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This case series aims to characterize the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) induced by anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) therapy in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondylarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients with a diagnosis of SLE induced by anti-TNFα therapy and registered on the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) who started their first anti-TNFα between 2001 and 2020 were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained by consulting Reuma.pt. The diagnosis of SLE induced by anti-TNFα was considered if there was a temporal relationship between the onset of anti-TNFα therapy and manifestations (clinical and immunological) in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria (2019). A total of 607 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and six cases of SLE induced by anti-TNF-α therapy were reviewed: two patients were affected by RA, three patients by SpA, and one by PsA. All these patients had articular and constitutional symptoms that improved after discontinuation of the anti-TNFα agent. After switching to a second anti-TNFα agent, there was no recurrence of SLE over time. The development of SLE secondary to anti-TNFα agents in inflammatory rheumatic patients is rare. In this case series, all patients had a mild disease that improved after therapy discontinuation without recurrence of the disease. SLE induced by anti-TNFα should be considered in the follow-up of RA, SpA, and PsA patients.

Introduction Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a condition characterised by multiple polyps inside the colon or rectum, leading to colorectal cancer in all patients who do not perform prophylactic colectomy and a higher risk of cancer in other organs. Nevertheless, it has been reported that 14-48% of patients do not comply with regular endoscopic surveillance, which seems to be related to the lower levels of emotional distress observed in these patients. Also, APC gene polymorphisms have been described as being related to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism. Objectives To study the prevalence of alexithymia, autistic traits and emotion regulation strategies in patients with FAP. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with a genetic or clinical FAP diagnosis and assessed for alexithymia, autistic traits and emotion regulation using psychometric tests - Toronto Alexithymia Scale - 20 items (TAS-20), Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test (AQ) and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), respectively. The control group were patients with Lynch Syndrome. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS vs.26. Results We recruited a total of 20 patients (10 with FAP vs 10 with Lynch Syndrome). Nine patients were male (45%) versus 11 female (55%). The mean age was 53,35 years (SD 18,4). Half the sample presented a low educational level (equal or inferior to 4th grade). The overall prevalence of alexithymia was 65%, with an 80% prevalence in FAP patients and 50% in Lynch Syndrome. TAS-20 total score was higher in FAP patients (69,0 vs 60,7; p=0,68). Externally-oriented thinking subscale score was statistically higher in FAP patients (p=0,024). The overall prevalence of autistic traits was 25%, and the mean AQ score was higher in FAP (23,4; SD 4.97) compared to Lynch Syndrome patients (20,2; SD 5.57), but there were no statistically significant differences between the diagnoses (p=0,192). A moderate positive correlation exists between Total AQ and Total TAS (r=0.51; p=0.020). Concerning the scores obtained on the ERQ scale, most participants (14; 70%) use Expressive Suppression as a regulation strategy. Patients with Lynch Syndrome had higher scores than those with FAP, both in the Cognitive Reappraisal (4.22; SD 1.58 vs 4.28; SD 0.90) and Expressive Suppression (4.58; SD 1.08 vs 5.15; SD 1.03) domains. The average AQ score for patients who mostly use expressive suppression is significantly higher than for those who use cognitive reappraisal (23.86 (3.63) vs 17.00 (6.6); p=0.039). Conclusions The preliminary results of this study point to high levels of alexithymia and autistic traits in this population, and a higher tendency to regulate emotions by expressive suppression. The main limitation of the study was the small sample size, which reduced the power of the study to find statistically significant differences. Also, in future studies, a different control group should be considered. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Spontaneous subcapsular and perirenal hemorrhage, known as Wunderlich syndrome (WS), is a rare clinical manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a history of recurrent episodes of leg muscle tenderness and dysesthesia, bilateral flank pain, painful nodular skin lesions in the lower limbs, weight loss, and difficult-to-control arterial hypertension. The abdominopelvic computed tomography angiography showed a large left perirenal hematoma, leading to the patient’s admission to the intensive care unit. After the exclusion of infectious or neoplastic foci, the patient was diagnosed with PAN and started intravenous methylprednisolone pulses with a good response. Since WS is a rare initial clinical manifestation of PAN, an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment will significantly improve clinical outcomes.

ABSTRACT Infection by retroviruses as HIV-1 requires the stable integration of their genome into the host cells. This process needs the formation of integrase (IN)-viral DNA complexes, called intasomes, and their interaction with the target DNA wrapped around nucleosomes within cell chromatin. To provide new tools to analyze this association and select drugs, we applied the AlphaLISA technology to the complex formed between the prototype foamy virus (PFV) intasome and nucleosome reconstituted on 601 Widom sequence. This system allowed us to monitor the association between both partners and select small molecules that could modulate the intasome/nucleosome association. Using this approach, drugs acting either on the DNA topology within the nucleosome or on the IN/histone tail interactions have been selected. Within these compounds, doxorubicin and histone binders calixarenes were characterized using biochemical, in silico molecular simulations and cellular approaches. These drugs were shown to inhibit both PFV and HIV-1 integration in vitro. Treatment of HIV-1-infected PBMCs with the selected molecules induces a decrease in viral infectivity and blocks the integration process. Thus, in addition to providing new information about intasome-nucleosome interaction determinants, our work also paves the way for further unedited antiviral strategies that target the final step of intasome/chromatin anchoring. IMPORTANCE In this work, we report the first monitoring of retroviral intasome/nucleosome interaction by AlphaLISA. This is the first description of the AlphaLISA application for large nucleoprotein complexes (>200 kDa) proving that this technology is suitable for molecular characterization and bimolecular inhibitor screening assays using such large complexes. Using this system, we have identified new drugs disrupting or preventing the intasome/nucleosome complex and inhibiting HIV-1 integration both in vitro and in infected cells. This first monitoring of the retroviral/intasome complex should allow the development of multiple applications including the analyses of the influence of cellular partners, the study of additional retroviral intasomes, and the determination of specific interfaces. Our work also provides the technical bases for the screening of larger libraries of drugs targeting specifically these functional nucleoprotein complexes, or additional nucleosome-partner complexes, as well as for their characterization.

Nowadays, it is imperative to reduce the energy bill in order to contribute to a more sustainable planet. In this sense, the use of materials that contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings is a very important contribution to achieve this goal. Mortars incorporating phase change materials (PCM) can make an important contribution to this end, due to its thermal storage capacity, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. In this work several mortars with different PCM contents were developed, using different binders (cement, aerial lime, hydraulic lime and gypsum). The aim of this study was to apply data mining techniques such as artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM) and multiple linear regressions (MLR) to forecast the compressive and flexural strengths of these mortars at different exposure temperatures. It was concluded that ANN models have the best predictive capacity both for compressive strength and flexural strength. However, the SVM models have a flexural strength forecasting capacity very close to ANN models.

Introduction The semiological spectrum that encompasses musical imagery is a very confusing field, as it is often difficult to understand the nature of the underlying psychopathological phenomenon from the patient’s description. Objectives The purpose of the authors is to explore reviewing, distinguishing and organizing the concepts such as Intrusive musical imagery, musical obsessions, musical hallucinations, pseudohallucinations and musical palinacousis. Methods A brief non-systematized review is presented, using the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar. Results Intrusive musical imagery (earworms, ohrwurms, or involuntary musical imagery) occur in more than 85% of general population, without pathology or ear disease. It involves the involuntary repetition of 15-30 seconds of a fragment of music/tune, persisting like a looping soundtrack, not being aversive. Musical obsessions are a rare form of intrusive imagery, occurring either with other symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or isolated (“The stuck song syndrome”). It is recurrent, persistent, intrusive, unintentional, time consuming and causes distress or functional impairment (although not as ego-dystonic and aversive as usually intrusive visual imagery are); preserved insight. Musical hallucinations occur only in 0,16% in a general hospital; they can be linked to psychiatric diseases, but they are more common in neurological diseases (cerebral lesions, Parkinson’s disease, delirium, drug induced…). They are reported to with less controllability, less lyrical content, and lower familiarity, than other forms of inner music; are perceived to arise from an external source and are interpreted as veridical. Musical Pseudohallucinations can arise after severe hearing loss, in hallucinogen intoxication and in psychotic or non-psychotic disorders (as dissociative states or in borderline personality disorder). They occur in inner/subjective space, but insight can fluctuate. Musical palinacousis is associated with electroencephalogram and neuroimaging abnormalities, linked to structural brain pathology. There is perseveration (echoing) of an external auditory stimulus occurs after cessation of the stimulus. Conclusions A rash classification can lead to misdiagnosis (for e.g. interpreting obsessive symptoms as hallucinatory phenomena or rendering an organic pathology undiagnosed) and the institution of inappropriate therapy. It is important to carefully explore these musical imagery phenomena when patients present these complaints, taking some time to characterize them. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction An inpatient suicide is a tragic event that, despite not very prevalent, should not be overlooked. It occurs in 250 in 100 000 psychiatric hospital admissions (which represents a suicide risk fifteen times greater than general population) and in 1.7-1.9 in 100 000 in general hospitals (4-5 times greater risk). Together they constitute 5-6% of all suicides. Objectives The purpose of the authors is to explore the epidemiology, the risk factors and the prevention of suicide in inpatient setting. Methods A brief non-systematized review is presented, using the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar. Results The risk was higher at admission (first week) and immediately after discharge (first 24 hours, up to two weeks). It was found to be correlated to pour staffing, an increased number of patients with severe mental illnesses and accessibility to lethal means. Many risk factors were identified, some of them specific to context. Risk Factors at admission in a psychiatric hospital – personal or familiar suicide history, schizophrenia or mood disorder, alcohol use, involuntary admission, living alone, absence from the service without permission. Later till discharge - personal suicide history (or attempts after admission), relational conflicts, unemployment, living alone, lack of discharge planning and lack of contact in the immediate post-discharge period. In General Hospitals – chronicity and severity of somatic disease, poor coping strategies, psychiatric comorbidities and lack of liaison psychiatry. Strategies to prevent inpatient suicide should take in environmental modification (specific to environment and specific to patient – as planned levels of supervision), optimisation of the care of the patients at suicidal risk, staff education and involvement of families in care. There are few studies on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy on reducing suicidal ideation in inpatients (just for clozapine and ketamine); some psychotherapies show promising results. The post-suicide approach cannot be neglected, whether in supporting the family, the team involved and even other patients. Conclusions The assumption of the predictive and preventive value of the risk assessment has been under scrutiny. Depressed mood and a prior history of self-harm are well-established independent risk factors for inpatient suicide; however they lose their predictive value due to their high prevalence. Up to 70% of inpatients who committed suicide didn’t express suicidal ideation on the previous interviews. Most effective measures to prevent suicide are environmental modifications and staff education approaches, giving appropriate responses to each patient’s circumstances. There is a paucity of literature on suicide in this setting. It should become a priority in national programs of Suicide Prevention. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder that usually begins during adolescence and is associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity, its treatment is complex and often ineffective. Psychiatric comorbidity is common in patients with eating disorders (with the prevalence of 20–95%), namely 39% in AN. Objectives The purpose of the authors is to review the most common areas of psychiatric comorbidity in AN, how it affects the course of both diseases and the potential treatment approaches. Methods A brief non-systematized review is presented, using the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar. Results The most common psychiatric comorbidities in AN are: Affective disorders in 24-38% (mainly unipolar depression which can appear in up to 75% of patients, compared to 11% in bipolar disorder); Anxiety disorders in 25.5% (11% with panic disorder, 20% social phobia/social anxiety disorder, 15% specific phobias, 10% generalized anxiety disorder, 13% post-traumatic stress disorder); Obsessive compulsive disorder in 12%; Substance use disorders at 17%; Personality disorders around 30%. Other pathologies occur less commonly but can have a significant impact on the patient, namely Autism spectrum disorder (predictive factor for unfavourable outcome) or Schizophrenia (there are reports of reciprocal relationships between the two pathologies). Some of these comorbidities may increase mortality in AN, namely unipolar depression, personality disorders, alcohol and illicit drug use. The profound impact that starvation has on mood and cognition is well known. It can condition symptoms that are confused with other psychiatric diseases and change their clinical presentation. As such, the specific clinical characteristics and the therapeutic approach will be presented for each of the psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusions Early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities in AN are essential to improve the prognosis of this eating disorder. The additional treatment of these pathologies will increase complexity of the already challenging treatment of AN, with the additional symptomatology often being perpetuated by an uncontrolled eating disorder and a poor compliance to treatment. The limited evidence available for approaching these cases is based on the few studies available, most with insufficient samples. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction Lithium, a mood stabilizer, is a commonly prescribed and effective treatment for bipolar affective disorder. It´s excreted almost exclusively by the kidneys with a half-life primarily determined by renal function. Chronic intoxication results from an insidious accumulation of lithium in a chronically medicated patient (due to a reduction in renal function secondary to volume depletion, a new medication, et cetera). Patients often present with neurologic findings, including tremor, ataxia, dysarthria, confusion and neuromuscular excitability. Objectives The objective of this report is to describe a clinical case of lithium neurotoxicity (myoclonus and encephalopathy), along with a review of the literature on the topic. Methods We describe a case of lithium neurotoxicity, along with a brief non-systematic review of the literature on lithium toxicity. We conducted a PubMed bibliographic search using keywords such as “lithium intoxication”, “lithium neurotoxicity”, “lithium encephalopathy” and “lithium intoxication treatment”. Results A women aged 81 was brought to the emergency department by her daughter following 1 week of asthenia, diarrhoea, periods of confused speech and involuntary movements. In the previous week, the patient had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Her past medical history is significant for bipolar affective disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and asthma. The patient has been treated with following drugs: lithium carbonate (no recent change of dose and previous serum levels around 1mmol/L), quetiapine, lisinopril, metformin, simvastatin, formoterol and budesonide. On the first examination, she had an exuberant multifocal myoclonus. Posteriorly, she became somnolent, with language impairment (verbal perseveration, echolalia) and dysarthria. Investigations revealed renal impairment (creatinine 1,5 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen 42 mg/dL) and supratherapeutic lithium levels (lithium serum level 1,7 mmol/L). Computed tomography scan of the brain was negative for acute injuries. The electroencephalogram showed triphasic waves (1-1,5 Hz). Encephalopathy secondary to lithium intoxication was diagnosed (probably in the context of acute kidney injury precipitated by hypovolaemia – diarrhoea). Lithium was stopped and intravenous isotonic fluids were given. After 1 week, her myoclonus resolved and over the following week the other signs resolved as well. The patient was later discharged to her daughter’s home, with follow-up neurology and psychiatry visits. Conclusions Both reversible and irreversible neurotoxicity related to lithium have been reported, specially occurring alongside chronic intoxication. If not addressed, impaired consciousness can lead to coma and death. A high clinical suspicion is needed for prompt diagnosis and treatment (intravenous fluids and sometimes haemodialysis are warranted). Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Abstract Background The existing digital healthcare solutions demand a service development approach that assesses needs, experience, and outcomes, to develop high-value digital healthcare services. The objective of this study was to develop a digital transformation of the patients’ follow-up service after cardiac surgery, based on a remote patient monitoring service that would respond to the real context challenges. Methods The study followed the Design Science Research methodology framework and incorporated concepts from the Lean startup method to start designing a minimal viable product (MVP) from the available resources. The service was implemented in a pilot study with 29 patients in 4 iterative develop-test-learn cycles, with the engagement of developers, researchers, clinical teams, and patients. Results Patients reported outcomes daily for 30 days after surgery through Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and a mobile app. The service’s evaluation considered experience, feasibility, and effectiveness. It generated high satisfaction and high adherence among users, fewer readmissions, with an average of 7 ± 4.5 clinical actions per patient, primarily due to abnormal systolic blood pressure or wound-related issues. Conclusions We propose a 6-step methodology to design and validate a high-value digital health care service based on collaborative learning, real-time development, iterative testing, and value assessment.

Silicon offers the enticing opportunity to integrate hybrid quantum-classical computing systems on a single platform. For qubit control and readout, high-frequency signals are required. Therefore, devices that can facilitate its generation are needed. Here, we present a quantum dot-based radio-frequency multiplier operated at cryogenic temperatures. The device is based on the nonlinear capacitance-voltage characteristics of quantum dot systems arising from their low-dimensional density of states. We implement the multiplier in a multigate silicon-nanowire transistor using two complementary device configurations: a single quantum dot coupled to a charge reservoir and a coupled double quantum dot. We study the harmonic voltage conversion as a function of the energy detuning, the multiplication factor, and the harmonic phase noise and find near ideal performance up to a multiplication factor of 10. Our results demonstrate a method for high-frequency conversion that could be readily integrated into silicon-based quantum computing systems and be applied to other semiconductors.

The mapping of vegetation and Land Cover (LC) is important for research and for public policy planning but, in Brazil, although diverse maps exist there are few studies comparing them. The semiarid region of the Caatinga, in northeastern Brazil is an area long neglected by scientific research and its vegetation is diverse and relatively rich despite years of human occupation and very little preservation effort. In this study we make a comparison between the main maps made for the Caatinga from four different sources: IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), TCN (Third National Communication), ProBio (Project for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Biodiversity) and MapBiomas. We also test these maps against well-known Land Cover maps from ESA and NASA: ESA’s GlobCover and Climate Change Initiative (CCI) Land Cover, and NASA’s MODIS MCD12Q1. This was done on a sample area where many of the Caatinga’s vegetation physiognomies can be found, using well-established Difference metrics and the new SPAtial EFficiency (SPAEF) algorithm as they present complementary viewpoints to test the correspondence of mapped classes as well as that of their spatial patterns. Our results show considerable disagreement between the maps tested and their class semantics, with IBGE’s and ProBio’s being the most similar among all national maps and MapBiomas’ the most closely related to global LC maps. The nature of the observed disagreement between these maps shows they diverge not only in the application of their classification systems, but also in their mapped spatial pattern, signaling the need for a better classification system and a better map of vegetation and land cover for the region.

Three key metrics for readout systems in quantum processors are measurement speed, fidelity, and footprint. Fast high-fidelity readout enables midcircuit measurements, a necessary feature for many dynamic algorithms and quantum error correction, while a small footprint facilitates the design of scalable, highly connected architectures with the associated increase in computing performance. Here, we present two complementary demonstrations of fast high-fidelity single-shot readout of spins in silicon quantum dots using a compact, dispersive charge sensor: a radio-frequency single-electron box. The sensor, despite requiring fewer electrodes than conventional detectors, performs at the state of the art achieving spin readout fidelity of 99.2% in less than 6 μs fitted from a physical model. We demonstrate that low-loss high-impedance resonators, highly coupled to the sensing dot, in conjunction with Josephson parametric amplification are instrumental in achieving optimal performance. We quantify the benefit of Pauli spin blockade over spin-dependent tunneling to a reservoir, as the spin-to-charge conversion mechanism in these readout schemes. Our results place dispersive charge sensing at the forefront of readout methodologies for scalable semiconductor spin-based quantum processors.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was adopted in 2000 and is a common framework for water policy, management and protection in Europe. The WFD assesses specific parameters; however, it ignores indicators of ecosystem functioning and sub-individual performance. Reservoirs are strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities that promote their imbalance. Bioassays and biomarkers are useful tools to link the chemical, ecological and toxicological assessments in water quality assessments. These approaches can be complementary to WFD methodologies, allowing the detection of impacts on the ecosystem. This study evaluated if the biochemical parameters can improve the sensitivity of the biomonitoring strategy using bioassays with the standard species Daphnia magna, in the assessment of the ecological quality of water reservoirs. To this end, water samples of Portuguese reservoirs were analysed in three sampling periods (Autumn 2018 and Spring, Autumn 2019). In parallel, a physicochemical characterization of waters was performed. D. magna feeding rate assays were performed for 24 h. After exposure, metabolism, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation biomarkers were evaluated. Feeding rate assays showed sensitivity to different reservoirs. Biomarkers showed a higher sensitivity and can therefore improve the sensitivity of the biomonitoring strategy using bioassays. Bioassays and biomarkers approach allowed to highlight potential sources of stress, more related to the quality of the seston than to chemical contamination. This work highlights the complementarity between bioassays and biomarkers to identify ecotoxicological effects of surface waters, and can be extremely useful, especially in cases where the biotic indices are difficult to establish, such as reservoirs.

Background: The use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for long-term therapy of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients without cancer has not been consistently evaluated. Methods: We used the data in the RIETE registry to compare the 3-month outcomes (VTE recurrences, major bleeding or death) in non-cancer patients with VTE, according to long-term therapy with LMWH or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Results: As of March 2018, 14,582 non-cancer patients with VTE had received initial therapy with LMWH and then switched to VKAs, while 9151 were prescribed LMWH for initial and long-term therapy. Overall, 11,494 had initially presented with pulmonary embolism (PE) and 12,239 with isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Among 11,494 patients initially presenting with PE, 84 had VTE recurrences, 204 major bleeding and 406 died. Among 12,239 patients with isolated DVT, 133 developed VTE recurrences, 137 bled and 289 died. On propensity score analysis, PE patients on long-term LMWH therapy were at increased risk for PE recurrences (OR: 3.30; 95%CI: 1.67–6.48), major bleeding (OR: 1.68; 95%CI: 1.21–2.32) or death (OR: 3.16; 95%CI: 2.43–4.09) compared with those receiving VKAs. In patients with DVT, those on long-term LMWH also were at increased risk for PE recurrences (OR: 2.31; 95%CI: 1.13–4.73), major bleeding (OR 2.28; 95%CI: 1.51–3.44) or death (OR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.54–3.51). Conclusions: In the RIETE non-cancer patients with VTE, long-term therapy with VKAs was associated with a lower risk for recurrences, major bleeding or death.

Climate, fire and soil nutrient limitation are important elements that affect vegetation dynamics in areas of the forest–savanna transition. In this paper, we use the dynamic vegetation model INLAND to evaluate the influence of interannual climate variability, fire and phosphorus (P) limitation on Amazon–Cerrado transitional vegetation structure and dynamics. We assess how each environmental factor affects net primary production, leaf area index and aboveground biomass (AGB), and compare the AGB simulations to an observed AGB map. We used two climate data sets (monthly average climate for 1961–1990 and interannual climate variability for 1948–2008), two data sets of total soil P content (one based on regional field measurements and one based on global data), and the INLAND fire module. Our results show that the inclusion of interannual climate variability, P limitation and fire occurrence each contribute to simulating vegetation types that more closely match observations. These effects are spatially heterogeneous and synergistic. In terms of magnitude, the effect of fire is strongest and is the main driver of vegetation changes along the transition. Phosphorus limitation, in turn, has a stronger effect on transitional ecosystem dynamics than interannual climate variability does. Overall, INLAND typically simulates more than 80 % of the AGB variability in the transition zone. However, the AGB in many places is clearly not well simulated, indicating that important soil and physiological factors in the Amazon–Cerrado border region, such as lithology, water table depth, carbon allocation strategies and mortality rates, still need to be included in the model.

A numerical tool was developed for the estimation of gas fluxes across the air–water interface. The primary objective is to use it to estimate CO2 fluxes. Nevertheless application to other gases is easily accomplished by changing the values of the parameters related to the physical properties of the gases. A user-friendly software was developed allowing to build upon a standard kernel a custom-made gas flux model with the preferred parameterizations. These include single or double layer models; several numerical schemes for the effects of wind in the air-side and water-side transfer velocities; the effects of atmospheric stability, surface roughness and turbulence from current drag with the bottom; and the effects on solubility of water temperature, salinity, air temperature and pressure. An analysis was also developed which decomposes the difference between the fluxes in a reference situation and in alternative situations into its several forcing functions. This analysis relies on the Taylor expansion of the gas flux model, requiring the numerical estimation of partial derivatives by a multivariate version of the collocation polynomial. Both the flux model and the difference decomposition analysis were tested with data taken from surveys done in the lagoon system of Ria Formosa, south Portugal, in which the CO2 fluxes were estimated using the infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) and floating chamber method, whereas the CO2 concentrations were estimated using the IRGA and degasification chamber. Observations and estimations show a remarkable fit.

The continuous demand for alternative biofuels resulted in a significant rise of biodiesel production in last decade. As a consequence, high quantities of raw glycerol have been accumulated. The conversion of this abundant carbon source into value-added products using biotechnology consists in a significant opportunity for industry. Crude glycerol may be used in different processes, including bioconversion to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO). 1,3-PDO is an important intermediate chemical for polymer synthesis. Some species are known to produce 1,3-PDO by fermentation of glycerol as K. pneumoneae, E. agglomerans, C. freundii, C. acetobutylicum, C. butyricum, C. pasterianum, L. brevis and L. buchneri. In this work, the objective was to produce 1,3- PDO by Clostridium butyricum NCIMB 8082 cultivated on biodiesel derived glycerol using batch and fed-batch strategies. The experiments were performed in the 1.0 L reactor, under anaerobic conditions, at200 rpm with temperature (37°C) and pH (7,0) control. In batch and fed-batch fermentations, initial glycerol concentration was 60 g.L-1and 20 g.L-1,respectively. In fed-batch fermentation, two feeds were performed containing 20 g.L-1 each one. The glycerol consumption and product formation were analysed by high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After approximately 13 hours of fermentation, a concentration of 32.18 g.L-1 of 1,3-PDO in batch condition was reached.. In fed-batch condition, the 1,3-PDO final concentration was 29.83 g.L-1 after 11 hours of fermentation. The productivity values were 2.38 and 2.55 g.L- 1.h-1 in batch and fed-batch conditions, respectively.

Resumo: Recentemente assistiu-se à emergência de infeções na comunidade por Staphylococcus aureus meticilina-resistente (MRSA) em indivíduos sem fatores de risco. O MRSA associado à comunidade (CA-MRSA) parece ser mais virulento, causando desde infeções superficiais da pele e tecidos moles até fasceíte necrosante e, raramente, pneumonia.O CA-MRSA foi inicialmente identificado na Austrália no início da década de 80 e, após cerca de duas décadas, surgiu nos EUA e em vários países da Europa, Ásia e América do Sul. Não existe informação disponível acerca da prevalência em Portugal.Os autores reportam o primeiro caso de infeção por CA-MRSA em Portugal, num adulto jovem com pneumonia necrotizante grave complicada por empiema bilateral e insuficiência respiratória. Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has recently emerged as a cause of community-acquired infections among individuals without risk factors. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) appears to be more virulent, causing superficial mild skin and soft tissue infections to severe necrotizing fasciitis, and in rare cases, pneumonia.Community-associated MRSA was first reported in Australia in the early 80s, after almost two decades in the USA, and then in several countries in Europe, Asia and South America. No data exists in Portugal.We report the first case of CA-MRSA infection in Portugal, in a young adult with severe necrotizing pneumonia, complicated with bilateral empyema and respiratory failure. Palavras-chave: comunidade associada, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, pneumonia necrosante, empiema, Keywords: Community-associated, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, Necrotizing pneumonia, Empyema

The research examined the effects of different intensities and different rest intervals of strength training on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in young athletes. Participated in the study 23 young men, aged 17.06 ± .73 years, 68.01 ± 8.09 kg of body mass, and 173.65 �� 5.61 cm of height. They were submitted to the appropriateness of charges (5 RM, 10 RM or 15 RM) and rest intervals (30, 60 or 120 s) and then asked to point perceived exertion according to the OMNI-RES scale. A two-way ANOVA was used and significant differences were analyzed by post-hoc Bonferroni. For RPE there were no significant differences between the intensities in the recovery intervals evaluated. For intervals with the same intensity, there were differences between 15 RM and range of 120 and 60 s with 15 RM and 30 s intervals. Intensities of 10 and 5 RM, in the range of 120 s showed significant differences. It follows that the smaller the rest interval the greater the levels of fatigue regardless of the number of repetitions performed in all intensities and it may be inferred that the RPE was sensitive to reduction in the rest interval.

Introducción: La actividad física y una alimentación adecuada ejercen un papel esencial al perfeccionamiento de la salud y al control de enfermedades. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido determinar el estado nutricional a través de medidas antropométricas, nivel socioeconómico, enfermedades más comunes y tipo de actividad física, además del consumo alimentario y el lugar donde son realizadas las comidas de los estudiantes de Graduación en Nutrición de la UFPE. Material y métodos: La muestra se ha constituido de 68 alumnas del Curso de Nutrición, de distintos períodos escolares y con edades entre 18 y 27 años. El proceso de selección de la muestra ha sido por conveniencia. Las estudiantes han participado voluntariamente y han contestado a tres cuestionarios, respectivamente, sobre el nivel socioeconómico (renta familiar) y posibles enfermedades que padecían, medidas de los pliegues cutáneos y tipo de actividad física practicada; registro de los alimentos consumidos y lugar donde las comidas eran realizadas. El análisis estadístico se ha realizado a través de frecuencias absolutas, porcentuales, promedios y desvío estándar. El margen de error utilizado en los tests empleados ha sido de 5%. Resultados: En cuanto a los rendimientos, han predominado los superiores a tres sueldos mínimos (86%), los padres tienen un papel determinante en el costeo del estudio (46%), seguido del padre (24%), madre (9%), marido (4%), otros responsables (10%); el 7% no han dado información. Las enfermedades más comunes eran: rinitis alérgica, amigdalitis, insomnio y constipación intestinal. El peso, estatura, el índice de masa corporal y la relación cintura cadera de las estudiantes seguían los patrones normales. La circunferencia abdominal ha variado en solo 2,57 cm entre los grupos etarios investigados. En cuanto a la práctica de actividades físicas, el 68% eran sedentarias, el 20% practicaban actividad leve y el 13% moderada. Sobre el lugar de realización de las comidas, el desayuno, en su mayoría (76%), era realizado en casa, seguido de la cena (56%). Mientras que el almuerzo (41%) y la merienda 1 (34%), en la Universidad. Entre las alumnas que no han informado del lugar en el que hacían las comidas ha habido un porcentaje mayor para las grandes y menor para las pequeñas comidas. Los tipos principales de comidas consumidas han sido desayuno, almuerzo y cena (98%). Para las pequeñas comidas, los valores han sido: merienda 1 (54%), merienda 2 (61%), merienda 3 (45%). El análisis del consumo alimentario por tres días ha revelado ingestión de energía con déficit del 21% en relación a lo recomendado (p < 0,001); los macronutrientes han presentado porcentajes de acuerdo con los patrones; el consumo de fibras (11,8 g/día) ha sido inferior a lo recomendado (p < 0,001). Carne, huevos y cereales eran ingeridos diariamente (cerca del 80%); verduras (40%), leguminosas, frutas y dulces (25 a 30%), durante cuatro a seis días por semana. Raíces y tubérculos, salados, embutidos y bebidas no alcohólicas eran consumidos de uno a tres días semanales (70%). Las vísceras no han sido consumidas por el 50% de la población investigada. Conclusiones: Por lo expuesto, el grupo de alumnos estudiado necesita cambiar sus hábitos alimentarios, concienciándose sobre la importancia de una comida equilibrada, así como realizar sistemáticamente actividad física, para prevención de enfermedades y obtención de una mejor calidad de vida.Introduction: The physical activity and adequate food plays a key role in improving health and the control of diseases. Objective: This paper aims at determining the nutritional state through antropometric measures, socioeconomic level, the most common illnesses and type of physical activity, beyond food consumption and the place where meals are taken, of under-graduate students of the Nutrition course in UFPE. Methods: The sample is constituted of 68 female students, of different periods and at ages between 18 and 27 years old. The process of selection of the sample was for convenience. The students voluntarily participated and answered three questionnaires, respectively, on their socioeconomic level (income of the family) and possible illnesses they had, measures of the cutaneous folds and type of practiced physical activity; register of consumed foods and local where the meals were carried. Statistical analysis was performed by absolute frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation. The margin of error used in the testing employees was 5%. Results: In relation to the incomes, they had predominated above three minimum wages (86%), the parents have a predominant role in the expenditure of their study (46%), followed by the father (24%), mother (9%), husband (4%), other responsible ones (10%); 7% did not give information. The most common illnesses were: allergic rinite, tonsilitis, sleeplessness and intestinal constipation. The weight, the height, the index of body mass and the relation waist hip of the students were within normal standards. The abdominal circumference varied only in 2.57 cm between the studied age range. In relation to the practice of physical activities, 67% were sedentary, 20% practiced light activity and 13% moderate. In relation to where the meals are had, breakfast, in its majority (76%), was carried at home, followed by supper (56%), while lunch (41%) and snack 1 (34%), at University. Among the pupils who did not inform the place where they had their meals there was a high percentage for the big meals and a small one for the minor ones. The main kinds of consumed meals were breakfast, lunch and supper (98%). For the small meals, the values were: snack 1 (54%), snack 2 (61%), snack 3 (45%). The analysis of food consumption for three days disclosed ingestion of energy with deficit of 21% in relation to the recommended one (p < 0.001); the macro-nutrients showed percentages within the standards; the intake of fiber (11.8 g/day) was less than recommended (p < 0.001). Meat, eggs and cereals were ingested daily (for about 80%); vegetables (40%), legumes, fruits and candies (25% 30%), around four or six days a week. Roots and tubercles, salty, embedded and non alcoholic drinks were consumed from one to three days weekly (70%). Animal guts were not consumed by 50% of the studied population. Conclusions: Having analyzed all this, the studied students need to modify their food habits, acquiring knowledge on the importance of a balanced diet, as well as the practice of physical activity systematically, to prevent illnesses and attain a better quality of life.

Yarrowia lipolytica, a non-conventional and strictly aerobic yeast, has been extensively studied due to its ability in producing substances attractive for the industry, such as organic acids, proteins, lipases and lipids. Oleaginous microorganism refers to a group that can present a lipid content higher than 20% of its cell dry weight. Y. lipolytica is described by literature as an oleaginous yeast because the presence of a large amount of oil into the cell. Oil is stored usually in a special organelle that is designated by different terms in literature, such as lipid particle, oil body, lipid droplet (LD) or lipid body (LB). The structure comprehends neutral lipids, mainly triacylglycerol and steryl esters, forming a hydrophobic core encompassed by a phospholipid monolayer with some proteins. There are several methods available to determinate intracellular oil; however all of them demand a long time to provide data. Flow cytometry is a technique that provides data almost in real time (at line). Therefore it is possible to evaluate the biological system in a qualitative and quantitative way and faster than the traditional methods. The yeast strain Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 is currently being used in our laboratory as a model to investigate the production of a plurality of desired substances, lipase, citric acid and the like. In the present work, this yeast was cultivated on three different media in flasks. Medium 1: complex mineral medium plus pure glycerol; Medium 2: simple mineral medium plus crude glycerin and; Medium 3 simple mineral medium plus glucose. Lipid accumulation was monitored by flow cytometry associated with the fluorescent stain Nile Red (9-diethylamina-5H-benzo[a]phenoxazine-5-one). By using this technique, it was able to determinate cell total lipid and distinguish polar lipids and neutral lipids into the cell, the last ones related with stored oil particle. Although three media used showed differences in oil accumulation, their growth profiles were very similar. A significant increment in total lipid content was detected in Medium 1 and 3, using pure glycerol and glucose, respectively. The results obtained demonstrate flow cytometry as a successful technique to monitor lipid storage in cultures of Y. lipolytica.

Androlaelaps marmosops, a new species of laelapid mite, is described from the pelage of the mouse opossum, Marmosops incanus (Lund, 1840) (Mammalia: Didelphidae), in two areas of Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro State. Measurements and illustrations are included for females only.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the morphometric variation of laelapine populations (Acari, Mesostigmata) associated with neotropical oryzomyine rodents at different geographic localities in Brazil. Three nominal mite species were selected for study, all infesting the pelage of small mammals at different localities in Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia, and the Federal District, Brazil. To analyse morphometric characteristics, thirty-seven morphological characters distributed across the whole body of each specimen were measured. We use the Analysis of Principal Components, extracting the three first axes and projecting each mite in these axes. Major species level changes in the taxonomy of the host mammals allows an independent examination of morphometric variation of mites infesting a set of distinctly different host species at different geographic localities. Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi and Laelaps differens are associated with oryzomyine rodents of the genus Cerradomys, and consistently showed a tendency to cluster by host phylogeny. Laelaps manguinhosi associated with Nectomys rattus in central Brazil is morphometrically distinct from mites infesting N. squamipes in the coastal restingas of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. The results obtained here indicate that laelapine mite populations can vary among geographic areas and among phylogenetically related host species. Clearly, the study of these mites at the population level can be an important tool for clarifying the taxonomy of both mites and hosts.

The Restinga de Jurubatiba has at least 10 plant formations, including open Clusia shrubland. This formation is composed of dense shrubs of many shapes and sizes, where Clusia hilariana is one of the most important plant species. Shrublands with Clusia (CC) are poorer in plant species and less dense than shrublands without Clusia (SC). Oryzomys subflavus (Rodentia) is the most abundant small mammal species in the open Clusia shrubland. We tested the hypothesis that the abundance of rodents would increase with the size of the patch and would be higher in SC shrublands. Rodents were captured, marked and released in three 780-m-long transects. At each capture site, we evaluated the shape of the shrubland patch, calculated the area and noted the category of the shrubland. Using ANCOVA, we ascertained whether the abundance of Oryzomys subflavus increased with the sampled area and used CC and SC shrublands differently. We also verified if the size of patches used by rodents varies in the same frequency as the size of available shrublands. Rodent abundance was found to increase significantly with the area. There were no differences in the size of the patches used by rodents and the frequency of the size of available patches. This finding indicates that O. subflavus, in the study area, is a generalist species that uses its habitat according to availability.