Implication of Urban Occupation Patterns in the Natural Infiltration

The article aims to contribute to the study of urban form and hydrological impacts relations, especially with regard to a recharge of the aquifers. The focus on the natural water infiltration and recharge of aquifers is due to the similarities between the characteristics of the physical environment conducive to aquifer recharge and urbanization, which lead to urban occupation of recharge areas. To address the proposed objective, the study developed a methodological framework that relates elements of the urban form, intervening factors of urban infiltration and water sensitive urban design guidelines. To accomplish this, recent literature were reviewed in urban drainage, water-sensitive urbanism and urban morphology, seeking to organize and identify the links between them. The intervening factors of natural infiltration found in the literature were: (i) Sealing of the soil; (ii) soil compaction; and (iii) reduction of tree cover. The urban morphological elements related to these factors were: (i) streets; (ii) public spaces; and (iii) lots. The analysis characteristics of each of these morphological elements were identified from the revised intervening factors and urban design guidelines. The use of the framework for the analysis of the Lago Paranoá Basin in the DF – Distrito Federal, Brazil, demonstrated the validity of the identified analysis criteria for the study of the urban form hydrological impact. In addition, it confirmed the premise of the study that more details about the urban occupation form are needed, besides the percentage of impervious surfaces, for the evaluation and planning of water sensitive cities

Regional differences in the profile of disabled community-dwelling older adults: a European population-based cross-sectional study

The main objective of this work was to estimate the prevalence of disability in European community-dwelling older adults, as well as to investigate differences in the profile of disabled older adults between European regions (Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern). A cross-sectional study based on wave 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was conducted. Community-dwelling participants aged 65-84 were selected (n = 33,369). Disability was defined as presenting at least one functional limitation in basic activities of daily living (BADL). Sociodemographic, health services, lifestyle and health-related variables were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out through the Chi-square and ANOVA tests for bivariate analysis, and Poisson regression for multivariate analysis. Overall prevalence of disability was 13.8%: 9.4% in the Northern region, 13.1% in the Southern region, 13.6% in the Central region, and 16.6% in the Eastern region. Portugal, Poland, Estonia and Belgium showed the highest prevalence of BADL limitations, while Sweden, Denmark, Greece and Switzerland showed the lowest prevalence. Besides, disabled older adults from East Europe presented the most disadvantaged health profile, followed by the Southern region. On the other hand, disabled older adults living in the Northern region showed the most advantaged characteristics of most variables, except for smoking and polypharmacy

Um papel para organismos de arqueia no desenvolvimento de placas ateroscleróticas vulneráveis e matriz mixomatosa

PURPOSE: Vulnerable plaques are characterized by a myxoid matrix, necrotic lipidic core, reactive oxygen species, and high levels of microorganisms. Aerobic microbes such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae usually do not survive in oxidative stress media. Archaea are anaerobic microbes with powerful anti-oxidative enzymes that allow detoxification of free radicals whose presence might favor the survival of aerobic microorganisms. We searched for archaeal organisms in vulnerable plaques, and possible associations with myxoid matrix, chlamydia, and mycoplasma bodies. METHODS: Twenty-nine tissue samples from 13 coronary artherectomies from large excentric ostial or bifurcational lesions were studied using optical and electron microscopy. Infectious agents compatible with archaea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma were semiquantified using electron micrographs and correlated with the amounts of fibromuscular tissue, myxoid matrix, and foam cells, as determined from semi-thin sections. Six of the cases were also submitted to polymerase chain reaction with archaeal primers. RESULTS: All 13 specimens showed archaeal-compatible structures and chlamydial and mycoplasmal bodies in at least 1 sample. There was a positive correlation between extent of the of myxoid matrix and archaeal bodies (r = 0.44, P = 0.02); between archaeal and mycoplasmal bodies (r = 0.41, P = 0.03), and between chlamydial bodies and foam cells (r = 0.42; P = 0.03). The PCR test was positive for archaeal DNA in 4 of the 6 fragments. DISCUSSION: DNA and forms suggestive of archaea are present in vulnerable plaques and may have a fundamental role in the proliferation of mycoplasma and chlamydia. This seems to be the first description of apparently pathogenic archaea in human internal organ lesions.PROPOSTA: Placas vulneráveis são caracterizadas por matriz mixomatosa, centro lipídico necrótico, espécies reativas de oxigênio e alto níveis de microorganismos. Micróbios aeróbicos como Chlamydophila pneumoniae e Mycoplasma pneumoniae usualmente não sobrevivem em meio de estresse oxidativo. Arquéias são microorganismos anaeróbicos com poderosas enzimas anti-oxidantes que permitem detoxificação de radicais livres e a presença delas poderia favorecer a sobrevivência de micróbios aeróbicos. Pesquisamos por elementos de arquéia em placas vulneráveis e sua possível associação com degeneração mixomatosa da matriz e aumento do número de clamídias e micoplasmas. MÉTODOS: Vinte e nove amostras de 13 produtos de aterotomia de lesões grandes e excêntricas de óstio ou bifurcação de coronárias foram estudadas pela microscopia óptica e eletrônica. Agentes compatíveis com arquéia, clamídia e micoplasma foram semiquantificados pela microscopia eletrônica e correlacionados com quantidade de tecido fibromuscular, matriz mixomatosa e células xantomatosas. Seis casos foram também submetidos à reação em cadeia da polimerase com oligonucleotídeos de arquéia. RESULTADOS: Os 13 casos foram positivos para estruturas sugestivas de arquéia, micoplasma ou clamídia, em pelo menos uma amostra. Houve correlação positiva entre intensidade de matriz mixomatosa versus arquéia (r=0.44, p=0.02); arquéia versus micoplasma (r=0.41, p=0.03) e clamídia versus células xantomatosas r=0,42; 0.03). PCR foi positiva para DNA de arqueia em 4 dos 6 fragmentos. DISCUSSÃO: DNA e formas compatíveis com arquéia estão presentes em placas vulneráveis e podem ter papel fundamental na proliferação de micoplasma e clamídia. Este parece ser o primeiro relato de arquéia aparentemente patogênica em lesões de órgãos internos humanos

Configuração urbana indutora de dinamismo e deterioração urbana: Estudo das Áreas Centrais de Brasília

Urban policies, in different contexts, prioritize projects of urban intervention in recognized deterioration areas. However, actions taken after the process already installed require massive public investments and bring gentrification risk. Faced with this problem, the research aimed to identify aspects related to urban configuration that demonstrate the potential of installing urban deterioration processes, anticipating the elements that must undergo interventions in order to promote them on a sustainable basis. As an analytical framework, a broad bibliographic base was constructed, relating configuration elements to the dynamism and urban deterioration conditions for later validation in an empirical study. As a result, we obtained a set of aspects that can both signal that an area is in the process of deterioration, as well as identify which intervention projects must prioritize to give it dynamism. It contributes to the making of design decisions for a more assertive action in relation to the promotion of urban dynamism.As políticas urbanas veem, em diferentes contextos, priorizando projetos de intervenção urbana em áreas de reconhecida condição de deterioração. Entretanto, ações realizadas após o processo já instalado requerem volumosos investimentos públicos e trazem risco de gentrificação. Diante dessa problemática, a pesquisa visou identificar aspectos relativos à configuração urbana que demonstrem potencial de instalação de processos deterioração urbana, antevendo os elementos que devem sofrer intervenções de modo a promovê-los em bases sustentáveis. Como método foi construído um quadro analítico, fundado em ampla base bibliográfica, relacionando elementos configuracionais às condições de dinamismo e deterioração urbana para posterior validação em estudo empírico. Como resultado se obteve um conjunto de aspectos que pode tanto sinalizar que uma área está em processo de deterioração, quanto identificar o que os projetos de intervenção devem priorizar para dotá-la de dinamismo. Contribui para balizar decisões projetuais para uma atuação mais assertiva em relação à promoção do dinamismo urbano

Control of assembly of extra-axonemal structures: The paraflagellar rod of trypanosomes

Eukaryotic flagella are complex microtubule based organelles and in many organisms there are extra axonemal structures present, including the outer dense fibres of mammalian sperm and the paraflagellar rod (PFR) of trypanosomes. Flagellum assembly is a complex process occurring across three main compartments, the cytoplasm, the transition fibre-transition zone, and the flagellum. It begins with translation of protein components, followed by their sorting and trafficking into the flagellum, transport to the assembly site and then incorporation. Flagella are formed from over 500 proteins; the principles governing axonemal component assembly are relatively clear. However, the coordination and sites of extra-axonemal structure assembly processes are less clear. We have discovered two cytoplasmic proteins in T. brucei that are required for PFR formation, PFR assembly factors 1 and 2. Deletion of either PFR-AF1 or PFR-AF2 dramatically disrupted PFR formation and caused a reduction in the amount of major PFR proteins. The presence of cytoplasmic factors required for PFR formation aligns with the concept of processes occurring across multiple compartments to facilitate axoneme assembly and this is likely a common theme for extra-axonemal structure assembly

Prognostic implications of the ID1 expression in acute myeloid leukemia patients treated in a resource-constrained setting

Introduction: The aberrant expression of the inhibitor of DNA binding (ID1) gene has been frequently associated with the leukemogenesis and prognostication acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although its clinical importance has never been investigated in patients treated outside well-controlled clinical trials. Methods: Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we investigated the role of the ID1 expression in the clinical outcomes of non-selected patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated in a real-life setting. Results: Overall, 128 patients were enrolled. Patients with high ID1 expression had a lower 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of 9%, with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) at 3 to 20%, compared to patients with a low ID1 expression (22%, 95%CI: 11 - 34%) (p = 0.037), although these findings did not retain significance after adjustment (hazard ratio (HR): 1.5, 95%CI: 0.98 - 2.28; p = 0.057). The ID1 expression had no impact on post-induction outcomes (disease-free survival, p = 0.648; cumulative incidence of relapse, p = 0.584). Conclusions: Although we are aware thar our data are confronted with many variables that cannot be fully controlled, including drug unavailability, risk-adapted treatment, comorbidities and the time from diagnosis to treatment initiation, we are firm believers that such an initiative can provide more realistic data on understudied populations, in particular those from low- and middle-income countries.</p

Mefloquine–oxazolidine derivatives, derived from mefloquine and arenecarbaldehydes: In vitro activity including against the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strain T113

AbstractTen new mefloquine–oxazolidine derivatives, 4-[(1S,8aR)-3-(aryl)hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinoline (1: aryl=substituted phenyl) and 4-[(1S,8aR)-3-(heteroaryl)hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinoline [2: heteroaryl=5-nitrothien-2-yl (2a); 5-nitrofuran-2-yl (2b) and 4H-imidazol-2-yl) (2c)], have been synthesized and evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compounds 1f (aryl=3-ethoxyphenyl), 1g (Ar=3,4,5-(MeO)3-C6H2) and 2c were slightly more active than mefloquine (MIC=33μM) with MICs=24.5, 22.5 and 27.4, respectively, whereas compounds 1e (aryl=3,4-(MeO)2-C6H3) and 2a (MICs=11.9 and 12.1μM, respectively) were ca. 2.7 times more active than mefloquine, with a better tuberculostatic activity than the first line tuberculostatic agent ethambutol (MIC=15.9). The compounds were also assayed against the MDR strain T113 and the same MICs were observed. Thus the new derivatives have advantages over such anti-TB drugs as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and ofloxacin, for which this strain is resistant. The most active compounds were not cytotoxic to Murine Macrophages Cells in a concentration near their MIC values

First record of the rare snake Cercophis auratus (Schlegel, 1837) (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae) in a relictual forest enclave at Caatinga

Cercophis auratus is a rare snake with known disjunct distribution between coastal Atlantic Forest to eastern Amazonia and Guiana Shield. Here we provide a new record of this species from a relictual highland of rainforest inside the xeric Caatinga ecoregion. This new record fill a gap of 1700 kilometers between southern (Barra do Choça – BA) and northern (Augusto Corrêa – PA) in the distribution of C. auratus (Schlegel, 1837), and bring insights about the past connective bridge between Amazonia and Atlantic forests.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with oral cleft: a clinical-electrocardiographic-echocardiographic study

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to describe the clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic cardiological findings in a group of patients with oral clefts. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study on 70 children (age range from 13 days to 19 years) with oral clefts who attended the multidisciplinary program of a university hospital from March 2013 to September 2014. The patients were evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist and underwent detailed anamnesis, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the patients were male; 55.7% presented with cleft lip and palate, and 40.0% presented with health complaints. Comorbidities were found in 44.3%. Relevant pregnancy, neonatal, family and personal antecedents were present in 55.7%, 27.1%, 67.2%, and 24.3% of the patients, respectively. Regarding the antecedents, 15.2% of the patients presented with a cardiac murmur, 49.0% with a familial risk of developing plurimetabolic syndrome, and 6% with family antecedents of rheumatic fever. Electrocardiographic evaluation showed one case of atrioventricular block. Echocardiograms were abnormal in 35.7% of the exams, including 5 cases of mitral valve prolapse — one of which was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. CONCLUSION: The finding of a family risk of developing plurimetabolic syndrome and a diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease indicates that patients with oral clefts may be more prone to developing acquired heart disease. Thus, our findings highlight the importance of anamnesis and methodological triangulation (clinical-electrocardiographic-echocardiographic) in the investigation of patients with oral clefts and emphasize that cardiological follow-up to evaluate acquired and/or rhythm heart diseases is necessary. This strategy permits comorbidity prevention and individualized planned treatment

Characterization, evaluation and conservation of the Moxotó goat breed in Pernambuco, Brazil

This work aimed to characterize and evaluate the state of conservation of the goat breed in Pernambuco State, in the Northeast region of Brazil. The methodology used is based on phenotypic aspects, populational census and interviews with farmers so as to characterize the production system of these animals in this region. The means and standard deviations for morphometric measures included: body length (BL), hip height (HH), chest perimeter (CP) and adult body weight (AW) of females of the breed. These were respectively 77.30 ± 9.88 cm; 60.43 ± 7.31 cm; 63.13 ± 7.02 cm and 30.13 ± 8.43 kg. Of all animals studied, approximately 76% are Without Breed Pattern Defined (WBPD), a product of crossbreeding with native animals, especially Moxotó and Nambi with exotic breeds such as Bhuj, Saanen, Boer and Anglo-Nubian, with a predominance of the latter. Only 12% are native breeds, with a predominance of Moxotó. Some older farmers confirm that the numbers of animals of this breed are decreasing progressively in the last few years. This is confirmed where at present 76% of the herd in the region are of mixed breed, due to crossbreeding with exotic breeds