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Summary: Background: The identification of patients with an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and eligible for the disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in the earliest stages is one of the greatest challenges in the clinical practice. Plasma biomarkers has the potential to predict these issues, but further research is still needed to translate them to clinical practice. Here we evaluated the clinical applicability of plasma pTau181 as a predictive marker of AD pathology in a large real-world cohort of a memory clinic. Methods: Three independent cohorts (modelling [n = 991, 59.7% female], testing [n = 642, 56.2% female] and validation [n = 441, 55.1% female]) of real-world patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD dementia, and other dementias were included. Paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were used to measure AT(N) CSF biomarkers and plasma pTau181. Findings: CSF and plasma pTau181 showed correlation in all phenotypes except in SCD and other dementias. Age significantly influenced the biomarker's performance. The general Aβ(+) vs Aβ(−) ROC curve showed an AUC = 0.77 [0.74–0.80], whereas the specific ROC curve of MCI due to AD vs non-AD MCI showed an AUC = 0.89 [0.85–0.93]. A cut-off value of 1.30 pg/ml of plasma pTau181 exhibited a sensitivity of 93.57% [88.72–96.52], specificity of 72.38% [62.51–79.01], VPP of 77.85% [70.61–83.54], and 8.30% false negatives in the subjects with MCI of the testing cohort. The HR of cox regression showed that patients with MCI up to this cut-off value exhibited a HR = 1.84 [1.05–3.22] higher risk to convert to AD dementia than patients with MCI below the cut-off value. Interpretation: Plasma pTau181 has the potential to be used in the memory clinics as a screening biomarker of AD pathology in subjects with MCI, presenting a valuable prognostic utility in predicting the MCI conversion to AD dementia. In the context of a real-world population, a confirmatory test employing gold-standard procedures is still advisable. Funding: This study has been mainly funded by Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Fundación ADEY, Fundación Echevarne and Grífols S.A.

Highlights The pEVs proteome revealed early molecular differences between EOMCI Aβ( +) and Aβ(-) subjects. Olink© neurology proteins from pEVs of EOMCI Aβ( +) patients exhibited a strong negative correlation with CSF p-tau181. The levels of pEVs and CSF Olink© proteins correlated with CSF p-tau181 levels and age. Brain MRI characteristics of EOMCI Aβ( +) patients correlated with pEVs protein levels. pEVs biomarkers only linked early signs of inflammation to brain atrophy in EOMCI Aβ( +) individuals. The correlation of cognitive status and pEVs biomarkers differed between EOMCI Aβ( +) and Aβ(-) patients.

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) is a common ageing-related somatic event and has been previously associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, mLOY estimation from genotype microarray data only reflects the mLOY degree of subjects at the moment of DNA sampling. Therefore, mLOY phenotype associations with AD can be severely age-confounded in the context of genome-wide association studies. Here, we applied Mendelian randomisation to construct an age-independent mLOY polygenic risk score (mloy-PRS) using 114 autosomal variants. The mloy-PRS instrument was associated with an 80% increase in mLOY risk per standard deviation unit (p = 4.22 × 10−20) and was orthogonal with age. We found that a higher genetic risk for mLOY was associated with faster progression to AD in men with mild cognitive impairment (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.23, p = 0.01). Importantly, mloy-PRS had no effect on AD conversion or risk in the female group, suggesting that these associations are caused by the inherent loss of the Y chromosome. Additionally, the blood mLOY phenotype in men was associated with increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of total tau and phosphorylated tau181 in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Our results strongly suggest that mLOY is involved in AD pathogenesis.

The condensation of smoke from the pyrolysis of black wattle for the production of charcoal generates a by-product known as pyroligneous liquor. It is widely used in the agricultural area as a fertilizer and phytosanitiser, and its chemical composition presents compounds rich in hydrogen and oxygen, which makes it a potential electrolyte for anodizing. Thus, black wattle pyroligneous liquor was used as anodizing electrolyte for commercially pure titanium. The anodized surfaces were characterized in terms of topography by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); regarding the crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction (DRX); to electrochemical behavior by open-circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); regarding wettability by the sessile drop method; and for semiconductor behavior by UV–visible spectrophotometry. The results showed that the anodized TiO2 film obtained forms interfering colors, with an estimated thickness between 18.4 and 52 nm, being basically amorphous with crystalline concretions that appear with the anodization time. In addition, they exhibit hydrophilic behavior in water and maintain the electrochemical passivity of native titanium oxide, as well as showing semiconductor characteristics with a band gap between 1.75 and 2.9 eV.

Abstract Introduction Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a novel tool that allows the detection of retinal vascular changes. We investigated the association of macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial plexus assessed by OCT-A with measures of cerebrovascular pathology and atrophy quantified by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in non-demented individuals. Methods Clinical, demographical, OCT-A, and brain MRI data from non-demented research participants were included. We analyzed the association of regional macular VD with brain vascular burden using the Fazekas scale assessed in a logistic regression analysis, and the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) assessed in a multiple linear regression analysis. We also explored the associations of macular VD with hippocampal volume, ventricle volume and Alzheimer disease cortical signature (ADCS) thickness assessed in multiple linear regression analyses. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, syndromic diagnosis and cardiovascular variables. Results The study cohort comprised 188 participants: 89 with subjective cognitive decline and 99 with mild cognitive impairment. No significant association of regional macular VD with the Fazekas categories (all, p > 0.111) and WMH volume (all, p > 0.051) were detected. VD in the nasal quadrant was associated to hippocampal volume (p = 0.007), but no other associations of macular VD with brain atrophy measures were detected (all, p > 0.05). Discussion Retinal vascular measures were not a proxy of cerebrovascular damage in non-demented individuals, while VD in the nasal quadrant was associated with hippocampal atrophy independently of the amyloid status.

Abstract Background Several studies have reported a relationship between retinal thickness and dementia. Therefore, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proposed as an early diagnosis method for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed at identifying genes associated with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness assessed by OCT and exploring the relationships between the spectrum of cognitive decline (including AD and non-AD cases) and retinal thickness. Methods RNFL and GCIPL thickness at the macula were determined using two different OCT devices (Triton and Maestro). These determinations were tested for association with common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) using adjusted linear regression models and combined using meta-analysis methods. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for retinal thickness and AD were generated. Results Several genetic loci affecting retinal thickness were identified across the genome in accordance with previous reports. The genetic overlap between retinal thickness and dementia, however, was weak and limited to the GCIPL layer; only those observable with all-type dementia cases were considered. Conclusions Our study does not support the existence of a genetic link between dementia and retinal thickness.

Abstract Background Advancement in screening tools accessible to the general population for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and prediction of its progression is essential for achieving timely therapeutic interventions and conducting decentralized clinical trials. This study delves into the application of Machine Learning (ML) techniques by leveraging paralinguistic features extracted directly from a brief spontaneous speech (SS) protocol. We aimed to explore the capability of ML techniques to discriminate between different degrees of cognitive impairment based on SS. Furthermore, for the first time, this study investigates the relationship between paralinguistic features from SS and cognitive function within the AD spectrum. Methods Physical-acoustic features were extracted from voice recordings of patients evaluated in a memory unit who underwent a SS protocol. We implemented several ML models evaluated via cross-validation to identify individuals without cognitive impairment (subjective cognitive decline, SCD), with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and with dementia due to AD (ADD). In addition, we established models capable of predicting cognitive domain performance based on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery from Fundació Ace (NBACE) using SS-derived information. Results The results of this study showed that, based on a paralinguistic analysis of sound, it is possible to identify individuals with ADD (F1 = 0.92) and MCI (F1 = 0.84). Furthermore, our models, based on physical acoustic information, exhibited correlations greater than 0.5 for predicting the cognitive domains of attention, memory, executive functions, language, and visuospatial ability. Conclusions In this study, we show the potential of a brief and cost-effective SS protocol in distinguishing between different degrees of cognitive impairment and forecasting performance in cognitive domains commonly affected within the AD spectrum. Our results demonstrate a high correspondence with protocols traditionally used to assess cognitive function. Overall, it opens up novel prospects for developing screening tools and remote disease monitoring.

The north-western coast of Africa is one of the most productive marine systems in the world, where a high diversity of cetacean species has been recorded. However, management of human activities that impact cetacean populations in the area is inadequate, in part due to poor knowledge on cetacean occurrence and the lack of systematic surveys. We reviewed existing knowledge on cetacean distribution between Morocco and Liberia and analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of records, as well as species occurrence, further discussing the reported distribution ranges. The systematic literature review included 39 sources reporting on 36 species in the area, with a total of 2241 sightings and 2178 non-sighting records. Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) and Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin) are the two species with the highest number of sources reporting on them. This review reveals a spatially and temporally heterogeneous coverage of the area in the literature and published data on cetacean occurrence. In summary, although most of the compiled sources are recently published (2011-2020), the majority of records are from prior to 2000. In several range states, especially south of Senegal, little information is available. Therefore, the available information is unlikely to represent the current status of cetacean communities in the region. It is essential to fill knowledge gaps by increasing the collection of cetacean distribution data in the area, in order to support effective conservation measures and ensure sustainable utilization of the living marine resources in this rapidly developing region.

IntroductionThe oceanic waters around the Azores host a high diversity of cetaceans, with 28 species of toothed and baleen whales present year-round or seasonally. This high cetacean biodiversity likely plays an important role in the structure, functioning and productivity of the ecosystem, and may increase trophic redundancy, thus contributing to food web resilience to disturbances.MethodsHere we used stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analysis to characterize trophic niches, assess niche overlap, describe the trophic structure and discuss potential redundancy in the cetacean community. Using 407 samples from 12 species, we estimated Standard Ellipse Areas and overlaps between species and used a hierarchical clustering analysis to identify trophic guilds.Results and discussionδ13C and δ15N values ranged from -20.53 to -15.46‰ and from 7.78 to 14.41‰ respectively, suggesting the use of diverse habitats and resources among cetacean species. Clustering analysis revealed that species were grouped into four trophic guilds, segregated mainly by trophic position (TP): a low-TP guild with three zooplanktivore baleen whales, a mid-TP guild with micronektivores, a high-TP guild with micronekton and nekton consumers, and a cluster with only Pseudorca crassidens. There was significant isotopic niche overlap between one pair of species within each guild, indicating some potential for trophic redundancy in the community. Yet, these pairs also showed some form of spatial or temporal partitioning, suggesting that mechanisms promoting species coexistence could play a key role in structuring the cetacean community in the region and in its ecological role.

Abstract Determining how animals allocate energy, and how external factors influence this allocation, is crucial to understand species' life history requirements and response to disturbance. This response is driven in part by individuals' energy balance, prey characteristics, foraging behaviour and energy required for essential functions. We developed a bioenergetic model to estimate minimum foraging success rate (FSR), that is, the lowest possible prey capture rate for individuals to obtain the minimum energy intake needed to meet daily metabolic requirements, for female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The model was based on whales' theoretical energetic requirements using foraging and prey characteristics from animal‐borne tags and stomach contents, respectively. We used this model to simulate two prey structure change scenarios: (1) decrease in mean prey size, thus lower prey energy content and (2) decrease in prey size variability, reducing the variability in prey energy content. We estimate the whales need minimum of ~14% FSR to meet their energetic requirements, and energy intake is more sensitive to energy content changes than a decrease in energy variability. To estimate vulnerability to prey structure changes, we evaluated the compensation level required to meet bioenergetic demands. Considering a minimum 14% FSR, whales would need to increase energy intake by 21% (5–35%) and 49% (27–67%) to compensate for a 15% and 30% decrease in energy content, respectively. For a 30% and 50% decrease in energy variability, whales would need to increase energy intake by 13% (0–23%) and 24% (10–35%) to meet energetic demands, respectively. Our model demonstrates how foraging and prey characteristics can be used to estimate impact of changing prey structure in top predator energetics, which can help inform bottom‐up effects on marine ecosystems. We showed the importance of considering different FSR in bioenergetics models, as it can have decisive implications on estimates of energy acquired and affect the conclusions about top predator's vulnerability to possible environmental fluctuations.

An in-depth genotypic characterisation of a diverse collection of Digitaria insularis was undertaken to explore the neutral genetic variation across the natural expansion range of this weed species in Brazil. With the exception of Minas Gerais, populations from all other states showed high estimates of expected heterozygosity (HE > 0.60) and genetic diversity. There was a lack of population structure based on geographic origin and a low population differentiation between populations across the landscape as evidenced by average Fst value of 0.02. On combining haloxyfop [acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicide] efficacy data with neutral genetic variation, we found evidence of presence of two scenarios of resistance evolution in this weed species. Whilst populations originating from north-eastern region demonstrated an active role of gene flow, populations from the mid-western region displayed multiple, independent resistance evolution as the major evolutionary mechanism. A target-site mutation (Trp2027Cys) in the ACCase gene, observed in less than 1% of resistant populations, could not explain the reduced sensitivity of 15% of the populations to haloxyfop. The genetic architecture of resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides was dissected using a genome wide association study (GWAS) approach. GWAS revealed association of three SNPs with reduced sensitivity to haloxyfop and clethodim. In silico analysis of these SNPs revealed important non-target site genes belonging to families involved in herbicide detoxification, including UDPGT91C1 and GT2, and genes involved in vacuolar sequestration-based degradation pathway. Exploration of five genomic prediction models revealed that the highest prediction power (≥0.80) was achieved with the models Bayes A and RKHS, incorporating SNPs with additive effects and epistatic interactions, respectively.

Background High-resolution sound and movement recording tags offer unprecedented insights into the fine-scale foraging behaviour of cetaceans, especially echolocating odontocetes, enabling the estimation of a series of foraging metrics. However, these tags are expensive, making them inaccessible to most researchers. Time-Depth Recorders (TDRs), which have been widely used to study diving and foraging behaviour of marine mammals, offer a more affordable alternative. Unfortunately, data collected by TDRs are bi-dimensional (time and depth only), so quantifying foraging effort from those data is challenging. Methods A predictive model of the foraging effort of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) was developed to identify prey capture attempts (PCAs) from time-depth data. Data from high-resolution acoustic and movement recording tags deployed on 12 sperm whales were downsampled to 1 Hz to match the typical TDR sampling resolution and used to predict the number of buzzes (i.e., rapid series of echolocation clicks indicative of PCAs). Generalized linear mixed models were built for dive segments of different durations (30, 60, 180 and 300 s) using multiple dive metrics as potential predictors of PCAs. Results Average depth, variance of depth and variance of vertical velocity were the best predictors of the number of buzzes. Sensitivity analysis showed that models with segments of 180 s had the best overall predictive performance, with a good area under the curve value (0.78 ± 0.05), high sensitivity (0.93 ± 0.06) and high specificity (0.64 ± 0.14). Models using 180 s segments had a small difference between observed and predicted number of buzzes per dive, with a median of 4 buzzes, representing a difference in predicted buzzes of 30%. Conclusions These results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain a fine-scale, accurate index of sperm whale PCAs from time-depth data alone. This work helps leveraging the potential of time-depth data for studying the foraging ecology of sperm whales and the possibility of applying this approach to a wide range of echolocating cetaceans. The development of accurate foraging indices from low-cost, easily accessible TDR data would contribute to democratize this type of research, promote long-term studies of various species in several locations, and enable analyses of historical datasets to investigate changes in cetacean foraging activity.

Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) are arboviruses that cause infections in humans and can cause clinical complications, representing a worldwide public health problem. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of these pathogens and Culex quinquefasciatus may be a potential ZIKV vector. This study aimed to evaluate fecundity, fertility, survival, longevity, and blood feeding activity in Ae. aegypti after exposure to ZIKV and CHIKV and, in Cx. quinquefasciatus exposed to ZIKV. Three colonies were evaluated: AeCamp (Ae. aegypti-field), RecL (Ae. aegypti-laboratory) and CqSLab (Cx. quinquefasciatus-laboratory). Seven to 10 days-old females from these colonies were exposed to artificial blood feeding with CHIKV or ZIKV. CHIKV caused reduction in fecundity and fertility in AeCamp and reduction in survival and fertility in RecL. ZIKV impacted survival in RecL, fertility in AeCamp and, fecundity and fertility in CqSLab. Both viruses had no effect on blood feeding activity. These results show that CHIKV produces a higher biological cost in Ae. aegypti, compared to ZIKV, and ZIKV differently alters the biological performance in colonies of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. These results provide a better understanding over the processes of virus-vector interaction and can shed light on the complexity of arbovirus transmission.

Resumo O artigo descreve o fenômeno do absenteísmo entre os servidores municipais da cidade de São Paulo e busca compreender como os profissionais da educação entendem a falta docente e se organizam para enfrentar esse problema na escola. A partir de uma revisão bibliográfica, fez-se a análise estatística descritiva de variáveis relacionadas a ausências dos servidores e perfil dos profissionais pertencentes ao quadro do magistério, bem como a análise dos resultados coletados por meio de entrevistas em vinte unidades escolares. O estudo recomenda que sejam delineadas melhorias das condições de trabalho dos professores, buscando, em especial, diminuir o número excessivo de alunos por sala de aula, aumentar os níveis salariais a fim de prevenir o acúmulo de cargos e investir na carreira do magistério, tornando-a mais atraente.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive functions. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD, underscoring the importance of identifying individuals in the preclinical stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to enable early interventions. Among the neuropathological events associated with the onset of the disease is the accumulation of amyloid protein in the brain, which correlates with decreased levels of Aβ42 peptide in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Consequently, the development of non-invasive, low-cost, and easy-to-administer proxies for detecting Aβ42 positivity in CSF becomes particularly valuable. A promising approach to achieve this is spontaneous speech analysis, which combined with machine learning (ML) techniques, has proven highly useful in AD. In this study, we examined the relationship between amyloid status in CSF and acoustic features derived from the description of the Cookie Theft picture in MCI patients from a memory clinic. The cohort consisted of fifty-two patients with MCI (mean age 73 years, 65% female, and 57% positive amyloid status). Eighty-eight acoustic parameters were extracted from voice recordings using the extended Geneva Minimalistic Acoustic Parameter Set (eGeMAPS), and several ML models were used to classify the amyloid status. Furthermore, interpretability techniques were employed to examine the influence of input variables on the determination of amyloid-positive status. The best model, based on acoustic variables, achieved an accuracy of 75% with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79 in the prediction of amyloid status evaluated by bootstrapping and Leave-One-Out Cross Validation (LOOCV), outperforming conventional neuropsychological tests (AUC = 0.66). Our results showed that the automated analysis of voice recordings derived from spontaneous speech tests offers valuable insights into AD biomarkers during the preclinical stages. These findings introduce novel possibilities for the use of digital biomarkers to identify subjects at high risk of developing AD.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a prevalência e fatores associados ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPI) pela população idosa e a concordância entre duas metodologias de avaliação no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Método Estudo observacional transversal. Foi estimada a prevalência de pessoas idosas que utilizam MPI e fatores associados. Inicialmente foi calculada a frequência de medicamentos, entre os utilizados, considerados MPI. A classificação como MPI foi pelos Critérios de Beers 2019 e Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para idosos (CBMPI) 2016. Também avaliou-se a concordância entre as duas classificações. Foram construídos modelos de regressão logística multivariada para avaliação da associação pelo Odds Ratio (OR), e calculado Kappa para concordância entre os dois critérios de classificações. Resultados A prevalência de pessoas idosas que usavam MPI foi 32,9% pelos Critérios de Beers e 27,6% pelo CBMPI. Associações estatisticamente significativas (p

Abstract Long-term monitoring datasets are fundamental to understand physical and ecological responses to environmental changes, supporting management and conservation. The data should be reliable, with the sources of bias identified and quantified. CETUS Project is a cetacean monitoring programme in the Eastern North Atlantic, based on visual methods of data collection. This study aims to assess data quality and bias in the CETUS dataset, by 1) applying validation methods, through photographic confirmation of species identification; 2) creating data quality criteria to evaluate the observer’s experience; and 3) assessing bias to the number of sightings collected and to the success in species identification. Through photographic validation, the species identification of 10 sightings was corrected and a new species was added to the CETUS dataset. The number of sightings collected was biased by external factors, mostly by sampling effort but also by weather conditions. Ultimately, results highlight the importance of identifying and quantifying data bias, while also yielding guidelines for data collection and processing, relevant for species monitoring programmes based on visual methods.

Telehealth is increasingly taking place to support the transition of care and self-management of people living with cancer in outpatient oncology settings. Despite its recognised value, the scientific evidence points to disparities with regard to implementation of telehealth that might compromise the equity of access. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) implementation approach, this project aims to promote the implementation of best practice recommendations for telehealth adoption in an outpatient oncology setting. Assisted by the Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES), the implementation process comprises three phases of (i) a baseline audit, (ii) feedback to the healthcare team and establishment of implementation strategies with the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) tool, and (iii) a follow-up audit. The project is expected to allow the identification of barriers and facilitators for the implementation of telehealth in outpatient oncology and develop a strategy plan for its adoption, with the involvement of end-users and stakeholders. The successful adoption of telehealth according to the best available evidence will likely enhance equity of access to healthcare and quality of care at a distance.

Introduction and Objectives: Cryptogenic chronic hepatitis is an increasing cause of liver transplantation and affects 5-15% of patients with chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate possible underlying causes of presumed cryptogenic liver disease referred to specialized liver centers by general practitioners in Brazil and to propose a new diagnostic algorithm including metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) definition and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) investigation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multicentric Brazilian cohort of patients with presumed chronic cryptogenic hepatitis was reanalyzed with respect to their clinical, laboratory and histological data using Czaja´s algorithm (2011). Results: 326 patients [mean age 60 (46-68) years, 42.9% males] were initially included, 35.7% with cirrhosis. Forty-five individuals were excluded due to an incomplete etiological investigation. Using Czaja´s algorithm, diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease could be established in 60 patients (21.3%), alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in 9 (3.2%), alcoholic liver disease in 7 (2.7%), autoimmune hepatitis in 5 (1.78%), hemochromatosis in 5 (1.78%), biliary-related hepatitis in 4 (1.4%), viral hepatitis in 4 (1.4%), Budd Chiari in 4 (1.4%), glycogenosis in 3 (1%), drug-induced liver injury in 2 (0.7%), and Wilson disease in 1 (0.35%). LAL-D was demonstrated in 3 individuals (1%). One hundred seventy-five patients remained with cryptogenic hepatitis (53.6%) (FIGURE A). During follow-up, 40 of those patients were submitted to liver transplantation and 19 (47.5%) were retrospectively diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis after histopathological examination of the explanted liver. By including MAFLD in the first step of the new algorithm, 100 patients would have been diagnosed (34.9%), reducing the number of individuals without a diagnosis by 18.3% (FIGURE B). Conclusions: One-third of patients with initially presumed cryptogenic liver disease were diagnosed with MAFLD. Despite being a rare disease, LAL-D investigation should be considered for individuals with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology. An updated diagnostic algorithm is proposed for those individuals.

Introduction and Objectives: Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) still affects millions of people around the world despite the recent development of very effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Even after a high cure rate, patients with advanced fibrosis should remain under surveillance due to the high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma development in previously treated chronic HCV patients in an outpatient hepatology clinic at Clinic Hospital of the University of São Paulo of School Medicine in the city of São Paulo. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study of a series of cases in which 410 HCV patients were treated with three different antiviral regiments: Interferon plus Ribavirin (INF + RBV) or Protease Inhibitors (PI) or DAA, were followed for up to ten years (2011-2021). Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained for electronic medical records. Results: the total sample of this study consists of 402 patients. Table 1 shows the patient demographic and clinical data. Of the 35 patients who developed HCC, 26 (74%) had F4-degree fibrosis. Logistic regression model was performed with the following variables: BMI (p=0.005), positive anti-HBC IgG (p=0.015), combination fibrosis and CHIILD-PUGH score A (p=0.001), B (p=0.012) and C(p< 0.001). Conclusions: In our cohort, obesity and anti-HBc IgG were significantly associated with a high risk of developing HCC. The type of antiviral treatment (IFN or DAA-based) was not associated with the risk of HCC.

University years are marked by multiple stressors. Consequently, university students often report anxiety symptoms or disorders, but most remain untreated. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been proposed as an alternative to address known help-seeking barriers, which were aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of ICBT for university students with anxiety. A systematic search on three databases, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science, and a manual search were performed. Fifteen studies were identified, including a total of 1619 participants. Seven studies evaluated ICBT treatment for both anxiety and depression, three for social anxiety, two for generalized anxiety, while the remaining (k = 3) only targeted anxiety, test anxiety, and comorbidity between anxiety and insomnia. Analyses were performed based on a random-effects model using the metafor package in R. The results indicated that ICBT had a significant and positive effect on university students with anxiety compared to controls at post-test (g = −0.48; 95 % CI: −0.63, −0.27; p

BackgroundOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a novel method in the dementia field that allows the detection of retinal vascular changes. The comparison of OCT-A measures with established Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related biomarkers is essential to validate the former as a marker of cerebrovascular impairment in the AD continuum. We aimed to investigate the association of macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial plexus quantified by OCT-A with the AT(N) classification based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42, p181-tau and t-tau measurements in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Materials and methodsClinical, demographic, ophthalmological, OCT-A and CSF core biomarkers for AD data from the Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE (NORFACE) project were analyzed. Differences in macular VD in four quadrants (superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal) among three AT(N) groups [Normal, Alzheimer and Suspected non-Alzheimer pathology (SNAP)] were assessed in a multivariate regression model, adjusted for age, APOE ε4 status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking habit, using the Normal AT(N) group as the reference category.ResultsThe study cohort comprised 144 MCI participants: 66 Normal AT(N), 45 Alzheimer AT(N) and 33 SNAP AT(N). Regression analysis showed no significant association of the AT(N) groups with any of the regional macular VD measures (all, p > 0.16). The interaction between sex and AT(N) groups had no effect on differentiating VD. Lastly, CSF Aβ1-42, p181-tau and t-tau measures were not correlated to VD (all r < 0.13; p > 0.13).DiscussionOur study showed that macular VD measures were not associated with the AT(N) classification based on CSF biomarkers in patients with MCI, and did not differ between AD and other underlying causes of cognitive decline in our cohort.

Along with the worldwide recognition of the importance of the methodological guidance to the validity and rigour of complex health interventions, this scoping review aims to identify and characterise the scientific evidence on complex health interventions in Portuguese healthcare research. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for scoping reviews will be followed. The population (P) concept (C) context (C) mnemonic will scaffold the research questions, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and searching strategy. MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, and Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal (RCAAP) will be searched. Scientific evidence reporting complex health interventions in the Portuguese healthcare context, in Portuguese and English and published from 2008 and onwards will be considered for inclusion. Literature pertaining to complex health interventions outside the Portuguese healthcare context will be excluded. The literature will be screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers first by title and abstract and subsequently by full-text. A data matrix will be used for data-extraction of the included literature. The charted data will be thematically analysed and presented graphically with a narrative description of the literature characteristics. The results from this literature review are expected to provide an overview of the knowledge concerning the characteristics and methodological guidance of Portuguese complex health interventions.

Recognizing the importance of the international advancements on person-centered practice (PCP) with positive implementation outcomes at the varied levels of healthcare systems, this scoping review will examine the PCP in Portuguese healthcare services. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for scoping reviews will be followed. The Population (P) Concept (C) Context (C) mnemonic will scaffold research questions, the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the searching strategy. Literature reporting on person-centeredness domains at the macro-, meso-, and micro levels applied to Portuguese healthcare services in Portuguese and English will be considered for inclusion. Accordingly, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, LILACS, SCIELO, Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal (RCAAP), and Open gray will be searched. The literature will be screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers, first by title and abstract and subsequently by full text. A data extraction matrix designed to answer the research questions will be used for the included literature. The charted data will be thematically analyzed and presented graphically, with a narrative description of the literature characteristics. The results are expected to inform healthcare stakeholders at varying levels about the PCP domains where further improvements might be required in order to raise the quality of care to the international gold standards.

Este artigo tem o propósito de analisar resultados de levantamento bibliográfico de artigos acadêmicos sobre avaliação educacional no Brasil, no período de 1997 a 2018, em periódicos classificados como A1, A2, B1 e B2 (Qualis Periódicos 2013-2016). Apresenta- -se um breve panorama de estudos anteriores que efetuaram mapeamento de produções sobre o objeto em tela. Os resultados quantitativos e a análise do levantamento evidenciam possíveis tendências do campo, dentre as quais destaca-se um aumento substancial de produções a partir de meados dos anos 2000, mormente aquelas que tratam da avaliação em larga escala e, ainda, sobre diferentes dimensões da avaliação educacional, o que indica um caráter de consolidação desse campo do conhecimento.

Disturbance from whale watching can induce a wide range of behavioral responses in cetaceans, some of which can affect their energetic balance and, ultimately, their long-term fitness. However, assessing disturbance effects on deep-diving cetaceans remains challenging, as the majority of their activities occurs underwater and are difficult to monitor from surface observations. To surpass this limitation, we attached high-resolution multi-sensor tags (DTAGs) on 24 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) off the Azores, an area of intense whale watching, to evaluate changes in movement and acoustic parameters related to foraging effort and dives, locomotion effort, and non-foraging behavior. These parameters were compared between periods of exposure and non-exposure to whale watching vessels, using linear mixed-effect models to assess the presence of short-term effects, accounting for individual differences in behavior. We found no significant changes in foraging effort (number of buzzes, bottom phase depth, proportion of search and foraging phases) and overall dive behavior (dive duration, proportion of dive phases, and descending or ascending pitch) between non-exposure and exposure periods. In contrast, variation in body pitch during non-foraging periods increased during exposure but not variation in body roll. Taken together, these results suggest increased movements during resting activity, which may carry energetic costs to whales and impact their health. Vertical velocity during ascents was also significantly higher in response to vessel exposure, suggesting that sperm whales increased the frequency of fluke strokes, which was consistent with a higher Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration (ODBA) during ascents, incurring in higher energy expenditure. If the detected changes are repeated across multiple exposures, they might affect the individual’s energetic budget, and consequently their fitness. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the short-term behavioral responses of sperm whales to whale watching vessels and highlights the need for further studies examining the potential consequences from repeated disturbance to individuals.

Sexual violence is a phenomenon that negatively impacts the victims' physical and psychological health and well-being. Sex offenders tend not to take responsibility for their actions, have difficulties in emotion regulation and impulse control, paraphilias or other disorders, so they are a difficult group to treat. In addition, the available psychological treatment programs tend to have inconsistent and, sometimes, undesirable results. This systematic review aimed to analyse the recidivism rates of sex offenders treated in community settings. According to the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search in three databases, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science, and a manual search was performed. A total of 319 empirical studies using quantitative methodologies were identified, 27 of which were selected for full-text analysis. In the end, 15 studies were included, published between 1996 and 2020. The objectives, intervention approach, instruments used, and the main results and conclusions were extracted from each study. The studies explored different types of sex offenders, such as: violent sex offenders (e.g., rapists), child abusers, and child abusers with pedophilia (and/or other paraphilias). Results showed that most of the programs had a cognitive-behavioral approach (n = 13). Overall, the interventions appear to be effective in reducing recidivism rates, and some of them led to improvements in other outcomes, such as cognitive distortions, accepting responsibility, victim awareness and empathy, emotional regulation, and offense supportive attitudes. Limitations and implications for future studies were discussed.

Abstract Ever since the uncultivated South American fungal pathogen Lacazia loboi was first described 90 years ago, its etiology and evolutionary traits have been at the center of endless controversies. This pathogen infects the skin of humans and as long believed, dolphin skin. However, recent DNA analyses of infected dolphins placed its DNA sequences within Paracoccidioides species. This came as a surprise and suggested the human and dolphin pathogens may be different species. In this study, population genetic analyses of DNA from four infected dolphins grouped this pathogen in a monophyletic cluster sister to P. americana and to the other Paracoccidioides species. Based on the results we have emended the taxonomy of the dolphin pathogen as Paracoccidioides cetii and P. loboi the one infecting human. Our data warn that phylogenetic analysis of available taxa without the inclusion of unusual members may provide incomplete information for the accurate classification of anomalous species.

O artigo analisa textos publicados de 1990 a 2018, na revista Estudos em Avaliação Educacional, relacionados a avaliações externas. O principal argumento é o de que a revista contribuiu significativamente para a institucionalização desse debate no campo acadêmico brasileiro, com reflexões sobre concepções, desenhos, metodologias e formas de implementação das avaliações. Apresentam-se uma descrição quantitativa das publicações desse período e categorias de análise estabelecidas a priori e a posteriori. Como resultados, evidencia-se o protagonismo da Fundação Carlos Chagas nessa temática e identificam-se modos de consolidação do debate sobre avaliações externas no campo acadêmico brasileiro e lacunas de conhecimento sobre os usos das avaliações externas em escolas e redes de ensino.

Efficient use of the energy budget is of fundamental importance for long-distance migrants, which must cope with seasonal energy demands and environmental conditions. Time-activity budgets can provide information on how animals balance energy use and acquisition over their annual cycle, and on the costs and benefits of different migratory strategies. Baleen whales, such as the fin whale, perform long migrations between feeding and breeding grounds. Although there are now a handful of studies describing the diving and foraging behavior of fin whales, most were carried out at their high-latitude foraging grounds, and very little is known about their behavior in wintering habitats or during migration. We analyzed time-depth recorder data to describe the diving behavior and activity patterns of fin whales in a migratory habitat. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis based on a set of dive variables, we identified six dive types. Four of these dive types (shallow exploratory, shallow active, deep exploratory and deep active) were likely associated to foraging. The other two comprised long non-active dives and dives of variable shape, which may represent resting, traveling or even vocalizing behavior. Shallow exploratory dives were the most frequent dive type (23%) and shallow active were the least frequent (5%). The two deepest dive types, deep active and exploratory, were predominantly carried out during the day, and night dives were significantly shallower than daylight dives, suggesting that fin whales tracked the vertical migration of prey. Whales spent 60% of their dive time engaged in dives associated with feeding and/or prey searching, suggesting they prioritized energy intake over energy conservation. Finally, we found that whales spent more time at or close (

Introducción: El delirio es una disfunción cerebral aguda, asociada con un aumento de la mortalidad y la morbilidad, que afecta con frecuencia a pacientes adultos/ancianos críticamente enfermos. Las enfermeras tienen un papel crucial en la prevención/control del delirio, a través de la implementación de intervenciones no farmacológicas. Objetivo: Conocer las intervenciones de enfermería en la identificación, prevención y control del delirio en pacientes adultos/ancianos críticos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una Revisión Integrativa de la Literatura de artículos publicados entre 2014 y 2018, que identificaron intervenciones de enfermería dirigidas a la prevención y control del delirio en pacientes adultos/ancianos críticos. Se realizaron cuatro búsquedas, en las bases de datos electrónicas de EBSCOhost y B-on. Resultados: Se identificaron 13 estudios que presentan intervenciones de enfermería, en su mayoría no farmacológicas, para la prevención y control del delirio en pacientes adultos/ancianos críticos. De estas, se evidencian intervenciones relacionadas con el medio ambiente, la promoción del sueño, la intervención terapéutica temprana, la evaluación cognitiva y la orientación del paciente, intervenciones sistematizadas en protocolos, así como intervenciones dirigidas a la participación de los familiares, la formación de enfermeras y la enseñanza de los pacientes. También se identificaron factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de delirio y herramientas de evaluación. Discusión: La prevención del delirio es importante e imperativa, ya que su ocurrencia en pacientes críticos se asocia con aumento de la mortalidad, morbilidad, estancia hospitalaria y alto costo hospitalario. La identificación de factores de riesgo para la aparición de delirio debe incluirse en los protocolos de manejo del delirio. Conclusión: La evidencia ha demostrado que los enfermeros son esenciales en la identificación temprana, prevención y control del delirio, previniendo la progresión de la enfermedad, contribuyendo para la reducción de la morbimortalidad. La intervención de enfermería debe incluir la identificación de factores predisponentes y/o precipitantes para contribuir a la reducción de la ocurrencia y/o resolución del delirio. Como citar este artigo: Oliveira Cláudia; Garnacho Martins Nobre Cátia Filipa; Dourado Marques Rita Margarida; Madureira Lebre Mendes Maria Manuela; Cruz Pontífice Sousa Patrícia. O papel do enfermeiro na prevenção do delirium no paciente adulto/idoso crítico. Revista Cuidarte. 2022;13(1):e1983. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/ cuidarte.1983

The database presented in this data article is related to the article “Adaptive planting design and management framework for urban climate change adaptation and mitigation” [1]. It includes a list of 287 plant species presently occurring in Porto, Portugal, more precisely in urban green spaces with high urban ecological novelty levels. The plant species in this list were classified and organized according to several traits with a particular focus on plant species’ adaptation, mitigation, and ornamental characteristics. Data collection resorted to articles, books, and various open access and online datasets. Data were organized in an Excel file that organizes information on more than 50 plant species traits/variables.

Em 2009, o Ministério da Educação publicou o documento Indicadores da Qualidade na Educação Infantil, o qual se tornou uma ferramenta de referência no país para a avaliação institucional, principalmente, no âmbito dos estabelecimentos que ofertam atendimento às crianças de até seis anos vinculados às redes públicas. No contexto de interrupção de atividades presenciais ou de atendimento parcial pelas instituições de educação infantil em função da pandemia da Covid-19, o artigo tem como objetivo analisar se e de que forma as dimensões e indicadores da proposta original deste documento poderiam subsidiar a tomada de decisões de caráter político, pedagógico e administrativo visando agregar mais qualidade às ações realizadas nesse momento. Justificamos tal proposição por entendermos que a situação vivida pelos estabelecimentos educacionais, há mais de um ano, é propícia a movimentos de autoavaliação e de revisão das propostas pedagógicas. A literatura que apoia nossas análises é constituída por referenciais sobre as políticas e as práticas de educação infantil, com ênfase na avaliação direcionada a esta etapa, em diálogo com estudos e documentos recentes sobre os impactos e desafios trazidos pela pandemia para a educação. A análise evidenciou potencialidades do uso deste documento, considerando-se suas dimensões e a possibilidade de adaptação de indicadores, assim como a inclusão de novos, em função do contexto atual. Destacamos o caráter simples de sua aplicação, com estratégias de utilização que podem fortalecer a autonomia dos estabelecimentos, bem como apoiar práticas de gestão democrática.

Tendon and ligament injuries are frequent in sport horses and humans, and such injuries represent a significant therapeutic challenge. Tissue regeneration and function recovery are the paramount goals of tendon and ligament lesion management. Nowadays, several regenerative treatments are being developed, based on the use of stem cell and stem cell-based therapies. In the present study, the preparation of equine synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (eSM-MSCs) is described for clinical use, collection, transport, isolation, differentiation, characterization, and application. These cells are fibroblast-like and grow in clusters. They retain osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potential. We present 16 clinical cases of tendonitis and desmitis, treated with allogenic eSM-MSCs and autologous serum, and we also include their evaluation, treatment, and follow-up. The concerns associated with the use of autologous serum as a vehicle are related to a reduced immunogenic response after the administration of this therapeutic combination, as well as the pro-regenerative effects from the growth factors and immunoglobulins that are part of its constitution. Most of the cases (14/16) healed in 30 days and presented good outcomes. Treatment of tendon and ligament lesions with a mixture of eSM-MSCs and autologous serum appears to be a promising clinical option for this category of lesions in equine patients.

Gastric cancer (GC) ranked as the fifth most incident cancer in 2020 and the third leading cause of cancer mortality. Surgical prevention and radio/chemotherapy are the main approaches used in GC treatment, and there is an urgent need to explore and discover innovative and effective drugs to better treat this disease. A new strategy arises with the use of repurposed drugs. Drug repurposing coupled with drug combination schemes has been gaining interest in the scientific community. The main objective of this project was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of alternative drugs in GC. For that, three GC cell lines (AGS, MKN28, and MKN45) were used and characterized. Cell viability assays were performed with the reference drug 5-fluororacil (5-FU) and three repurposed drugs: natamycin, nitazoxanide, and benztropine. Nitazoxanide displayed the best results, being active in all GC cells. Further, 5-FU and nitazoxanide in combination were tested in MKN28 GC cells, and the results obtained showed that nitazoxanide alone was the most promising drug for GC therapy. This work demonstrated that the repurposing of drugs as single agents has the ability to decrease GC cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner.

Background: In previous studies, it was found that the confinement to which the population was subjected during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of anxiety and depression. Objective: to analyze the levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in Portugal residents during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a descriptive, transversal, and exploratory study of non-probabilistic sampling. Data collection was carried out between 6th and 31st of May 2020. Sociodemographic and health questionnaires PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used. Results: The sample consisted of 920 individuals. The prevalence for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) was 68.2% and (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) was 34.8%, and for anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 5) was 60.4% and (GAD-7 ≥ 10) was 20%. Depressive symptoms were moderately severe for 8.9% of the individuals, and 4.8% presented severe depression. Regarding the generalized anxiety disorder, we found that 11.6% of individuals present moderate symptoms, and 8.4% severe anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms were substantially higher than those previously found for the Portuguese population and when compared with other countries during the pandemic. Younger individuals, female, with chronic illness and medicated, were more vulnerable to depressive and anxious symptoms. In contrast, participants who maintained frequent levels of physical activity during confinement had their mental health protected.

The drought stress tolerance may differ among species and cultivars. The drought effect on plants depends on the impact on the plant’s physiological, biochemical and molecular processes, as well as on its ability to adapt under these conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses, and determine the expression of the genes OsAPX2, OsHSP24.15, OsHSP71.10and OsHSP85.88 under drought conditions in rice, weedy rice and barnyardgrass. A greenhouse experiment was performed in a complete randomized design, with four replications and two factors: water conditions (well-watered and water deficit) and plant species [rice (Oryza sativa cv. Puitá), weedy rice (Oryza spp.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa spp.)]. Under drought conditions, the rice and weedy rice plants showed more cellular damage than the barnyardgrass, and the three species showed a reduced photosynthetic rate. C3 plants (rice and weedy rice) increased the damage to lipids and proteins at 5 days of drought. However, for C4 plants (barnyardgrass), the drought conditions did not affect the biochemical parameters. The expression of the OsHSP85.88 gene increased in the three plants exposed to water deficit.

Abstract Introduction Unexplained visual loss after removal of silicone oil from the eye has been described. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of unexplained loss of visual acuity after SO removal and to provide possible explanations for this phenomenon. Methods This retrospective study included patients that underwent vitreoretinal surgery, at Centro Hospitalar São João, between January of 2012 and October of 2018. Inclusion criterion was vitreoretinal surgery in which the chosen endotamponade was SO, followed by removal of SO and exchange with balanced salt solution (BSS) or air. After SO removal, patients with documented loss of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on two or more Snellen lines were analyzed and patients in which the cause of the visual loss was identified, namely OHT (intraocular pressure > 21 mmHg), retinal re-detachment, glaucoma, retinal proliferative membrane formation, or corneal decompensation, were excluded. All patients with unexplained visual loss underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to exclude causes of visual reduction such as cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, or ellipsoid/interdigitation zone disruption. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 46 eyes underwent SO tamponade and SO removal during the study period. In 34.8% of the cases (n = 16) there was visual acuity loss in at least two Snellen lines. Of 46 eyes, 23.9% (n = 11) showed vision loss due to known secondary causes. Unexplained loss of visual acuity after SO removal occurred in 10.9% of cases. OHT during silicone endotamponade (p = 0.046) and silicone emulsification (p = 0.001) were identified as factors associated with unexplained visual loss after SO removal. Conclusion Unexplained loss of visual acuity after SO removal occurred in 10.9% of cases. OHT during silicone endotamponade and SO emulsification were identified as important factors in the ethology of this phenomenon.

Este artigo analisa iniciativas de avaliação da educação infantil de dois municípios paulistas, evidenciando suas potencialidades e limites para contribuir com a garantia do direito à educação das crianças, à luz do arcabouço legal e de produção acadêmica que trata da qualidade para essa etapa. As iniciativas se aproximam de indicações dessas referências, mas, em parte, reproduzem aspectos das avaliações e práticas pedagógicas destinadas às demais etapas educacionais, o que implica as finalidades da Educação Infantil.

Few studies have addressed the impact of the association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers and NPSs in the conversion to dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and no studies have been conducted on the interaction effect of these two risk factors. AT(N) profiles were created using AD-core biomarkers quantified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (normal, brain amyloidosis, suspected non-Alzheimer pathology (SNAP) and prodromal AD). NPSs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). A total of 500 individuals with MCI were followed-up yearly in a memory unit. Cox regression analysis was used to determine risk of conversion, considering additive and multiplicative interactions between AT(N) profile and NPSs on the conversion to dementia. A total of 224 participants (44.8%) converted to dementia during the 2-year follow-up study. Pathologic AT(N) groups (brain amyloidosis, prodromal AD and SNAP) and the presence of depression and apathy were associated with a higher risk of conversion to dementia. The additive combination of the AT(N) profile with depression exacerbates the risk of conversion to dementia. A synergic effect of prodromal AD profile with depressive symptoms is evidenced, identifying the most exposed individuals to conversion among MCI patients.

O artigo apresenta o projeto de extensão realizado no campus IFSP-Pirituba denominado “Empoderamento Feminino através da geração de renda pelas vendas”. A proposta do projeto era atender um grupo de 25 mulheres acima de 16 anos com pouca ou nenhuma escolaridade em condições de vulnerabilidade social para capacitação profissional através do curso de formação inicial e continuada (FIC) de Promotora de vendas e outras ações de extensão como palestras, oficinas e minicursos voltados ao empoderamento feminino, tornando a mulher consciente de seu papel na sociedade, das políticas públicas que podem atendê-la e também ser multiplicadora desses conhecimentos para mulheres que estejam em condições semelhantes a ela. O projeto contou com a parceria da ONG PAC – Projetos Amigos das Crianças e do Sebrae Pirituba. Do grupo inicial, 16 discentes concluíram o curso e conseguiu-se verificar as características do público sendo majoritariamente composto por mulheres que se autodeclaram pardas ou negras, com renda mensal familiar inferior a 2 salários-mínimos e sem uma atividade remunerada. Com a realização do curso, houve uma mudança significativa da percepção do papel que ela desempenha na sociedade, da união entre elas, pela similaridade de suas condições e o mais importante foi o fortalecimento dos vínculos e a criação de uma rede de apoio entre elas. Para a equipe que participou do projeto, a constatação do significado de uma ação efetiva de extensão com a comunidade pela união de docentes, técnicos administrativos e discentes dos cursos do campus.

Historical charcoal production is one of the significant factors affecting today’s forest dynamics. A key challenge is to develop tools to investigate historical charcoal production over large areas, allowing a more comprehensive understanding of past impacts and history of charcoal production over a given landscape. In this study, high-resolution remote-sensing airborne LiDAR images over a large woodland area were used to compare manual on-screen versus algorithm-based automatic methods to inventory charcoal kilns with inputs of field-validated data. The results revealed that (1) the on-screen detection method provided less false-positives, (2) the automatic method detects a higher number of kilns and (3) kiln distribution seemed to be connected mostly to land ownership rather than to environmental variables. This study validates a new method of charcoal kilns’ inventory and spatial analysis that can be applied to other areas to better understand the effect of past biomass harvesting for charcoal production on forest dynamics.

RESUMO Avaliar propostas de avaliação da educação é um passo relevante para apreciar o potencial dessas iniciativas em promover qualidade com equidade, tendo em vista garantir o cumprimento do dever do Estado na garantia do direito à educação. Com esse pressuposto, o artigo apresenta aspectos e dimensões para análise de propostas de avaliação de políticas de Educação Infantil no âmbito de sistemas e redes de ensino. As proposições resultam de levantamento e interpretação de literatura e se apoiam em legislação e normas vigentes no país, em diálogo com a literatura que trata de requisitos para a elaboração e implementação de avaliações. Os resultados do estudo ratificam a existência de parâmetros para subsidiar processos de avaliação da etapa, estando estes direcionados para as questões de acesso, insumos, processos e resultados, destacando-se a importância de considerar as especificidades da etapa, as finalidades da avaliação e a consequência dada aos seus resultados.

Introduction: Genetic variants in the uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) gene have been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherogenic lipid profile, with conflicting results. Objective: Our study evaluated the possible association between UCP3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in NAFLD patients. Methods: UCP3 SNPs rs1726745, rs3781907 and rs11235972 were genotyped in 158 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients. Patients were evaluated according to the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) or NASH and, according to the absence or presence of MetS. Statistics were performed with JMP, R and SHEsis software's. Results: The TT genotype of rs1726745 was protective for MetS (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.05-0.61; p=0.006) and was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) in the general sample (p=0.01) and in the NASH group (p=0.02). The rs1726745-T was associated with lower values of AST (p=0.001), ALT (p=0.0002), triglycerides (p=0.01) and total cholesterol (p=0.02) in the general sample. There were lower values of aminotransferases strictly in individuals with NASH (AST, p=0.002; ALT, p=0.0007) and with MetS (AST, p=0.002; ALT, p=0.001). The rs3781907-G was associated with lower GGT values (p=0.002) in the general sample and in the NASH group (p=0.004) and with MetS group (p=0.003) and, with protection for advanced fibrosis (OR=0.25; 95% CI=0.08-0.69; p=0.01).The rs11235972-A was associated with lower GGT values (p=0.006) in the general sample and in the NASH group (p=0.01) and with MetS group (p=0.005), with fibrosis absence (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.14-0.80; p=0.01) and protection for advanced fibrosis (OR=0.17; 95% CI=0.03-0.56; p=0.01). The TAA haplotype was protective for NASH (OR=0.01; 95% CI=0.00-0.12; p=0.002) and TGG haplotype was protective for MetS (OR=0.22; 95% CI=0.07-0.69; p=0.01). Conclusion: UCP3 variants were associated with protection against NASH and MetS, in addition to lower values of liver enzymes, lipid profile, BMI and, lesser fibrosis severity in the studied population.

Recorrendo a contribuições de estudos que se voltaram a mapear a situação educacional em municípios e estados brasileiros, no contexto da Covid-19, bem como a artigos acadêmicos que tratam de avaliação educacional, no referido cenário, neste artigo exploram-se possíveis percursos a serem percorridos no retorno às atividades presenciais, especialmente aqueles atinentes a avaliação e currículo. Tendo como horizonte o compromisso de promover uma educação de qualidade para todos, discutem-se caminhos que possibilitem recriar a escola pública, que se expressem em novos modos de ocupação do espaço e do tempo escolar, com potencial de enfrentar a histórica e brutal desigualdade econômica, social e educacional que saltou aos olhos de todos com a adoção do “ensino remoto”, por redes e escolas, em 2020.

Abstract Broken kernels are among the by-products of processing cashew nuts which have less commercial value. The present work aimed to obtain a cashew kernel protein concentrate from broken kernels, and then characterize it as well as using it in a vegetable burger formulation. The concentrate was obtained by isoelectric precipitation at four different pHs and subsequent drying. Higher yield was 58.6% of proteins (pH 4.0 and 4.5). The concentrate showed Water Absorption Capacity (WAC) of 1.85 mL/g and Oil Absorption Capacity (OAC) of 1.06 mL/g, as well as low solubility in aqueous medium and low foaming capacity. The concentrate was used in vegetable burger production as a substitute for soybean protein. The burgers were submitted to sensory evaluation and obtained an average of 6.6 on a nine-point scale, thus being within the acceptance zone. Regarding the purchase intent, 60% of the judges would probably or would certainly buy the product. Therefore, the cashew kernel protein concentrate can be used as a protein ingredient for food formulation. Producing cashew kernel protein concentrate allows the use of broken kernels generated in the cashew nut industrial process.

Este artigo tem o propósito de apresentar resultados de investigação cujo objetivo foi identificar eventuais contribuições da experiência de avaliação da educação infantil australiana para a análise de iniciativas da mesma natureza, em curso no Brasil. Tem como base análise documental e informações coletadas in loco, quando da realização de estágio de pesquisa no exterior, na Graduate School of Education da Universidade de Melbourne, Austrália, em 2016. Os resultados do estudo evidenciam que o desenho avaliativo australiano reflete a preocupação com dimensões da qualidade consideradas fundamentais pela legislação e documentos norteadores da educação infantil no Brasil, ainda que os contextos social e educacional de ambos os países sejam bem diferentes. Ademais, indicam a importância da articulação e colaboração entre entes federados para a implantação de políticas voltadas para a primeira infância.

A categorização da palavra de acordo com traços que a posicionam dentro do sistema lingüístico é um elemento formal subjacente a qualquer descrição gramatical. Na Lingüística Computacional, etiquetagem consiste na atribuição de categorias a porções do texto. O objetivo desse artigo é discutir, no contexto da Lingüística Computacional, a procedência da informação lingüística nos conjuntos de etiquetas de POS – do inglês part of speech. Ao longo da discussão evidenciamos a relevância da participação do lingüista na compilação teoricamente bem fundamentada dos conjuntos de etiquetas da prática do Processamento de Linguagem Natural (PLN). Direcionamos nosso olhar, especificamente, para fenômenos relacionados à anotação por classes de palavras, mas que têm recebido um tratamento secundário por parte da lingüística - como as formas nominais do verbo, notadamente o particípio, as palavras denotativas e o aposto. Palavras-chave: conjunto de etiquetas, particípio, aposto, palavras denotativas, lingüística computacional, PLN.

The purpose of this article is to present the theoretical and methodological principles of the analysis of the implementation of Tutoria, an in-service teacher education program for school managers and teachers. It focuses not on the results, but rather on strategies and methodological procedures developed in the light of the bottom up approach of studies on public action and the figure of the street bureaucrat. The text is organized to make the theoretical references explicit and then discuss the theoretical-methodological articulations created in the research, which allowed developing categories of analysis and data collection instruments. The research sought to focus on the actions of those who were responsible for implementing the program, the so-called implementing agents, to understand their work routine and the consistency between their actions and the guiding principles of the program. Consequently, the theoretical framework of analysis was studies on the implementation of public policies. As the research was carried out in two different municipalities, an effort of analysis was added: collecting information on the socio-educational context of these municipalities, to understand how the program was executed in different realities. In the implementation study, we sought to understand not only how the program was conceived and structured but also how municipal departments and schools appropriated it. To promote a dialogue that contributes to the advancement of research in the field of analysis of the implementation of public education policies, sharing the methodological paths taken is more important than presenting results.