Strategic Environmental Assessment For Planning Sugarcane Expansion: A Framework Proposal

The Brazilian sugarcane industry has experienced a rapid expansion during the 2000s. The prediction of the sugarcane crop expansion in the coming decades raises controversy about social and environmental impacts, which are partially evaluated in the current energy planning. In order to integrate these discussions to the decision-making, this article aims at presenting a Strategic Environmental Assessment framework to support the sugarcane expansion planning as presented in the national Decennial Energy Plan. The main positive aspects of this framework include: the integration of environmental, social and economic issues providing strategic focus and sustainability to the decision-making; the proposition of sustainability indicators whose data are available for watershed scale; and guidelines for analyzing alternative scenarios established in the energy planning. The authors believe this framework allows integrating sustainability into the decision-making of the sugarcane expansion planning supported by the Strategic Environmental Assessment.192679

Reduced Fluoresceinamine as a Fluorescent Sensor for Nitric Oxide

A new fluorescent sensor for nitric oxide (NO) is presented that is based on its reaction with a non fluorescent substance, reduced fluoresceinamine, producing the highly fluorescent fluoresceinamine. Using a portable homemade stabilized light source consisting of 450 nm LED and fiber optics to guide the light, the sensor responds linearly within seconds in the NO concentration range between about 10–750 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of about 1 μM. The system generated precise intensity readings, with a relative standard deviation of less than 1%. The suitability of the sensor was assessed by monitoring the NO generated by either the nitrous acid decomposition reaction or from a NO-releasing compound. Using relatively high incubation times, the sensor also responds quantitatively to hydrogen peroxide and potassium superoxide, however, using transient signal measurements results in no interfering species

Alternative complement pathway and factor B activities in rats with altered blood levels of thyroid hormone

Evaluating the activity of the complement system under conditions of altered thyroid hormone levels might help elucidate the role of complement in triggering autoimmune processes. Here, we investigated alternative pathway (AP) activity in male Wistar rats (180 ± 10 g) after altering their thyroid hormone levels by treatment with triiodothyronine (T3), propylthiouracil (PTU) or thyroidectomy. T3 and thyroxine (T4) levels were determined by chemiluminescence assays. Hemolytic assays were performed to evaluate the lytic activity of the AP. Factor B activity was evaluated using factor B-deficient serum. An anti-human factor B antibody was used to measure factor B levels in serum by radial immunodiffusion. T3 measurements in thyroidectomized animals or animals treated with PTU demonstrated a significant reduction in hormone levels compared to control. The results showed a reduction in AP lytic activity in rats treated with increasing amounts of T3 (1, 10, or 50 µg). Factor B activity was also decreased in the sera of hyperthyroid rats treated with 1 to 50 µg T3. Additionally, treating rats with 25 µg T3 significantly increased factor B levels in their sera (P < 0.01). In contrast, increased factor B concentration and activity (32%) were observed in hypothyroid rats. We conclude that alterations in thyroid hormone levels affect the activity of the AP and factor B, which may in turn affect the roles of AP and factor B in antibody production

Exfoliated graphite preparation based on an eco-friendly mechanochemical route

In the present study, we proposed an eco-friendly method to produce exfoliated graphite based on a dry mechanochemical process. This route represents an alternative that avoids the use and disposal problems related to highly corrosive and dangerous reagents use, manipulation and elimination. As non-toxic alternative exfoliation route, an equimolar mixture of graphite flakes and calcium carbonate was milled and leached with an aqueous solution of acetic acid (vinegar). There was a notable reduction of the graphite particle size with a significantly increased level of exfoliation, which dramatically improved the surface area of the prepared samples from 4 to 363 m2 g-1. After 16 h of processing, milled particles reached a thickness reduction of up to 5 nm and micrometric widths.The overall yield of processed graphite is around 92% based on the raw graphite. The evident benefits of the obtained exfoliated graphites in the adsorption of methylene blue (a common pollutant of textile wastewater) are presented. Exfoliated graphite represents a valid alternative as adsorption agent for dye removal reaching efficiencies above 95% after 30 min of testing with an aqueous solution of methylene blue. Contrary, the untreated graphite sample showed a null adsorption activity

Generation and characterization of a recombinant chimeric protein (rCpLi) consisting of B-cell epitopes of a dermonecrotic protein from Loxosceles intermedia spider venom

AbstractA chimeric protein was constructed expressing three epitopes of LiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. This species is responsible for a large number of accidents involving spiders in Brazil. We demonstrated that the chimeric protein (rCpLi) generated is atoxic and that antibodies previously developed in rabbits against synthetic epitopes reactive with rCpLi in ELISA and immunoblot assays. The antibody response in rabbits against the rCpLi was evaluated by ELISA and we have detected an antibody response in all immunized animals. Overlapping peptides covering the amino acid sequence of the rCpLi were synthesized on a cellulose membrane, and their recognition by rabbit anti-rCpLi serum assessed. Three different antigenic regions were identified. The percentage of inhibition of the dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities caused by the recombinant protein LiD1r in naïve rabbits was assessed by pre-incubation with anti-rCpLi antibodies. Anti-rCpLi induced good dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic protection. The levels of protection were similar to the antiboides anti-LiD1r. In summary, we have developed a polyepitope recombinant chimeric protein capable of inducing multiple responses of neutralizing antibodies in a rabbit model. This engineered protein may be a promising candidate for therapeutic serum development or vaccination

Clinical outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia: evaluation of genetic and molecular findings in a real-life setting

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Extensão universitária como espaço de vivência do cuidado integral em oncologia

O programa de extensão universitária “Acolhe-Onco: interdisciplinaridade no cuidado integral ao paciente com câncer” destina-se não somente à promoção da saúde do paciente com câncer e de apoio à sua família, como também à formação interdisciplinar de estudantes da área da saúde. O presente relato de experiência descreve as bases ideativas e operacionais desse programa na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) e os resultados obtidos no período entre agosto de 2008 a abril de 2013. A atividade de extensão universitária promove, para os estudantes, o aprendizado de princípios necessários para a humanização, integralidade e interdisciplinaridade das ações em saúde. Para os usuários, a extensão universitária tem proporcionado a consolidação de vínculos afetivos, a detecção e prevenção de situações de risco e a adoção de medidas que favoreçam a construção de habilidades para o autogerenciamento da doença.</p

Protocol for detection, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus during pregnancy

The authors present the approach to pregnant woman for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and treatment of the diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, established as routine by the Sector of High Risk Pregnancy of the Department and Gynecology and Obstetric and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo and it was assumed as a routine pre-natal evaluation for screening and diagnosis of GDM at Ribeirão Preto Health Secretary’s Office. This protocol was based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American Diabetes Organization.Os autores apresentam a abordagem da paciente gestante, para rastreamento e diagnóstico do Diabetes mellitus Gestacional (DMG) e tratamento do Diabetes mellitus durante a gravidez, estabelecida como procedimento rotineiro pelo Setor de Gestação de Alto Risco do Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia e Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Departamento de Clínica Médica da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo e adotado na avaliação pré-natal da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto para rastreamento e diagnóstico do DMG. Este protocolo foi baseado nas recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde e American Diabetes Association