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Abstract Aims Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease affecting 64 million people worldwide and places a severe burden on society because of its mortality, numerous re‐hospitalizations and associated costs. HeartLogic™ is an algorithm programmed into implanted devices incorporating several biometric parameters which aims to predict HF episodes. It provides an index which can be monitored remotely, allowing pre‐emptive treatment of congestion to prevent acute decompensation. We aim to assess the impact and security of pre‐emptive HF management, guided by the HeartLogic™ index. Methods and results The HeartLogic™ France Cohort Study is an investigator‐initiated, prospective, multi‐centre, non‐randomized study. Three hundred ten patients with a history of HF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%; or at least one episode of clinical HF with elevated NT‐proBNP ≥450 ng/L) and implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator enabling HeartLogic™ index calculation will be included across 10 French centres. The HeartLogic™ index will be monitored remotely for 12 months and in the event of a HeartLogic™ index ≥16, the local investigator will contact the patient for assessment and adjust HF treatment as necessary. The primary endpoint is unscheduled hospitalization for HF. Secondary endpoints are all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death, HF‐related death, unscheduled hospitalizations for ventricular or atrial arrhythmia and HeartLogic™ index evolution over time. Blood samples will be collected for biobanking, and quality of life will be assessed. Finally, the safety of a HeartLogic™‐triggered strategy for initiating or increasing diuretic therapy will be assessed. A blind and independent committee will adjudicate the events. Conclusions The HeartLogic™ France Cohort Study will provide robust real‐world data in a cohort of HF patients managed with the HeartLogic™ algorithm allowing pre‐emptive treatment of heart failure exacerbations.

The Amazon Forest, the largest contiguous tropical forest in the world, stores a significant fraction of the carbon on land. Changes in climate and land use affect total carbon stocks, making it critical to continuously update and revise the best estimates for the region, particularly considering changes in forest dynamics. Forest inventory data cover only a tiny fraction of the Amazon region, and the coverage is not sufficient to ensure reliable data interpolation and validation. This paper presents a new forest above-ground biomass map for the Brazilian Amazon and the associated uncertainty both with a resolution of 250 meters and baseline for the satellite dataset the year of 2016 (i.e., the year of the satellite observation). A significant increase in data availability from forest inventories and remote sensing has enabled progress towards high-resolution biomass estimates. This work uses the largest airborne LiDAR database ever collected in the Amazon, mapping 360,000 km2 through transects distributed in all vegetation categories in the region. The map uses airborne laser scanning (ALS) data calibrated by field forest inventories that are extrapolated to the region using a machine learning approach with inputs from Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), vegetation indices obtained from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite, and precipitation information from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). A total of 174 field inventories geolocated using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) were used to validate the biomass estimations. The experimental design allowed for a comprehensive representation of several vegetation types, producing an above-ground biomass map varying from a maximum value of 518 Mg ha-1, a mean of 174 Mg ha-1, and a standard deviation of 102 Mg ha-1. This unique dataset enabled a better representation of the regional distribution of the forest biomass and structure, providing further studies and critical information for decision-making concerning forest conservation, planning, carbon emissions estimate, and mechanisms for supporting carbon emissions reductions.

We develop a new approach for the computation of the Mullineux involution for the symmetric group and its Hecke algebra using the notion of crystal isomorphism and the Iwahori-Matsumoto involution for the affine Hecke algebra of type \(A\). As a consequence, we obtain several new elementary combinatorial algorithms for its computation, one of which is equivalent to Xu algorithm (and thus Mullineux original algorithm). We thus obtain a simple interpretation of these algorithms and a new elementary proof that they indeed compute the Mullineux involution.Mathematics Subject Classifications: 20C08, 05E10Keywords: Symmetric group, Mullineux involution, crystal graph

This research investigates optimizing the properties of 2024 aluminum alloy using the Extreme Vertices Design (EVD) method and linear regression. It examines the oxidation behavior of the alloy during solubilization heat treatment, specifically focusing on the effect of magnesium addition leading to a dark oxide layer. The study employs a comprehensive experimental design and regression models to estimate the specific oxidation rate constant (k). Analysis of results reveals variations in oxidation behavior among alloys and the influence of aluminum, copper, and magnesium concentrations on the oxidation rate. The regression analysis yields a comprehensive equation: k = -0.01Al - 4.06Cu - 15.71Mg + 4.52Al·Cu + 17.01Al·Mg + 418.5Cu:Mg - 447.7Al·Cu·Mg, with statistically significant results (p < 0.05) for all terms. An increase in magnesium concentration was found to enhance the oxidation rate, implying a higher alloy susceptibility to oxidation. These findings underline the value of the EVD method and regression analysis in alloy property optimization, thus aiding in the design of aluminum alloys with improved oxidation resistance.

Abstract The Amazon Forest, the largest contiguous tropical forest in the world, stores a significant fraction of the carbon on land. Changes in climate and land use affect total carbon stocks, making it critical to continuously update and revise the best estimates for the region, particularly considering changes in forest dynamics. Forest inventory data cover only a tiny fraction of the Amazon region, and the coverage is not sufficient to ensure reliable data interpolation and validation. This paper presents a new forest above-ground biomass map for the Brazilian Amazon and the associated uncertainty both with a resolution of 250 meters and baseline for the satellite dataset the year of 2016 (i.e., the year of the satellite observation). A significant increase in data availability from forest inventories and remote sensing has enabled progress towards high-resolution biomass estimates. This work uses the largest airborne LiDAR database ever collected in the Amazon, mapping 360,000 km2 through transects distributed in all vegetation categories in the region. The map uses airborne laser scanning (ALS) data calibrated by field forest inventories that are extrapolated to the region using a machine learning approach with inputs from Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), vegetation indices obtained from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite, and precipitation information from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). A total of 174 field inventories geolocated using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) were used to validate the biomass estimations. The experimental design allowed for a comprehensive representation of several vegetation types, producing an above-ground biomass map varying from a maximum value of 518 Mg ha−1, a mean of 174 Mg ha−1, and a standard deviation of 102 Mg ha−1. This unique dataset enabled a better representation of the regional distribution of the forest biomass and structure, providing further studies and critical information for decision-making concerning forest conservation, planning, carbon emissions estimate, and mechanisms for supporting carbon emissions reductions.

Full-waveform LiDAR (FWF) offers a promising advantage over other technologies to represent the vertical canopy structure of secondary successions in the Amazon region, as the waveform encapsulates the properties of all elements intercepting the emitted beam. In this study, we investigated modifications in the vertical structure of the Amazonian secondary successions across the vegetation gradient from early to advanced stages of vegetation regrowth. The analysis was performed over two distinct climatic regions (Drier and Wetter), designated using the Maximum Cumulative Water Deficit (MCWD). The study area was covered by 309 sample plots distributed along 25 LiDAR transects. The plots were grouped into three successional stages (early—SS1; intermediate—SS2; advanced—SS3). Mature Forest (MF) was used as a reference of comparison. A total of 14 FWF LiDAR metrics from four categories of analysis (Height, Peaks, Understory and Gaussian Decomposition) were extracted using the Waveform LiDAR for Forestry eXtraction (WoLFeX) software (v1.1.1). In addition to examining the variation in these metrics across different successional stages, we calculated their Relative Recovery (RR) with vegetation regrowth, and evaluated their ability to discriminate successional stages using Random Forest (RF). The results showed significant differences in FWF metrics across the successional stages, and within and between sample plots and regions. The Drier region generally exhibited more pronounced differences between successional stages and lower FWF metric values compared to the Wetter region, mainly in the category of height, peaks, and Gaussian decomposition. Furthermore, the Drier region displayed a lower relative recovery of metrics in the early years of succession, compared to the areas of MF, eventually reaching rates akin to those of the Wetter region as succession progressed. Canopy height metrics such as Waveform distance (WD), and Gaussian Decomposition metrics such as Bottom of canopy (BC), Bottom of canopy distance (BCD) and Canopy distance (CD), related to the height of the lower forest stratum, were the most important attributes in discriminating successional stages in both analyzed regions. However, the Drier region exhibited superior discrimination between successional stages, achieving a weighted F1-score of 0.80 compared to 0.73 in the Wetter region. When comparing the metrics from SS in different stages to MF, our findings underscore that secondary forests achieve substantial relative recovery of FWF metrics within the initial 10 years after land abandonment. Regions with potentially slower relative recovery (e.g., Drier regions) may require longer-term planning to ensure success in providing full potential ecosystem services in the Amazon.

Introdução/Objetivo: A sepse é definida como uma resposta inflamatória sistêmica, com presença de foco infeccioso. É um importante problema de saúde pública, com alta taxa de mortalidade, representando a principal causa de morte em pacientes tratados em unidade de terapia intensiva. A maior incidência de sepse deve-se ao envelhecimento da população, a procedimentos mais invasivos, ao uso de fármacos imunossupressores, assim, espera-se que esta tendência se acelere no futuro. Dessa forma, esse estudo pretende caracterizar e quantificar os pacientes que foram à óbito por sepse no Brasil no período de 2015 a 2020. Métodos: O presente artigo se trata de um estudo transversal sobre óbitos por septicemia na população brasileira, entre os anos de 2015 e 2020. Os dados foram coletados através do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIM/SUS) utilizando os seguintes parâmetros: lista CID-10 em septicemia, faixa etária, sexo, ano do óbito, raça e local de ocorrência. Resultados: Nos anos de 2015 a 2020, 1.119.236 pessoas foram a óbito por septicemia no Brasil segundo o SIM/SUS, sendo que 2015 apresentou a menor contagem com 18.595 óbitos, enquanto 2019 apresentou a maior contagem com 21.671 óbitos. Com base nos dados, foi possível perceber que o sexo feminino foi mais afetado que o masculino com uma contagem de 3.601 óbitos de diferença. Referente à faixa etária, a mais acometida foi a dos idosos de 80 anos ou mais, deixando as menores contagens para crianças entre 5 e 10 anos, que apresentam 0,7% do total. Ademais, os pacientes brancos foram mais afetados, representando 52,5% dos 119.236 óbitos, enquanto a população indígena representa apenas 0,3% do valor total. O último dado coletado foi o local onde ocorreram esses óbitos, mostrando que 89,1% ocorreram no ambiente hospitalar, seja por procura tardia ou por início de septicemia dentro do próprio hospital. Conclusão: Pode-se concluir, que a maioria dos óbitos ocorreu em ambiente hospitalar, apontando para a necessidade de aprimoramento nos protocolos de prevenção e tratamento. Campanhas de conscientização são fundamentais para prevenir a doença em populações vulneráveis.

A ingestão acidental de corpo estranho é um problema clínico comum nos serviços de atendimento de emergência. Aproximadamente, 20% evoluem com alguma intercorrência, 2% precisam ser retirados cirurgicamente e apenas 1% dos casos cursa com perfuração em algum ponto do trato gastrointestinal, gerando complicações, como formação de abscesso hepático, sangramento, obstrução e choque séptico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever um caso de perfuração gástrica por corpo estranho alimentar e suas repercussões. Paciente sexo masculino, 33 anos, brasileiro, branco, previamente hígido, obeso, compareceu ao hospital com história de epigastralgia, náusea e febre, há 2 dias. Negou etilismo, tabagismo, cirurgias prévias e trauma. Na ultrassonografia abdominal, nenhum achado foi encontrado, sendo o paciente medicado e recebido alta hospitalar com orientações. Após cinco dias, retornou com queixa de piora da dor abdominal e febre, associada a anorexia e perda ponderal. Ao exame físico apresentava-se febril, taquicárdico, taquidispneico, hipocorado, ictérico, acianótico, sudoreico, má perfusão periférica, abdome globoso, rígido, com sinal de defesa, ruídos hidroaéreos diminuídos à ausculta, com sinais de peritonite, caracterizando um provável quadro de choque séptico, de foco abdominal. Ao realizar a tomografia computadorizada abdominal, observou-se coleções fluidas no lobo esquerdo hepático, perihepática e periesplênica, destacando-se estrutura linear calcificada, na margem inferior da coleção intra-hepática, podendo representar material ósseo ingerido que perfurou o estômago, com posterior bloqueio e coleções, possivelmente uma espícula de frango, já que paciente negou ingestão de peixe. O paciente foi submetido a uma laparotomia exploratória para a remoção do corpo estranho e drenagem da secreção, além de receber terapia antibiótica perioperatória, para o tratamento do choque séptico. Ao final do procedimento, colocou-se um dreno de Penrose visando manter a drenagem da secreção e incluiu-se dupla antibioticoterapia na prescrição, a fim de manejar o quadro séptico. O paciente teve um longo período de recuperação devido à infecção séptica e à presença de abscesso peri-hepático. A alta hospitalar só ocorreu após 23 dias, quando houve resolução da sepse e melhora da ferida operatória. Diante do relato, enfatiza-se a importância da investigação precoce e completa dos sintomas dos pacientes, com rápida intervenção, almejando minimizar os riscos de complicações graves.

Introdução/objetivo: A febre hemorrágica da dengue (FHD), transmitida pelo mosquito Aedes aegypti, é uma doença infecciosa febril aguda cujo agente etiológico é um arbovírus com quatro sorotipos. A cada infecção subsequente, aumenta o risco de formas graves, como a FHD, que se manifesta de forma mais severa. O fator determinante na FDH é o extravasamento plasmático que pode ocorrer através da hemoconcentração, hipoalbuminemia e/ou derrame cavitário podendo evoluir para um comprometimento multissistêmico levando a óbito. Constitui um grave problema de saúde pública, por ser uma das principais causas de hospitalizações e morte de crianças em países endêmicos como o Brasil. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é descrever o perfil dos casos notificados de mortalidade por FHD, no Brasil, de janeiro de 2018 a abril de 2023. Métodos: Este é um estudo transversal sobre óbitos por FHD no Brasil, de janeiro/2018 a abril/2023. Os dados foram obtidos através do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIM/SUS) utilizando os seguintes critérios: lista CID-10 em doenças infecciosas, apresentando variáveis como faixa etária, sexo, ano do processamento, cor/raça e otmail de atendimento. Resultados: De 2018 a 2023, 615 pessoas foram a óbito por Febre Hemorrágica pelo vírus da Dengue no Brasil, segundo o SIM/SUS, sendo que 2022 apresentou a maior contagem com 165 óbitos, enquanto 2018 apresentou a menor contagem com 55 óbitos. Com base no dados, foi possível perceber que o sexo masculino foi mais afetado que o feminino com uma contagem de 45 casos de diferença entre os sexos. A faixa etária mais acometida foi a dos adultos de 50 a 69 anos, deixando as menores contagens para as crianças de 1 a 4 anos, que apresentam 1,1% do total. Os pacientes pardos foram mais afetados, representando 44% dos 615 óbitos, enquanto a população indígena representou apenas 0,32% do valor total. O caráter de atendimento desses óbitos, mostrando que 98% ocorreram em situação de urgência, seja por procura tardia ou por manejo inadequado dentro do próprio hospital, sendo apenas 1,95% de forma eletiva e com melhor prognóstico. Conclusão: Nota-se que no contexto do caráter do atendimento, grande parte dos casos foram de urgência. Logo, faz-se imperioso o aperfeiçoamento de políticas públicas que visem o controle do vetor, o diagnóstico e manejo precoces. A realização dessas medidas tende a amenizar as complicações, os desfechos infelizes e os gastos públicos com a enfermidade.

Introdução/objetivo: A esquistossomose (EM) é uma enfermidade parasitária, desencadeada pelo helminto Schistosoma mansoni. Ela é uma doença negligenciada e endêmica em populações de baixa renda ainda que já existam medidas preventivas e tratamentos conhecidos. A EM é semelhante a outras entidades nosológicas, em função das manifestações clínicas plurais que ocorrem durante sua evolução. Contudo, mesmo com o conhecimento sobre o diagnóstico, a epidemiologia e as medidas de profilaxia e controle tornam-se extremamente importantes para o clínico. Devido à representação de um problema de saúde pública, o objetivo deste estudo é analisar o perfil epidemiológico bem como a sua relevância baseada na gravidade da doença tendo em conta a prevalência dos casos de internação registrados no período de janeiro de 2018 a abril de 2023. Métodos: Este artigo apresenta um estudo transversal acerca das internações por EM no estado da Bahia, entre janeiro de 2018 e abril de 2023. As informações foram retirados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIM/SUS) utilizando da análise dos seguintes fatores: lista CID-10 em doenças parasitárias, apresentando variantes como faixa etária, sexo, ano do processamento e cor/raça. Resultados: Nos anos de 2018 a 2023, 91 pessoas foram internadas por Esquistossomose na Bahia segundo o SIM/SUS, sendo que 2022 apresentou a maior contagem com 26 internações, enquanto 2023 apresentou a menor contagem com 04 internações. Com base no dados, foi possível perceber que o sexo masculino foi mais afetado que o feminino com uma contagem de 15 casos de diferença entre eles. Referente à faixa etária, a mais acometida foi a dos adultos de 50 a 59 anos, deixando as menores contagens para as crianças de 1 a 4 anos, que apresentam 1,1% do total. Ademais, os pacientes pardos foram os mais afetados, representando 63,7% dos 91 internamentos, enquanto a população amarela representa apenas 3,3% do valor total. Conclusão: A EM ainda se mantém como um problema de saúde pública gerando custos e interferindo, negativamente, na qualidade de vida da população. Apesar do controle dessa doença ser complexo e necessitar de ações relacionadas a mudanças das condições de vida das populações expostas, de medidas de cuidado ambiental e de educação em saúde é imprescindível a tomada de decisões, pelo poder público, no que tange o planejamento de estratégias de prevenção, controle e divulgação dessa doença.

Background and Objective: It has been reported recently in a cross sectional study that patients with amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) showed a ‘white’ thyroid on unenhanced computed tomography, due to intrathyroid iodine accumulation. However, the link between increase in thyroid radiologic density and amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis remains unknown. We sought to analyze this link. Methods: We present the case of a 34-year-old patient with severe sarcoidosis-related hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who was followed with successive unenhanced CT scans integrated with FDG PET scans. After the first CT scans the patient, who initially had a normal thyroid function, was exposed to amiodarone during 23 months and developed AIT, very likely by thyroiditis (AIT type 2). There were no thyroid antibodies, no evidence of thyroid sarcoidosis on FDG PET scan, while thyroid sonogram showed a homogenous 22 ml moderate goiter with normal echogenicity and no nodules. Results: Analysis of the successive enhanced CT scans revealed that after initiation of amiodarone treatment, thyroid radiologic density steadily increased before detection of AIT, peaked after cessation of amiodarone and initiation of thyrotoxicosis treatment, before returning to normal as thyrotoxicosis receded. Thyroid volume also showed a moderate increase, peaking at the detection of thyrotoxicosis, before returning to normal. Conclusion: This case suggests that AIT is preceded by a very high intrathyroid iodine accumulation before the ‘burst’ of thyroiditis occurs and that measurements of thyroid gland radiological density might predict the development and remission of AIT.

A pesquisa discute a produção de um aplicativo denominado GeoRondo para dispositivos móveis, a ser usado como recurso didático para o ensino de Geometria Espacial, com aporte conceitual em Dolce e Pompeo (2010) e que utiliza elementos da Realidade Aumentada na visualização dos sólidos geométricos. O objetivo pauta-se na análise do processo de construção do aplicativo, desenvolvido mediante articulação entre um professor de matemática e um futuro profissional de computação, intermediados por uma professora de pós-graduação. O desenvolvimento se baseia no constructo de Seres-Humanos-Com-Mídias (BORBA, 2001), em que as mídias permeiam o ser humano da mesma forma que as tecnologias são impregnadas de humanidade. A metodologia é qualitativa, ligada ao estudo de caso, com uma tríade multidisciplinar de sujeitos. Os resultados evidenciam que as tensões ocorridas durante o processo reforçam a ideia da Moldagem Recíproca, em que uma determinada mídia influencia no raciocínio de quem interage com elas e vice-versa.

Background: Although the 5 times stand-to-sit test (5TSST) is indicated for screening for muscle weakness in older adults, its validity is based only on the correlation with quadriceps muscle strength or with the muscle strength of a few muscle groups of the lower limbs. Thus, the objective of the present study was to verify whether in independent older women, the 5TSST can really estimate global muscle strength, considering the sum of muscle strength of the trunk, hip, knee and ankle, which are important for functional activities. Methods: 119 independent older women participated in this cross-sectional study, undergoing the 5TSST and an isometric muscle strength assessment of the trunk, hip, knee and ankle, using an isokinetic dynamometer. The accuracy of the 5TSST for the discrimination of older women with reduced global muscle strength was evaluated by the ROC curve. Results: The ROC curve showed that the 5TSST may discriminate older women with reduced global muscle strength with moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.783; 95 % CI = 0.681–0.886; p

We investigated the potential of hyperspectral remote sensing to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) over the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado), the second-largest source of carbon emissions in Brazil. For this purpose, a Hyperion/Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) image was collected in the dry season at the Ecological Station of Águas Emendadas (ESAE). In order to estimate the AGB, we evaluated the performance of five machine learning models (Classification and Regression Trees – CART; Cubist – CB, Partial Least Squares Regression – PLS; Random Forest – RF; and Support Vector Machine – SVM) and four sets of metrics (reflectance, narrowband vegetation indices – VIs; absorption band parameters; and the combination of these attributes). The lowest root mean square error (RMSE) was obtained for RF using VIs (29%) and a combination of metrics (28%). For VIs, RF differed from CUB, PLS and SVM at 5% significance level. From cross-validation results, the RMSE was 26.36% for grasslands, 35.04% for open savannas, and 24.85% for dense savannas. The RF model with VIs had the most stable predictive performance across the models, as indicated by small variations in RMSE from CART to SVM. The five most important ranked VIs in the RF model were the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Pigment Specific Simple Ratio (PSSR), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (RENDVI) and Structure Insensitive Pigment Index (SIPI). Most of their relationships with AGB were non-linear. The resultant AGB estimates showed consistent results with a vegetation cover map of the ESAE. Areas of the ESAE with AGB lower than 10 Mg.ha−1 were coincident with the occurrence of grassland physiognomies (savanna grasslands and shrub savannas), while areas with AGB higher than 25 Mg.ha−1 matched the occurrence of dense savanna physiognomies (woodland savanna and dense woodland savanna). Grassland areas showed larger values of coefficient of variation (CV) than areas of dense savannas. These first-hand results set a baseline of models and metrics for AGB modeling of savannas during the future transition from current sampling-type hyperspectral missions (< 10 km of swath) to large-coverage hyperspectral satellites (> 100 km of swath).

A construção de capacidade cibernética tornou-se tema central de discussão à medida que o ciberespaço passou a impactar substancialmente o desenvolvimento e a segurança dos Estados. Diante disso, o objetivo central da pesquisa é analisar a inserção dos países sul-americanos no contexto da construção de capacidades cibernéticas. Esta é uma pesquisa exploratória, descritiva e analítica, que parte de revisão bibliográfica, analisando perspectivas teórico-conceituais sobre a temática, bem como dados disponíveis em importantes repositórios, como o Global Cybersecurity Index.

Introduction: The analysis of movement quality is important for better exercise prescription. This study tested the reproducibility of a protocol for remote assessment of dynamic knee alignment using images taken by patients. Methods: Thirteen women filmed themselves performing single-leg squats on two days at a 15-day interval. Three raters measured the knee frontal plane projection angle using the resultant images. Results: Two participants (15.4%) were excluded for not performing the protocol correctly. The intraclass correlation coefficient was between 0.880 and 0.999 for the intra-rater comparison, and between 0.817 and 0.987 for the inter-rater comparison. Discussion: The success of the protocol in 84.6% of participants and the excellent reproducibility suggest that the methodology of analyzing patient-captured cell phone images might be a plausible alternative for remote evaluation of dynamic knee alignment.

Objective: to evaluate the quality of life of patients with chronic renal failure during hemodialysis and differences in relation to sex. Material and Method: a descriptive, quantitative study, developed in the Renal Replacement Therapy sector of a teaching hospital, consisting of 78 patients. Inclusion criteria: patients over 18 years of age undergoing hemodialysis. Patients with cognitive impairment were excluded. Data collection took place between june and july 2018, through a questionnaire with questions about socio-demographic aspects and clinical characterization of the study participants. The other instrument was aimed at quality of life, using the WHOQOL-bref. The data were organized in Excel® 2016 (Microsoft®). Study approved by the Research Ethics Committee involving human beings. Results: 51.3% were female and 48.7% were male, 96.2% had no employment. The average of the WHOQOL-bref domains was verified, and it was found that physical, psychological, social relations and the environment obtained an average of around 3.2 to 3.6, classifying the average quality of life. Conclusion: the study identified an average quality of life in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.

Abstract Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation is considered to be a relatively safe procedure. This is an unusual case report in which severe mitral regurgitation was occurred after left lateral accessory pathway radiofrequency catheter ablation. Case presentation A 15-year-old man without structural heart disease was referred for ablation of a left lateral accessory pathway. He was a rugby player who had lived with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome since 2017. In 2017, two failed extensive radiofrequency catheter ablations of a left lateral accessory pathway had been performed in another center. In June 2018, he underwent a third radiofrequency catheter ablation of a left lateral accessory pathway using an anterograde transseptal approach with an early recurrence one month later. A successful fourth procedure was performed in August 2018 using a retrograde aortic approach. Three months later, the patient presented to the hospital with atypical chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation caused by a perforation of the posterior leaflet. Given the symptoms and the severity of the mitral valve regurgitation, the decision was taken to proceed with surgical intervention. Posterior mitral leaflet perforation was confirmed intraoperatively. The patient underwent video-assisted mitral valve repair via Minithoracotomy approach. Conclusion This case demonstrates a very rare complication of Wolff–Parkinson–White radiofrequency ablation.

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Copyright of Relações Internacionais is the property of Relacoes Internacionais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hypopressive exercises have been mainly used in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Recently it has started to spread among healthy women. However, no comprehensive review is available in this population. Purpose: Assess the current evidence of the effects of hypopressive exercises on healthy women. Methods: This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020203103). The search was performed in Scielo, Pubmed, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus, Pedro, Trip Database, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The last search was performed on November 1st, 2021. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and single-arm trials, healthy women, acute or late effects of hypopressive exercises, and pre and post-training analysis. Exclusion criteria included non-original research, conference proceedings, dissertations and theses. Downs and Black checklist were used to assess the methodological quality. Study design, participants characteristics, description of the intervention, follow-up period, variables, instruments, and outcomes were extracted and recorded. Results: From the 410 studies, five were selected. The variable of major interest was waist circumference, which showed a decrease with exercise. It also seemed to have plausible positive effects on height, lower back mobility, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle contraction, respiratory flow and apnea, and hemodynamic responses. Conclusion: This study suggests that the current literature on the effects of hypopressive exercise on healthy women is very limited. Despite the plausible positive effects identified, we cannot recommend its practice due to the serious methodological problems. Therefore, more studies are needed to elucidate the benefits and adverse effects of hypopressive exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2016 is considered a milestone in international politics. The victories by Brexit and Donald Trump marked the rise of the extreme right in the West and the institutionalization of what became known as the “post-truth era”. In both instances, there was a disregard for democratic values and the adoption of an exclusionary discourse to pursue the objectives of a specific political group. It is against this background that a vast body of literature is beginning to emerge on how we came to mistrust institutions and the veracity of facts. This article is intended to be part of these contributions, as it provides an interpretation of the current context of the weakening of democratic values and processes through a digital strategy of societal manipulation.