Large-scale instabilities in a STOVL upwash fountain

The fountain flow created by two underexpanded axisymmetric, turbulent jets impinging on a ground plane was studied through the use of laser-based experimental techniques. Velocity and turbulence data were acquired in the jet and fountain flow regions using laser doppler velocimetry and particle image velocimetry. Profiles of mean and rms velocities along the jet centreline are presented for nozzle pressure ratios of two, three and four. The unsteady nature of the fountain flow was examined and the presence of large-scale coherent structures identified. A spectral analysis of the fountain flow data was performed using the Welch method. The results have relevance to ongoing studies of the fountain flow using large eddy simulation techniques

Business model of non-governamental organizations for the development of the education sector in Mozambique: A construtivist approach

This research aims to determine the business model of non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) of the education sector in Mozambique. The work adopts a constructivist methodological approach in two stages: (i) inductive, centered on the construction of a proposal of social business model Canvas from the observation of 15 NGDOs operating in the education sector in the country, based on a theoretical framework solidly supported in the literature; (ii) deductive, testing the proposed model using a panel technique that allowed the refinement and reconstruction of the proposal initially formulated. The paper contributes to the literature on social business models by making a pioneering validation of knowledge built in this area and in a field of application not yet explored. The contribution to international relations lies at the level of the data collected and information produced on international cooperation in Mozambique.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The complexity of porphyrin-like pigments in a marine annelid sheds new light on haem metabolism in aquatic invertebrates

PTDC/MAR-BIO/0113/2014. UID/Multi/04378/2019. UID/QUI/50006/2019. SFRH/BD/120030/2016. SFRH/BD/109462/2015. IF/00265/2015.True green pigments in the animal kingdom are scarce and are almost invariably porphyrinoids. Endogenous porphyrins resulting from the breakdown of haem are usually known as “bile pigments”. The pigmentation of intertidal Polychaeta has long gained attention due to its variety and vivid patterning that often seems incompatible with camouflage, as it occurs with Eulalia viridis, one of the few truly green Polychaeta. The present study combined UV and bright-field microscopy with HPLC to address the presence and distribution of pigments in several organs. The results showed two major types of porphyrin-like pigments, yellowish and greenish in colour, that are chiefly stored as intraplasmatic granules. Whereas the proboscis holds yellow pigments, the skin harbours both types in highly specialised cells. In their turn, oocytes and intestine have mostly green pigments. Despite some inter-individual variation, the pigments tend to be stable after prolonged storage at −20 °C, which has important implications for future studies. The results show that, in a foraging predator of the intertidal where melanins are circumscribed to lining the nervous system, porphyrinoid pigments have a key role in protection against UV light, in sensing and even as chemical defence against foulants and predators, which represents a remarkable adaptive feature.publishersversionpublishe

Different kidney function trajectory patterns before dialysis in elderly patients: clinical implications and outcomes

Background. Identifying trajectories of kidney disease progression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may help to deliver better care. We aimed to identify and characterize trajectories of renal function decline in CKD patients and to investigate their association with mortality after dialysis.Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 378 CKD patients who initiated dialysis (aged 65 years and over) between 2009 and 2016. Were considered mixed models using linear quadratic and cubic models to define the trajectories, and we used probabilistic clustering procedures. Patient characteristics and care practices at and before dialysis were examined by multivariable multinomial logistic regression. The association of these trajectories with mortality after dialysis was examined using Cox models.Results. Four distinct groups of eGFR trajectories decline before dialysis were identified: slower decline (18.3%), gradual decline (18.3%), early rapid decline (41.2%), and rapid decline (22.2%). Patients with rapid eGFR decline were more likely to have diabetes, more cognitive impairment, to have been hospitalized before dialysis, and were less likely to have received pre-dialysis care compared to the patients with a slower decline. They had a higher risk of death within the first and fourth year after dialysis initiation, and after being more than 4 years in dialysis.Conclusions. There are different patterns of eGFR trajectories before dialysis initiation in the elderly, that may help to identify those who are more likely to experience an accelerated decline in kidney function, with impact on pre ESKD care and in the mortality risk after dialysis

Primeiro transplante renal ABO-incompatível realizado em Portuga

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) improving survival and quality of life for most recipients. In our country, potential living donors have been refused due to the ABO incompatibility barrier. However, ABO -incompatible living donor kidney transplant is presently common practice in several countries with good outcomes. The authors describe a case of a 49-year-old female patient, with chronic kidney disease due to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, who had started haemodialysis 10 months before and with blood group O. The living donor was a 53-year-old sister with blood group B. The desensitization protocol was based on rituximab and plasmapheresis. The induction protocol used was basiliximab, tacrolimus, mofetil mycophenolate and metilprednisolone. Five days post -transplant she presented a normal graft function that remained during the eight months follow -up. This case reveals the first ABO incompatible living donor kidney transplant performed in Portugal with excellent outcomeO transplante renal é a modalidade de tratamento da doença renal crónica estadio 5 associada a melhores sobrevivência e qualidade de vida. No nosso país muitos potenciais dadores vivos têm sido recusados devido à incompatibilidade ABO. Contudo, o transplante renal de dador vivo ABO incompatível é hoje prática comum em diversos países com resultados positivos. Os autores descrevem o caso de doente do sexo feminino, de 49 anos, com doença renal crónica secundária a doença renal poliquística autossómica dominante, que havia iniciado hemodiálise 10 meses antes e com grupo sanguíneo O. O dador vivo foi uma irmã de 53 anos, grupo sanguíneo B. O protocolo de dessensibilização baseou -se em rituximab e plasmaferese. O protocolo de indução foi com basiliximab, tacrolimus, micofenolato de mofetil e metilprednisolona. Evoluiu com função normal do enxerto 5 dias pós-transplante que se manteve durante o follow-up de 8 meses. Este caso clínico ilustra o primeiro transplante renal de dador vivo ABO incompatível efectuado em Portugal com excelente resultad

Biomarkers and Imaging Findings of Anderson-Fabry Disease-What We Know Now

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, caused by deficiency or absence of the alpha-galactosidase A activity, with a consequent glycosphingolipid accumulation. Biomarkers and imaging findings may be useful for diagnosis, identification of an organ involvement, therapy monitoring and prognosis. The aim of this article is to review the current available literature on biomarkers and imaging findings of AFD patients. An extensive bibliographic review from PubMed, Medline and Clinical Key databases was performed by a group of experts from nephrology, neurology, genetics, cardiology and internal medicine, aiming for consensus. Lyso-GB3 is a valuable biomarker to establish the diagnosis. Proteinuria and creatinine are the most valuable to detect renal damage. Troponin I and high-sensitivity assays for cardiac troponin T can identify patients with cardiac lesions, but new techniques of cardiac imaging are essential to detect incipient damage. Specific cerebrovascular imaging findings are present in AFD patients. Techniques as metabolomics and proteomics have been developed in order to find an AFD fingerprint. Lyso-GB3 is important for evaluating the pathogenic mutations and monitoring the response to treatment. Many biomarkers can detect renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular involvement, but none of these have proved to be important to monitoring the response to treatment. Imaging features are preferred in order to find cardiac and cerebrovascular compromise in AFD patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Malignancy after renal transplantation: a single-centre experience

Introduction: Malignancy management in renal transplant recipients is becoming a major factor affecting long‑term patient survival. Thus, we intended to evaluate both incidence and prognosis of malignant diseases following renal transplantation at a single centre in Portugal. Methods: We studied retrospectively the 2,358 patients who underwent kidney transplantation (KT) between 1983 and 2014. Apart from descriptive analysis, both demographic and clinical characteristics of cancer and non‑cancer cancer patients were compared. Results: During a median follow‑up of 118 (IQR 57‑179) months, 139 patients (5.8%) developed 158 de novo malignancies, with a median time from KT to diagnosis of 76..5 (IQR 21.0‑132.0) months. When compared to non‑cancer patients, they were older at KT date, had longer graft survival and a lower living donor recipients’ prevalence. As for post-transplant malignancies analysis, the most common were non‑cutaneous non‑lymphomatous cancers (49.4%, n=78), skin cancers (35.4%, n=56) and post‑transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (9.5%, n=15). Considering specific diagnosis, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma with 17.1% and 16.5% respectively, and non‑Hodgkin lymphomas with 7.6%, were the most frequent. Global mortality among cancer patients was 36.0%, with a median time of 9.7 (IQR 1.9‑17.5) months from time of diagnosis to death. As for survival analysis, cancer patient survival was significantly lower while censored graft survival was significantly higher in this group. Conclusion: Incidence and characteristics of malignancy following renal transplantation in our unit are similar to those globally described, despite some traits probably a result of specific ethnic and environmental characteristics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BK virus nephropathy in kidney transplantation - A literature review following a clinical case

Over the last 15 years, better immunosuppressive drugs have decreased acute rejection rates in kidney transplantation but have also led to an increase in the incidence and impact of BK virus nephropathy. The authors report the case of a 62 -year -old man submitted to a renal transplant of a deceased donor with an immunosuppression regimen free of rabbit anti -thymocyte globulin and tacrolimus, in whom BK nephropathy was diagnosed at seven weeks post -transplant. Intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered after immunosuppression reduction. Instituted treatment was successful. This clinical case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for an atypical presentation of BK nephropathy in renal transplant recipients and strengthens the need for other therapeutic interventions beyond the reduction of immunosuppression. It was the starting point for a review of BK virus nephropathy in kidney transplantation with a focus on risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hormonal induction of Atlantic dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) broodstock

Immature fish and young females were sex reversed using hormonal induction in two consecutive years. In the first year one permanent male was obtained. Collected sperm of both years ranges from 30 μl to 300 μl and cell concentration varies from 3 to 6.5 x109 spermatozoa/ml. Atlantic dusky grouper can successfully be induced to functional males with 17α-methyltestosterone implants

Overhydration prevalence in peritoneal dialysis - A 2 year longitudinal analysis

Hypervolemia is a major concern in dialysis patients, and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and death. Cross sectional analysis have previously demonstrated that peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are not more overhydrated when compared to haemodialysiś ones. This study was designed to evaluate longitudinal trends in hydration status and corporal composition in a PD population.Pedro Ventura Aguiar, by Abbott laboratory for conferences presentation