Self-help retrofitting technologies for low-cost housing construction. The case study of Vila Novo Ouro Preto, Brasil.

The paper presents low-tech and low-cost solutions such as, in particular, self-help retrofitting technologies, to improve the quality in spontaneous settlements (favelas) which arise close to the major Brazilian towns. In particular, a critical analysis of the favela Vila Novo Ouro Preto in Belo Horizonte has been elaborated, highlighting both social, cultural and technical aspects to design suitable technological components to be adopted in order to improve environmental comfort. The study has been developed in order to meet people needs and expectations so as to guide planning and design perspectives aiming at improving the quality of life in a sustainable socio-cultural way. The contribution suggests a selection of interesting techniques and processes achievable in self-help construction; some of them are quite innovative since they use in a new and different way recycled materials and products, thus boosting economic growth and social development

G/R 241 polymorphism of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is associated with Fuchs uveitis

To investigate potential associations of the ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms and Fuchs uveitis in a cohort of Italian patients

Flares in Biopsy-Proven Giant Cell Arteritis in Northern Italy: Characteristics and Predictors in a Long-Term Follow-Up Study

This study evaluated the frequency, timing, and characteristics of flares in a large cohort of Italian patients with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to identify factors at diagnosis able to predict the occurrence of flares. We evaluated 157 patients with biopsy-proven transmural GCA diagnosed and followed at the Rheumatology Unit of Reggio Emilia Hospital (Italy) for whom sufficient information was available from the time of diagnosis until at least 4 years of follow-up. Fifty-seven patients (36.5%) experienced ≥1 flares. Fifty-one (46.4%) of the 110 total flares (88 relapses and 22 recurrences) were experienced during the first 2 years after diagnosis. The majority of relapses occurred with doses of prednisone ≤ 10 mg/day (82.9%), whereas only 3.4% of relapses occurred for doses ≥ 25 mg/day. Polymyalgia rheumatica (46.5%) and cranial symptoms (41.9%) were the most frequent manifestations at the time of the first relapse. Cumulative prednisone dose during the first year and total cumulative prednisone dose were significantly higher in flaring patients compared with those without flares (7.8 ± 2.4 vs 6.7 ± 2.4 g, P = 0.02; 15.5 ± 8.9 vs 10.0 ± 9.2 g, P = 0.0001, respectively). The total duration of prednisone treatment was longer in flaring patients (58 ± 44 vs 30 ± 30 months, P = 0.0001).Patients with disease flares had at diagnosis more frequently systemic manifestations (P = 0.02) and fever ≥ 38°C (P = 0.02), significantly lower hemoglobin levels (P = 0.05), more frequent presence at temporal artery biopsy (TAB) specimens of giant cells (P = 0.04) and intraluminal acute thrombosis (P = 0.007), and more moderate/severe arterial inflammation (P = 0.009) compared with those without flares. In the multivariate model fever ≥ 38 °C (hazard ratio 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-4.32, P = 0.03) and the severity of inflammatory infiltrate (moderate/severe versus mild) (hazard ratio 5.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-17.87, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with an increased risk of flares. In conclusion, a flaring course is common in GCA and it is associated with prolonged GC requirements. Fever at diagnosis and severity of inflammation at TAB appear to predict the development of disease flares

Increased expression of interleukin-22 in patients with giant cell arteritis

GCA is characterized by arterial remodelling driven by inflammation. IL-22 is an attractive cytokine which acts at the crosstalk between immune and stromal cells. We hypothesized that IL-22 might be induced in GCA and might be involved in disease pathogenesis

Diversidad microbiana y productividad de tomate asociadas a la bioestimulación como estrategia de transición agroecológica

Se realizó un relevamiento de bacterias endófitas de tallo de cultivares de tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum) bajo cubierta con o sin tratamiento de bioestimulación en etapa de plantín, como estrategia para una transición agroecológica. La producción de tomate tardío y el rediseño de manejos para las coberturas fueron dos determinantes en este ensayo. Se determinó la capacidad bacteriana de promover el crecimiento vegetal in vitro y la productividad de los cultivos. No se encontró una relación directa entre la cantidad, diversidad y capacidad de promover el crecimiento vegetal de endófitos de tallo de tomate y la bioestimulación, características que estarían relacionadas al genotipo de tomate. El tomate platense mostró mayor biodiversidad de endófitos promotores del crecimiento vegetal que el hibrido BADRO y la variedad UCO, pero como línea genética, no resultó apropiada como cultivo de tomate tardío. En cambio, el hibrido BADRO y la variedad UCO mostraron buenos rendimientos y respondieron a la bioestimulación.A survey of endophytic bacteria from stem of tomato cultivars under cover with or without biostimulation treatment in seedling stage was realized as strategy for an agroecological transition. Late tomato production and the redesign of the handlings for hedges were two determinants in this assay. Its ability to promote plant growth in vitro was determined and crop productivity was evaluated. No direct relationship was found between the amount, diversity and ability to promote plant growth of tomato stem endophytes and biostimulation, but these features would be related to tomato genotype. The platense tomato showed a greater biodiversity of endophytes with plant growth promoting characteristics comparing to the BADRO hybrid and UCO variety, but as genetic line, it was not suitable for cultivation as late tomato. However, the BADRO hybrid and UCO variety showed good yields and responded to biostimulation.Eje A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale