Production optimization of biodiesel from frying oil waste to reduce the environmental impacts

The objective of this study was to reduce the environmental impacts of used frying oil waste through the production of biodiesel. A 22 factorial planning has been used to evaluate the influences of alcohol/oil and reaction time on the biodiesel production yield. The optimal condition to produce the biodiesel has been found by use of the response surface methodology and analysis of variance to obtain the fitting model. This study was conducted in Campinas city, Brazil, where were collected the waste oil. An analysis of ecological cost also has been developed. Cooking oils collected from Campinas homes were mixed with ethanol in planned proportions (1:9, 1:7 and 1:5) and were transesterified at 60 °C and planned reaction times (30, 60 or 90 min), in order to obtain biodiesel, using 0.1% NaOH as a catalyst. The results of the physical-chemical analyses demonstrated that the biodiesels obtained possessed characteristics close to those required by Brazilian standards. This fuel could be used in fleets of buses, trucks and machines, or even sold to fuel distributors, which results in a solving between US$0.8 and US$4.5 millions. Thus, Campinas would gain environmental credits and become a sustainable city8621625CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQsem informaçãoThe authors thank to Nine July University (UNINOVE) and National Research Council CNPq for the financial support

A novel method to derive a human safety limit for PFOA by gene expression profiling and modelling

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental contaminant that can accumulate in the human body due to its long half-life. This substance has been associated with liver, pancreatic, testicular and breast cancers, liver steatosis and endocrine disruption. PFOA is a member of a large group of substances also known as “forever chemicals” and the vast majority of substances of this group lack toxicological data that would enable their effective risk assessment in terms of human health hazards. This study aimed to derive a health-based guidance value for PFOA intake (ng/kg BW/day) from in vitro transcriptomics data. To this end, we developed an in silico workflow comprising five components: (i) sourcing in vitro hepatic transcriptomics concentration-response data; (ii) deriving molecular points of departure using BMDExpress3 and performing pathway analysis using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify the most sensitive molecular pathways to PFOA exposure; (iii) estimating freely-dissolved PFOA concentrations in vitro using a mass balance model; (iv) estimating in vivo doses by reverse dosimetry using a PBK model for PFOA as part of a quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) algorithm; and (v) calculating a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for PFOA. Fourteen percent of interrogated genes exhibited in vitro concentration-response relationships. GSEA pathway enrichment analysis revealed that “fatty acid metabolism” was the most sensitive pathway to PFOA exposure. In vitro free PFOA concentrations were calculated to be 2.9% of the nominal applied concentrations, and these free concentrations were input into the QIVIVE workflow. Exposure doses for a virtual population of 3,000 individuals were estimated, from which a TDI of 0.15 ng/kg BW/day for PFOA was calculated using the benchmark dose modelling software, PROAST. This TDI is comparable to previously published values of 1.16, 0.69, and 0.86 ng/kg BW/day by the European Food Safety Authority. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the combined utility of an “omics”-derived molecular point of departure and in silico QIVIVE workflow for setting health-based guidance values in anticipation of the acceptance of in vitro concentration-response molecular measurements in chemical risk assessment

Scientific production on quality of life in patients with renal undergoing hemodialysis

Objective: To analyze the scientific production on quality of life of patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Method: This is an integrative literature review conducted on the banks of LILACS and MEDLINE databases. Were selected studies published between 2011 to 2013 and analyzed 24 articles. Results: The results indicated that the quality of life of hemodialysis patients is related to factors, physical, psychosocial, mental, social and presence and support of family. Conclusion: The development of studies involving the quality of life of individuals may assist healthcare professionals in the instrumentalization of a healthcare practice that really contemplate the multidimensionality of care to patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis

Chronic low back pain and its differential diagnoses: a case report

Low back pain is a common problem which accompanies a large part of the population. It is estimated that up to 84% of adults will have low back pain at some point in their lives. Rarely, low back pain may be the first manifestation of a serious illness. This case report presents the clinical history of a 79 year-old male, with multiple comorbities, including a report of a discal hernia treated by surgery approximately 30 years before presentation, with residual low back pain since then. The pain was progressively worsening, associated with loss of muscle strength and paresthesia in the right lower limb, with significant weight loss. During screening, significant anemia and acute kidney injury with associated hypercalcemia were observed. A spine CT scan revealed a large expansile lesion obliterating the medullary canal at T8/T9 segment. A monoclonal spike in protein electrophoresis was found, along with sparse lytic lesions in long bones leading to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Therefore, this report highlights the importance of considering different differential diagnoses as a cause of low back pain. The correct determination of the etiology is essential for adequate clinical management and improvement of the patient's quality of life

Estudo do perfil dos cursos de licenciatura em matemática ofertados no Pará, nas modalidades presencial e à distância / Profile study of licensing mathematics courses offered in Pará, in person and at distance

No Brasil, os cursos de formação superior podem ser considerados como novos, graças a tardia criação de universidades em território nacional. Isto é ainda mais evidente no Estado do Pará, onde houve uma maior expansão do ensino superior após a evolução do ensino à distância ocorrida nas últimas décadas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo a caracterização dos atuais cursos de licenciatura em Matemática, presenciais ou à distância, cadastrados como ativos na base de dados do Ministério da Educação (e-MEC), ofertados por instituições públicas ou privadas, atuantes no Estado do Pará. Para isso foi realizada uma pesquisa no banco de dados do MEC, utilizando-se os termos: licenciatura em matemática; Pará. Percebeu-se um aumento significativo tanto no número de cursos ofertados, quanto nas vagas destinadas ao curso de Licenciatura em Matemática no Estado do Pará, além de uma ampliação considerável da interiorização dessa oferta, principalmente na modalidade EAD. Todos os cursos apresentam tempo mínimo de integralização adequado ao que diz a legislação vigente. Espera-se contribuir para a ampliação do conhecimento sobre os cursos de licenciatura em matemática que estão disponíveis ao público paraense

Sífilis em pessoas vivendo com HIV acompanhados em hospital de referência no Brasil entre 2015 e 2020.

Introduction: Syphilis and HIV/AIDS co-infection is widely diagnosed in Brazil, since primary syphilis lesions amplify the chances of HIV/AIDS dissemination, in addition to the sharing of risk factors between diseases. However, studies on the clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological variables of coinfection are scarce, especially in Brazil. Objective: To describe the clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological characteristics of patients with syphilis and HIV/AIDS coinfection in a hospital in Recife, between 2015 and 2020. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study, carried out using a questionnaire produced by the researchers themselves, related to clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, and therapeutic variables related to syphilis in patients living with HIV. Results: There was a predominance of non-white men (p: 0.017), unmarried (p<0.001), with income below the poverty line (p: 0.032), bisexual or homosexual (p<0.001), and who do not use illicit drugs (p: 0.026), and who perform anal sex (p<0.001) and, among women, a predominance of non-employed women (p<0.001). The most frequently diagnosed clinical stage of syphilis in HIV/AIDS patients was latent syphilis. Conclusion: There was a predominance of patients with specific sociodemographic characteristics, demonstrating a vulnerability profile in homosexual and bisexual men, and brown people, who do not use illicit drugs, who perform anal sex, and who are below the poverty line. Among women, there was a predominance of non-employed. The clinical stage of syphilis most diagnosed among patients with HIV/AIDS infection was latent syphilis. Keywords (MeSH): syphilis; coinfection; HIV; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Introdução: A coinfecção por sífilis e HIV/Aids é amplamente diagnosticada no Brasil pois, além do compartilhamento dos fatores de risco entre as doenças, as lesões da sífilis primária amplificam as chances de disseminação do HIV/Aids. As variáveis clínicas, laboratoriais e epidemiológicas da coinfecção podem modificar-se ao longo do tempo e devem ser periodicamente reavaliadas. Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas, laboratoriais e epidemiológicas de pacientes com coinfecção de sífilis e HIV/Aids em um hospital no Recife, no período entre 2015 e 2020. Material e Métodos: Este foi um estudo transversal, retrospectivo, realizado por meio de questionário produzido pelos próprios pesquisadores, associando as variáveis clínicas, epidemiológicas, laboratoriais e terapêuticas relacionadas a sífilis em pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids. Resultados: Foram incluídos 171 pacientes com idade média de 34,2 ± 11 anos, sendo 57,9% (99) do sexo masculino. Houve predomínio de homens pardos ou negros (p=0,017), solteiros, ou sem união estável (p<0,001), bissexuais ou homossexuais (p<0,001), que não realizam o uso de drogas ilícitas (p=0,026) e que realizam sexo anal (p<0,001). Entre as mulheres, predomínio de mulheres não empregadas (p<0,001) com renda inferior à linha de pobreza (p=0,032). O estágio clínico da sífilis em pacientes com HIV/Aids mais frequentemente diagnosticados foi a sífilis latente. Conclusão: Houve predomínio de pacientes com características sociodemográficas específicas, demonstrando um perfil de vulnerabilidade em homens homossexuais e bissexuais, e pardos, que não realizam uso de drogas ilícitas, e que realizam sexo anal. Entre as mulheres, houve predomínio de não empregadas e que vivem com uma renda inferior à linha da pobreza. O estágio clínico da sífilis mais frequentemente diagnosticado foi a sífilis latente.  Palavras-chave (DeCS): sífilis; coinfecção; HIV; Síndrome de Imunodeficiência Adquirida

Principais complicações dos esquemas de revascularização do tecido cardíaco em indivíduos que sofreram infarto agudo do miocárdio

The article aims to identify the main complications, listed in the literature, in patients after myocardial revascularization schemes. And as a secondary objective, to expose the main concepts about Coronary Artery Diseases (CADs). This is a narrative review of a critical and analytical nature, in research on the main concepts regarding CABG complications, in addition to the essential aspects of diagnosis and treatment. A review of articles was carried out in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and PubMed databases, with the following Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): Coronary disease; Acute myocardial infarction; Revascularization. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of global mortality and have the potential to cause significant and irreversible damage, such as physical limitations and dependence, which directly affect patients' quality of life. In summary, the study made it possible to identify and understand the complications faced by patients who have undergone AMI and have undergone different methods of cardiac revascularization as treatment. Complications observed include atrial fibrillation, sudden death, ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, infections, new episodes of heart attack, as well as stroke and hemorrhagic events that can lead to postoperative death.El artículo tiene como objetivo identificar las principales complicaciones, enumeradas en la literatura, en pacientes después de esquemas de revascularización miocárdica. Y como objetivo secundario, exponer los conceptos principales sobre las Enfermedades de las Arterias Coronarias (EAC). Se trata de una revisión narrativa, de carácter crítico y analítico, en la investigación sobre los principales conceptos sobre las complicaciones de la CABG, además de los aspectos esenciales del diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se realizó una revisión de artículos en las bases de datos Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) y PubMed, con los siguientes Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS): Enfermedad coronaria; Infarto agudo del miocardio; Revascularización. Las Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de mortalidad global y tienen el potencial de causar daños importantes e irreversibles, como limitaciones físicas y dependencia, que afectan directamente la calidad de vida de los pacientes. En resumen, el estudio permitió identificar y comprender las complicaciones que enfrentan los pacientes que han sufrido un IAM y han sido sometidos a diferentes métodos de revascularización cardíaca como tratamiento. Las complicaciones observadas incluyen fibrilación auricular, muerte súbita, arritmias ventriculares, insuficiencia cardíaca, infecciones, nuevos episodios de infarto, así como accidentes cerebrovasculares y eventos hemorrágicos que pueden provocar la muerte posoperatoria.O artigo possui como objetivo identificar as principais complicações, listadas em literatura, em pacientes após os esquemas de revascularização do miocárdio. E como objetivo secundário, expor os principais conceitos sobre as Doenças Arteriais Coronarianas (DACs). Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de caráter crítico e analítico, na  pesquisa  sobre  os principais  conceitos  no  que tange às complicações da CRM, além dos aspectos essenciais de diagnóstico e tratamento. Foi  realizada  uma  revisão  de  artigos  nas  bases  de  dados   Scientific  Electronic  Library  Online (SciELO) e PubMed, com os seguintes Descritores em Ciências  da  Saúde  (DeCS): Doença coronariana; Infarto agudo do miocárdio; Revascularização. As Doenças Cardiovasculares (DCVs) constituem a principal causa de mortalidade global e têm o potencial de provocar danos significativos e irreversíveis, como limitações físicas e dependência, que afetam diretamente a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.Em síntese, o estudo permitiu identificar e entender as complicações enfrentadas por pacientes que passaram por IAM e foram submetidos a diferentes métodos de revascularização cardíaca como tratamento. As complicações observadas incluem fibrilação atrial, morte súbita, arritmias ventriculares, insuficiência cardíaca, infecções, novos episódios de infarto, além de AVC e eventos hemorrágicos que podem levar à morte pós-operatória

Simultaneous presentation of trichotillomania and neurotic excoriation in a schizophrenic patient: case report: Apresentação simultânea de tricotilomania e escoriação neurótica em paciente esquizofrênico: relato de caso

The present report aims to describe the case of a patient with excoriation disorder and trichotillomania comorbid with schizophrenia. This is a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia more than 30 years ago and who had a stabilized psychic condition. In one of his periodic evaluations, he began to demonstrate compulsive acts of picking at the skin and from then onwards, lesions appeared on the face, upper limbs and scalp with progressive involvement of other regions. The approach of these mental disorders represented a challenge, because despite a growing number of studies, clinical and therapeutic questions remain open

Chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxicity of Corynespora olivacea (V18) associated with Vochysia divergens/ Composição química e citotoxicidade in vitro de Corynespora olivacea (V18) associada a Vochysia divergens

Chemical investigation into the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus Corynespora olivacea (V18) associated with Vochysia divergens identified compounds 1 and 2. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods including NMR (1D and 2D) and HRMS. The cytotoxicity of the crude extract and the isolated compounds against normal human lung fibroblast cells, lineage GM07492A, was evaluated by the XTT assay. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first chemical and biological screening of the cytotoxicity of C. olivacea derived from V. divergens

Chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxicity of Corynespora olivacea (V18) associated with Vochysia divergens / Composição química e citotoxicidade in vitro de Corynespora olivacea (V18) associada a Vochysia divergens

Chemical investigation into the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus Corynespora olivacea (V18) associated with Vochysia divergens identified compounds 1 and 2. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods including NMR (1D and 2D) and HRMS. The cytotoxicity of the crude extract and the isolated compounds against normal human lung fibroblast cells, lineage GM07492A, was evaluated by the XTT assay. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first chemical and biological screening of the cytotoxicity of C. olivacea derived from V. divergens