Carcinoma da nasofaringe: aspectos epidemiológicos clínicos e moleculares

Doutoramento em Ciências BiomédicasApós uma revisão de aspectos filogénicos, ontogénicos e embriológicos contribuindo para a estruturação anatómica e fisiológica da nasofaringe, é efectuada uma análise das características clínicas do carcinoma da nasofaringe numa população portuguesa, comparando-as com a literatura. É efectuada análise de taxa de incidência da doença, razão de géneros, frequência relativa dos diversos subtipos de acordo com a classificação OMS, acuidade relativa dos estadiamentos TMN e sobrevivência em função do tratamento. A relação entre carcinoma da nasofaringe e infecção pelo vírus de Epstein – Barr em Portugal é estudada através da análise de detecção de DNA de EBV em tecido tumoral da nasofaringe e sangue periférico de doentes com NPC e em indivíduos saudáveis. São também efectuados estudos caso-controlo no sentido de perspectivar a relevância de dois polimorfismos genéticos na susceptibilidade genética para a doença. Esta Dissertação pretende ainda contribuir para a compreensão dos mecanismos biológicos de CN e a sua relação com o EBV numa região não endémica de baixo risco, como é Portugal, realçando a relevância da definição de um perfil biológico preditivo para o desenvolvimento de CN na população portuguesa.A revision is made, concerning several filogenic, ontogenic and embryogenic factors contributing to the anatomic and physiologic structure of the nasopharynx . Then, the nasopharyngeal carcinoma patterns in a portuguese population are comparatively analyzed with a review of the related literature, concerning the overall incidence, male/female ratio, age of incidence, WHO type frequency, stage. The relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and previous Epstein – Barr virus infection in Portugal, is evaluated in a hospital-based study that analyzes the presence of EBV in nasopharyngeal tumor tissues and in peripheral blood of nasopharyngeal cancer patients and healthy individuals. Other case-control studies analyze the relevance two genetic polymorphisms on the genetic susceptibility to this disease. With this Dissertation, we pretend to contribute for the understanding of the biological mechanisms of NC and its correlation with EBV infection in a low risk, no endemic region like Portugal, stressing the relevance of these results in the definition of a biologic predictive profile for the development of NC within our population.Ministério da Saúde de PortugalCFICS: 261/199

An encoderless high-performance synchronous reluctance motor drive

This paper presents an encoderless high-performance synchronous reluctance motor drive for traction applications. The control system is based on the active flux concept and a hybrid rotor position estimation algorithm is used, being this algorithm based on the injection of high-frequency signals at low speeds and on the position of the active flux vector for medium and high-speeds. A smooth transition algorithm between the two rotor position estimation methods is provided. Moreover, in order to improve the efficiency of the overall drive system, a loss minimization algorithm is proposed in order to reduce the motor copper losses when operating in steady-state. Experimental results obtained in the laboratory confirm the validity and adequacy of the proposed algorithms for the developed drive system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rhizomucor and Scedosporium Infection Post Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing invasive fungal infections. This is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with severe idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia who developed fungal pneumonitis due to Rhizomucor sp. and rhinoencephalitis due to Scedosporium apiospermum 6 and 8 months after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. Discussion highlights risk factors for invasive fungal infections (i.e., mucormycosis and scedosporiosis), its clinical features, and the factors that must be taken into account to successfully treat them (early diagnosis, correction of predisposing factors, aggressive surgical debridement, and antifungal and adjunctive therapies)

Potassium urinary excretion and dietary intake A cross-sectional analysis in 8-10 year-old children

Background: Data from studies assessing the intake of potassium, and the concomitant sodium-to-potassium ratio are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate potassium and sodium-to-potassium ratio intake in 8-10 year-old children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to June 2014 and data from 163 children (81 boys) were included. Potassium intake was estimated by 24-h urine collection and coefficient of creatinine was used to validate completeness of urine collections. Urinary sodium and sodium-to-potassium ratio were also analysed. A 24-h dietary recall was used to provide information on dietary sources of potassium. Height and weight were measured according to international standards. Results: The mean urinary potassium excretion was 1701 +/- 594 mg/day in boys, and 1682 +/- 541 mg/day in girls (p = 0.835); 8.0 % of children met the WHO recommendations for potassium intake. The mean sodium excretion was 2935 +/- 1075 mg/day in boys and 2381 +/- 1045 mg/day in girls (p < 0.001) and urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio was 3.2 +/- 1.4 in boys, and 2.5 +/- 1.1 in girls (p = 0.002). The mean fruit and vegetable intake was 353.1 +/- 232.5 g/day in boys, and 290.8 +/- 213.1 g/day in girls (p = 0.101). Conclusions: This study reported a low compliance of potassium intake recommendations in 8-10 year-old children. Health promotion interventions are needed in order to broaden public awareness of potassium inadequacy and to increase potassium intake

Reduced fronto-striatal volume in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in two cohorts across the lifespan

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been associated with altered brain anatomy in neuroimaging studies. However, small and heterogeneous study samples, and the use of region-of-interest and tissuespecific analyses have limited the consistency and replicability of these effects. We used a data-driven multivariate approach to investigate neuroanatomical features associated with ADHD in two independent cohorts: the Dutch NeuroIMAGE cohort (n = 890, 17.2 years) and the Brazilian IMpACT cohort (n = 180, 44.2 years). Using independent component analysis of whole-brain morphometry images, 375 neuroanatomical components were assessed for association with ADHD. In both discovery (corrected-p = 0.0085) and replication (p = 0.032) cohorts, ADHD was associated with reduced volume in frontal lobes, striatum, and their interconnecting whitematter. Current results provide further evidence for the role of the fronto-striatal circuit in ADHD in children, and for the first time show its relevance to ADHD in adults. The fact that the cohorts are from different continents and comprise different age ranges highlights the robustness of the findings

Stress perception and depressive symptoms: functionality and impact on the quality of life of women with fi bromyalgia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Depression is one of the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fi bromyalgia (FM), and chronic stress might be one of the triggering events of the characteristic FM symptoms. Objectives: To compare depressive symptoms and stress perception between women with and without FM, in addition to investigate the relationship between those characteristics and the functionality and the impact on the quality of life of those patients. Methods: The study included 20 women with FM (FM group) and 20 healthy women (control group). The following instruments were used: Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale for pain (0-10 cm). Results: The FM group showed higher severity of the depressive symptoms (24.10 ± 11.68) and greater perception of stress (25.10 ± 4.82) as compared with those of the control group (10.20 ± 12.78, P &lt; 0.01; and 15.45 ± 7.29, P &lt; 0.01; respectively). A higher incidence of depressive symptoms was observed in the FM group (75%) than in the control group (25%) (χ 2 = 10.00, P &lt; 0.01). In the FM group, a positive correlation was observed between the depressive symptoms and perceived stress (r = 0.54, P &lt; 0.05), pain (r = 0.58, P &lt; 0.01), impaired functionality (r = 0.56, P &lt; 0.01), and impact on the quality of life (r = 0.46, P &lt; 0.05). In this group there was also correlation between perceived stress and impaired functionality (r = 0.50; P &lt; 0.05). Pain showed no relationship with perceived stress. Conclusion: The relationship between stress, depression and functionality seems to be part of a complex mechanism, which might affect the quality of life of patients with FM

Interoperabilidades en el proceso de documentación y comunicación del patrimonio cultural

This article discusses the complex process of documenting cultural heritage, from the conception of the 3D mapping project, through massive data acquisition, by laser scanning or photogrammetry, analysis and management of the data base, elaboration of scientific drawings and models Mesh and HBIM, until the output/communication of information, seeking to achieve pre-established objectives (heritage education, maintenance, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, among others). In this process, the interfaces, which will be called interoperability here, are still a challenge for the actors in the process, whether they are producers or receivers of information. Therefore, this text is structured from the five interoperability present in the workflow of the process: semantic and international, organizational, inter-community, technical and human interoperability. The research was divided into three moments: a) bibliographic review; b) experimentation and c) analysis and discussion of results. Specifically regarding technical interoperability, that is, the interface between different software and between different means of representation, the research was based on the investigation methodology by Design Science Research (DSR), from the identification of a problem, application of a hypothesis optimization of the interface between the mesh models and the HBIM model, evaluation and analysis of the same, conclusion and learning from the process carried out. The study that served as a support to discuss the different interoperability in the process of heritage documentation was the Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural da da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), in São Carlos - SP.Este artículo aborda el complejo proceso de documentación del patrimonio cultural, desde la concepción del proyecto de mapeo 3D, pasando por la adquisición masiva de datos, por escaneo láser o fotogrametría, análisis y manejo de la base de datos, elaboración de modelos científicos y Mesh y HBIM, hasta la salida/comunicación de información, buscando alcanzar objetivos preestablecidos (educación patrimonial, mantenimiento, conservación y restauración del patrimonio cultural, entre otros). En este proceso, las interfaces, que aquí denominaremos interoperabilidad, siguen siendo un desafío para los actores del proceso, ya sean productores o receptores de información. Por tanto, este texto se estructura a partir de las cinco interoperabilidades presentes en el flujo de trabajo del proceso: interoperabilidad semántica e internacional, organizativa, intercomunitaria, técnica y humana. La investigación se dividió en tres momentos: a) revisión bibliográfica; b) experimentación yc) análisis y discusión de resultados. Específicamente en cuanto a la interoperabilidad técnica, es decir, la interfaz entre diferentes softwares y entre diferentes medios de representación, la investigación se basó en la metodología de investigación de Design Science Research (DSR), a partir de la identificación de un problema, aplicación de una hipótesis de optimización del interfaz entre los modelos de malla y el modelo HBIM, evaluación y análisis del mismo, conclusión y aprendizaje del proceso realizado. El estudio que sirvió de apoyo para discutir las distintas interoperabilidades en el proceso de documentación patrimonial fue el Centro de Difusión Científica y Cultural de la Universidad de São Paulo, en São Carlos - SP.O presente artigo coloca em discussão o complexo processo de documentação do patrimônio cultural, desde a concepção do projeto de mapeamento 3D, passando pela aquisição maciça de dados, por escaneamento a laser ou fotogrametria, análise e gestão do data base, elaboração de desenhos científicos e modelos Mesh e HBIM, até  a saída/ comunicação das informações, procurando alcançar os objetivos pré-estabelecidos (educação patrimonial, manutenção, conservação e restauro do patrimônio cultural, entre outros). Neste processo, as interfaces, que aqui serão denominadas de interoperabilidades, são ainda hoje, um desafio para os atores do processo, sejam eles os produtores ou receptores da informação. Para tanto, este texto estrutura-se a partir das cinco interoperabilidades presentes no workflow do processo: a interoperabilidade semântica e internacional, a organizacional, a intercomunitária, a técnica e a humana. A pesquisa foi dividida em três momentos: a) revisão bibliográfica; b) experimentação e c) análise e discussão dos resultados. Especificamente quanto à interoperabilidade técnica, isto é, a interface entre os diferentes softwares e entre diferentes meios de representação, a pesquisa se baseou na metodologia de investigação por Design Science Research (DSR), a partir da identificação de uma problemática, aplicação de uma hipótese de otimização da interface entre os modelos mesh e o modelo HBIM, avaliação e análise da mesma, conclusão e aprendizagem com o processo realizado. O estudo que serviu de suporte para discutir as diferentes interoperabilidades no processo da documentação patrimonial, foi o Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural da Universidade de São Paulo, em São Carlos - SP

Ammonia volatilization from urea with natural zeolite

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de zeólita a grânulos de ureia e dos diâmetros de grânulos nas perdas de NH3 por volatilização e na absorção de N pelo sorgo. Formulações de ureia com adição de zeólita e ligante orgânico, nos diâmetros menores que 2 mm, 2–4 mm e maiores que 4 mm e, sulfato de amônio e ureia‑NBPT, foram aplicados à superfície do solo sobre bandejas, em casa de vegetação. A adição de zeólitas naturais à superfície dos grânulos de ureia ou à composição destes diminuiu as perdas por volatilização em 20% e aumentou a extração de N pelas plantas. A acumulação de N nas plantas de sorgo foiinversamente proporcional às perdas de N por volatilização.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of zeolite addition to granules of urea and of its particles sizes on the loss of NH3 by volatilization and on the N uptake by sorghum plants. Formulations of urea with addition of zeolites and organic binder, with three‑size particles (lower than 2 mm, 2–4 mm, and greater than 4 mm), and ammonium sulfate and urea‑NBPT were applied to soil surface on trays in a greenhouse. Natural zeolites addition onto urea granule surface or to granule’s composition decreased NH3‑N volatilization by 20% and increased the amount of N absorbed by plants. Nitrogen accumulation in the sorghum plants wasinversely proportional to N losses by volatilization

Reduced fronto-striatal volume in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in two cohorts across the lifespan

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been associated with altered brain anatomy in neuroimaging studies. However, small and heterogeneous study samples, and the use of region-of-interest and tissue-specific analyses have limited the consistency and replicability of these effects. We used a data-driven multivariate approach to investigate neuroanatomical features associated with ADHD in two independent cohorts: the Dutch NeuroIMAGE cohort (n = 890, 17.2 years) and the Brazilian IMpACT cohort (n = 180, 44.2 years). Using independent component analysis of whole-brain morphometry images, 375 neuroanatomical components were assessed for association with ADHD. In both discovery (corrected-p = 0.0085) and replication (p = 0.032) cohorts, ADHD was associated with reduced volume in frontal lobes, striatum, and their interconnecting white-matter. Current results provide further evidence for the role of the fronto-striatal circuit in ADHD in children, and for the first time show its relevance to ADHD in adults. The fact that the cohorts are from different continents and comprise different age ranges highlights the robustness of the findings