, such as Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The intensive management of those plantations is characterized by fast-growing, short rotation cycles, and high productivity. This study aimed to assess the effects of Eucalyptus plantations harvesting on the concentration and exportation of nutrients and suspended solids in subtropical streams. Results showed that clear-cut harvesting and subsequent forest management operations do not alter most of the concentration of nitrate, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The concentration of suspended solids increased during the first year after timber harvesting in all studied catchments, however, the increases were statistically significant in only two catchments. In the first year after harvest, it was observed an increment of water yield/precipitation ratio at three catchments, which also increased export of nutrients and suspended solids. Our results showed that harvesting of fast-growing Eucalyptus forest plantations partially affected sediment exports and did not compromise water quality in the studied catchments. However, the catchment land-use design, especially related to road density and land-use composition, showed significant relationship with sediment exportation.

Background: Schistosomiasis is endemic problem in Brazil affecting about three to four million people, and digestive hemorrhage caused by esophageal varices rupture is the main complication of the disease. Surgical treatment has become a therapeutic option, especially for secondary prophylaxis after at least one episode of bleeding. The surgical technique used by the vast majority of surgeons for the prevention of rebleeding is esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy. Although with good postoperative results, rebleeding rate is significant, showing the need to follow-up endoscopy in all patients. Aim: To evaluate long-term results of patients submitted to esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy and postoperative endoscopic treatment regarding esophageal varices caliber and rebleeding rates. Methods: A retrospective study of 12 patients underwent esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy followed for more than five years. Results: All patients showed varices size reduction, and no patient had postoperative bleeding recurrence. Conclusion: Esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy decreased significantly the esophageal variceal size when associated with endoscopic follow-up, being effective for bleeding recurrence prophylaxis.

Introduction: Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a thrombophilic disease that should be suspected in the presence of thrombotic events associated with hematologic abnormalities such as thrombocytopenia and prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the demonstration of autoantibodies directed against anionic phospholipids and/or phospholipid-binding proteins. The disease can cause arterial thrombosis in any vascular district, including those of the kidney and central nervous system. Case report: In 2006 a 29-year-old male presented with kidney and brain involvement that was attributed to primary APS. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the results of a renal biopsy, which excluded the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient remained stable through 32 months of follow-up and then developed a malar rash with deteriorating renal function, decreasing platelet count, and reduced complement levels. Serological studies revealed positivity for ANA (homogeneous pattern), dsDNA, ACA, and beta-2-glycoprotein-1 antibodies. The diagnosis was revised to APS secondary to SLE. Conclusions: A diagnosis of primary APS should not be considered permanent: progression to SLE can occur, in some cases years after the original diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of ongoing follow-up of patients diagnosed with primary APS to detect changes that herald the emergence of SLE.

Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and one of the fastest growing tumors in humans. It is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome- (AIDS-) defining disease and occurs with relatively preserved CD4 cell counts. It rarely affects the orbital region in the setting of AIDS. We report unusual presentation of a fatal case of AIDS-associated BL in a 42-year-old female patient with severe CD4 cell depletion who presented with dramatic fast growing (within days) bilateral orbital masses leading to striking facial deformities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral orbital involvement in AIDS-associated BL.

Although the French preposition en has a very flexible meaning, it is possible to distinguish two broad classes of senses: (i) the “localizing” ones, where en expresses, roughly, ‘interiority’ inseveral domains of experience, and (ii) the “qualifying” ones, wherethe use of en implies a qualification of the first element of the relation expressed by the preposition. The localizing senses were commonly used in old French, but the relation between the two classes of senses mentioned above has shifted and the qualifying sense is by far the most frequent one in contemporary French. We argue, however, (i)that this “qualifying” sense gets different interpretations according to the contexts in which the preposition occurs, and (ii) that in some of its uses the preposition is part of larger constructions, so that its interpretation in these constructions can no longer be related to some kind of basic meaning.

A ocupação desordenada do solo, assim como a ausência de práticas conservacionistas, têm levado à degradação dos recursos naturais. Nesse contexto, tem se atribuído às florestas ripárias presentes nas áreas de preservação permanente o efeito de uma panaceia na proteção dos recursos hídricos. Neste artigo, por meio de uma revisão, tenta-se esclarecer os efeitos hidrológicos da recuperação das florestas situadas nessas áreas, no que concerne à quantidade de água e à manutenção dos recursos hídricos no contexto de microbacias hidrográficas. Mostra-se a influência das florestas, de uma maneira geral, sobre a quantidade de água e o regime de vazão em bacias hidrográficas. Na sequência, evidencia-se que as florestas ripárias possuem efeito hidrológico similar ao das florestas de uma maneira geral. Entretanto, com o objetivo de garantir a proteção dos recursos hídricos, salienta-se que, para bacias com cobertura do solo diferente de florestas naturais, mais importante do que restaurar florestas nas áreas de preservação permanente é manter altas taxas de infiltração de água no solo. Nesse sentido, como as bacias hidrográficas são heterogêneas em vários aspectos (tipos de solos, declividade, uso da terra) não é possível obter uma proteção efetiva e integral da água simplesmente realizando o plantio de espécies características de zonas ripárias em áreas de preservação permanente, mas sim manejando bacias hidrográficas como um todo. Por último, apontam-se algumas lacunas sobre as quais a hidrologia pode ajudar a ampliar o conhecimento do papel hidrológico das florestas ripárias em microbacias hidrográficas.The lack of soil occupation planning, as well as the absence of soil conservation, have caused natural resources degradation. In this context, riparian forests located within the permanent preservation areas are described as a panacea for water resources protection. In this paper, we clarify the hydrological effects of these forests focusing on water quantity and water resources maintenance in small catchments. After, is shown that riparian forests present the same hydrological effect of forests in general. However, aiming to guarantee water resources protection we point out that for catchments with land uses that are not natural forests, the most important action is to maintain the high water infiltration rates. As catchments present high variability regarding the soil, topography, land use, it is not possible to obtain effective water protection by simply restoring forests in the permanent preservation areas, but we do obtain it by managing the whole small catchment. Last but not least, we exhibit some gaps that hydrology may contribute to fill in an effort to increase the knowledge of riparian forests role in small catchments.

INTRODUÇÃO: A miotomia no tratamento do megaesôfago apresenta bons resultados, tanto a via abdominal, aberta, ou laparoscópica, quanto a via torácica. Entretanto, independentemente da técnica empregada, segundo alguns estudos, de 6 a 25% dos pacientes apresentarão recidiva da disfagia precocemente ou a longo prazo. OBJETIVO: Revisão do diagnóstico, terapêutica e resultados no megaesôfago recidivado. Método - Foram levantados os trabalhos publicados na Medline, Pubmed, Scielo, CAPS, Chocraine, Lilacs e utilizadas as palavras-chave acalasia, acalásia-recorrência, megaesôfago e megaesôfago-recorrência. RESULTADOS: As opções cirúrgicas para tratamento da recidiva do megaesôfago são mostradas sob formas bastante variadas e com detalhes técnicos pessoais bem diversificados. As técnicas utilizadas basicamente foram: remiotomia, cardioplastias, esofagectomia e mucosectomia, incluindo as variantes destas operações. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores concluem que a escolha da técnica deve ser individualizada baseando-se na causa da recidiva, que deve ser minuciosamente investigada no pré-operatório. A remiotomia representa a alternativa mais exequível, com menor morbimortalidade e resultados satisfatórios, com efetividade na melhora da disfagia, porém com esofagite leve em 40% dos casos e queda no índice de satisfação ao longo dos anos de pós-operatório, chegando a 57,1% após 20 anos.INTRODUCTION: The myotomy employed in the treatment of achalasia and megaesophagus yields good results, both the abdominal route, open, or laparoscopic and thoracic approach. However, regardless of the technique, according to some studies, 6 to 25% of patients will have recurrence of dysphagia, early or delayed. AIM: To review the diagnosis, therapy and results in recurrent achalasia. METHOD: The issues were raised from Medline, Pubmed, Scielo, CAPS, Chocraine, Lilacs using the keywords achalasia, achalasia-recurrence, megaesophagus, megaesophagus-recurrence. RESULTS: Surgical options for treatment of relapsed megaesophagus are shown in forms so varied and personal with technical details and diverse. The techniques recommended were basically: remyotomy, cardioplasty, esophagectomy and mucosectomy, including variants of these operations. CONCLUSION: The choice of technique should be individualized based on the cause of relapse, which should be thoroughly investigated preoperatively. The remyotomy represents the most feasible alternative, with lower morbidity and satisfactory results and effectiveness in the improvement of dysphagia, but with mild esophagitis in 40% and lower level of satisfaction over the years after surgery, reaching 57,1% after 20 years.

Objetivos. Describir las características clínicas, los cambios en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y el tratamiento de pacientes con neurosífilis (NS). Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes mayores de 14 años, que cumplieron con los criterios de NS confirmada o probable admitidos en un hospital público del Callao, Perú en el periodo 1997 - 2007. Resultados. Veinticinco pacientes reunieron criterios de NS (22 para NS confirmada y tres para NS probable). La mediana de edad fue 40 años; 24 (96%) fueron hombres, cuatro (16%) tenían antecedentes de sífilis y 15 (60%) tuvieron infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Veintiún casos (84%) desarrollaron NS sintomática, de ellos, catorce (67%) presentaron las formas tempranas; siendo este patrón el más frecuente en los pacientes infectados por VIH (p=0,001). De los pacientes con datos de LCR, 64% (14/22) presentaron pleocitosis y 73% (16/22) niveles elevados de proteínas, sin diferencias entre pacientes con y sin infección por VIH (p>0,05). El VDRL fue reactivo en LCR en 88% (22/25) de casos. La mediana de títulos del VDRL en LCR fue menor en los pacientes con VIH (p=0,006) y una mayor proporción de pacientes VIH-negativos presentó títulos del VDRL ≥1:4 (p=0,02). El 72% de pacientes recibieron dosis altas de penicilina G cristalina acuosa intravenosa. Conclusiones. La mayoría de pacientes con NS tuvieron infección por VIH. La NS temprana fue más frecuente que la tardía y los títulos del VDRL en LCR fueron menores en los pacientes infectados por VIH. La penicilina intravenosa en dosis altas fue el tratamiento más utilizado.

Objetivos. Determinar la actividad antihipertensiva y antioxidante del extracto hidroalcohólico atomizado de Zea mays L. (maíz morado) en ratas con hipertensión arterial inducida. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó cinco grupos de seis ratas Holtzmann cada uno, uno sin hipertensión (control negativo) y cuatro con hipertensión inducida por L-NAME: control positivo y tres grupos para las dosis de 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg, respectivamente. El tratamiento se realizó por vía oral una vez por día durante 25 días. Las mediciones de la presión arterial media (PAM), presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y presión arterial diastólica (PAD) se realizaron en forma interdiaria, se consideró los días 18 y 25 de iniciado el tratamiento para el estudio. Se midió los niveles de malondialdehido (mmol/L) para determinar la actividad antioxidante en suero. Resultados. Al día 18 se observaron los mayores niveles de presión arterial en el grupo control y experimentales. La reducción de la presión arterial fue dosis dependiente, observándose un mayor efecto con 1000 mg/kg, obteniéndose en promedio una disminución de 20,1% de la PAM (p

Several studies in tropical watersheds have evaluated the impact of urbanization and agricultural practices on water quality. In Brazil, savannas (known regionally as Cerrados) represent 23% of the country's surface, representing an important share to the national primary growth product, especially due to intense agriculture. The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive evaluation, on a yearly basis, of carbon, nitrogen and major ion fluxes in streams crossing areas under different land use (natural vegetation, sugar cane and eucalyptus) in a savanna region of SE Brazil. Eucalyptus and sugar cane alter the transport of the investigated elements in small watersheds. The highest concentration of all parameters (abiotic parameters, ions, dissolved organic carbon DOC - and dissolved inorganic carbon - DIC) were found in Sugar Cane Watersheds (SCW). The observed concentrations of major cations in Eucalyptus Watersheds (EW) (Mg, Ca, K, Na), as well as DIN and DOC, were found frequently to be intermediate values between those of Savanna Watersheds (SW) and SCW, suggesting a moderate impact of eucalyptus plantations on the streamwater. Same trends were found in relation to ion and nutrient fluxes, where the higher values corresponded to SCW. It is suggested that sugar cane plantations might be playing an important role in altering the chemistry of water bodies.Diversos estudos têm sido desenvolvidos em bacias de drenagem tropicais no intuito de avaliar o impacto da urbanização e das práticas agrícolas na qualidade dos corpos d'água. No Brasil, as savanas (conhecidas regionalmente como Cerrado) representam 23% do território brasileiro, sendo uma região importante no crescimento nacional, especialmente devido às intensas atividades agrícolas. A finalidade deste trabalho é apresentar uma avaliação dos fluxos de carbono, nitrogênio e principais íons em córregos com diferentes usos do solo (vegetação, cana de açúcar e eucalipto) em uma região de Cerrado, SE Brasil. A cana de açúcar e o eucalipto alteram o transporte dos elementos investigados nessas pequenas bacias de drenagem. As concentrações mais elevadas de todos os parâmetros analisados (parâmetros abióticos, íons, carbono orgânico dissolvido e carbono inorgânico dissolvido) foram encontradas na bacia de cana de açúcar (SCW). As concentrações observadas para os cátions na bacia do eucalipto (EW) (Mg, Ca, K, Na), assim como Carbono Inorgânico Dissolvido (CID) e Carbono Orgânico Dissolvido (COD), apresentaram valores intermediários entre as bacias do Cerrado e da cana de açúcar, sugerindo um impacto moderado dessa plantação aos corpos d'água. Mesma tendência foi observada para os fluxos de íons e nutrientes, sendo, novamente, os maiores valores encontrados na bacia de cana-de-açúcar. Os autores sugerem que o cultivo da cana de açúcar representa um importante fator na modificação da química de pequenas bacias de drenagem.

Objetivos: Determinar la actividad hipocolesterolémica y antioxidante del consumo crónico del extracto hidroalcohólico atomizado del maíz morado (Zea mays L) en ratas hipercolesterolémicas. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizaron cinco grupos de seis ratas Holtzmann cada uno, uno sin hipercolesterolemia (control negativo), y cuatro con hipercolesterolemia inducida por consumo de colesterol puro vía oral durante 60 días: control positivo y tres para las dosis de 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg, respectivamente. En el día 60 se determinaron los niveles séricos de colesterol total, triglicéridos y colesterol HDL (mg/dL), así como de malondialdehido (mmol/L) para determinar la actividad antioxidante. Se comparó la diferencias de medias con ANOVA y test de Tukey. Resultados: Se observó una disminución del colesterol total en las ratas hipercolesterolémicas que consumieron dosis de 250 y 500 mg/kg en relación con el grupo control positivo (reducción de 21,5 y 11,2% respectivamente, p

Pyoderma gangrenosum received this name due to the notion that this disease was related to infections caused by bacteria in the genus Streptococcus. In contrast to this initial assumption, today the disease is thought to have an autoimmune origin. Necrotizing fasciitis was first mentioned around the fifth century AD, being referred to as a complication of erysipelas. It is a disease characterized by severe, rapidly progressing soft tissue infection, which causes necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and the fascia. On the third day of hospitalization after antecubital venipuncture, a 59-year-old woman presented an erythematous and painful pustular lesion that quickly evolved into extensive ulceration circumvented by an erythematous halo and accompanied by toxemia. One of the proposed etiologies was necrotizing fasciitis. The microbiological results were all negative, while the histopathological analysis showed epidermal necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of dermal neutrophils. Pyoderma gangrenosum was considered as a diagnosis. After 30 days, the patient was discharged with oral prednisone (60 mg/day), and the patient had complete healing of the initial injury in less than two months. This case was an unexpected event in the course of the hospitalization which was diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum associated with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Sugarcane bagasse is one of the most abundant residues in Brazil due to the large number of sugaralcohol industries. This biomass contains a high concentration of carbohydrates, which can be converted into products of high economic value, such as xylitol. Xylitol, a polyol with anticariogenic properties, is similar in sweetening power to sucrose, and has high potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Several studies have been carried out to produce xylitol by biotechnological processes. However, there is little information on the use of immobilized cells in these bioprocesses. The objective of this review was to present a new possibility to produce xylitol by biotechnological processes, using sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate and immobilized cells in PVA-gel.O bagaço de cana-de-açúcar é um dos resíduos mais abundantes no Brasil devido ao grande número de indústrias sucroalcooleiras. Esta biomassa contém elevado teor de carboidratos, podendo ser utilizada na produção de compostos de interesse econômico como o xilitol. O xilitol é um poliol de cinco carbonos que apresenta poder adoçante semelhante ao da sacarose e propriedades anti-cariogênicas, tendo elevado potencial de uso nas indústrias alimentícias e farmacêuticas. Diversos estudos buscando o desenvolvimento de processos de produção de xilitol por via biotecnológica têm sido realizados, entretanto pouco tem sido escrito sobre a utilização de células imobilizadas no bioprocesso. A presente revisão tem como objetivo apresentar uma possibilidade de produção de xilitol a partir de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de bagaço de canade-açúcar, em sistema com células imobilizadas em gel de álcool polivinílico.

Introduction Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is being increasingly reported among the elderly and major depression (MD) may be associated with suboptimal adherence to treatment. Methods Cross-sectional study on factors associated with MD among 72 HIV-infected elderly individuals. Results Twenty (27.7%) patients were found to have MD. The female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 10.65; p = 0.00586), a low CD4 count during the study (OR = 1.005247; p = 0.01539), and current smoking status (OR = 12.89; p = 0.01693) were independently associated with MD. Conclusions Our data underscore the need to attentively search and treat MD among HIV-infected elderly patients.

RACIONAL: No Brasil a principal causa de hipertensão portal é a esquistossomose mansônica na sua forma hepatoesplênica. Com relação ao seu tratamento, a preferência da maioria dos autores no Brasil recai sobre a desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia geralmente associada à escleroterapia endoscópica pós-operatória para tratamento dessa enfermidade. No entanto, não estão bem estabelecidas as alterações hemodinâmicas portais decorrentes do tratamento cirúrgico da hipertensão portal e sua influência no resultado desse tratamento. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o impacto imediato da desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia na pressão portal e também os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da hipertensão portal no que se refere à recidiva hemorrágica e ao calibre das varizes de esôfago. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram estudados 19 pacientes com esquistossomose hepatoesplênica e hipertensão portal, com história de hemorragia digestiva alta por ruptura de varizes esofágicas, com idade média de 37,9 anos. Estes pacientes não haviam sido submetidos a tratamento prévio e foram, eletivamente, tratados cirurgicamente com desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia. Durante a cirurgia, foi avaliada a pressão portal, no início e no final do procedimento, através da cateterização da veia porta por cateter de polietileno introduzido por veia jejunal. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a endoscopia no pré e no pós-operatório (em torno do 60º dia do pós-operatório) para avaliar, segundo classificação de Palmer, a variação do calibre das varizes esofagianas após a desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes apresentaram queda da pressão portal, sendo a média desta queda, após a desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia, de 31,3%. Na avaliação pós-operatória (endoscopia após cerca de 60 dias) houve redução significativa do calibre das varizes esofagianas quando comparadas ao pré-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A desconexão ázigo-portal e esplenectomia promoveram queda imediata na pressão portal, com conseqüente diminuição do calibre das varizes esofágicas. Observou-se ainda que não é insignificante o risco de mortalidade e complicações graves relacionados a essa técnica.BACKGROUND: The main cause of portal hypertension in Brazil is the hepato-splenic form of mansonic schistosomiasis and the most employed technique for the surgical approach of this disease is the esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy, generally associated to postoperative endoscopical esophageal varices sclerotherapy. The hemodynamic alterations after surgical treatment and its possible influence on the outcome are not well established. AIM: To evaluate the immediate impact of esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy upon portal pressure as well as the results of the surgical treatment on digestive hemorrhage recurrence and on esophageal varices. METHODS: Nineteen patients with mean age of 37.9 years and portal hypertension and previous episodes of digestive hemorrhage caused by esophageal varices rupture due to hepato-splenic schistosomiasis were studied. None of the patients had received any treatment prior to the surgery and underwent to elective esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy. Portal pressure was assessed at the beginning and at the end of esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy through portal vein catheterization with a polyethylene catheter introduced through a jejunal branch vein. All patients were submitted to digestive endoscopy before and after the surgery, in order to classify the size of esophageal varices after esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy according to Palmer’s classification. RESULTS: In all patients the portal pressure had diminished with a mean decrease of 31.3% after esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy. In the postoperative endoscopic follow-up (1 month), the esophageal varices showed a statistically significant reduction in their size, when compared to the pre-surgical measurements. CONCLUSION: These results have demonstrated that the esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy promotes immediate decrease in the portal pressure and a consequent reduction in the esophageal varices size. We also observed that the risk of mortality and severe complications related to this technique is not insignificant.

Five species of Eucalyptus (E. grandis, E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis, E. torelliana, and E. phaeotrica), among the ten species most commonly used in large scale plantations, were selected for studies on the effects of elevated CO2 concentration [CO2] and drought stress on stomatal responses of 2.5-month old seedlings. The first three species belong to the subgenus Smphyomyrtus, whereas the fourth species belongs to the subgenus Corymbia and E. phaeotrica is from the subgenus Monocalyptus. Seedlings were grown in four pairs of open-top chambers, arranged to have 2 plants of each species in each chamber, with four replications in each of two CO2 concentrations: 350 ± 30 mumol mol-1 and 700 ± 30 mumol mol-1. After 100 days in the chambers, a series of gas exchange measurements were made. Half the plants in each chamber, one plant per species per chamber, were drought-stressed by withholding irrigation, while the remaining plants continued to be watered daily. Drought stress decreased stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration rates in all the species. The effect of drought stress on stomatal closure was similar in both [CO2]. The positive effects of elevated [CO2] on photosynthesis and water use efficiency were maintained longer during the stress period than under well-watered conditions. The photosynthetic rate of E. phaeotrica was higher even in the fourth day of the drought stress. Drought stress increased photoinhibition of photosynthesis, as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence, which varied among the species, as well as in relation to [CO2]. The results are in agreement with observed differences in stomatal responses between some eucalyptus species of the subgenera Symphyomyrtus and Monocalyptus.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in HIV-infected subjects initiating antiretroviral therapy most commonly involves new or worsening manifestations of previously subclinical or overt infectious diseases. Reports of non-infectious IRIS are much less common but represent important diagnostic and treatment challenges. We report on a 34-year-old HIV-infected male patient with no history of gout who developed acute gouty arthritis in a single joint one month after initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Loiasis is a filarial disease transmitted by the Chrysops spp. tabanid flies in West and Central Africa. It is most commonly diagnosed by the clinical manifestations of Calabar swellings (transient localized inflammatory edema) or, most dramatically, by the appearance of a migrating worm through the conjunctival tissues or the bridge of the nose. We report the case of a 35-year-old resident in the city of Rio de Janeiro who displayed a moving Loa loa in the bulbar conjunctival tissue two years after returning from a six-month trip to Uganda. Surgical removal of the worm was performed.

An overview is presented of urban research produced by Belgian geographers in the last five years. The paper highlights contributions on the position of Brussels in the European urban network, on urban hierarchy in Belgium, on the dynamics of Belgian city regions, on the socio-spatial structure of European and Belgian cities, on the regeneration of city centres and on urban sustainable development. Several publications deal with the increasing social polarization in cities and the existence of deprived neighbourhoods. A lot of research has been done on the multicultural character of Belgian cities and the relation between residential patterns of foreigners and the structure of the housing market.

A potato cysteine protease (cyp) cDNA expressed at an early stage of an incompatible interaction with Phytophthora infestans was isolated. Both the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are highly homologous to those of a tomato cysteine protease, CYP1. Striking protein similarity to all known cathepsins in animals, particularly cathepsin K, was also observed. However, unlike cathepsins, a granulin binding domain is located near the carboxyl terminus of the putative CYP protein. In animals, granulins bind to receptors in the plasma membrane and signal cell growth and division. A ribonuclease protection assay demonstrated that the cyp gene is tightly regulated and is induced 15 h post inoculation with P. infestans in potato leaves either with high field resistance or in which a resistance (R) gene is activated. We conclude that a common signaling pathway is activated in each form of resistance.

The potato gene Nb confers hypersensitive resistance to potato virus X (PVX). To characterize the viral elicitor of this resistance we introduced modifications into the genome of avirulent strains (ROTH1 and CP2) and virulent strains (UK3 and CP4) of PVX. From the analysis of the modified viral genomes, the Nb avirulence determinant was mapped in the PVX 25K gene coding for the 25-kDa movement protein. Furthermore, we showed that the isoleucine residue at position 6 of this protein was required for activation of the Nb response. Transient co-expression of the avirulent 25K gene with the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene introduced by particle bombardment in resistant and susceptible potato cells confirmed that the elicitor activity provided by the 25-kDa protein did not require other PVX-encoded proteins. To study cellular events associated with the Nb response, the 25-kDa proteins of PVX strains ROTH1 and UK3 were tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) so that the dynamics of the subcellular distribution of the 25KGFP fusion proteins could be followed in living potato epidermal cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Using this method, we showed that the Nb-mediated response is associated with degradation of subcellular structures.

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar o desempenho de bovinos em confinamento alimentados com rações suplementadas com concentrados protéicos à base de farelo de algodão (AL), uréia (UR) ou amiréia (AM), tendo como volumoso silagem de milho. O confinamento teve duração de 80 dias. As rações foram compostas mantendo a proporção volumoso:concentrado no nível de 63:37, com aproximadamente 13% PB. Não se constataram diferenças quanto ao ganho de peso diário (GDP) durante o período experimental total entre os tratamentos AL, UR ou AM (1,14; 1,17; e 1,23 kg/anim.•dia), ou na ingestão de MS em % PV (2,63; 2,60; e 2,60% PV), em g/kg0,75•dia (136,19; 134,74; e 134,81) ou kg/anim.•dia (9,42; 9,35; e 9,40), respectivamente. Os valores de ingestão de PB foram de 1,28; 1,24; e 1,34 kg de PB/anim.•dia e de 18,54; 17,86; e 19,24 g/kg0,75•dia para os tratamentos AL, UR ou AM, não diferindo entre si. Valores obtidos para conversão alimentar da matéria seca foram de 8,41; 8,01; e 7,67 kg MSI/kg GPD e para conversão protéica, 1,15; 1,06; e 1,09 kg PBI/kg GPD, respectivamente, para os tratamentos AL, UR e AM, que foram semelhantes.The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of feedlot beef cattle fed diets supplemented with protein concentrate based on cottonseed meal (CSM) urea (UR) or starea (ST), using corn silage as forage. The feedlot period was 80 days. The diets were constituted maintaining the forage:concentrate proportion in the 63:37 level, with nearly 13% CP. No difference was observed in daily weight gain during the experimental period among the CSM, UR or ST treatments (1.14, 1.17, and 1.23 Kg/anim•day) or in the dry matter intakes in % LW (2.63, 2.60, and 2.60), g/kg0.75•day (136.19, 134.74, and 134.81) or kg/anim.•day (9.42, 9.35, and 9.40), respectively. The CP intakes values were 1.28, 1.24, and 1.34 kg of CP/anim.•day and 18.54, 17.86, and 19.24 g/kg.75 •day for the CMS, UR or ST treatments and they did not differ among each other. Values of feed:gain ratios obtained for dry matter were 8.41, 8.01, and 7.67 kg DMI/kg DWG and for the protein:gain ratios, 1.15, 1.06, and 1.09 kg CPI / Kg DWG, respectively, for the CPM, UR and ST treatments, that were similar.

We have analyzed the recent seismicity of Mt. Vesuvius, with particular emphasis on the period 1999-2012. Since 1972 continuous observations with electromagnetic seismometers allowed the compilation of a detailed earthquake catalogue for the station OVO. Furthermore since 1999 another, more complete, catalogue for the station BKE, closer to the crater, is available. The Gutenberg-Richter distribution of magnitudes shows a temporal decrease of the b-value since 1985, with current values close to 1.0. The temporal pattern of the strain release shows a non-stationary behavior with periods of increased release rates (as in 1989-1990, 1995-1996 and 1999-2000). The spatial distribution of the seismicity consists in two main seismogenic volumes, one with hypocenters clustered below the Mt. Vesuvius crater at depths mostly between 1-6 km, and another with hypocenters clustered within the Gran Cono volcanic edifice, with depths above the sea level. We compare the statistical properties of the seismicity occurring within these two volumes and their spatial and temporal patterns. Moreover we analyze the statistical distribution of focal mechanisms for each volume. Our results point to gravity-induced stresses as the source of the shallow seismicity and of a combined effect of crustal heterogeneities, regional stress and hydrothermal dynamics for the deeper seismicity. Finally we discuss possible future developments of the seismic monitoring system in the light of the past and current seismicity.

Mt. Vesuvius (southern Italy) is one of the most hazardous volcanoes in the world. Its activity is currently characterized by moderate seismicity, with hypocenters located beneath the crater zone with depth rarely exceeding 5 km and magnitudes generally less than 3. The current configuration of the seismic monitoring network of Mt. Vesuvius consists of 18 seismic stations and 7 infrasound microphones. During the period 2006-2010 a seismic array with 48 channels was also operative. The station distribution provides appropriate coverage of the area around the volcanic edifice. The current development of the network and its geometry, under conditions of low seismic noise, allows locating seismic events with M

Janete Souza Oliveira cresceu ouvindo dos pais as histórias do Circo Pio- lin, instalado na Praça Marechal Deodoro, em São Paulo, desde 1943. E percebeu o quanto isso foi determinante para que ela, empregada doméstica, e ele, motorista, pudessem ter uma sociabilidade fora das longas jornadas de trabalho a que se de- dicavam em casas de famílias abastadas da região de Higienópolis. Neste depoimento, esta “quase socióloga”, como se define, que abandonou o curso da Escola Livre de Sociologia e Política para morar na África, onde passou oito anos de sua vida, filha de dona Gersira e do senhor Joaquim Adão, lembra a importância do circo e das comédias na vida social das classes menos privilegiadas da capital paulista.

Introduction.We analyzed the clinical case of a 51 years old man, kidney transplanted on December 2002. On April 2011, he had acute rectal bleeding, renal chronic rejection (creatinine 2.9 mg/dl), Hgb 8.7 g/dl, positive anti-CMV antibodies (IgG). A colonoscopy showed diverticulosis of the rectum associated with deepithelialisation. The patient was treated with maintenance immunosuppressive post-transplant therapy. On June 2011, the colonoscopy showed a stenosing lesion of the sigmoid colon, and blood sampling and intestinal biopsy were performed to search Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA by PCR. Methods. The presence of CMV-DNA was sought by automatic extractor QIACUBE, using QIAamp DNA BLOOD Mini Kit (Qiagen) for whole blood and QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) for biopsy.The extracted DNA was then amplified by Real Time PCR using Q-CMV RealTime Complete Kit (Nanogen), on instrument Applied Biosystems 7300. Results. At disease onset the viral load in whole blood was 208000 Geq/ml, and biopsy was positive. Antiviral therapy with Ganciclovir led to the negativity of the viral load and remission of symptoms. Conclusions. The clinical case described presented a reactivation of CMV infection in the intestine after more than 10 years from kidney transplantation, while the highest incidence of CMV reactivation usually occurs during the first year. In our opinion, the reactivation can be traced to long-term immunosuppressive therapy (maintenance posttransplant therapy) in combination with a state of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. In fact, patients with IBD treated with steroid drugs, in particular the group of refractory to therapy and thus have a recovery of the inflammatory process, are exposed to reactivation of CMV with intestinal localization.

Analisar a oralidade na construção da cultura circense, especialmente nos processos de socialização e identificação, é o objetivo deste artigo, que tem por base o acervo do Arquivo Miroel Silveira e os depoimentos dos artistas de circo.

A nivel mundial, los programas de educación física, así como programas de preparación de profesores de educación física, necesitan ser repensados y reformados. Organizado por la University of Northern Iowa (EE.UU.) y las Escuelas de las Comunidades en Centro de Grundy, Iowa (EE.UU.) el Foro Mundial para la Pedagogía en Educación Física 2010 (GoFPEP 2010) se organizó para examinar: 1) una nueva pedagogía para la preparación de profesores de educación física; 2) utilización de la tecnología para ayudar a enseñar la educación física; y, 3) la construcción de la sociedad entre escuela, universidad, comunidad y empresas. GoFPEP 2010 señaló a 70 delegados invitados de 25 países en representación de 64 universidades, escuelas, negocios, organizaciones comunitarias, organizaciones profesionales y las sociedades.

Objetivou-se identificar elementos tóxicos presentes nos seguintes produtos intensivamente utilizados na agropecuária brasileira: fosfato bicálcico, fosfato supertriplo, fosfato supersimples, fosfato monoamônico, fosfosulfato de amônio, polifosfato de cálcio e amônio, sal mineral bovino artesanal, farinha de ossos e calcário. Para a detecção dos elementos tóxicos utilizou-se as técnicas de difratometria de raios-x, absorção atômica de forno de grafite, colorimetria, gravimetria e ativação neutrônica. Foram detectados diversos elementos tóxicos, assim classificados conforme a agência norte americana de registro de substâncias tóxicas e doença relacionadas - ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) como alumínio, arsênio, bário, cério, césio, cobalto, flúor, estrôncio, tório, urânio, vanádio e zinco . Também foram observadas elevadas concentrações de silício na forma de quartzo na farinha de ossos e no sal mineral bovino. O fosfato bicálcico é o produto que apresenta a menor presença de elementos tóxicos. Summary: This study aimed to identify toxic elements present in products largely used in Brazilian agriculture and livestock: dicalcium phosphate, super-triple phosphate, super-simple phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, sulphur amonium phoshphate, ammoniated calcium polyphosphate, a farm-made bovine mineral supplement, a bone meal and a limestone. Many techniques were employed in such analyses: X-ray diffractometry, atomic absorption, colorimetric and gravimetric techniques and instrumental neutron activation. It was detected many elements classified as hazard and toxic elements by the (United States) ASTDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry such as Al, As, Ba, Ce, Cs, Co, F, Sr, Th, U, V e Zn. It has also noted a high presence of Si as quartz in the bone meal and in the bovine mineral supplement. Bicalcic phosphate presents the smallest presence of hazardous elements. Palavras-chave: flúor, arsênio, bário,tório, urânio Keywords: fluorine, arsenic, barium, thorium, uraniumThis study was conducted with the aim of identifying toxic elements present in products largely used in Brazilian agriculture and livestock: dicalcium phosphate, supertriple phosphate, supersimple phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, sulphur amonium phoshphate, ammoniated calcium polyphosphate, a farm-made bovine mineral supplement, a bone meal and a limestone. Many techniques were employed in such analyses: X-ray diffractometry, atomic absorption, colorimetric and gravimetric techniques and instrumental neutron activation. It was detected many elements classified as hazard and toxic elements by the (United States) ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry such as aluminum, arsenic, barium, cerium, cesium, cobalt, fluoride, strontium, thorium, uranium, vanadium and zinc. It has also noted a high presence of Si as quartz in the bone meal and in the bovine mineral supplement. Bicalcic phosphate presents the smallest presence of hazardous elements.

During embryonic vasculogenesis, endothelial precursor cells of mesodermal origin known as angioblasts assemble into a characteristic network pattern. Although a considerable amount of markers and signals involved in this process have been identified, the mechanisms underlying the coalescence of angioblasts into this reticular pattern remain unclear. Various recent studies hypothesize that autocrine regulation of the chemoattractant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is responsible for the formation of vascular networks in vitro. However, the autocrine regulation hypothesis does not fit well with reported data on in vivo early vascular development. In this study, we propose a mathematical model based on the alternative assumption that endodermal VEGF signalling activity, having a paracrine effect on adjacent angioblasts, is mediated by its binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Detailed morphometric analysis of simulated networks and images obtained from in vivo quail embryos reveals the model mimics the vascular patterns with high accuracy. These results show that paracrine signalling can result in the formation of fine-grained cellular networks when mediated by angioblast-produced ECM. This lends additional support to the theory that patterning during early vascular development in the vertebrate embryo is regulated by paracrine signalling.

O circo‑teatro, presente na paisagem urbana de São Paulo em todo o século XX, constituiu‑se em espetáculo popular baseado na hibridização cultural, com elementos da cultura erudita e da cultura de massa. Por sua vez, estas duas culturas se apropriaram do discurso circense, num processo evidente de circularidade cultural.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer um perfil de composição físicoquímica, microscópica e sensorial de temperos do tipo alho e sal industrializados. Foram analisadas trinta amostras, coletadas ao acaso no varejo do município de Juiz de Fora - MG. Os resultados demonstraram ausência de padronização quanto à qualidade microbiológica, aspectos sensoriais e rotulagem Observou-se excessiva concentração de cloreto de sódio nas amostras, com valores percentuais variando entre 69 e 93,22 e média aritmética de 83,74. O teor de umidade variou de 5,76 a 25,54, com média aritmética de 12,08 (valores percentuais) Com relação às amostras, 4,17% delas encontraram-se em desacordo com a legislação vigente no que diz respeito à contagem de bolores e leveduras. A microscopia não se mostrou eficiente para verificar a composição deste produto, impossibilitando a detecção de possíveis adulterações com cebola. Preparou-se um tempero-padrão com base nos valores médios de composição, o qual foi submetido às mesmas análises, apresentando composição de 83,78% de cloreto de sódio e 10,63% de umidade. Constatou -se a necessidade de fixação de especificações para teores máximos de cloreto de sódio e umidade, padronização da rotulagem e adoção de boas práticas de fabricação como forma de garantir um produto de melhor qualidade ao consumidor.

As zonas ripárias constituem parte importante da microbacia, tanto do ponto de vista estético como ecológico, em termos de biodiversidade, e principalmente hidrológico. Elas se caracterizam pela condição de saturação decorrente da superficialidade do lençol freático na maior parte do ano, de modo que há predomínio de espécies tipicamente adaptadas a essas condições edáficas. Dessa forma, do ponto de vista da conservação da saúde da microbacia e consequentemente dos recursos hídricos, parece lógico concluir que a delimitação da zona ripária é o primeiro passo fundamental. Essa delimitação pode ser aferida por métodos expeditos, como pela presença de vegetação característica de áreas saturadas ou pela cor e tipo de solo. O objetivo deste capítulo é apresentar uma metodologia de fácil aplicação para a identificação da zona ripária de uma microbacia experimental e que possa ser empregada no planejamento do uso do solo.

RNA silencing or interference (RNAi) is a gene regulation mechanism in eukaryotes that controls cell differentiation and developmental processes via expression of microRNAs. RNAi also serves as an innate antiviral defence response in plants, nematodes, and insects. This antiviral response is triggered by virus-specific double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNAs) that are produced during infection. To overcome antiviral RNAi responses, many plant and insect viruses encode RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs) that enable them to replicate at higher titers. Recently, several human viruses were shown to encode RSSs, suggesting that RNAi also serves as an innate defence response in mammals. Here, we demonstrate that the Ebola virus VP35 protein is a suppressor of RNAi in mammalian cells and that its RSS activity is functionally equivalent to that of the HIV-1 Tat protein. We show that VP35 can replace HIV-1 Tat and thereby support the replication of a Tat-minus HIV-1 variant. The VP35 dsRNA-binding domain is required for this RSS activity. Vaccinia virus E3L protein and influenza A virus NS1 protein are also capable of replacing the HIV-1 Tat RSS function. These findings support the hypothesis that RNAi is part of the innate antiviral response in mammalian cells. Moreover, the results indicate that RSSs play a critical role in mammalian virus replication.

A cobertura do caso Pedrinho pelo Jornal Nacional, da Rede Globo, incorporou elementos melodramáticos, definindo para o espectador o embate entre o bem (os pais biológicos do adolescente) e o mal (a mulher que o raptou ainda bebê da maternidade). Tais elementos foram usados por Aguinaldo Silva na construção da trama da telenovela Senhora do Destino, na mesma emissora, num jogo de espelhos de apropriações e mistura de gêneros narrativos.

O assassínio de grande parte da família, o confinamento (durante a infância e a adolescência) em uma prisão dourada e o espectáculo das querelas no seio da Igreja tornaram Juliano um idealista revoltado e inconsequente que tentou, após a morte de Constâncio, restaurar o paganismo no Império e opor-se, desta sorte, à marcha da história. As resistências que encontrou, os erros que cometeu em dezanove meses de governo e uma campanha precipitada contra os Persas, em que perdeu a vida, mostram a inanidade do projecto e a vitória do Galileu que tenazmente perseguia.