Remote ischemic preconditioning as treatment for non-ischemic gastrointestinal disorders: beyond ischemia-reperfusion injury

Common gastrointestinal diseases such as radiation enteritis (RE), acute pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and drug-induced hepatotoxicity share pathophysiological mechanisms at the molecular level, mostly involving the activation of many pathways of the immune response, ultimately leading to tissue injury. Increased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine release, inflammatory cell infiltration and activation and the up-regulation of inflammatory transcription factors participate in the pathophysiology of these complex entities. Treatment varies in each specific disease, but at least in the cases of RE and IBD immunosuppressors are effective. However, full therapeutic responses are not always achieved. The pathophysiology of ischemiareperfusion (IR) injury shares many of these mechanisms. Brief and repetitive periods of ischemia in an organ or limb have been shown to protect against subsequent major IR injury in distant organs, a phenomenon called remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP). This procedure has been shown to protect the gut, pancreas and liver by modulating many of the same inflammatory mechanisms. Since RIP is safe and tolerable, and has shown to be effective in some recent clinical trials, I suggest that RIP could be used as a physiologically relevant adjunct treatment for non-ischemic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions

Morphophysiological Adaptations of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria humidicola\u3c/em\u3e Cultivars under Grazing

Pastures of Brachiaria humidicola are broadly used in Brazil, especially in soils with low fertility and poor drain-age (Valle et al. 2010). Currently, 3 cultivars are commercially available: Tully, Llanero and BRS Tupi (available since 2012). Despite the extensive use of this species, research has focused primarily on aspects related to herbage and animal production, while only a few studies aimed at understanding morphological adaptations of the plants when subjected to grazing and contrasting environmental conditions. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate some morphological traits of 2 B. humidicola cultivars when continuously stocked during 2 seasons of the year

Social networks in medical practice

The number of social network users is rising meteorically, a trend that also includes health-care workers. Even though social networking can serve educational functions and is an effective means of communicating medical resources, it is associated with a variety of important challenges. Misuse of social networks by health-care workers can have dire consequences, ranging from seemingly simple issues such as affecting the doctor’s reputation to serious legal matters. Maintaining professionalism and preserving the concepts of confidentiality and privacy is essential. In this review we will analyze some of the dilemmas that have been brought about by the use of social networks in the healthcare environment, as well as existing guidelines on the matter

A importância da distribuição no mercado de energéticos: um estudo de caso sobre a Red Bull

O alto potencial de crescimento do mercado de bebidas energéticas no Brasil, que mais que quadruplicou o seu tamanho entre 2006 e 2010, desperta o interesse de dezenas de empresas e se mostra a mais nova aposta da indústria de bebidas para o futuro. Baseado nos conceitos de marketing apresentados por Philip Kotler, relatórios de institutos de pesquisas, análises de mercado e através do conhecimento profissional da dupla que aqui escreve, este estudo busca analisar a importância de uma eficiente estratégia de distribuição no mercado de bebidas energéticas no Brasil a partir de uma análise da atuação da líder de mercado Red Bull e dos seus principais concorrentes. O estudo conta com informações sobre a história do produto, o perfil do consumidor, panorama de mercado, estratégia de divulgação e distribuição da Red Bull e suas principais concorrentes e uma análise dos desafios e iniciativas da líder Red Bull em um mercado onde a distribuição está fazendo cada vez mais a diferença

PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS OF COLUBRINA GLANDULOSA PERKINS WITH DRILLING WASTE FROM OIL WELLS AND MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION

Oil exploration, whether onshore or offshore, results in residues from the drilling of wells, called gravel. The use of this environmental liability in the production of seedlings for forest restoration could contribute to an appropriate destination for this waste. In the present study, the objective was to evaluate the effect of the substrate formulated with gravel, with and without inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), on the growth and nutritional status of seedlings of Colubrina glandulosa. The design used was completely randomized in a 5x2 factorial scheme, with five gravel doses (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%), with and without inoculation with a mixture of AMF spores (Gigaspora margarita¸ Rhizophagus clarus, and Dentiscutata heterogama) with six repetitions, totaling 60 experimental units. Height (H) and stem diameter (SD) were evaluated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after seedling transplantation, when the plants were sectioned in shoots (branches + leaves) and roots, to determine dry biomass of shoots (DMS) and of roots (DMR), leaf area index (LAI), rate of length of fine roots colonized by AMF (COL), and chemical composition. The substrate obtained with the application of the lowest gravel dose (5%), without the mycorrhizal inoculation, provided significant increments in H, SD, LAI, DMS, DMR, and COL of the seedlings of Colubrina glandulosa, when compared to the other gravel doses and the presence of mycorrhizal inoculation, 120 days after seedling transplantation

RELAÇÃO FAUNA DO SOLO-PAISAGEM EM PLANTIO DE EUCALIPTO EM TOPOSSEQUÊNCIA

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a influência do relevo sobre os artrópodes edáficos em um plantio de Eucalyptus urophylla. Coletou-se a camada de serapilheira e solo (0 – 5 cm) circunscritos a um gabarito metálico (25 x 25 cm) lançado aleatoriamente (N = 10) em três seções topográficas (TS, TM e TI: terços superior, médio e inferior, respectivamente) nas estações chuvosa e seca de 2003. Formicidae foi o grupo taxonômico predominante, independentemente da seção topográfica. A análise de componentes principais individualizou as seções topográficas entre si e demonstrou a correlação de um maior número de grupos taxonômicos com TS. A análise de agrupamento hierárquico indicou a elevada similaridade entre TI e TM, que se apresentaram como dissimilares em relação a TS. As diferenças entre as seções topográficas provavelmente foram influenciadas pela maior umidade gravimétrica e fertilidade do solo em TS

PERFORMANCE OF SPECIES Mabea fistulifera AND Eucalyptus urograndis WITH USE OF CELLULOSE RESIDUE IN DEGRADED AREAS

The planting of forest species contributes to the recovery of degraded areas, and the use of industrial waste can favor this process. However, there is still little information on this aspect in Cerrado. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of seedlings of the native species Mabea fistulifera Mart. and of the exotic hybrid Eucalyptus urograndis, under fertilization with residue of the industrial production of cellulose, in monospecific plantations in degraded area. Fertilization treatments, applied in the planting line, were three doses of the residue (10, 15 and 20 Mg ha -1); conventional mineral fertilizer (NPK); absence of fertilization (control). The experimental design was a randomized block design, with a portion of subdivided parts: species in the portions (15 m x 60 m, n = 4 / species) and treatments in the subportions (15 m x 12 m, n = 1 / treatment / portion) total of 18 plants in each subplot. Survival rate and growth attributes (height, crown diameter, stem diameter at ground level) were evaluated for two consecutive years. The largest increases in seedling survival and growth of both species were provided by mineral fertilization, followed by the 10 Mg ha -1 dose of the residue, which should be the recommended

Relação fauna do solo-paisagem em plantio de eucalipto em topossequência.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a influência do relevo sobre os artrópodes edáficos em um plantio de Eucalyptus urophylla. Coletou-se a camada de serapilheira e solo (0 – 5 cm) circunscritos a um gabarito metálico (25 x 25 cm) lançado aleatoriamente (N = 10) em três seções topográficas (TS, TM e TI: terços superior, médio e inferior, respectivamente) nas estações chuvosa e seca de 2003. Formicidae foi o grupo taxonômico predominante, independentemente da seção topográfica. A análise de componentes principais individualizou as seções topográficas entre si e demonstrou a correlação de um maior número de grupos taxonômicos com TS. A análise de agrupamento hierárquico indicou a elevada similaridade entre TI e TM, que se apresentaram como dissimilares em relação a TS. As diferenças entre as seções topográficas provavelmente foram influenciadas pela maior umidade gravimétrica e fertilidade do solo em TS

Mean platelet volume in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous and bacterial meningitis

Abstract Introduction: Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been shown to reflect the inflammatory burden in different inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Our objective was to analyze the MPV in patients with tuberculous (TBM) and bacterial meningitis (BM). Methodology: The demographic and clinical data of 73 consecutive patients that presented with either BM (n = 35) or TBM (n = 38) were retrospectively analyzed, as well as that of 28 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: MPV was 8.78 ± 1.58 fL in patients with BM and 6.42 ± 1.39 fL in the TBM group (p < 0.05). In the control group, MPV was 7.4 ± 0.66 fL, significantly higher and lower when compared with TBM and BM, respectively. MPV was significantly associated with diagnosis (adjusted OR: 5.15, 95% CI: 1.090–23.7; p = 0.03). With the optimal cut-off value of 7.62 fL, MPV had 82% sensibility and 78% specificity for the differential diagnosis of TBM versus BM. Lower platelet counts, higher serum creatinine, higher white blood cell counts, and higher blood-cerebrospinal fluid glucose ratio were also predictive of BM. Conclusions: Platelet counts were lower and MPV was higher in patients with BM compared to patients with TBM. Platelet indices, available in routine bloodwork, could be useful in the early differential diagnosis of these entities. Key words: meningitis; mean platelet volume; inflammation; platelets; thrombocytopenia

PRODUCTION OF Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis SEEDLINGS WITH DIFFERENT FERTILIZERS

Mineral fertilization is an important practice that contributes to the production of seedlings with satisfactory quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of potassium chloride (KCl) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) on growth and nutrition of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis seedlings. The experiment was conducted in full sun, with direct sowing in tubes containing composite substrate (Pinus bark, coconut fiber, bovine manure and vermiculite). The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with five doses of KCl (0.0, 0.025, 0.050, 0.100, and 0.200 g seedling-1) and two doses of MAP (0 and 0.10g seedling-1), with four replicates. At 120 days, the effect of the interaction between the KCl and MAP doses was verified for the variables: diameter at root collar, dry mass of the aerial part (DMAP) and total (TDM), Dickson Quality Index, N content, P K in the aerial part, K content in the roots, absorption efficiency (AE) of N and P. For the variables: height (H); leaf area; root dry mass (RDM); H/DRC and DMPA/RDM ratios; and N and P content in the roots, only effect of the application of MAP is observed, whereas for AE_K the effect was only of KCl. Thus, there is variation in the effect of KCl doses as a function of morphological and nutritional variables evaluated. In general, the best seedling growth and nutrition occurs with the applied dose of 0.100 g KCl + 0.10 g MAP seedling -1