Non-alcoholic beverages and risk of bladder cancer in Uruguay

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the fourth most frequent malignancy among Uruguayan men. A previous study from Uruguay suggested a high risk of bladder cancer associated with maté drinking. We conducted an additional case-control study in order to further explore the role of non-alcoholic beverages in bladder carcinogenesis. METHODS: In the time period 1996–2000, 255 incident cases with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and 501 patients treated in the same hospitals and in the same time period were frequency matched on age, sex, and residence. Both cases and controls were face-to-face interviewed on occupation, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and intake of maté, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Statistical analysis was carried out by unconditional multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Ever maté drinking was positively associated with bladder cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–3.9) and the risk increased for increasing duration and amount of maté drinking. Both coffee and tea were strongly associated with bladder cancer risk (OR for coffee drinking 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.3; OR for tea drinking 2.3, 95% CI 1.5–3.4). These results were confirmed in a separate analysis of never-smokers. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that drinking of maté, coffee and tea may be risk factors for bladder carcinoma in Uruguay

ANÁLISE DE SEGUNDA ORDEM EM PILARES DE CONCRETO ARMADO

Overall stability is very important in the evaluation of reinforced concrete structures. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of wind actions on the stability of structures, in addition to studying the best way to position the pillars in order to give greater rigidity to the projects. For this purpose, situations were proposed in which two parameters were analyzed in the evaluation of the overall stability of structures: the instability parameter α and the γz coefficient. With these two parameters, it was determined whether or not the structure needs to take into account the second-order global effects, generated mainly by horizontal displacements (wind action) and the lack of retilinity of the structures. By obtaining these two variables, it is possible to determine the best positioning of the pillars and thus arrive at a structural arrangement that allows greater rigidity and where the second-order global effects (horizontal displacements) can be disregarded.La estabilidad general es muy importante en la evaluación de estructuras de hormigón armado. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la influencia de las acciones del viento en la estabilidad de las estructuras, además de estudiar la mejor manera de posicionar los pilares para dar mayor rigidez a los proyectos. Para ello, se propusieron situaciones en las que se analizaron dos parámetros en la evaluación de la estabilidad global de las estructuras: el parámetro de inestabilidad α y el coeficiente γz. Con estos dos parámetros, se determinó si la estructura necesita o no tener en cuenta los efectos globales de segundo orden, generados principalmente por los desplazamientos horizontales (acción del viento) y la falta de retilinidad de las estructuras. Al obtener estas dos variables, es posible determinar el mejor posicionamiento de los pilares y así llegar a una disposición estructural que permita una mayor rigidez y donde se puedan descuidar los efectos globales de segundo orden (desplazamientos horizontales).A estabilidade global é muito importante na avaliação de estruturas de concreto armado. Este trabalho visou avaliar a influência das ações do vento na estabilidade das estruturas, além de estudar a melhor forma de posicionar os pilares de forma a conferir maior rigidez aos projetos. Para tanto, foram propostas situações em que dois parâmetros foram analisados na avaliação da estabilidade global de estruturas: o parâmetro de instabilidade α e o coeficiente γz. Com esses dois parâmetros, foi determinado se a estrutura precisa ou não levar em consideração os efeitos globais de segunda ordem, gerados principalmente pelos deslocamentos horizontais (ação do vento) e pela falta de retilinidade das estruturas. Com a obtenção dessas duas variáveis, é possível determinar o melhor posicionamento dos pilares e assim chegar a um arranjo estrutural que permita maior rigidez e onde os efeitos globais de segunda ordem (deslocamentos horizontais) possam ser desprezados.A estabilidade global é muito importante na avaliação de estruturas de concreto armado. Este trabalho visou avaliar a influência das ações do vento na estabilidade das estruturas, além de estudar a melhor forma de posicionar os pilares de forma a conferir maior rigidez aos projetos. Para tanto, foram propostas situações em que dois parâmetros foram analisados na avaliação da estabilidade global de estruturas: o parâmetro de instabilidade α e o coeficiente γz. Com esses dois parâmetros, foi determinado se a estrutura precisa ou não levar em consideração os efeitos globais de segunda ordem, gerados principalmente pelos deslocamentos horizontais (ação do vento) e pela falta de retilinidade das estruturas. Com a obtenção dessas duas variáveis, é possível determinar o melhor posicionamento dos pilares e assim chegar a um arranjo estrutural que permita maior rigidez e onde os efeitos globais de segunda ordem (deslocamentos horizontais) possam ser desprezados

Qualidade em mobile banking segundo professores e estudantes de tecnologia brasileiros / Quality in mobile banking according to Brazilian technology professors and students

 Este estudo apresenta uma aplicação do SERVQUAL para avaliação da qualidade do serviço de mobile banking, abordando o gap 5, que confronta a diferença da percepção de qualidade em relação à expectativa, indica as dimensões mais relevantes para este serviço segundo diversas fontes (literatura científica, especialistas e usuários de uma amostra), desenvolve e aplica um questionário. Verificou-se que, num âmbito geral, a qualidade percebida ainda não atinge às expectativas do público pesquisado, tendo somente uma dimensão as superado. Além disso, as dimensões indicadas como de maior importância pelos especialistas não foram as mesmas que os respondentes tiveram maior expectativa, indicando que existe possibilidade de melhor direcionamento dos esforços por parte das instituições fornecedoras do serviço.

The impact of the incorporation of a feasible postoperative mortality model at the Post-Anaesthestic Care Unit (PACU) on postoperative clinical deterioration : a pragmatic trial with 5,353 patients

Background: Practical use of risk predictive tools and the assessment of their impact on outcome reduction is still a challenge. This pragmatic study of quality improvement (QI) describes the preoperative adoption of a customised postoperative death probability model (SAMPE model) and the evaluation of the impact of a Postoperative Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) pathway on the clinical deterioration of high-risk surgical patients. Methods: A prospective cohort of 2,533 surgical patients compared with 2,820 historical controls after the adoption of a quality improvement (QI) intervention. We carried out quick postoperative high-risk pathways at PACU when the probability of postoperative death exceeded 5%. As outcome measures, we used the number of rapid response team (RRT) calls within 7 and 30 postoperative days, in-hospital mortality, and non-planned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Results: Not only did the QI succeed in the implementation of a customised risk stratification model, but it also diminished the postoperative deterioration evaluated by RRT calls on very high-risk patients within 30 postoperative days (from 23% before to 14% after the intervention, p = 0.05). We achieved no survival benefits or reduction of non-planned ICU. The small group of high-risk patients (13% of the total) accounted for the highest proportion of RRT calls and postoperative death. Conclusion: Employing a risk predictive tool to guide immediate postoperative care may influence postoperative deterioration. It encouraged the design of pragmatic trials focused on feasible, low-technology, and long-term interventions that can be adapted to diverse health systems, especially those that demand more accurate decision making and ask for full engagement in the control of postoperative morbi-mortality

Screening of bacterial endophytes as potential biocontrol agents against soybean diseases

Aims: This research was aimed at identifying and characterizing endophytic micro-organisms associated with soybean that have antimicrobial activity towards soybean pathogens. Methods and Results: Soybean plants were collected from field trials in four locations of southern Brazil that were cultivated with conventional (C) and transgenic glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybeans. Endophytic bacteria isolated from roots, stems and leaves of soybeans were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit fungal and bacterial plant pathogens and 13 micro-organisms were identified with antagonistic activity. Approximately 230 bacteria were isolated and identified based on the 16S rRNA and rpoN gene sequences. Bacteria isolated from conventional and transgenic soybeans were significantly different not only in population diversity but also in their antagonistic capacity. Thirteen isolates showed in vitro antagonism against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Phomopsis sojae and Rhizoctonia solani. Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. were the most effective isolates in controlling bacterial and fungal pathogens in vitro. Extracts and precipitates from culture supernatants of isolates showed different patterns of inhibitory activity on growth of fungal and bacterial pathogens. Conclusions: Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. were the most effective isolates in controlling fungal pathogens in vitro, and the activity is mainly due to peptides. However, most of the studied bacteria showed the presence of antimicrobial compounds in the culture supernatant, either peptides, bacteriocins or secondary metabolites. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results could be significant to develop tools for the biological control of soybean diseases. The work brought to the identification of micro-organisms such as Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. that have the potential to protect crops in order to enhance a sustainable management system of crops. Furthermore, the study provides the first evidences of the influence of management as well as the genetics of glyphosate-resistant soybean on the diversity of bacterial endophytes of soybean phytobiome.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Ex vivo model with bovine heart : a proposal for training microscopic dissection and vascularmicroanastomoses

O treinamento é um processo que exige paciência e constante prática. A execução de procedimentos microscópicos está presente no dia a dia de diversas especialidades cirúrgicas, mas infelizmente modelos experimentais não são de fácil de acesso. Propomos um modelo com coração bovino usado por residentes e jovens cirurgiões no treinamento de dissecção microscópica e microanastomoses. É descrita a montagem deste modelo, que pode ser realizado de maneira individual e com material acessível aos departamentos cirúrgicos. Nossa experiência na elaboração das peças, assim como, dicas para o processo são descritas no texto. O modelo com miocardio bovino pode ser reproduzido em qualquer centro que disponha de bancadas e instrumental cirúrgico. Dentre as vantagens estão o baixo custo, rápido preparo e grande disponibilidade do tecido utilizado. Consideramos o projeto útil no treinamento de residentes cirúrgicos e jovens cirurgiões.Training is a process that requires patience and constant practice. The execution of microscopic procedures is present in the day-to-day of several surgical specialties, but unfortunately experimental models are not easy to access in our environment. We propose a bovine heart model used by residents and young surgeons in the training of microscopic dissection and microanastomoses. It is described the assembly of this model, which can be performed individually and with accessible material to the surgical departments. Our experience in the preparation of the pieces, as well as tips for the process, are described in the text. The bovine myocardial model can be reproduced in any center with benches and surgical instruments. Low cost, fast preparation, and wide availability of the used tissue are among the advantages of this model. We consider the project useful in the training of surgical residents and young surgeons

Elevated glutamate and lactate predict brain death after severe head trauma

Objective: Clinical neurological assessment is challenging for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the acute setting. Waves of neurochemical abnormalities that follow TBI may serve as fluid biomarkers of neurological status. We assessed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glutamate, lactate, BDNF, and GDNF, to identify potential prognostic biomarkers of neurological outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 20 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 29 [13] years; M/F, 9:1) with severe TBI Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 and abnormal computed tomography scan on admission. Patients were submitted to ventricular drainage and had CSF collected between 2 and 4 h after hospital admission. Patients were then stratified according to two clinical outcomes: deterioration to brain death (nonsurvival, n = 6) or survival (survival, n = 14), within 3 days after hospital admission. CSF levels of brain-derived substances were compared between nonsurvival and survival groups. Clinical and neurological parameters were also assessed. Results: Glutamate and lactate are significantly increased in nonsurvival relative to survival patients. We tested the accuracy of both biomarkers to discriminate patient outcome. Setting a cutoff of >57.75, glutamate provides 80.0% of sensitivity and 84.62% of specificity (AUC: 0.8214, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%; and a cutoff of >4.65, lactate has 100% of sensitivity and 85.71% of specificity (AUC: 0.8810, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%). BDNF and GDNF did not discriminate poor outcome. Interpretation: This early study suggests that glutamate and lactate concentrations at hospital admission accurately predict death within 3 days after severe TBI

Computational biology helps understand how polyploid giant cancer cells drive tumor success

Precision and organization govern the cell cycle, ensuring normal proliferation. However, some cells may undergo abnormal cell divisions (neosis) or variations of mitotic cycles (endopolyploidy). Consequently, the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), critical for tumor survival, resistance, and immortalization, can occur. Newly formed cells end up accessing numerous multicellular and unicellular programs that enable metastasis, drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and self-renewal or diverse clone formation. An integrative literature review was carried out, searching articles in several sites, including: PUBMED, NCBI-PMC, and Google Academic, published in English, indexed in referenced databases and without a publication time filter, but prioritizing articles from the last 3 years, to answer the following questions: (i) “What is the current knowledge about polyploidy in tumors?”; (ii) “What are the applications of computational studies for the understanding of cancer polyploidy?”; and (iii) “How do PGCCs contribute to tumorigenesis?