Culex quinquefasciatus vitellogenesis: morphological and biochemical aspects

The vitellogenic process in Culex quinquefasciatus, which is triggered by a blood meal, involves the synthesis, distribution and storage of the nutrients necessary for embryo development. The fat body of an adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus revealed two cell types: large trophocytes and small, eosinophilic, "oenocyte-like" cells, which show no morphological changes throughout the gonotrophic cycle. Trophocytes, which only begin to synthesise vitellogenin (Vg) 12 h post-blood meal (PBM), undergo a series of morphological changes following engorgement. These changes include the expansion of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complex, which are later destroyed by autophagosomes. At 84 h PBM, trophocytes return to their pre-engorgement morphology. The ovarian follicles of non-blood-fed Cx. quinquefasciatus contain a cluster of eight undifferentiated cells surrounded by follicular epithelium. After engorgement, the oocyte membrane facing the perioocytic space increases its absorptive surface by microvilli development; large amounts of Vg and lipids are stored between 24 and 48 h PBM. Along with yolk storage in the oocyte, follicular cells exhibit the development of RER cisternae and electron-dense granules begin to fill the perioocytic space, possibly giving rise to endochorion. Later in the gonotrophic cycle, electron-dense vesicles, which are possible exochorion precursors, fuse at the apical membrane of follicular cells. This fusion is followed by follicular cell degeneration.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Response of an artificially blown clarinet to different blowing pressure profiles

Using an artificial mouth with an accurate pressure control, the onset of the pressure oscillations inside the mouthpiece of a simplified clarinet is studied experimentally. Two time profiles are used for the blowing pressure: in a first set of experiments the pressure is increased at constant rates, then decreased at the same rate. In a second set of experiments the pressure rises at a constant rate and is then kept constant for an arbitrary period of time. In both cases the experiments are repeated for different increase rates. Numerical simulations using a simplified clarinet model blown with a constantly increasing mouth pressure are compared to the oscillating pressure obtained inside the mouthpiece. Both show that the beginning of the oscillations appears at a higher pressure values than the theoretical static threshold pressure, a manifestation of bifurcation delay. Experiments performed using an interrupted increase in mouth pressure show that the beginning of the oscillation occurs close to the stop in the increase of the pressure. Experimental results also highlight that the speed of the onset transient of the sound is roughly the same, independently of the duration of the increase phase of the blowing pressure.Comment: 14 page

Embedding Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes as Conductive Nanofiller onto Bi2Te3 Thermoelectric Matrix

Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) are devices that have the ability to directly convert heat into electrical power, or vice-versa, and are being envisaged as one off-the-grid power source. Furthermore, carbon-based materials have been used as a conducting filler to improve several properties in thermoelectric materials. The present work studied the influence on the thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 bulk materials by incorporating different concentrations of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT). In order to control and understand the influence of MWCNT dispersion in the nanocomposite, two different production methods (manual grinding and ultrasonication) were carried out and compared. It was verified that a larger dispersion leads to a better outcome for thermoelectric performance. The achieved Seebeck coefficient was up to -162 μV K-1 with a Power Factor of 0.50 μW K-2m-1, for the nanocomposite produced with 11.8 %V of MWCNT. This result demonstrates the ability to increase the thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 throughout the addition of MWCNT

Characterization of the canine CD20 as a therapeutic target for comparative passive immunotherapy

Research Areas: Science & TechnologyAnti-CD20 therapies have revolutionized the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Despite these advances, relapsed and refractory disease remains a major treatment challenge. The optimization of CD20-targeted immunotherapies is considered a promising strategy to improve current therapies. However, research has been limited by the scarcity of preclinical models that recapitulate the complex interaction between the immune system and cancers. The addition of the canine lymphoma (cNHL) model in the development of anti-CD20 therapies may provide a clinically relevant approach for the translation of improved immunotherapies. Still, an anti-CD20 therapy for cNHL has not been established stressing the need of a comprehensive target characterization. Herein, we performed an in-depth characterization on canine CD20 mRNA transcript and protein expression in a cNHL biobank and demonstrated a canine CD20 overexpression in B-cell lymphoma samples. Moreover, CD20 gene sequencing analysis identifed six amino acid diferences in patient samples (C77Y, L147F, I159M, L198V, A201T and G273E). Finally, we reported the use of a novel strategy for the generation of anti-CD20 mAbs, with human and canine cross-reactivity, by exploring our rabbit derived singledomain antibody platform. Overall, these results support the rationale of using CD20 as a target for veterinary settings and the development of novel therapeutics and immunodiagnostics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A TRAJETÓRIA DA SUDESUL E AS POLÍTICAS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO REGIONAL PARA SANTA CATARINA 1967-1990

Instituída a partir do Decreto-Lei 301 de 28 de fevereiro de 1967 e extinta pela Medida Provisória 151 de 15 de março de 1990, a Superintendência para o Desenvolvimento do Sul (SUDESUL), atuou durante 23 anos na formulação, coordenação e orientação de diversos planos de desenvolvimento da Região Sul do Brasil. Criada no bojo de um movimento nacional de fortalecimento de autarquias regionais como SUDAM, SUDECO e SUFRAMA, a SUDESUL atuava nos três estados da Região Sul (SC, PR e RS), com sede em Porto Alegre. Cresceu em importância para o desenvolvimento econômico da região sul ao longo de sua existência, produzindo estudos de conjuntura, publicando periódicos, realizando projetos. Mais tarde, veio a ser extinta pelo então recém empossado Presidente Fernando Collor, em 1990, ano notavelmente marcado pela presença das idéias neoliberalistas no Brasil

Delirium em Doentes com Cancro em Contexto de Cuidados Paliativos

Delirium is a complex and multifactorial neuropsychiatric syndrome, highly prevalent in all palliative care settings, particularly among cancer patients. This article aims, based on the current literature, to revise the diagnostic criteria of delirium, its clinical manifestations; assessment tools; etiology and pathophysiology; and treatment strategies for this condition in this specific population. The review was conduct based on published articles in PubMed/Medline about delirium management in palliative care, between 1987 and 2020, using the keywords: delirium, cancer and palliative care. Although the global brain dysfunction associated with delirium is exhibited by neurocognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs, the fundamental characteristic of this syndrome is attention disorder. The etiology of delirium is considered multifactorial and its diagnosis is poorly recognized by health professionals. According to literature, diverse strategies are necessary to deal with delirium’s precipitant factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, subtypes and phenomenological differences. Although highly used in clinical practice, routinely use of antipsychotics in delirium management at palliative care is not an evidence‑based approach. In summary, the aim should always be to find and treat any reversible cause and enhance non‑pharmacological approaches, with antipsychotics reserved for severe, life‑threatening and refractory cases. Thus, the treatment approach to delirium in the context of palliative care, should consider the different subtypes of delirium, based on different etiologies, contexts and prognoses, with a need for more and better studies, both from the pharmacological point of view and in combined strategies, with clarification of results regarding efficacy in the resolution of the clinical syndrome and in the quality of life in this population.O delirium é uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica complexa e multifatorial, altamente prevalente em todos os contextos de cuidados paliativos, nomeadamente em doentes com cancro. Pretende‑se com este artigo, com base na literatura atual, rever critérios de diagnóstico de delirium e suas características clínicas; instrumentos utilizados para avaliação; etiologia e patofisiologia; prevenção e estratégias terapêuticas nesta população específica. Foi revista a literatura publicada na base de dados online PubMed/Medline, entre 1987 e 2020, que abordasse o tratamento do delirium em contexto paliativo, através das palavras‑chave: delirium, cancer e palliative care. Embora a disfunção cerebral global associada ao delirium se manifeste por sintomas e sinais neurocognitivos ou neuropsiquiátricos, a característica fundamental desta síndrome é a perturbação da atenção. A etiologia do delirium é considerada multifatorial e o seu diagnóstico é pouco reconhecido pelos profissionais de saúde. Segundo a literatura, são necessárias várias estratégias de tratamento, tendo em conta os diversos fatores precipitantes, mecanismos patofisiológicos, subtipos e diferenças fenomenológicas encontrados no delirium. Apesar de largamente utilizados na prática clínica, não existe evidência suficiente para o uso habitual de antipsicóticos no tratamento do delirium em contexto paliativo. Do ponto de vista global, o objetivo deverá ser o tratamento de uma possível causa reversível e a otimização das estratégias não farmacológicas, sendo o uso de antipsicóticos reservado para os casos graves, de risco eminente, e refratários. Assim, a abordagem de tratamento do delirium em contexto de cuidados paliativos, deverá ter em conta os diversos subtipos de delirium, baseados nas diferentes etiologias, contextos e prognósticos, havendo necessidade de mais e melhores estudos, tanto do ponto de vista farmacológico como em estratégias combinadas, com clarificação de resultados que permitam aferir eficácia na resolução do quadro clínico e na qualidade de vida nesta população

A TRAJETÓRIA DA SUDESUL E AS POLÍTICAS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO REGIONAL PARA SANTA CATARINA 1967-1990

Instituída a partir do Decreto-Lei 301 de 28 de fevereiro de 1967 e extinta pela Medida Provisória 151 de 15 de março de 1990, a Superintendência para o Desenvolvimento do Sul (SUDESUL), atuou durante 23 anos na formulação, coordenação e orientação de diversos planos de desenvolvimento da Região Sul do Brasil. Criada no bojo de um movimento nacional de fortalecimento de autarquias regionais como SUDAM, SUDECO e SUFRAMA, a SUDESUL atuava nos três estados da Região Sul (SC, PR e RS), com sede em Porto Alegre. Cresceu em importância para o desenvolvimento econômico da região sul ao longo de sua existência, produzindo estudos de conjuntura, publicando periódicos, realizando projetos. Mais tarde, veio a ser extinta pelo então recém empossado Presidente Fernando Collor, em 1990, ano notavelmente marcado pela presença das idéias neoliberalistas no Brasil

Time-Lagged Correlation Analysis of Shellfish Toxicity Reveals Predictive Links to Adjacent Areas, Species, and Environmental Conditions

This work was funded by the project “MATISSE: A machine learning-based forecasting system for shellfish safety” (DSAIPA/DS/0026/2019). The work was also supported by national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) with references CEECINST/00102/2018, CEECIND/01399/2017, UIDB/04326/2020, UIDP/04326/2020 and LA/P/0101/2020 (CCMAR), UIDB/04516/2020 (NOVA LINCS), UIDB/00297/2020 (NovaMath), and UIDB/50021/2020 (INESC-ID). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 951970 (OLISSIPO project).Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) is an acute intoxication caused by the consumption of contaminated shellfish, which is common in many regions of the world. To safeguard human health, most countries implement programs focused on the surveillance of toxic phytoplankton abundance and shellfish toxicity levels, an effort that can be complemented by a deeper understanding of the underlying phenomena. In this work, we identify patterns of seasonality in shellfish toxicity across the Portuguese coast and analyse time-lagged correlations between this toxicity and various potential risk factors. We extend the understanding of these relations through the introduction of temporal lags, allowing the analysis of time series at different points in time and the study of the predictive power of the tested variables. This study confirms previous findings about toxicity seasonality patterns on the Portuguese coast and provides further quantitative data about the relations between shellfish toxicity and geographical location, shellfish species, toxic phytoplankton abundances, and environmental conditions. Furthermore, multiple pairs of areas and shellfish species are identified as having correlations high enough to allow for a predictive analysis. These results represent the first step towards understanding the dynamics of DSP toxicity in Portuguese shellfish producing areas, such as temporal and spatial variability, and towards the development of a shellfish safety forecasting system.publishersversionpublishe