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ABSTRACT This report aims to present an elderly woman with persistent delirium after hospitalization for lethargy secondary to hyponatremia. The diagnosis of pontine myelinolysis was made and there were no characteristic neurological manifestations such as pupillary changes or spastic tetraparesis. Hallucinations and personality changes were the clues to the diagnosis and should be considered an atypical manifestation of pontine myelinolysis.

BackgroundThe frequency of antibodies in autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) may vary in different populations, however, data from developing countries are lacking. To describe the clinical profile of AIE in Brazil, and to evaluate seasonality and predictors of AIE in adult and pediatric patients.MethodsWe evaluated patients with possible AIE from 17 centers of the Brazilian Autoimmune Encephalitis Network (BrAIN) between 2018 and 2022. CSF and serum were tested with TBAs and CBAs. Data on clinical presentation, complementary investigation, and treatment were compiled. Seasonality and predictors of AIE in adult and pediatric populations were analyzed.ResultsOf the 564 patients, 145 (25.7%) were confirmed as seropositive, 69 (12.23%) were seronegative according to Graus, and 58% received immunotherapy. The median delay to diagnosis confirmation was 5.97 ± 10.3 months. No seasonality variation was observed after 55 months of enrolment. The following antibodies were found: anti-NMDAR (n=79, 54%), anti-MOG (n=14, 9%), anti-LGI1(n=12, 8%), anti-GAD (n=11, 7%), anti-GlyR (n=7, 4%), anti-Caspr2 (n=6, 4%), anti-AMPAR (n=4, 2%), anti-GABA-BR (n=4, 2%), anti-GABA-AR (n=2, 1%), anti-IgLON5 (n=1, 1%), and others (n=5, 3%). Predictors of seropositive AIE in the pediatric population (n=42) were decreased level of consciousness (p=0.04), and chorea (p=0.002). Among adults (n=103), predictors of seropositive AIE were movement disorders (p=0.0001), seizures (p=0.0001), autonomic instability (p=0.026), and memory impairment (p=0.001).ConclusionMost common antibodies in Brazilian patients are anti-NMDAR, followed by anti-MOG and anti-LGI1. Only 26% of the possible AIE patients harbor antibodies, and 12% were seronegative AIE. Patients had a 6-month delay in diagnosis and no seasonality was found. Findings highlight the barriers to treating AIE in developing countries and indicate an opportunity for cost-effect analysis. In this scenario, some clinical manifestations help predict seropositive AIE such as decreased level of consciousness, chorea, and dystonia among children, and movement disorders and memory impairment among adults.

ABSTRACT Background: Headache is one of the most frequent symptoms that occur during hemodialysis sessions. Despite the high prevalence of dialysis headache, it has been little studied. Objective: To evaluate the characteristics, impact and factors associated with dialysis headache. The behavior of the cerebral vasculature was also compared between patients with and without dialysis headache. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients who underwent hemodialysis were assessed through a semi-structured questionnaire, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was performed in the first and fourth hours of hemodialysis. Results: A total of 100 patients were included; 49 of them had dialysis headache. Women (OR=5.04; 95%CI 1.95-13.04), younger individuals (OR=1.05; 95%CI 1.01-1.08), individuals with higher schooling levels (OR=3.86; 95%CI 1.4-10.7) and individuals who had spent longer times on dialysis programs (OR=0.99; 95%CI 0.98-1) had more dialysis headache (logistic regression). Individuals with dialysis headache had worse quality of life in the domains of pain and general state of health (56.9 versus 76.4, p=0.01; 49.7 versus 60.2, p=0.03, respectively). Dialysis headache was associated with significantly greater impact on life (OR=24.4; 95%CI 2.6-226.6; logistic regression). The pulsatility index (transcranial Doppler ultrasonography) was lower among patients with dialysis headache than among those without them. Conclusions: Dialysis headaches occur frequently and are associated with worse quality of life and patterns of cerebral vasodilatation.

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Abstract Background Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Cuvier, 1818) is the most economically important native freshwater fish species in Brazil. It can reach a total length of over 1 m and a weight of over 40 kg. The species displays a clear sex dimorphism in growth performance, with females reaching larger sizes at harvest. In aquaculture, the production of monosex populations in selective breeding programmes has been therefore identified as a key priority. Results In the present study, a genetic linkage map was generated by double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing from 248 individuals sampled from two F1 families. The map was constructed using 14,805 informative SNPs and spanned 27 linkage groups. From this, the tambaqui draft genome was improved, by ordering the scaffolds into chromosomes, and sex-linked markers were identified. A total of 235 markers on linkage group 26 showed a significant association with the phenotypic sex, supporting an XX/XY sex determination system in the species. The four most informative sex-linked markers were validated on another 206 sexed individuals, demonstrating an accuracy in predicting sex ranging from 90.0 to 96.7%. Conclusions The genetic mapping and novel sex-linked DNA markers identified and validated offer new tools for rapid progeny sexing, thus supporting the development of monosex female production in the industry while also supporting breeding programmes of the species.

Introduction: Although fewer children have been affected by the severe form of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) continues to be the leading global cause of child hospitalizations and deaths. Aim: This study investigated the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well its subtypes (RSV A and B), adenovirus (ADV), rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HMPV), coronavirus (NL63, OC43, 229E and HKU1), parainfluenza virus subtypes (PI1, PI2 and PI3), bocavirus and influenza A and B viruses (FluA and FluB) in children diagnosed with CAP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 200 children with clinically confirmed CAP were initially recruited, of whom 107 had negative qPCR results for SARS-CoV-2 and were included in this study. Viral subtypes were identified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction in the nasopharyngeal swab samples. Results: Viruses were identified in 69.2% of the patients. RSV infections were the most frequently identified (65.4%), with type RSV B being the most prevalent (63.5%). In addition, HCoV 229E and HRV were detected in 6.5% and 3.7% of the patients, respectively. RSV type B was associated with severe acute respiratory infection (ARI) and a younger age (less than 24 months). Conclusions: New strategies for preventing and treating viral respiratory infections, particularly RSV infections, are necessary.

Abstract Background With recent advances in technology, patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ae-COPD) could benefit from extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R). However, current evidence in these indications is limited. A European ECCO2R Expert Round Table Meeting was convened to further explore the potential for this treatment approach. Methods A modified Delphi-based method was used to collate European experts’ views to better understand how ECCO2R therapy is applied, identify how patients are selected and how treatment decisions are made, as well as to identify any points of consensus. Results Fourteen participants were selected based on known clinical expertise in critical care and in providing respiratory support with ECCO2R or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ARDS was considered the primary indication for ECCO2R therapy (n = 7), while 3 participants considered ae-COPD the primary indication. The group agreed that the primary treatment goal of ECCO2R therapy in patients with ARDS was to apply ultra-protective lung ventilation via managing CO2 levels. Driving pressure (≥ 14 cmH2O) followed by plateau pressure (P plat; ≥ 25 cmH2O) was considered the most important criteria for ECCO2R initiation. Key treatment targets for patients with ARDS undergoing ECCO2R included pH (> 7.30), respiratory rate ( 7.30–7.35), respiratory rate (

O uso de aeronaves remotamente pilotadas (ARP) possibilitam análises e definição, com alta precisão, das áreas expostas, auxiliando no mapeamento e modelagem. Salienta-se que permiti também a mensuração da população em risco na área de estudo. Deste modo, objetiva-se identificar o grau de exposição ao risco de inundação no Complexo do Passo da Pátria, Natal/ RN, Brasil. Os dados primários utilizados foram coletados por ARP em trabalhos de campo que permitiram, com o auxílio de sistemas de informação geográfica, construir um mapeamento de síntese do risco de inundação. A metodologia que orienta este estudo parte de trabalhos anteriores, embora adaptado para a realidade local. Ao final, constatou-se que o risco de inundação na área de estudo é caracterizado de forma alta, sobretudo no corredor onde transita o Canal do Baldo, por pertencer a uma das áreas de baixa altimetria do Complexo. Contudo, também se nota que outras áreas estão propícias ao risco de inundação. A metodologia pode servir como auxílio importante para áreas de risco de detalhe, devido a seu baixo custo, detalhamento e eficiência ao suporte de decisões de prevenção de desastres proveniente de inundações.

The purpose will be to address the expansive south global metrolpolis growth, using as study case the Monterrey's metropolitan zone, with an evolutionary approach proposed by Henry Lefebvre where the proposed therm "societies complete urbanization" (Lefebvre, H.:1980:1), explored from a deductive analysis that goes from the general, with the exogenous variable inculcated with the globalization one, to involve from there, the particularities that have been developed from the urbanization process of the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. In that way, it's shown the way the evolutionary urbanization process of the Monterrey's metropolitan area has modified the peripheral boundaries influenced by the exogenous variables such as the globalization and the development grade, and the endogenous linked to the: economic, political, territorial and socio-demographic aspects. For this, an exploration about how the urban dynamic and the way in which the economic globalization process inserted in Mexico as a country and in the metropolitan area of Monterrey is done, to finally conclude, with an exploration of the urbanization process from 1940 to 2019 in Monterrey and with a proposal where the three large metropolitan dimensions: the spatial, the institutional and the citizen, the ones that are feasible to make compatible. / El propósito sería abordar el asunto del crecimiento expansivo de las metrópolis del sur global, planteando, como caso de estudio, la zona metropolitana de Monterrey desde el enfoque evolucionista planteado por Henry Lefebvre, donde se plantea la “urbanización completa de la sociedad” (Lefebvre, H.:1980:1); explorando a partir de un análisis deductivo que va desde lo general, con la variable exógena vinculada globalización, para involucrar desde ahí, las particularidades que se han dado sobre el proceso de urbanización de la zona metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. En ese sentido, se muestra la forma en que el proceso evolutivo de urbanización de Monterrey, ha modificado sus linderos periféricos influido por variables de corte exógeno como la globalización y el grado de desarrollo del lugar y, endógenas vinculado a lo: económico, político, territorial y socio-demográfico. Para esto, se hace una exploración de la dinámica urbana y de la manera en que los procesos de globalización de la economía fueron insertándose en México como país y en la zona metropolitana de Monterrey; para finalmente concluir, con una exploración del proceso de urbanización 1940- 2019 en Monterrey y una propuesta donde se involucra a las tres grandes dimensiones metropolitanas: lo espacial, lo institucional y lo ciudadano; las cuales, desde la óptica de esta investigación, son factibles de compatibilizar.

Abstract Background Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) is the largest freshwater scaled fish in the world, and an emerging species for tropical aquaculture development. Conservation of the species, and the expansion of aquaculture requires the development of genetic tools to study polymorphism, differentiation, and stock structure. This study aimed to investigate genomic polymorphism through ddRAD sequencing, in order to identify a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and to simultaneously assess genetic diversity and structure in wild (from rivers Amazon, Solimões, Tocantins and Araguaia) and captive populations. Results Compared to many other teleosts, the degree of polymorphism in A. gigas was low with only 2.3% of identified RAD-tags (135 bases long) containing SNPs. A panel of 393 informative SNPs was identified and screened across the five populations. Higher genetic diversity indices (number of polymorphic loci and private alleles, Shannon’s Index and HO) were found in populations from the Amazon and Solimões, intermediate levels in Tocantins and Captive, and very low levels in the Araguaia population. These results likely reflect larger population sizes from less urbanized environments in the Amazon basin compared to Araguaia. Populations were significantly differentiated with pairwise F ST values ranging from 0.086 (Amazon × Solimões) to 0.556 (Amazon × Araguaia). Mean pairwise relatedness among individuals was significant in all populations (P

ABSTRACT. We reported a case of a 61-year-old male patient with anacusis, cerebellar syndrome, myoclonus, and frontal signs. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral striated hyperintensity of the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and restricted diffusion in the diffusion-weighted imaging and hypointense areas corresponding to the apparent diffusion coefficient in the cerebral cortex. The autopsy revealed positive immunohistochemistry for the PrPSc protein. Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease presenting with hearing loss is unusual.

Abstract In the present study, the complete characterization of cDNA and genomic sequences of IL-1β and IL-8, as well as the expression profile of these genes in the South American fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is provided. The full-length pmIL-1β cDNA was composed of 1208 nucleotides that would produce a precursor peptide with 273 amino acid residues. A putative caspase-1 cleavage site, similar to what is found in mammalian IL-1β, was identified producing a mature peptide with a theoretical molecular weight of 17.21 kDa. The pmIL-8 cDNA sequence consisted of 1019 nucleotides which encoded a 95-amino acid protein with a theoretical molecular weight of 10.43 kDa that showed all typical CXC chemokine features, including a 20-residue signal peptide and four conserved cysteine residues. Constitutive mRNA expression was detected for both genes in the liver, head kidney, gill, intestine, skin and spleen. After a bacterial challenge, up-regulation was detected for both pmIL-1β and pmIL-8 in the spleen and head kidney at 12 h post-infection. At 24 h post-infection there was a decrease in the expression of both genes, with pmIL-8 showing a significant down-regulation in the liver and head kidney when compared to the control groups.

Cements from alkali-activated reactions are unleashing opportunities for the future application of inorganic polymers, known as geopolymers. These materials are eco-friendly, since their manufacturing process does not involve carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and it makes possible the use of industrial waste as raw material. In this work, a geopolymeric cement concrete (GCC) was developed through adequate portions of geopolymer components. Its characteristics were compared with Portland cement concrete (PCC), through the establishment of some parameters of design such as consumption of binders, water/aggregates ratio and cement content. The mechanical performance of these concretes was evaluated with emphasis on the fatigue behavior. The results showed a better fatigue performance of CCG in comparison with PCC in several parameters. Better matrix/aggregate adhesion in the CCG in comparison with PCC was also observed in the microstructural analysis, which may explain its superior fatigue performance. Keywords: Geopolymer, Concrete, Fatigue

Sinter particulates (SPs) retained in the electrostatic precipitator of the sintering stages in a steelmaking plant were incorporated up to 20 wt% into kaolinitic clay to produce improved porous ceramics for building construction. Specimens were prepared by uniaxial press-molding and then fired at 750, 900 and 1050 °C that are typical temperatures for bricks, blocks and tiles production. Ceramic properties and microstructure related to porosity and mechanical strength were evaluated. The results disclosed, for the first time, how porosity might be associated with improved strength in clay ceramics processed at typical temperatures for bricks, blocks and tiles. Owing to the porosity, the ceramic thermal an acoustic insulation were also improved. Keywords: Sinter particulates, Porous clay ceramic, Improved properties

The development of dislocation structures associated with work hardening stages and dynamic strain aging (DSA) is investigated in an AISI 301 austenitic stainless steel plastically deformed in tension at 500 and 600 °C. In the first work hardening stage, up to 22% of plastic strain at 500 °C and 18% at 600 °C, incipient dislocation cells begin to be formed and are observed in association with {1 0 0} TEM diffraction pattern. At the transition point from first to second stage, the cells are well consolidated with a maximum dislocation density typical of DSA in stainless steels. The sharp decrease in work hardening rate after the transition point discloses a reduction in cell size together with evidence of dynamic recovery without sub-boundaries formation due to DSA. Keywords: 301 stainless steel, Work hardening stages, Dislocation structure, Dynamic strain aging

Woven fabrics made of a natural lignocellulosic mallow fiber have been used for a long time in common clothes. Recently, these fabrics are being considered as reinforcement for engineering composites. This work investigates the basic mechanical behavior of polyester composites reinforced with up to 40 vol% of mallow fabric. Room temperature tensile tests allow the evaluation of properties, such as the ultimate strength, elastic modulus, resilience and total strain. An improvement in these properties was found with increasing amount of mallow fabric in the composite. Indeed, a significant increase in strength, modulus and resilience occurred up to 40 vol% of fabric reinforcement. A slight increase was also observed in the total strain. Fracture analysis by scanning electron microscopy revealed that this improved performance of the reinforced composites might directly be associated with arrest of cracks propagation in the brittle polyester matrix by the mallow fibers in the fabric. Keywords: Mallow fabric, Polyester composite, Tensile properties, Fracture mechanism

The history of the Mexican city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, includes moments in which its population has faced natural and war events. In this study, considering the principles of “resilience theory”, five periods are presented to exemplify these kinds of events. Firstly, since the birth of the village in 1519 until the time of its role during the defense of national territory in 1848. In addition, we discuss the community’s capacity to react facing hurricanes and European assaults during the second half of the 19th century. Subsequently, we refer to the adaptability and unexpected growth, both of the population and the city, at the beginning of the 20th century, followed by the period when the maquiladora industry developed, between 1948 and 1988. Finally, we refer to the process of adabtabity of Matamoros to overcome the threats and urban violence present in this second decade of the 21st century

Lo que a continuación se presenta se relaciona fundamentalmente con tres enfoques: el primero que explica la dinámica en que inicialmente una ciudad se expande periféricamente, agregando áreas urbanas de distintos municipios contiguos a un centro metropolitano, convirtiéndose en una metrópoli; el segundo aborda desde una perspectiva teórica las variables intervinientes que están vinculadas en este proceso ciudadmetrópoli; y el tercero, a partir de los procesos de expansión espacial de los usos del suelo y la falta de instrumentos de planeación eficientes, efectivos y eficaces, se descubre el origen de los primeros espacios de segregación en una metrópoli delsur global.

The mechanical behavior and the strengthening mechanism of stainless steel welded joints at 600 °C have been investigated. The welds were composed of AISI 304 stainless steel, as base metal, and niobium containing AISI 347 stainless steel, as weld metal. The investigation was conducted by means of creep tests. The welded specimens were subjected to both high temperature (600 °C) and long periods (up to 2000 h) under constant load, and both mechanical properties and microstructural changes in the material were monitored. It was found that the exposure of the material at 600 °C under load contributes to a strengthening effect on the weld. The phenomenon might be correlated with an accelerated process of second phase precipitation hardening. Keywords: Stainless steel, Weld, AISI 304, Precipitation hardening

This study carried out the microstructural characterization, by light microscopy, of sintered SiC in the presence of liquid phase at temperatures of 1800, 1850 and 1900 ºC, added with Al2O3 and Y2O3 as well with Al2O3-YAG composite in the proportions of 5, 10 and 15% by weight. It was possible to observe the formation of microstructural patterns resulting from the heterogeneous segregation of the additives, such observation is associated to the pulling of additives during the initial stage of ceramography. Two ceramographic paths were followed: method I - surface grinding followed by manual polishing and method II - automatic grinding and polishing. In order to compare the two techniques the analysis of 3D roughness by light interferometry and the Vickers microhardness test were used. It was concluded by the analysis of variance with 95% confidence that the degree of finishing obtained by both methods allowed the adequate microstructural characterization, as well as, to meet the requirements established by the ASTM C1327-15 standard for hardness test.

Multilayered armor systems (MAS) composed of relatively lighter materials with capacity to provide personal ballistic protection are being extensively investigated and used in armor vests. A typical MAS to stand high impact energy 7.62 mm bullet has a front ceramic followed by an aramid fabric laminate, such as Kevlar™. Since both the army and municipal police personnel might need to wear an armor vest, a large number of vests needs to be supplied. In the case of Kevlar™, one of the most expensive MAS material with an expiration time of 5 years, the possibility of its replacement by an equally ballistic efficient low cost material and more durable could be a relevant economical advantage. Natural fibers composites have recently been investigated as possible alternatives for Kevlar™. In particular, the fiber extracted from the coconut fruit, known as coir fiber, normally disposed as waste, could be a low cost material for this purpose. Therefore, the present work investigated the possibility of using coir fiber mantle, with different volume fraction, reinforcing epoxy composites as MAS second layer. It was found that 30 vol% of coir fiber composite displayed similar ballistic performance as compared to Kevlar™ with substantial economical advantage.

Firearms threat has always been a matter of personal concern, especially to soldiers in armed conflicts as well as police officers and civilians involved with public security. A multilayered armor system (MAS) is intended to personal protection against high kinetic energy ammunition, such as that used in rifles. MAS layers are normally composed of a front ceramic followed by a layer that must show both high impact resistance and low weight. Usually, synthetic fiber fabrics, such as aramid in Kevlar® and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) in Dyneema® are commonly used as the second layer. Currently, composites reinforced with natural fibers are also being considered as second MAS layer due to their good performance associated with the advantages of being cheaper and environmentally friendly. The fique is a relatively unknown natural fiber extracted from leaves of a plant native of South American Andes. In the present work, fique fibers and fique fabrics incorporated in polyester composite plates with volume fraction of 10, 20 and 30% were ballistic tested. The calculated projectile loss of energy indicated a relatively large energy dissipation by the composite. The tested specimens were statistically treated by the Weibull analysis and were examined by scanning electron microscopy.

Las reflexiones siguientes se relacionan con los patrones de segregación socio-espacial, y se enfocan en los usos del suelo metropolitano. Específicamente el artículo se refiere a dos tipos de espacios que adquieren usos, costumbres y características diametralmente opuestas, les llamamos espacios de antípoda. Por un lado están aquellos de habilitación marginal, que aquí se citan como espacios anticiudad; y por el otro, los de habilitación extrema, mencionados como espacio público de solaz. La intención mediante un método deductivo es descubrir cuál es el origen de la aparición de estos espacios de antípoda, de lo cual se encontró que en su proceso de formación vinculado a la transformación ciudad-metrópoli intervienen lo que se ha denominado las fuerzas centrífugas expansivas, que generan dos circunstancias proclives, las cuales identificamos como: diferenciación espacial de origen (DEO) y diferenciación espacial de proceso (DEP).

Sisal fibers are among the natural lignocellulosic ones with great impact resistance for potential use in polymer composites. This work evaluates the ballistic efficiency of the distinct individual components of a multilayered armor. These include the front ceramic, the back metallic sheet and the intermediate layer as either the conventional aramid fabric or a novel sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite. Sisal fibers incorporated in epoxy resin plates with volume fraction of 30% were ballistic tested using the 7.62 caliber ammunition. The fibers were embedded under pressure in the epoxy resin matrix and cured at room temperature for 24 hours. The tested specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy.

La explicación urbana, definida bajo conceptos psicoanalíticos trascendidos median-te el uso de tópicas complejas en la generación de los problemas urbanos, desarrollala comprensión de las paradojas de la anti-ciudad en la ciudad, la identidad y la no-identidad, y la marginación y la inclusión. La ciudad es entendida desde el rapport delámbito urbano, al descubrir su tópica urbana y subordinar su configuración esencialal urbanismo, en relación con la conciencia colectiva, para explicar y comprenderlos fenómenos que coadyuvan a entender la identidad, la marginación y la violencia como fenómenos urbanos.

Presentación de CONTEXTO. Revista de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Vol 8, Nº 9, Septiembre 2014, pp. 5-8

El objetivo de la investigación mediante un abordaje deductivo es reflexionar sobre los procesos de expansión periférica en áreas metropolitanas al tomar como base argumentativa: a) la propuesta de Hanna Arendt sobre las actividades tricotómicas para condición humana (2002) y b) la posesión del suelo metropolitano; y adoptar como caso de estudio al área metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México, entre 1940-2012. Para esto, se establece un común denominador entre la propuesta arendtiana y el espacio urbano, a fin de generar dos tipologías que caracterizan la tenencia del suelo.

It's clear that the metropolisation phenomenon in the Latin American cities is increasing, Mexico as a country has not escaped those processes that transform a city into a metropolis, nor has succeeded controlled planning of exogenous and endogenous variables that involved in this urban development's likely trends: What are these variables?, What explains these processes of spatial transformation into a metropolis? What forces drive the evolution of the peripheral expansiveness? Are some of the questions that this paper attempts to answer. Es claro que el fenómeno de metropolización en las ciudades latinoamericanas va en aumento, México como país, no ha escapado a esos procesos que transforman una ciudad en metrópoli, así como tampoco ha logrado la planeación controlada de las variables exógenas y endógenas que intervienen en esta evolución urbana de tendencias proclives: ¿Cuáles son estas variables? ¿Cómo se explican estos procesos de transformación espacial en una metrópoli? ¿Qué fuerzas impulsan la evolución de la expansividad periférica? Son algunas de las preguntas que intenta contestar este escrito.

El espacio urbano representa actualmente la principal forma de concentración demográfica y económica no sólo de las ciudades de México, sino también, de la mayoría de Latinoamérica y quizá del mundo; entender la forma en que estos espacios urbanos se convierten en metrópolis, es fundamental para tratar de incidir en ellas, esto, mediante la generación de los instrumentos de planeación adecuados, los cuales produzcan políticas públicas operativas que eviten la proliferación y ocupación de espacios vulnerables.

Oysters (Ostreidae) manifest a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, whereby morphology is of limited value for species identification and taxonomy. By using molecular data, the aim was to genetically characterize the species of Crassostrea occurring along the Brazilian coast, and phylogenetically relate these to other Crassostrea from different parts of the world. Sequencing of the partial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene (COI), revealed a total of three species of Crassostrea at 16 locations along the Brazilian coast. C. gasar was found from Curuçá (Pará state) to Santos (São Paulo state), and C. rhizophorae from Fortim (Ceará state) to Florianópolis (Santa Catarina state), although small individuals of the latter species were also found at Ajuruteua beach (municipality of Bragança, Pará state). An unidentified Crassostrea species was found only on Canela Island, Bragança. Crassostrea gasar and C. rhizophorae grouped with C. virginica, thereby forming a monophyletic Atlantic group, whereas Crassostrea sp. from Canela Island was shown to be more similar to Indo-Pacific oysters, and either arrived in the Atlantic Ocean before the convergence of the Isthmus of Panama or was accidentally brought to Brazil by ship.

El espacio urbano representa la principal forma de concentración demográfica y económica del país, ello en virtud de procesos continuos de migración campo-ciudad, de crecimiento natural y de inversiones económicas crecientes, efectuadas en estos espacios proclives a la alta densidad de pobladores; esto ha modificado la percepción y la forma de vivir en la ciudad, de ahí la necesidad de reflexionar sobre estos contenedores de las relaciones sociales, incorporando en el proceso las variables de corte global.

El espacio público del centro histórico de la metrópoli de Monterrey, es concebido como un lugar donde se promueve la igualdad y el reconocimiento de las diferencias del Otro; a partir de esto, mediante un método deductivo que utiliza una encuesta, construcciones perceptivas del Otro llamadas mapas mentales y un supuesto, que interpreta al capital cultural como una manifestación aprendida del poblador por medio del habitus (Bourdieu, 2010:124), se puntualiza como caso de estudio a los tres museos ahí localizados y a su entorno inmediato, encontrando como principales hallazgos, que éstos además de desempeñarse como elementos estructuradores de la morfología urbana del lugar, tienen la particularidad de favorecer a la formación de una ciudad más amigable, tolerante y plural.

Utilizando las teorías de los imaginarios urbanos y las representaciones sociales yuxtapuestas en el espacio metropolitano, se presenta un proceso metodológico alterno que reconstruye gráficamente la visión espacial del Otro. Esto posibilita la generación de políticas públicas de alteridad, así como la discriminación de estrategias espaciales vinculadas a orientar las decisiones gubernamentales para la planeación de los usos del suelo metropolitano.

Los espacios urbanos de tendencias metropolitanas representan concentraciones urbanas dominantes, las cuales tienden a ofrecer múltiples satisfactores que anuncian elevar el bienestar de sus habitantes, pero también es en estos lugares, donde el crecimiento demográfico y el territorial acelerado, producen múltiples problemas, entre ellos los espacios de habilitación infraestructural diferente, que dan lugar a la segregación espacial de algunos grupos sociales. En este crecimiento urbano precipitado, que transforma una ciudad en una metrópoli, se han identificado tres procesos intervinientes, los cuales son la base que explica el concepto de metrópoli prematura.

B-type natriuretic peptide is an important prognostic marker in heart failure. However, there are limited data for its value in non-cardiac intensive care unit patients, namely regarding long-term prognosis. We investigated the long-term prognostic value of BNP in a cohort of critically ill patients. This was a prospective and observational study, conducted in a tertiary university hospital 20-bed intensive care unit. We included 103 mechanically- ventilated patients admitted for a noncardiac primary diagnosis; B-type natriuretic peptide samples were obtained on admission. A mean 14 (3-30) month follow up was available in 96.1% of patients who were discharged from hospital. Mean age was 60.7±19.0 years and mean APACHE II score was 16.2±7.2. APACHE II score and renal dysfunction increased with rising B-type natriuretic peptide, with more than 60% of patients having Btype natriuretic peptide levels of 100 pg/mL or over; echocardiography-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in patients with higher B-type natriuretic peptide (P < 0.001). Long-term survivors had lower median B-type natriuretic peptide values (117.5[2-1668] pg/mL) compared with intensive care unit non-survivors (191.0[5-4945] pg/mL), P

Las metrópolis, hoy día, representan concentraciones demográficas dominantes, donde se agrupan diversos satisfactores urbanos y adelantos tecnológicos que prometen mejores niveles de bienestar, pero que también producen múltiples problemas territoriales y diferencias en la habilitación del suelo, generando, no solo espacios diferenciados y contradictorios, a los que llamamos dicotómicos, sino también crecimiento demográfico acelerado, que en la sobremodernidad líquida es la base de origen en la producción de lo que aquí se llama una “metrópoli prematura”.

La orientación y la forma expansiva en que se desarrollan los usos del suelo de las áreas metropolitanas, en virtud del incremento en la tasa de crecimiento de pobladores, representa un reto para los gobiernos locales y estatales latinoamericanos, sobre todo si se considera lo laxo en los controles de planeación existentes; por esta razón es de importancia fundamental avanzar en el conocimiento de los procesos metodológicos que auxilien en la planeación del sitio.

Es claro que el fenómeno de metropolización en las ciudades latinoamericanas va en aumento. En México como país, se han generado cuatro áreas metropolitanas disímiles entre si: la Ciudad de México Distrito Federal, una concentración de pobladores sui géneris, la de Monterrey, Guadalajara y Puebla. No obstante, la evidencia de incrementos en las tasas de crecimiento de pobladores, indican que este asunto proclive de la metropolización es un fenómeno urbano con claras tendencias expansionistas en el mundo (Ortega, A. 1989:329), sobre todo si se considera que éste se ha "reducido" por los procesos globalizantes, incrementando su dependencia "centro-periferia" (Gutiérrez, E. 2003:93, Ouriques, N. 1996, Dos Santos, T.:2002, Sunkel, O.:1980: 6 y otros); de ahí la importancia que representa avanzar en el conocimiento de las variables intrínsecas que lo impulsan, propósito de la presente reflexión.