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High‐dose methylprednisolone plus rituximab (R‐HDMP) is a useful treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) patients unfit for chemo‐immunotherapy and has proven its utility on the treatment of CLL/SLL complicated by auto‐immune cytopenias. We performed a retrospective, single‐centre study, of CLL/SLL patients treated with R‐HDMP for 9 years. Thirty‐nine patients were included, median age at time of treatment was 77 years. Most patients had stage Rai III/IV and Binet C disease. Twenty‐eight patients had relapsed/refractory disease at time of treatment with a median of 1 previous line of therapy; 53.8% had prior exposure to fludarabine and 25% to rituximab. Grade 3–4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were recorded in 10.2% and 17.9% patients, respectively. While on treatment, 51.3% had documented infectious complications, but no other non‐haematological toxicities grades 3–4 were identified. Overall response rate was 64%. Median overall survival and progression‐free survival were 24 and 13 months, respectively. Twenty four patients relapsed and 16 received another line of treatment after R‐HDMP, with median time to next treatment of 13.5 months. Thirteen out of the 24 patients improved performance status and were subsequently considered fit for chemo‐immunotherapy. R‐HDMP is a valuable option for elderly and frail patients, with low risk of severe myelotoxicity and other severe adverse events. It was shown to work as a bridge to other lines of treatment, including chemo‐immunotherapy., High dose methylprednisolone plus rituximab (R‐HDMP) is a useful treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma patients unfit for chemo‐immunotherapy. We present a cohort of patients with median age of 77 years, most with stage Rai III/IV and Binet C disease. Overall response rate was 64% and median overall survival and progression‐free survival were 24 and 13 months, respectively, with an acceptable toxicity profile, highlighting R‐HDMP utility for elderly and frail patients.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of cactus pear as a moistening additive on fermentative and microbiological characteristics, aerobic stability (AS), chemical composition and in situ rumen degradability of corn grain silage at different opening times. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with four levels of dry matter (DM) (50; 60; 70 and 80% of DM) and three opening times (30; 60 and 120 days after ensiling), with four replications. There was an effect of interaction (P < 0.05) between the DM levels and opening times on silage yeast population, effluent losses, gas losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), AS of the silage and on lactic acid bacteria, mould and yeast populations after AS trial. The 60% DM level presented DMR values above 930 g/kg of DM. However, the lowest AS time (96.52 h) was observed in silages with 60% DM at 60 days after ensiling, although all silages have shown high AS. The DM in situ degradability of the ensiled mass increased after the ensiling process at all DM levels and opening times, with the 60% DM content showing the best result. When using cactus pear as a corn grain moistening additive, the 60% DM level is recommended when the opening time is up 120 days.

The objective of this study was to evaluate maternal-filial stress and maternal ability in a herd positive for small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), submitted to a control program for this disease, in the Northeastern semi-arid region, through ethological analysis and quantification of cortisol in the blood plasma and the hair coat. After the parturitions, 4 subgroups were formed according to the order of birth (primiparous or pluriparous) and to natural or artificial suckling: primiparous goats with natural suckling (PriN), primiparous goats with artificial suckling (PriA), pluriparous goats with natural suckling (PluN) and pluriparous goats with artificial suckling (PluA). The attentive posture was higher in goats from the PriA group (30.6%) compared to PriN (15.9%) and PluA (13.7%). The matrices of the PriN group showed lesser positioning behavior when compared to the PluN, (17.8%, 31.6%, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). As for the behavior of the kids, there was a difference (P ≤ 0.01) for the vocalization parameter between those separated from pluriparous mothers (60.48%) and those kept with the mother (8.54%). The same occurred with the kids of the primiparous mothers (43.20%; 6.99%), for those separated and those kept with their mothers, respectively. The separated kids of pluriparous mothers had a higher record for attempted escape (P ≤ 0.05), attentive posture (P ≤ 0.01), and restlessness (P ≤ 0.01), concerning those kept with their mothers. Primiparous kids were more restless (P ≤ 0.01) and attentive (P ≤ 0.01). The plasma cortisol and hair values did not differ (P > 0.05), except at parturition. It is concluded that the postpartum separation exerts higher levels of stress in the kids, that mothers already have a level of stress related to external factors, and that the postpartum separation does not interfere in the maternal ability of the mothers in subsequent births.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T05:29:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-30 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Here, we demonstrate that impedance-derived capacitance spectroscopy is a useful method for measuring and analyzing the quantum of conductance and capacitance of a single-layer graphene sheet. Both quantum conductance and capacitance exhibit the expected traditional V-shape when measured as a function of bias potential (with the minima of both parameters being at the Dirac point) in a 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid environment. Measurements were conducted at a specific low-frequency limit in which the conductance and capacitance were scanned as a function of bias potential to attain the quantum conductive and capacitive V-shapes. The V-shapes agree in terms of magnitude and profile with those reported in the literature using different methodologies and/or techniques. This validates impedance-derived capacitance spectroscopy as a suitable method to acquire key information of graphene and its derivatives. This method represents an alternative for rapid construction of both conductive and capacitive V-shapes of graphene in a single, simple experimental run. Institute of Chemistry São Paulo State University (UNESP), CEP. 14.800-060 Institute of Chemistry São Paulo State University (UNESP), CEP. 14.800-060 FAPESP: 2017–248390 FAPESP: 2018/23577–5 CAPES: 88887.463447/2019–00

The association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is controversial in the literature. Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a common, underdiagnosed NPSLE manifestation, but its pathophysiology is unknown. Thus, we investigate serum BDNF as a potential biomarker of CD in a cohort of SLE patients.We included 63 SLE patients, 48 NPSLE, and 57 age- and gender-matched controls (CON). All participants underwent neuropsychological assessment. Data on cardiovascular comorbidities, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics damage index (SLICC-DI) were compiled. Multiple regression analyses evaluated predictors of serum BDNF levels.Serum BDNF levels were lower in SLE and NPSLE patients than in CON (SLE 800.4 ± 502.7 vs. NPSLE 779.7 ± 426.3 vs. CON 1,345.5 ng/mL ± 438.4; p 0.001). In addition, hypertension (B: - 192.5, SE: 84.3, 95% CI: - 359.7 to - 25.3, p = 0.024) and SLICC-DI score (B: - 75.9, SE: 27.2, 95% CI: - 129.8 to - 22, p = 0.006) were predictors of serum BDNF levels in SLE. There was no relation between BDNF levels and CD.BDNF levels are lower in SLE patients than CON and inversely associated with hypertension and SLICC-DI scores. No association between BDNF levels and CD or NPSLE was observed in this cohort. These findings indicate that BDNF may be associated with overall burden in SLE rather than specific manifestations such as cognition impairment. Key Points • BDNF is associated with an overall burden in SLE rather than specific manifestations such as cognition dysfunction. • BDNF levels are reduced in patients with SLE, and higher SLICC-DI scores and hypertension are independent predictors of lower serum BDNF levels. • The cognitive dysfunction rate is elevated (46%) among Brazilian SLE patients.

At present, most of the worldwide transformer fleet uses mineral oil as insulation fluid. However, the use of natural ester is playing an increasing role as safer and eco-friendly alternative to mineral oil. From the utilities’ perspective, the change in the mineral oil paradigm can be approached by replacing their assets by new eco-friendly transformers or refurbishing their assets, substituting only the insulating fluid. To make an informed decision, guidelines indicating how a transformer designed for mineral oil would behave when operating with natural ester, are of paramount importance. In the present research, temperature rise tests were carried out in a 15MVA ODAF core-type power transformer, under different operating conditions. Tests were run for mineral oil as insulating fluid and subsequently repeated for natural ester. To gain further insights on experimental results, thermal modelling of the transformer under the same test conditions was carried out, using Thermal-Hydraulic Network Models and Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques. From the present work it was found that the relationship between the thermal behaviour of the transformer using natural ester or mineral oil is not simple as it depends on the operating conditions of the transformer and on the geometry of the windings.

Active noise control (ANC) requires a controller with a small delay. However, in most ANC applications, this delay is significant due to the typically low sample rate, the anti-aliasing (AA), and reconstruction filters (RC) of the analog to digital (AD) and digital to analog (DA) converters. This delay can be reduced by increasing the sampling frequency at the expense of a significant increase in computational complexity. Sigma-delta AD and DA converters work at high sampling frequencies, but their use in ANC is limited due to the delay of AA and RC filters. This work proposes removing the AA and RC filters of the sigma-delta converters and using the oversampled signals directly in an ANC system. This proposal allows the ANC system to be implemented at a large sample frequency but using signals with fewer bits per sample (word-length). This is the first short-word length implementation of the least mean squares (LMS) algorithm to the authors’ knowledge. Gains of up to 6 times may be achieved in the computational complexity when compared with a long-word length implementation. Theoretical and simulation results validate the current solution.

In recent years, the proliferation of distributed renewable energy sources and the application of new rules for the exploitation of electrical networks imposed by the markets have dictated increasingly demanding operating conditions for electric power transformers, creating new challenges in their exploration and conservation. Transformers that, in addition to the transmission lines, are certainly the most important and critical element of any electrical energy system. Adequate models are necessary to accurately describe transformer behavior and internal response when submitted to different external requests imposed by the network, particularly during transient phenomena, as well as, to properly assess system vulnerabilities and network optimization. This effort is being carried out today by several research groups in the world, namely from Cigré and IEEE. In this work, a transformer model to be integrated into a timedomain equivalent circuit is developed and discussed. Results obtained with this model are compared with measurements obtained by the Cigré JWG A2/C4.52 in a power transformer used as a reference for the working group.

Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive pathogen that inhabits the upper respiratory tract and can cause severe systemic inflammatory disease in pigs, mainly during the nursery phase. Streptococcus suis is a reemergent pathogen, and outbreaks of its inducing disease represent significant economic losses for the pig industry worldwide. In this study, we described the clinical, pathological, and molecular aspects of an outbreak of S. suis infection with atypically high mortality. The outbreak occurred in nursery farms integrated into a cooperative in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Of the 30 nurseries, 10 were severely affected by the pathogen and had high economic losses. Clinical signs usually started approximately 10 days after weaning and were mainly characterized by acute nervous and locomotor disorders. The mortality of the affected batches usually ranged between 8% and 10%, but in some cases, it reached 18%. Nine piglets were submitted to post mortem examination. Macroscopically, the synovial joints were enlarged and contained fibrinous exudates. In the central nervous system, there was hyperemia of the leptomeningeal vessels associated with deposition of fibrin and purulent exudate in the leptomeninges. In three piglets, there was thickening of the choroid plexus associated with dilation of the lateral ventricles. Microscopic lesions were characterized mainly by fibrinosuppurative inflammation, which involved the synovial membranes, leptomeninges of the brain, and spinal cord. Furthermore, it also affects the choroid plexus, ependyma, nerve roots, and central canal of the spinal cord. S. suis was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid, meningeal swabs, and/or synovial fluid of 8/9 piglets, and typified as serotype 9 by multiplex PCR. RESUMO: Streptococcus suis é um patógeno Gram positivo que habita o trato respiratório superior e pode causar doença inflamatória sistêmica grave em suínos, principalmente durante a fase de creche. Streptococcus suis é um patógeno reemergente e surtos representam perdas econômicas significativas a suinocultura mundial. Neste estudo descrevemos os aspectos clínicos, patológicos e moleculares de um surto de infecção por S. suis com mortalidade atipicamente alta. O surto ocorreu em creches integradas a uma cooperativa do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Das 30 creches, 10 foram severamente afetadas pelo patógeno e apresentavam elevadas perdas econômicas. Os sinais clínicos iniciavam em torno de 10 dias após o desmame e eram caracterizados principalmente por sinais clínicos nervosos e locomotores agudos. A mortalidade dos lotes afetados variava entre 8% e 10%, mas em alguns casos ultrapassava 18%. Nove leitões foram submetidos ao exame post mortem. Macroscopicamente, as articulações sinoviais estavam aumentadas e continham exsudato fibrinoso. No sistema nervoso central havia hiperemia dos vasos leptomeníngeos associada a deposição de fibrina e exsudato purulento nas leptomeninges. Em três leitões havia espessamento do plexo coroide associado a dilatação dos ventrículos laterais. As lesões microscópicas eram caracterizadas principalmente por inflamação fibrinossupurativa que envolvia as membranas sinoviais, as leptomeninges do cérebro e medula espinhal. Além disso, também afetava o plexo coroide, epêndima, raízes nervosas e canal central da medula espinhal. S. suis foi isolado do líquido cefalorraquidiano, suabe de meninge e/ou líquido sinovial de 8/9 leitões e tipificado como sorotipo 9 por PCR multiplex.

We report on experimental measurements of energy transfer efficiencies in a GeV-class laser wakefield accelerator. Both the transfer of energy from the laser to the plasma wakefield, and from the plasma to the accelerated electron beam were diagnosed by simultaneous measurement of the deceleration of laser photons and the acceleration of electrons as a function of plasma length. The extraction efficiency, which we define as the ratio of the energy gained by the electron beam to the energy lost by the self-guided laser mode, was maximised at $19\pm3$\% by tuning of the plasma density and length. The additional information provided by the octave-spanning laser spectrum measurement allows for independent optimisation of the plasma efficiency terms, which is required for the key goal of improving the overall efficiency of laser wakefield accelerators., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures plus supplementary materials

In this study, a combination of coagulation/flocculation and Fenton processes was studied as tertiary treatment in order to generate treated water susceptible to reuse. The combination of both processes has never been applied in disinfection of real urban wastewater. The best removals of turbidity and enterobacteria were achieved when applying a coagulant (FeCl

Experimental results, supported by precise modelling, demonstrate optimisation of a plasma-based injector with intermediate laser pulse energy ($, 13 pages, 9 figures

Oxygen permeability data is relevant for selecting wine bottles closures. Market available stoppers, two natural and eight microagglomerated corks, were analysed for the oxygen ingress over time in stoppered bottles, under different temperatures (8, 23, and 40 °C), with and without contact between cork and wine simulant. Weibull model described well the oxygen ingress. Differences were found between cork types in long-term oxygen pressure (Po) and ingress rates (τ). For microagglomerated corks, Po increased, and τ decreased with temperature, following the Arrhenius behaviour, with estimated activation energies of 15.3 and 35.2 kJ mol−1, respectively. Microagglomerated corks exhibited slower initial oxygen ingress but higher long-term oxygen ingress than natural corks. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that factors related to the bottleneck-cork interface contributed more to the variance of the system than cork type. Liquid contact reduces oxygen ingress around five times. The temperature impact in the oxygen ingress was lower for natural corks.

Salt reduction policies are identified as effective; however, the assessment of their impact in European countries has been underexplored. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of salt reduction policies on hypertension in Portugal, to ultimately guide future policies. Based on national data, the top five foods contributing to salt intake, their salt content, and daily consumption were determined. Food reformulation included current policies and proposed targets for future agreements. Food availability trend from the main contributors was estimated from national food balance sheets. For this study, we considered five counterfactual scenarios (CF) to estimate salt intake variation: (1) reduction of salt content of foods targeted by current policies, while assuming stable consumption of the primary contributors; (2) proposal to extend CF 1 to other food categories; (3) change in the principal contributor's consumption based on the trend, assuming stable salt content; (4) combination of CF 2 and 3; (5) CF 4 and assuming a reduction of “1 pinch of salt”. Relative risk was estimated from regression coefficients to then calculate the potential impact fraction (PIF) and ultimately provide the hypertension cases prevented per year for each CF. The change in salt intake expected by each CF is -11.16%, -13.57%, +0.12%, -13.40% and 23,99%, respectively. For each CF, PIF and hypertension cases avoided per year was, as follows (mean (95%CI)): 9.46% and 46401 (44201;48925) for the first; 14.05% and 68921 (66149;72025) for the second; -1.24% and -6099 (-7636;-4763) for the third; 13.2% and 65125 (62286;67892) for the fourth; and, 15.58% and 76397 (73208;80021) for the last. This study suggests that if the salt content of main contributors was not reduced, its increasing food trend consumption might result in higher incidence of hypertension in Portugal. However, by combining current policies with targets on additional foods, more than 60,000 cases could be avoided annually. Key messages • Salt content reduction policies are necessary if we want to reduce the incidence of hypertension among the Portuguese population. • Assessment of the impact of salt reduction policies is crucial if we want to choose those that have a stronger impact on the health of our population.

An exhaustive review was undertaken to assemble all available correlations for supercritical CO2 in straight, round tubes of any orientation, with special attention paid to how the wildly varying fluid properties near the critical point are handled. The assemblage of correlations, along with subsequent discussion, is presented from a historical perspective, starting from pioneering work on the topic in the 1950s to the modern day. Despite the growing sophistication of sCO2 heat transfer correlations, modern correlations are still only generally applicable over a relatively small range of operating conditions, and there has not been a substantial increase in predictive capabilities. Recently, researchers have turned to machine learning as a tool for next-generation heat transfer prediction. An overview of the state-of-the-art predicting sCO2 heat transfer using machine learning methods, such as artificial neural networks, is also presented.

Considerando a necessidade de um método rápido, barato e poderoso para a rotina de controle de qualidade, a Densitometria / Cromatografia de Camada Delgada foi um método escolhido para atender a essas solicitações. No entanto, essa técnica tem suas limitações quando usada para ensaios de determinação de substâncias em matrizes complexas, como extratos vegetais. Considerando a restrição da técnica cromatográfica durante o desenvolvimento de metodologias analíticas para medicamentos, foi desenvolvido um novo procedimento para superar a dificuldade em obter os parâmetros de validação dentro dos critérios internacionais de aceitação, principalmente os parâmetros de seletividade e repetibilidade. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado na quantificação de ácido betulínico (BA) a partir de extratos de produtos naturais. Todas as separações foram obtidas nas cromatoplacas Si60 F254 com n-hexano: acetato de etila: ácido acético (7: 3: 0,3) a 560 nm, após derivatização com reagente vanilina-sulfúrica. O sistema forneceu pontos compactos para BA (Rf. 0,5) e exibiu linearidade (R2 = 0,999). A metodologia foi comparada com uma metodologia de cromatografia gasosa validada e nenhuma diferença estatística foi observada.

A chemoselective route for the synthesis of 1-O-alkylglycerols chimyl (1), batyl (2), and selachyl (3) is reported. These compounds can be naturally isolated from shark liver oil and the skin of animals such as stingrays and chimeras and exhibit potential anti-fouling activity. The synthetic approach developed in this work included two distinct methods of preparation. The first was based on solvent-free reactions catalyzed by onium quaternary salts (N and P) and ionic liquids; the second methodology was based on a series of one-pot reactions.

Background Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders negatively affect ability to perform activities of daily living, self-care and work. Therefore, outcome measurements that address muscle strength, fatigue resistance, functionality and work physical capacity must be defined to assess and plan specific actions to minimize them. Objective To investigate the association of upper extremity muscle strength with upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers from a tertiary hospital. Methods Shoulder and elbow isokinetic strength were assessed by Biodex System 4™, isometric hand grip by JAMAR™, upper extremity fatigue resistance by Functional Impairment Test Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA), ability to work by the Work Ability Index and upper extremity dysfunction by the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuickDASH-Br questionnaire. The Nordic questionnaire and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used for pain description. The associations were analysed by Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho) (p Results Twenty-seven participants: 59.2% women; mean age 46 years old; 70.3% obese/overweight; 62.9% active with predominantly dynamic muscle contraction work. Besides predominance of good to moderate work ability (81.4%) and comorbidities (37%), all participants had symptoms of the upper extremities for at least 12 months, with a predominance of low-intensity in the shoulder (55.5%). In addition, 88.8% reported pain in other segments. Muscle strength of abduction (rho = 0.49), adduction (rho = 0.40), internal rotation (rho = 0.44) and hand grip (rho = 0.68) presented moderate correlation with FIT-HaNSA. Hand grip (rho = − 0.52) showed moderate correlation with upper extremity dysfunction. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study suggested the association of shoulder strength with fatigue resistance. Also, hand grip strength was associated with upper extremity dysfunction and fatigue resistance. No association was found with the Work Ability Index in this sample. So, it is suggested that hand grip and shoulder strength could be outcome measurements used for future interventions focused on upper extremity preventive exercises to improve strength and fatigue resistance of workers at risk for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Other individual, psychosocial and organizational risk factors must also be considered as influences on upper extremity function.