High granularity tracker based on a Triple-GEM optically read by a CMOS-based camera

The detection of photons produced during the avalanche development in gas chambers has been the subject of detailed studies in the past. The great progresses achieved in last years in the performance of micro-pattern gas detectors on one side and of photo-sensors on the other provide the possibility of making high granularity and very sensitive particle trackers. In this paper, the results obtained with a triple-GEM structure read-out by a CMOS based sensor are described. The use of an He/CF$_4$ (60/40) gas mixture and a detailed optimization of the electric fields made possible to obtain and very high GEM light yield. About 80 photons per primary electron were detected by the sensor resulting in a very good capability of tracking both muons from cosmic rays and electrons from natural radioactivity

Increase of interferon-γ inducible α chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)9 and CXCL11 serum levels in patients with active Graves' disease, and modulation by methimazole therapy.

Background: Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)9 and CXCL11 play an important role in the initial phases of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT); however their serum levels in patients with Graves'disease (GD) have never been evaluated in relation to thyroid function and treatment. Methods: To evaluate CXCL9 and CXCL11 serum levels in GD, to relate these parameters to the clinical phenotype, we measured CXCL9 and CXCL11 serum levels in 91 GD patients, 91 AT, 34 non-toxic multinodular goiters (MNG), 31 toxic nodular goiters (TNG) and 91 healthy controls (age- and sex-matched). Results: Mean CXCL9, or CXCL11, levels were higher in GD, in comparison with controls, or euthyroid AT, or MNG, or TNG (*p < 0.05, ANOVA; CXCL9: 274±265, *76±33, *132±78, *87±48, *112±56 pg/mL; CXCL11: 140±92, *64±20, 108±48, *76±33, *91±41 pg/mL; respectively). Hyperthyroid GD had significantly higher CXCL9 or CXCL11 than euthyroid or hypothyroid GD. GD with untreated hyperthyroidism had higher CXCL9 or CXCL11 than hyperthyroid or euthyroid GD under methimazole (MMI) treatment. Comparable CXCL9 and CXCL11 levels were observed in newly diagnosed untreated hyperthyroid GD vs. untreated patients with relapse of hyperthyroidism after a previous MMI course. Conclusions: Serum CXCL9, and CXCL11, levels are associated with the active phase of GD both in newly diagnosed and relapsing hyperthyroid patients. The reduction of serum CXCL9 and CXCL11 levels in treated patients with GD may be related to the immunomodulatory effects of MMI

Livros de pano: Expressões da vida urbana.

Este projeto visa capturar a percepção de crianças de 8 a 10 anos de Foz do Iguaçu na Escola Municipal Rosália de Amorim Silva; suas experiências no contexto urbano, enfatizando o uso da paisagem socioambiental, através da produção coletiva de livros de pano. Assim, o projeto procura dar voz a grupos geralmente excluídos da tomada de decisões sobre o planejamento urbano, como crianças, jovens e mulheres, e iniciar um processo de fortalecimento de identidades locais. Para isso, propõe-se o estabelecimento de um espaço democrático de troca de experiências – conhecimento, práticas, memórias – que culmine na produção de material de registro, resistência, reivindicação, e que sirva para fins acadêmicos e pedagógicos. O projeto contribuirá, finalmente, para a formação de acadêmicos que respeitem e compreendam o papel do extensionista como mediador e facilitador de processos, em um contexto interdisciplinar e diverso

Extra-ocular muscle cells from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy secrete α (CXCL10) and β (CCL2) chemokines under the influence of cytokines that are modulated by PPARγ

To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the involvement of T helper (Th)1- and Th2-chemokines in extra-ocular muscle (EOM) myopathy in "patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy" (TAO-p). We tested the effects of interferon (IFN)γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α stimulation, and of increasing concentrations of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ agonists (pioglitazone or rosiglitazone; 0.1μM-20μM), on Th1-chemokine [C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)10] and Th2-chemokine [C-C motif ligand (CCL)2] secretion in primary EOM cultures from TAO-p vs. control myoblasts. Moreover, we evaluated serum CXCL10 and CCL2 in active TAO-p with prevalent EOM involvement (EOM-p) vs. those with prevalent orbital fat expansion (OF-p). Serum CXCL10 was higher in OF-p and EOM-p vs. controls, while serum CCL2 was not significantly different in controls, or in OF-p and EOM-p. We showed the expression of PPARγ in EOM cells. In primary EOM cultures from TAO-p: a) CXCL10 was undetectable in the supernatant, IFNγ dose-dependently induced it, whereas TNFα did not; b) EOM produced basally low amounts of CCL2, TNFα dose-dependently induced it, whereas IFNγ did not; c) the combination of TNFα and IFNγ had a significant synergistic effect on CXCL10 and CCL2 secretion; and d) PPARγ agonists have an inhibitory role on the modulation of CXCL10, while they stimulate CCL2 secretion. EOM participates in the self-perpetuation of inflammation by releasing both Th1 (CXCL10) and Th2 (CCL2) chemokines under the influence of cytokines, in TAO. PPARγ agonist activation plays an inhibitory role on CXCL10, but stimulates the release of CCL2

Correlation between the Altered Gut Microbiome and Lifestyle Interventions in Chronic Widespread Pain Patients: A Systematic Review

: Background: Lifestyle interventions have a direct impact on the gut microbiome, changing its composition and functioning. This opens an innovative way for new therapeutic opportunities for chronic widespread patients. Purpose: The goal of the present study was to evaluate a correlation between lifestyle interventions and the gut microbiome in patients with chronic widespread pain (CWP). Methods: The systematic review was conducted until January 2023. Pain and microbiome were the two keywords selected for this revision. The search was conducted in PubMed, Chochrane, PEDro and ScienceDirect, where 3917 papers were obtained. Clinical trials with lifestyle intervention in CWP patients were selected. Furthermore, these papers had to be related with the gut microbiome, excluding articles related to other types of microbiomes. Results: Only six articles were selected under the eligibility criteria. Lifestyle interventions were exercise, electroacupuncture and ingesting a probiotic. Conclusions: Lifestyle intervention could be a suitable choice to improve the gut microbiome. This fact could be extrapolated into a better quality of life and lesser levels of pain

Addressing post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms through telemedicine: A study protocol

Objective: The purpose of the study will be to evaluate the effect of a rehabilitation program on the improvement of patients with post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms, as well as to quantify the impact of telemedicine that evaluates the evolution of pain, functionality, and quality of life. Methods: We will carry out a case-control study in post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms patients who will undergo a multicomponent rehabilitation program, together with an intervention and a follow-up using programmed telemedicine sessions. Data will be collected on the improvement of functional capacity and quality of life, in addition to assessing the evolution of musculoskeletal symptomatology, as well as pain and psychological variables. The telemedicine sessions will improve user adherence and follow-up, and the results are expected to be disseminated to the scientific community during and after the end of the study

Identifying Clinical and MRI Characteristics Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury:Prognostic Factors for Long-Term

Background: Associated lesions in the diagnostic MRI may be related to worse long-term subjective outcomes. There is a lack of conclusive information about the long-term outcomes of associated injuries in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term effects of associated injuries in ACL tears measured by means of a quality of life (QOL) assessment. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 225 consecutive patients admitted for physical therapy with ACL injury (42 ± 12 years, 28.2% female) were conducted. All demographic and clinical variables were used to measure a QOL. Univariate and multivariable analyses were completed. Results: The mean follow-up period was 8.4 ± 2.6 years. In univariate analysis, male gender, and sports as the cause of the ACL lesion were factors significantly associated with improved International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores at the end of follow-up (all p < 0.002). In multivariable analysis, the occurrence of bone contusion was positively associated with injury (OR = 2.12) and negatively associated with sports injury (OR = 0.44) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury (OR = 0.48). Conclusions: After ACL injury, male gender and sports injury were associated with better clinical outcomes

Capacidade de combinação e heterose em híbridos intervarietais de milho adaptados às condições de cerrado.

Quatro experimentos foram conduzidos em 1982/83, com o objetivo de estimar os efeitos das capacidades geral (CGC) e específica (CEC) de combinação, além dos valores da heterose na produção deespigas de cruzamentos dialélicos entre cinco populações de milho tZea mays L.) que estão sendo submetidas a um processo de seleção para as condições de solo sob vegetação" de cerrado. A avaliação foi feita nos locais de Jataí (GO), Goiânia (GO), Jaciara (MT) e Sete Lagoas (MG). Utilizou-se um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com 16 tratamentos e cinco repetições, tendo como testemunha o híbrido duplo comercial Cargill 111. Os tratamentos compreenderam as populações CMS-04,CMS-13, CMS-14, CMS-30 é CMS-36, além dos dez híbridos intervarietais entre elas. Com relação à capacidade geral de combinação, as populações CMS-36 e CMS-30 apresentaram os maiores valores para CGC (361,47 e 66,53). As melhores combinações expressas em relação à CEC foram entre os cruzamentos CMS-04 x CMS-30, CMS-04 x CMS-13 e CMS-D4 x CMS-36, evidenciando que, para este grupo de cruzamentos, epistasia e dominância prevalecem sobre os efeitos génicos aditivos. Os valores percentuais de heterose em relação à média.do pai mais produtivo foram de 5,3%; 3,5% e 8,6% para os cruzamentos citados. A maior heterose (15,7%) foi obtida do cruzamento entre CMS-13 x CMS-36