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O artigo apresenta os livros publicados em francês da coleção digital “Práticas e saberes matemáticos nas escolas normais do Rio Grande do Sul” composta pelos documentos do acervo do Laboratório de Matemática do Instituto de Educação General Flores da Cunha (LM/IE), constituído entre os anos 1950 e 1990. O texto enfoca os livros dos autores Zoltan Paul Dienes, Nicole Picard, Caleb Gattegno, Georges Papy e Frédérique Papy e Louis Duvert, René Gauthier e Maurice Glaymann que são os autores de maior parte dos livros em francês pertencentes à coleção digital. Discute-se a importância desses livros em estudos e cursos promovidos pelo Instituto de Educação, principalmente referentes à modernização do ensino de matemática na formação de professores. As obras de Dienes, autor associado ao Movimento da Matemática Moderna, foram amplamente traduzidas e utilizadas pelas normalistas no Instituto de Educação, assim como os livros de Nicole Picard. O método de “Números em Cores”, bastante difundido por Caleb Gattegno, fora aplicado em aulas no ensino primário, e o Material Cuisenaire deixou marcas na prática pedagógica no Instituto de Educação.

Abstract Background Soybean establishes a mutualistic interaction with nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria, acquiring most of its nitrogen requirements through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This crop is susceptible to water deficit; evidence suggests that its nodulation status—whether it is nodulated or not—can influence how it responds to water deficit. The translational control step of gene expression has proven relevant in plants subjected to water deficit. Results Here, we analyzed soybean roots’ differential responses to water deficit at transcriptional, translational, and mixed (transcriptional + translational) levels. Thus, the transcriptome and translatome of four combined-treated soybean roots were analyzed. We found hormone metabolism-related genes among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the translatome level in nodulated and water-restricted plants. Also, weighted gene co-expression network analysis followed by differential expression analysis identified gene modules associated with nodulation and water deficit conditions. Protein-protein interaction network analysis was performed for subsets of mixed DEGs of the modules associated with the plant responses to nodulation, water deficit, or their combination. Conclusions Our research reveals that the stand-out processes and pathways in the before-mentioned plant responses partially differ; terms related to glutathione metabolism and hormone signal transduction (2 C protein phosphatases) were associated with the response to water deficit, terms related to transmembrane transport, response to abscisic acid, pigment metabolic process were associated with the response to nodulation plus water deficit. Still, two processes were common: galactose metabolism and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. A comprehensive analysis of these processes could lead to identifying new sources of tolerance to drought in soybean.

Objetivos: As histiocitoses são doenças raras em adultos e crianças, caracterizadas pelo acúmulo de células pertencentes ao sistema fagocitário mononuclear em diversos órgãos. Os histiócitos, que incluem macrófagos e células dendríticas, abrangem também as chamadas células de Langerhans. A histiocitose de células de Langerhans (HCL), cuja etiopatogenia ainda não é totalmente esclarecida, é mais comum na faixa etária pediátrica, com manifestações clínicas variáveis. A heterogeneidade clínica se dá devido ao acúmulo e proliferação de células de Langerhans em diversos órgãos e tecidos, sendo os locais mais comuns linfonodos, ossos e pele. A doença pode se apresentar na forma disseminada, a qual é mais agressiva e de pior prognóstico, ou com lesão em apenas um órgão. Um acometimento menos comum é o do sistema nervoso central (SNC), responsável por apenas 20% dos casos, sendo raro também o acometimento do parênquima cerebral, glândula pineal e de meninges. Nesse sentido, o acometimento mais comum do SNC é o da região do hipotálamo e da glândula pituitária. O diagnóstico da HCL é feito pela histopatologia do tecido acometido, sendo recomendável uma neuroimagem por RNM quando há acometimento neurológico - a qual deve incluir ossos da face, glândula pituitária e hipotálamo. Embora seja uma doença com grande variabilidade clínica, o principal fator de decisão terapêutica é o acometimento de órgãos críticos, sendo a principal linha de tratamento os quimioterápicos que interferem no ciclo celular, a citar os inibidores das enzimas BRAF e MEK. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma rara apresentação de HCL em SNC em paciente adulta. Relato de caso: Paciente feminina, 74 anos, previamente hipertensa e diabética, com início, há 4 meses, de quadro de cefaleia, náuseas e tontura, refratários ao uso de sintomáticos. Necessitou de internamento hospitalar por perda auditiva e dificuldade progressiva de deambulação, sendo realizada ressonância magnética de sistema nervoso central. À neuroimagem, foram vistas lesões de aspecto expansivo, mal delimitadas, localizadas no parênquima encefálico, principalmente no esplênio do corpo caloso, podendo representar infiltração neoplásica leptomeníngea. Paciente fora submetida a biópsia de sistema nervoso central, com imunohistoquímica concluindo Histiocitose de células de Langerhans. Paciente iniciou tratamento com Dabrafenibe (inibidor de BRAF) e Trametinibe (inibidor de MEK), porém evoluiu com perda de funcionalidade progressiva, rebaixamento do nível de consciência e refratariedade aos cuidados intensivos cerca de 10 dias após início da terapia, tendo evoluído a óbito. Conclusão: A Histiocitose de células de Langerhans é considerada uma doença rara, cuja etiopatogenia ainda é pouco conhecida, e que pode acometer diversos órgãos do corpo, sendo que a manifestação clínica e o prognóstico dependem do grau de disfunção desses órgãos. O acometimento do parênquima cerebral é raro, porém traz uma grande morbidade e limitação funcional, como visto no caso relatado. Desta forma, é essencial a suspeição do diagnóstico em apresentações atípicas de lesões em SNC, principalmente pelo surgimento de terapias direcionadas e novos alvos moleculares diagnósticos.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by disrupted glucose homeostasis and metabolic abnormalities, with oxidative stress and inflammation playing pivotal roles in its pathophysiology. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a post-translational process involving the addition of ADP-ribose polymers (PAR) to target proteins. While preclinical studies have implicated PARylation in the interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation in T2DM, direct clinical evidence in humans remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between oxidative stress, PARylation, and inflammatory response in T2DM patients. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation involved 61 T2DM patients and 48 controls. PAR levels were determined in peripheral blood cells (PBMC) by ELISA-based methodologies. Oxidative stress was assessed in plasma and PBMC. In plasma, we monitored reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. In PBMC, we measured the expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD1, GPX1 and CAT by qPCR. Further, we evaluated the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IL6, TNF-α, CD68 and MCP1 by qPCR in PBMC. Results: T2DM patients exhibited elevated PAR levels in PBMC and increased d-ROMs in plasma. Positive associations were found between PAR levels and d-ROMs, suggesting a link between oxidative stress and altered PAR metabolism. Mediation analysis revealed that d-ROMs mediate the association between HbA1c levels and PAR, indicating oxidative stress as a potential driver of increased PARylation in T2DM. Furthermore, elevated PAR levels were found to be associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and TNF-α in the PBMC of T2DM patients. Conclusions: This study highlights that hyperactivation of PARylation is associated with poor glycemic control and the resultant oxidative stress in T2DM. The increase of PAR levels is correlated with the upregulation of key mediators of the inflammatory response. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore their clinical implications.

A sobressemeadura de forrageiras hibernais sobre espécies perenes estivais é uma prática comum nos ambientes pastoris de clima subtropical. Entretanto, a competição entre as espécies pode limitar o pleno estabelecimento das culturas de inverno. Uma maneira para contornar este problema pode ser o uso estratégico de herbicidas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar uma dose do herbicida glifosato que limite o desenvolvimento do Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) durante o outono/inverno, sem comprometer a retomada do seu desenvolvimento na primavera seguinte. Os tratamentos compreenderam cinco dosagens de glifosato, sendo a dose 2,77Kg ha-1 considerada com dose integral (100%) e os quatro demais tratamentos corresponderam a 75, 50, 25 e 0% da dose completa. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições por tratamento. A utilização de até 25% da dose completa (0,69Kg ha-1 de glifosato) não aumenta a incidência de plantas daninhas em relação ao tratamento com ausência de aplicação de herbicida. Doses de até 1,39Kg ha-1 de glifosato não comprometem a retomada do perfilhamento do Tifton 85 na primavera quando comparadas ao tratamento controle.

Abstract Leguminous plants can establish endosymbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing soil rhizobacteria. Bacterial infection and nodule organogenesis are two independent but highly coordinated genetic programs that are active during this interaction. These genetic programs can be regulated along all the stages of gene expression. Most of the studies, for both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, focused on the transcriptional regulation level determining the abundance of mRNAs. However, it has been demonstrated that mRNA levels only sometimes correlate with the abundance or activity of the coded proteins. For this reason, in the past two decades, interest in the role of translational control of gene expression has increased, since the subset of mRNA being actively translated outperforms the information gained only by the transcriptome. In the case of legume-rhizobia interactions, the study of the translatome still needs to be explored further. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the methodologies for analyzing polysome-associated mRNAs at the genome-scale and their contribution to studying translational control to understand the complexity of this symbiotic interaction. Moreover, the Dual RNA-seq approach is discussed for its relevance in the context of a symbiotic nodule, where intricate multi-species gene expression networks occur.

Abstract The control of heat conduction through the manipulation of phonons in solids is of fundamental interest and can be exploited in applications for thermoelectric conversion. In this context, the advent of novel semiconductor nanomaterials with high surface‐to‐volume ratio, e.g. nanowires, offer exciting perspectives, leading to significant leaps forwarding the efficiency of solid‐state thermoelectric converters after decades of stagnation. Beyond the high aspect ratio, the nanowire geometry offers unprecedented possibilities of materials combination and crystal phase engineering not achievable with 2D counterparts. In this work, the growth of long (up to 100 repetitions) wurtzite InAs/InP superlattice nanowires with homogeneous segment thicknesses is reported, with control down to the single digit of nanometer. By means of Raman scattering experiments, clear modifications of the phonon dispersion in superlattice nanowires are found, where both InAs‐like and InP‐like modes are present. The experimentally measured modes are well reproduced by density functional perturbation theory calculations. Remarkably, it is found that the phonon frequencies can be tuned by the superlattice periodicity, opening exciting perspectives for phonon engineering and thermoelectric applications.

Polylactide (PLA) is a promising biopolymer from renewable resources but its brittleness and poor gas barrier properties limit flexible packaging applications. Therefore, in this work PLA was blended with a biobased rubbery poly(pentamethylene furanoate) (PPeF), acting as a toughening agent, and a commercial epoxy-functionalized compatibilizer (i.e., Joncryl® ADR-4468) was added to improve the interfacial interaction. The effect of PPeF loading (1–30 wt %) on phase morphology, mechanical properties, oxygen permeability, and degradability in compost was characterized. All blends displayed a sea-island morphology with refined PPeF domains upon compatibilization. Incorporating PPeF induced major tensile ductility enhancements from 5 % strain at break for neat PLA up to 200 % for the blend with 30 wt % PPeF, accompanied by progressive stiffness and strength declines. Through the application of the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach on the prepared films, the specific essential work of fracture (we) was seen climbing from 6.2 to 40.0 kJ/m2 with rising PPeF content, confirming its effectiveness as a toughness enhancer. PPeF contributed to increase the UV- and gas barrier properties of PLA. For example, the oxygen permeability dropped by 37 % for the blend with 30 wt % PPeF. Moreover, compost burial tests also revealed 26 % weight loss of PPeF after 60 days, proving its biodegradability. Hence, finely dispersed PPeF domains induced synergistic property improvements, making PLA/PPeF blends a promising sustainable option for flexible and biodegradable packaging.

As pastagens naturais são o ecossistema mais antigo do Sul do Brasil. Durante centenas de anos, essas pastagens foram utilizadas para criação de bovídeos, permanecendo praticamente com a mesma fisionomia. Nas últimas décadas, iniciou-se uma intensa substituição por outras atividades. Com o objetivo de viabilizar a pecuária em campo natural, pesquisadores de várias instituições sul-brasileiras geraram alternativas para aumentar a produtividade pela intensificação de seu uso. Em Santa Catarina, a Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina/ Experimental de Lages (Epagri/EEL) desenvolveu e validou a tecnologia de melhoramento de campo nativo (MCN). Essa prática possibilita multiplicar a produtividade, tornando-o rentável, equivalente a atividades de maior densidade econômica. Este artigo tem o objetivo de resgatar o histórico do trabalho realizado com MCN no Planalto Sul de SC, demonstrando a alta produtividade quando utilizadas práticas recomendadas de processos e insumos e a possibilidade do pecuarista se manter numa atividade que pratica há aproximadamente três séculos.

ABSTRACT Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength, observed to varying degrees in patients with various chronic conditions. In cirrhotic patients, it reflects protein-energy malnutrition due to metabolic protein imbalance and is associated with worsened prognosis and reduced post-liver transplantation survival. Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological distribution of diminished hand grip (HG) strength in cirrhotic patients at an outpatient clinic of Santa Casa de Misericórdia in Vitória-ES, Brazil, seeking its association with liver function and cirrhosis complications. Methods: Cross-sectional, epidemiological, and single-center study. A questionnaire was administered to patients and HG strength was measured using a dynamometer, with three interval measures taken for 3 seconds each. Results: The study’s total population was 64 cirrhotic patients, with a mean age of 58 years and alcohol as the most prevalent etiology. Reduced HG strength was defined based on two reference values: using cutoff point 1, reduced HG strength was identified in 33 patients (51.6%); according to cutoff point 2, 23 (35.9%) had reduced HG strength. The study showed that, among the parameters observed, there was an association between the female gender and diminished HG strength in both cutoff points. Additionally, it was noted that patients with a score of 15 or more on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) had decreased HG strength at cutoff point 2. The study showed no association between decreased HG strength and the occurrence of cirrhosis complications in the population studied. Conclusion: In our study, we obtained a diminished HG strength variation of 35-52%, which was related to higher MELD scores, suggesting an association with worse clinical outcomes. Therefore, the presence of reduced muscle strength in cirrhotic patients may be linked to prognostic factors and should be valued as clinical data in the management of these patients.

Consideration of the future fate of brownfields in urban environments has driven a complex ‘season’ of decisions, planning, and implementation that has seen the emergence of different approaches and actions for their reuse. Among the various experiences of brownfield redevelopment, some projects have also promoted the partial renaturalisation of areas through soil desealing and demolition of existing buildings. These greening initiatives have provided new public facilities, e.g., parks and green areas, helping to improve the conditions of urban environments both from ecological and social perspectives. This article adopts ex ante and ex post methods to analyse two Italian case studies of brownfield regeneration involving desealing interventions and investigates two key aspects: (i) the planning process and tools that were put in place to implement the projects and (ii) the impacts for human wellbeing that were produced in terms of cooling effects. The analyses conducted show the real effectiveness of renaturation interventions especially related to reforestation measures in terms of temperature reduction. The examination of the two case studies also revealed the importance and potential success of traditional planning and implementation tools in promoting interventions that can now be considered innovative in terms of their actual contribution to current urban challenges. The results therefore allow us to emphasize the fundamental importance of the philosophy and basic principles of a transformation process, even guided by traditional planning tools, for the improvement of the environmental conditions of an urban context and the successful implementation of nature-based solutions.

Eosinophilic Fasciitis (EF) poses a diagnostic challenge owing to its uncommon occurrence and aetiology that remains poorly understood. We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with a prolonged history of breast cancer exhibiting EF with concomitant pelvic metastases. This case underscores EF's potential as an indicator signaling a potential resurgence of cancer, highlighting its significance as a red flag of disease recurrence.

Contextualização: A presente pesquisa realiza uma análise aprofundada do sistema de estacionamento rotativo remunerado de Curitiba, cuja regulamentação data de 1971, sendo objeto de significativas modificações em 2020 com o lançamento do EstaR Eletrônico pela Urbanização de Curitiba S.A. Destaca-se, nesse contexto, a existência de dezenove mil vagas regulamentadas, destinadas a acomodar uma frota que supera a marca de 1.000.000 de veículos, ressaltando os desafios intrínsecos às cidades em constante expansão. Objetivo: O escopo principal deste estudo é aprofundar o entendimento acerca dos desafios e perspectivas relacionados à necessidade premente de gestão ambientalmente correta dos espaços destinados às vagas de estacionamento rotativo em Curitiba. Método: O método adotado abraça uma abordagem analítica e crítica, examinando a inovação organizacional introduzida pelo EstaR Eletrônico. Enfatiza-se a aplicação de tecnologia avançada a um serviço preexistente, com especial atenção à desconsideração da relação entre o sistema e os usuários. Além disso, são investigadas as lacunas concernentes à negligência das externalidades ambientais inerentes às áreas urbanas destinadas ao estacionamento de veículos. Resultados: Os resultados desta análise revelam alternativas viáveis para o uso mais nobre dos espaços de estacionamento em Curitiba. Contribuem, de maneira substancial, para uma abordagem mais sustentável e eficiente na gestão urbana, alinhada à visão contemporânea de "cidades inteligentes". Conclusão: Por fim, este estudo ressalta a imperatividade de uma gestão ambientalmente responsável dos espaços urbanos de estacionamento. Ademais, conclama uma consideração mais abrangente e integrada da relação entre sistemas urbanos e cidadãos, consonante com os princípios fundamentais das "cidades inteligentes".

Aim: This study was designed to recommend strategies to improve prostate patients’ access to radiotherapy treatment in the Brazilian Unified Health System, along with a cost-tool to support radiotherapy care pathways’ lead times and costs. Methods: Data was collected prospectively from patients with prostate cancer receiving radiotherapy in two Brazilian centers to provide data to apply design thinking and process reengineering techniques. The current status of the radiotherapy pathway was determined and the length of time taken for in-hospital activities was measured using data exported from ARIA R . Interviews with patients were used to estimate their waiting periods. This provided the data used to provide recommended strategies and the cost tool based on time-driven activity-based costing. The strategies were classified according to priority. Results: Data from 47 patients were analyzed. The mean interval from diagnosis to start of radiotherapy was 349 days (SD581), and the mean interval from seeking medical attention to starting treatment was 635 days (SD629). Twelve strategies affecting in hospital processes and 11 impacting patients’ care pathways and experiences are recommended, mostly focused on system improvement opportunities. A time-driven activity-based costing monitoring using data extracted from ARIA was coded and can be used by centers as a cost assessment guide. Conclusion: This study uses reengineering and design techniques to introduce priority strategies to allow more efficient and patient-centered radiotherapy.

Abstract Impetigo herpetiformis (IH) is a rare variant of pustular psoriasis with typical onset during the third trimester of pregnancy; it is characterized by erythematous plaques lined with sterile pustules and sometimes there may be systemic involvement. On the other hand, eczema herpeticum (EH) is defined as a disseminated skin infection by herpes simplex virus type 1, which mainly affects patients characterized by an impaired integrity of the skin barrier, mostly atopic dermatitis. We report the case of a 30‐year‐old woman, primigravida at 28 + 3 weeks of gestation, who after asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection for about 7 days presented to the emergency room with a burning and itching rash on the trunk and limbs. She reported a long‐standing history of atopic dermatitis and recurrent herpetic eruptions. The diagnosis of EH was made and systemic therapy was set with excellent results. A few days later, the patient developed a pustular rash in the areas previously affected by EH, with histologic features of IH. A relation between EH and IH is thus suggested.

Background: Obstructive airway complications (OACs) represent a significant problem after lung transplantation (LTx). Bilateral OACs after double lung transplantation are infrequently reported. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate management and outcome of OAC. Design: Retrospective single-center cohort study Methods: Adult patients with bilateral LTx performed between 2010 and 2021 were included. Patients with follow-ups of less than 3 months and after heart–lung transplantation were excluded. OAC was defined either as the need for stenting, surgical revision, or balloon dilatation. Outcome parameters included graft survival, graft function, quality of life, and management. Results: During the study period, 1,170 patients were included. Hundred thirty-five (11.5%) patients developed OAC. Forty-six (4.4%) patients had significant bilateral OAC. Thirty-seven (80%) bilateral OAC patients were treated by stent insertion; in 34 patients, biodegradable stents were used. The median number of bronchoscopies in bilateral OAC was 26 during the first postoperative year compared with nine in controls ( p

Hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a sustainable energy carrier capable of replacing/complementing the global carbon-based energy matrix. Although studies in this area have often focused on the fundamental understanding of catalytic processes and the demonstration of their activities towards different strategies, much effort is still needed to develop high-performance technologies and advanced materials to accomplish widespread utilization. The main goal of this review is to discuss the recent contributions in the H2 production field by employing nanomaterials with well-defined and controllable physicochemical features. Nanoengineering approaches at the sub-nano or atomic scale are especially interesting, as they allow us to unravel how activity varies as a function of these parameters (shape, size, composition, structure, electronic, and support interaction) and obtain insights into structure–performance relationships in the field of H2 production, allowing not only the optimization of performances but also enabling the rational design of nanocatalysts with desired activities and selectivity for H2 production. Herein, we start with a brief description of preparing such materials, emphasizing the importance of accomplishing the physicochemical control of nanostructures. The review finally culminates in the leading technologies for H2 production, identifying the promising applications of controlled nanomaterials.

Abstract Background While health services and their clinicians might seek to be innovative, finite budgets, increased demands on health services, and ineffective implementation strategies create challenges to sustaining innovation. These challenges can be addressed by building staff capacity to design cost-effective, evidence-based innovations, and selecting appropriate implementation strategies. A bespoke university award qualification and associated program of activities was developed to build the capacity of staff at Australia’s largest health service to implement and evaluate evidence-based practice (EBP): a Graduate Certificate in Health Science majoring in Health Services Innovation. The aim of this study was to establish the health service’s pre-program capacity to implement EBP and to identify preliminary changes in capacity that have occurred as a result of the Health Services Innovation program. Methods A mixed methods design underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed the research design, data collection, and analysis. Data about EBP implementation capacity aligned to the framework constructs were sought through qualitative interviews of university and health service executives, focus groups with students, and a quantitative survey of managers and students. The outcomes measured were knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of EBP within the health service, as well as changes to practice which students identified had resulted from their participation in the program. Results The Health Services Innovation program has contributed to short-term changes in health service capacity to implement EBP. Participating students have not only increased their individual skills and knowledge, but also changed their EPB culture and practice which has ignited and sustained health service innovations and improvements in the first 18 months of the program. Capacity changes observed across wider sections of the organization include an increase in connections and networks, use of a shared language, and use of robust implementation science methods such as stakeholder analyses. Conclusion This is a unique study that assessed data from all stakeholders: university and health service executives, students, and their managers. By assembling multiple perspectives, we identified that developing the social capital of the organization through delivering a full suite of capacity-building initiatives was critical to the preliminary success of the program.

Introduction and Objectives: Sarcopenia is defined by progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength, a phenomenon observed in many patients affected by chronic illnesses. It reflects proteic-energetic malnutrition due to a metabolic imbalance, and it is associated with worse prognostics and higher mortality rates in post-hepatic transplant patients. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological distribution of sarcopenia and its association with liver function and complications of hepatic disease in cirrhotic patients in an outpatient service in Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória Hospital -ES. Materials and Methods: Transversal, epidemiologic and unicentric study. We applied a questionnaire and measured hand grip strength using a dynamometer, taking three measures of hand grip maximum strength for 3 seconds each. Results: The study included 64 cirrhotic patients, with a mean age of 58 years and alcohol as the most present etiology. Sarcopenia was defined as present according to two different cut-off values: using cut-off value 1, sarcopenia was identified in 33 patients (51,6%); by cut-off value 2, 23 (35,9%) were sarcopenic. The study showed a significant association between the female sex and sarcopenia in both cut-off values. Furthermore, there was a relevant increase in sarcopenia by cut-off value 2 in patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores greater or equal to 15. There was no association of sarcopenia with the event of ascites and/or hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusions: Within the data obtained, there was a variation of sarcopenia of 35-52% regarding hand grip values, which was associated with elevated MELD scores, demonstrating a possible connection between sarcopenia and worse outcomes. Therefore, the presence of sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients might be related to prognostic factors and should be assessed in the clinical management of these patients.

We report the case of a 68-year-old male with alcohol-related cirrhosis, diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) noteligible for liver transplant. After immunotherapy with atezolizumab associated with bevacizumab, he underwent a successful living donor liver transplantation (LT), not showing disease evidence or graft injury, maintaining clinically and radiologically stable 14 months after surgery. This is a successful report of combined atezolizumab plus bevacizumab being used as a bridge to LT in a patient with HCC, showing an important finding in therapy in patients with unresectable tumors at diagnosis.

Abstract Mapping the thermal transport properties of materials at the nanoscale is of critical importance for optimizing heat conduction in nanoscale devices. Several methods to determine the thermal conductivity of materials have been developed, most of them yielding an average value across the sample, thereby disregarding the role of local variations. Here, we present a method for the spatially resolved assessment of the thermal conductivity of suspended graphene by using a combination of confocal Raman thermometry and a finite-element calculations-based fitting procedure. We demonstrate the working principle of our method by extracting the two-dimensional thermal conductivity map of one pristine suspended single-layer graphene sheet and one irradiated using helium ions. Our method paves the way for spatially resolving the thermal conductivity of other types of layered materials. This is particularly relevant for the design and engineering of nanoscale thermal circuits (e.g. thermal diodes).

O termo Intersexualidade inclui as anomalias congênitas do sistema genital em que o paciente apresenta características sexuais ambíguas simultaneamente. São caracterizadas na forma de hermafroditismo verdadeiro, pseudo-hermafroditismo (feminino ou masculino) e o freemartinismo, sendo este o mais recorrente em bovinos. As alterações acontecem durante o desenvolvimento embrionário do aparelho reprodutor e na diferenciação sexual, sendo sua etiologia relacionada a fatores genéticos e ambientais. São diagnosticadas pelos sinais clínicos, exames complementares e avaliações cromossômicas. A similaridade entre as formas da anomalia, requerem atenção para o correto diagnóstico da anormalidade e escolha de tratamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de hermafroditismo verdadeiro em um bovino de parto não gemelar, destacando as alterações evidenciadas no exame clínico físico e no exame complementar ultrassonográfico.

Abstract Background α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) is an acute phase glycoprotein, a multifunctional protein with proteinase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. Both preclinical and clinical experiences show that the therapy with plasma purified AAT is beneficial for a broad spectrum of inflammatory conditions. The potential effects of AAT therapy have recently been highlighted in lung transplantation (LuTx) as well. Methods We used a murine fully mismatched orthotopic single LuTx model (BALB/CJ as donors and C57BL/6 as recipients). Human AAT preparations (5 mg, n = 10) or vehicle (n = 5) were injected to the recipients subcutaneously prior to and intraperitoneally immediately after the LuTx. No immune suppressive drugs were administered. Three days after the transplantation, the mice were sacrificed, and biological samples were assessed. Results Histological analysis revealed significantly more severe acute rejection in the transplanted lungs of controls than in AAT treated mice (p

Abstract Background The physiology of sheep as small ruminants is remarkably different from monogastric animals especially regarding the forestomach system. Using sheep for surgical procedures during scientific research thereby presents an exceptional setting for the anaesthetist. Long-term anaesthesia generally demands deprivation of food to reduce the risk of bloat in sheep. This might influence the energy and electrolyte balance. In horses and companion animals, close monitoring of mean arterial blood pressure, capnography and blood gas analysis are common procedures during long-term surgery. However, few data are available on reference ranges for blood gas in sheep and these cover only short periods of anaesthesia. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no study available that includes the monitoring of electrolytes and pH in ruminal fluid and kidney function tests in sheep undergoing long term anaesthesia. Thereby, the aim of the present study was to gather data on blood parameters, and data on ruminal fluid and kidney function during long-term anaesthesia in sheep. Data were obtained from eight sheep undergoing the invasive surgical procedure of left pneumonectomy and auto-transplantation or isolated left lung perfusion. After a 19-h fasting period, the animals were administered xylazine and ketamine and then intubated and maintained in general anaesthesia under artificial ventilation using isoflurane in oxygen. Blood samples were evaluated during 9 h of anaesthesia; ruminal fluid and kidney function tests were evaluated during 7 h of anaesthesia. Results Blood parameters such as electrolytes and partial pressure of carbon dioxide revealed few changes, yet blood glucose decreased and beta-hydroxybutyric acid increased significantly. All animals showed an elevated arterial pH and bicarbonate concentration despite artificial ventilation. In ruminal fluid, the pH significantly decreased and no significant changes in electrolytes occurred. Kidney function tests revealed no significant changes in any of the animals. However, fractional excretion of water and phosphate was slightly increased. One animal showed severe complications due to hypokalaemia. Conclusion Invasive surgery under long-term anaesthesia in sheep is possible without great imbalances of arterial pH and electrolytes. Nevertheless, potassium concentrations should be monitored carefully, as a deficiency can lead to life-threatening complications. The operated sheep tended not to develop metabolic acidosis and the mean kidney function could be maintained within the physiological range throughout anaesthesia. However, slight elevations in renal fractional water and phosphate excretion could suggest an early tubular reabsorption dysfunction. In ruminal fluid, acidification occurred, though no significant changes were observed in l- and d-lactate levels or in electrolyte concentrations. To our knowledge, the role of the rumen in storing fluids and balancing electrolytes in the blood has not yet been documented during anaesthesia. However, the importance of the rumen for fluid equilibrium in sheep indicates the necessity for routine monitoring and further research.

Abstract The aim of this study is the association between the scores of disease activity, functional capacity and quality of life among patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, under clinical treatment at the Regional University Hospital of Campos Gerais - Wallace Thadeu de Mello and Silva. The sample was composed by volunteer patients, who freely underwent 3 research questionnaires. With the results of the survey, the disease activity score was correlated to the functional capacity and the quality-of-life scores. A mean of 3.87 and 1.2 was observed for the disease activity and the functional capacity scores, respectively, yet not achieving a correlation between those two variables. A strong correlation between the disease activity and the “functional capacity”, “general health status” and “mental health” domains was found. The lowest average observed corresponded to “physical limitation”, from the quality-of-life questionnaire. There was no statistically significant correlation between disease activity and functional capacity, although disease activity seems to affect the mental health, general health status and functional capacity of patients.

O artigo consiste em apresentar a compreensão quanto aos reflexos do útil e do inútil da ciberdemocracia mediante as relações encaminhadas pelos meios midiáticos. Tem como demanda problematizadora a seguinte questão: Qual é a utilidade do inútil e a inutilidade do útil dos meios ciberneticamente interconectados diante dos desafios sociais, políticos e educacionais do mundo global? Para tanto, são apresentadas análises de Bauman e Mauro (2016), Lévy (2002), Santaella (2003, 2016), entre outros autores, quanto as consequências das conexões midiáticas intermediadas pela internet. A pesquisa encaminha-se pela abordagem qualitativa e orienta-se pela revisão bibliografia. Leva a compreender a fragilidade da ciberdemocracia em alargar e aprofundar as relações democráticas dos contextos social, educacional e político, mas que, no entanto, fidedignamente, empodera o desempenho da ampliação e da manipulação mercadológica interligado globalmente.