Inhibitory effect of high [Mg2+] on the vasopressin-stimulated hydroosmotic permeability of the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct

High magnesium concentration inhibits the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on smooth muscle contraction and platelet aggregation and also influences hepatocyte AVP receptor binding. The aim of this study was to determine the role of magnesium concentration [Mg2+] in AVP-stimulated water transport in the kidney collecting duct. The effect of low and high peritubular [Mg2+] on the AVP-stimulated osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) was evaluated in the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD). Control tubules bathed and perfused with standard Ringer bicarbonate solution containing 1 mM Mg2+ presented a Pf of 223.9 ± 27.2 µm/s. When Mg2+ was not added to the bathing solution, an increase in the AVP-stimulated Pf to 363.1 ± 57.2 µm/s (P<0.05) was observed. An elevation of Mg2+ to 5 mM resulted in a decrease in Pf to 202.9 ± 12.6 µm/s (P<0.05). This decrease in the AVP-stimulated Pf at 5 mM Mg2+ persisted when the CCDs were returned to 1 mM Mg2+, Pf = 130.2 ± 20.3 µm/s, and was not normalized by the addition of 8-[4-chlorophenylthio]-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a cAMP analogue, to the preparation. These data indicate that magnesium may play a modulatory role in the action of AVP on CCD osmotic water permeability, as observed in other tissues.1045104

The Determination Of Total Calcium In Urine: A Comparison Between The Atomic Absorption And The Ortho-cresolphtalein Complexone Methods [análise Do Cálcio Na Urina: Uma Comparação Entre Os Métodos De Absorção Atômica E Ortocresolftaleína Complexona]

Atomic absorption spectrometry has been recommended as the reference method for the analysis of total calcium in body fluids and the ortho-cresolphtalein complexone (o-CPC) method has been widely used as the field method. We evaluated the performance of the Mega-Bayer, a fully automatic selective analyser, in determining total calcium in urine utilizing the o-CPC method. We assayed native urines with low, normal and high calcium concentrations. The two methods agreed well, according to least-squares analysis and the F-test, with Mega-Bayer having the upper limit of linearity two times higher (10 mmol/L) than that of the atomic absorption. The present method achieved excellent analytical goals and sistematic errors bellow half of the allowed limit goals recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments. Final Rule. Laboratory Requirements (CLIA). We concluded that o-CPC in the Mega-Bayer equipment can confidently perform the total calcium urinary analysis with the advantage of being a fully automatized biochemical procedure and of allowing a wider linear analytical range.374235238Baginski, E.S., Direct microdetermination of serum calcium (1973) Clin. Chim. Acta, 46, pp. 46-54Ashood, E.R., Final Rule. Laboratory Requirements (1999) Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 3. Ed., pp. 322-323. , Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 Burtis, C.A. SaundersConnerty, H.V., Briggs, A.R., Determination of serum calcium by means of ortho-cresolphthalein complexone (1966) Am. J. Clin. Pathol., 45, pp. 290-296Cowley, D.M., Improved linearity of calcium - Cresolphthalein complexone reaction with sodium acetate (1986) Clin. Chem., 32, pp. 894-895Dito, W.R., Microdetermination of serum calcium by parallel fast analyzer (1976) Am. J. Clin. Pathol., 65, pp. 1016-1021Endres, D.B., Rude, R.K., Mineral and bone metabolism (1999) Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 3. Ed., pp. 1397-1400. , Burtis, C.A. & Ashood, E.R. SaundersFirst, M.R., Renal Function (1991) Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, and Correlation. 3. Ed., pp. 549-550. , Kaplan, L. & Pesce, A.JGitelman, H.J., An improved automatic procedure for the determination of calcium in biologic specimens (1967) Anal. Biochem., 18, pp. 521-531Gowans, E.M.S., Fraser, C.G., Biological variation in analyte concentrations in urine of apparently healthy men and women (1987) Clin. Chem., 33, pp. 847-850Lorentz, K., Improved determination of serum calcium with 2-cresolphthalein complexone (1982) Clin. Chim. Acta, 126, pp. 327-334Minerals and trace elements (1995) Clinical Chemistry Interpretation and Techniques. 3. Ed., p. 353. , Kaplan, A. Williams and WilkinsMoorehead, W.R., Biggs, H.G., 2-amino-2 methyl-1 propanol as the alkalizing agent in an improved continuous flow cresolphthalein complexone procedure for calcium in serum (1974) Clin. Chem., 20, pp. 1458-1460Morin, L.G., Direct colorimetric determination of serum calcium with o-cresolphthalein complexone (1974) Am. J. Clin. Pathol., 61, pp. 114-117Sarkar, B.C.R., Chauhan, U.S.P., A new method for determining micro quantities of calcium in biological materials (1967) Anal. Biochem., 20, pp. 155-166Shephard, M.D.S., Analytical goals for quantitative urine analysis: A clinical view (1981) Clin. Chem., 27, pp. 1939-1940Tietz, N.W., A model for a comprehensive measurement system in clinical chemistry (1979) Clin. Chem., 25, pp. 833-83

COMPILATION OF ACTIVE FAULT DATA IN PORTUGAL FOR USE IN SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS

To estimate where future earthquakes are likely to occur, it is essential to combine information about past earthquakes with knowledge about the location and seismogenic properties of active faults. For this reason, robust probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) integrates seismicity and active fault data. Existing seismic hazard assessments for Portugal rely exclusively on seismicity data and do not incorporate data on active faults. Project SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded initiative (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are developing a fully-parameterized active fault database for Portugal that incorporates existing compilations, updated according to the most recent publications. The seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first model for Portugal to include fault data and follow an internationally standardized approach. This model can be used to improve both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be combined with the Spanish database for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Viability Of Nerve Grafts Preserved In Different Storage Medium: Ultrastructural Features

We investigated the ultrastructural organization of transplanted autologous grafts after storage in two different solutions. Male Wistar rats were divided into groups to obtain normal tibial nerves, freshly transplanted nerves, and nerves stored in Wisconsin/Belzer or Collins solution for 24 or 72 hours at 4 °C and transplanted (W1, W3, C1, C3). After storage or transplantation, the specimens were processed for ultrastructural analysis. All grafts showed alterations in collagen fiber organization in the endoneurial space compared to normal nerves. These fibers were more loosely organized among nerve fibers, a finding that was significantly more marked in group C3 compared to groups W1 and W3. Important alterations were also observed in the myelin sheath structure of grafts stored in the two media. These changes were characterized by separation of the lipid lamellae, clearly visible in larger diameter nerve fibers. These findings were more marked and frequent in the C1 and C3 groups compared to the W1 and W3 groups. Ultrastructural analysis showed better preservation of Schwann cells and other elements that support axonal regeneration for grafts stored in Wisconsin/Belzer solution. These results support ongoing studies for the formulation of storage solutions that permit the creation of nerve banks for heterologous transplantation.26297103Ametani, M.S., Southard, J.H., Belzer, F.O., Importance of glutathione and adenosine in cold storage of the kidney (1990) Transplantation Proceedings, 22 (2), pp. 469-471Atchabahian, A., Gender, E.M., Mackinnon, S.E., Regeneration through long nerve grafts in the swine model (1998) Microsurgery, 18 (6), pp. 379-382Atchabahian, A., Mackinnon, S.E., Hunter, D.A., Cold preservation of nerve grafts decreases expression of icam-1 and class II MHC antigens (1999) Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery, 15 (4), pp. 307-311Carone, A.L., Scabora, J.E., Barros, B.R., Viability of nerve grafts preserved in different storage medium (2007) Brazilian Journal Morphological Sciences, 24 (1), pp. 39-46Chen, L.E., Seaber, A.V., Urbaniak, J.R., Denatured muscle as nerve conduit: A functional, morphologic and electrophysiologic evaluation (1994) Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery, 10 (1), pp. 137-144Chen, Y.S., Hsieh, C.L., Tsai, C.C., Peripheral nerve regeneration using silicone rubber chambers filled with collagen, laminin and fibronectin (2000) Biomaterials, 21 (15), pp. 1541-1547De-Medinacelli, L., Seaber, A.V., Experimental nerve reconnection: Importance of initial repair (1989) Microsurgery, 10 (1), pp. 56-70Evans, G.R.D., Brandt, K., Katz, S., Bioactive poly (L-lactic acid) conduits seeded with Schwann cells for peripheral nerve regeneration (2002) Biomaterials, 23 (3), pp. 841-848Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Best, T.J., Regeneration across preserved peripheral nerve grafts (1995) Muscle Nerve, 18 (10), pp. 1128-1138Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Levi, A.D.O., Cold preserved allografts, changes in basement membrane, viability, immunogenicity and regeneration (1998) Muscle Nerve, 21 (11), pp. 1507-1522Fansa, H., Keilhoff, G., Plogmeier, K., Successful implantation of Schwann cells in acellular muscles (1999) Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery, 15 (1), pp. 61-65Fansa, H., Lassner, F., Kook, P.H., Cryopreservation of peripheral nerve grafts (2000) Muscle Nerve, 23 (8), pp. 1227-1233Figueiredo, J.F., (1997) Fisiologia E Fisiopatologia Da Conservação De Órgãos, , captação de órgãos para transplante. Gráfica e Editora Tecla, CampinasHadlock, T.A., Sundback, C.A., Hunter, D.A., A new artificial nerve graft containing rolled Schwann cell monolayers (2001) Microsurgery, 21 (3), pp. 96-101Hare, G.M.T., Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Effect of cold preservation on lymphocyte migration into peripheral nerve allografts in sheep (1993) Transplantation, 56 (1), pp. 114-116Janieson, N.V., Lindell, R., Southard, J.H., Evaluation of simplified variants of the UW solution using the Isolated perfused rabbit liver (1989) Transplantation Proceedings, 21 (1-2), pp. 1294-1295Karacaoglu, E., Yuksel, F., Peker, F., Nerve regeneration through epineurial sheath: Its functional aspect compared with nerve and vein grafts (2001) Microsurgery, 21 (5), pp. 196-201Kerr-Conte, J., Boudjema, K., Southard, J.H., Mechanism of hypothermic cell death: Glutathione prevents injury in hepatocytes during hypothermic (4°C) preservation (1991) Transplantation Proceedings, 23 (5), pp. 2405-2406Koyama, I., The role of oxygen free radicals in mediating reperfusion injury of cold preserved ischemic kidneys (1985) Transplantation, 40 (6), pp. 590-596Krekoski, C.A., Neubauer, D., Zuo, J., Axonal regeneration into acellular nerve grafts is enhanced by degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (2001) The Journal of Neuroscience, 21 (16), pp. 6206-6213Levi, A.D.O., Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Cold storage of peripheral nerve: An in vitro assay of cell viability and function (1994) Glia, 10 (2), pp. 121-131Reynolds, E.S., The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy (1963) Journal of Cell Biology, 17 (1), pp. 208-212Southard, J.H., Marsh, D.C., McAnulty, J.F., The importance of O2-derived free radical injury to organ preservation and transplantation (1987) Transplantation Proceedings, 19, pp. 1380-1381. , 1.2Strasberg, S.R., Mackinnon, S.E., Genden, E.M., Long-segment nerve allograft regeneration in the sheep model: Experimental study and review of the literature (1996) Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery, 12 (8), pp. 529-537Sumitomo, R., Dohi, K., Urishiraha, T., An examination of the effects of the solution containing histidine and lactobionate for heart, pancreas and liver preservation in the rat (1992) Transplantation, 54 (6), pp. 1206-1210Sumitomo, R., Lindell, S.L., Southard, J.H., A comparison of histidine-lactobionate and UW solution in 48 hour liver preservation (1992) Transplantation, 54 (4), pp. 610-614Suzuki, K., Suzuki, Y., Tanihara, M., Reconstruction of rat peripheral nerve gap without sutures using freeze-dried alginate gel (2000) Journal of Biomedical Material Research, 49 (4), pp. 528-533Terenghi, G., Peripheral nerve injury and regeneration (1995) Histology and Histopathology, 10 (3), pp. 707-717Toledo-Pereyra, L.H., Clinical effects of allopurinol on preserved kidneys: A randomized double-bind study (1977) Annals of Surgery, 185 (1), pp. 128-136Trumble, T.E., Parvin, D., Cell viability and migration in nerve isograft and allografts (1994) Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery, 10 (1), pp. 27-34Vreugdenhil, P.K., Evans, W., Belzer, F.O., Glutathione depletion in cold-storage organs (1990) Transplantation Proceedings, 22 (2), pp. 455-45

Viability Of Nerve Grafts Preserved In Different Storage Medium

We compared the structural features of nerve segments stored in two different solutions previous and after autologous transplantation. Male Wistar rats were divided into groups to obtain normal tibial nerves, freshly transplanted nerves, and nerves stored in Wisconsin/Belzer or Collins solution for 24 or 72 h at 4°C and transplanted. Stored and transplanted segments were processed for morphologic and morphometric analysis. The cross-sections of segments stored in Wisconsin/Belzer and Collins solution presented aspects similar to that of normal nerves. The density of large-caliber myelinated axons was higher in grafts stored in Wisconsin/Belzer solution than in those preserved in Collins solution. But the density of myelinated axons regenerated through these grafts was around 80% to that registered in the fresh and Wisconsin/Belzer preserved grafts. Moreover, no significant differences in the morphometric parameters were observed between groups. Our data confirm the efficacy of Wisconsin/Belzer to nerve graft preservation and stimulate more detailed physiological, biochemical and molecular studies to rationalize the employment of less expensive and handful storage solutions for short term preservation of peripheral nerve grafts.2413946Ametani, M.S., Southard, J.H., Belzer, F.O., Importance of glutathione and adenosine in cold storage of the kidney (1990) Transplant. Proc, 22, pp. 469-471Ard, M.D., Bunge, R.P., Bunge, M.B., Comparison of the Schwann cell surface and Schwann cell extracellular matrix as promoters of neurite growth (1987) J Neurocytol, 16, pp. 539-555Atchabahian A, Gender EM, Mackinnon SE, Doolabh VB, Hunte DA (1998) Regeneration through long nerve grafts in the swine model. Microsurgery 18, 379-382Atchabahian, A., Mackinnon, S.E., Hunter, D.A., Cold preservation of nerve grafts decreases expression of ICAM-1 and class II MHC antigens (1999) J. Reconstr. Microsurg, 15, pp. 307-311Aumailley, M., Smyth, N., The role of laminins in basement membrane function (1998) J. Anat, 193, pp. 1-21Benzel, E.C., Management of peripheral nerve trauma (1996) The Practice of Neurosurgery, pp. 156-178. , Tindall GT, Cooper PR, Barrow DL, eds, pp, Willians & Wilkins: BaltimoreBunge, R.P., The role of the Schwann cell in trophic support and regeneration (1994) J. Neurol, 242 (SUPPL.), pp. S19-S21Chen, L.E., Seaber, A.V., Urbaniak, J.R., Murrel, G.A., Denatured muscle as nerve conduit: A functional, morphologic and electrophysiologic evaluation (1994) J. Reconstr. Microsurg, 10, pp. 137-144Chen, Y.S., Hsieh, C.L., Tsai, C.C., Chen, T.H., Cheng, Y.S., Hu, C.L., Yao, H., Peripheral nerve regeneration using silicone rubber chambers filled with collagen, laminin and fibronectin (2000) Biomaterials, 21, pp. 1541-1547Chen, Z.L., Strickland, S., Laminin gamma1 is critical for Schwann cell differentiation, axon myelination, and regeneration in the peripheral nerve (2003) J. Cell Biol, 163, pp. 889-899De Medinacelli, L., Seaber, A.V., Experimental nerve reconnection: Importance of initial repair (1989) Microsurgery, 10, pp. 56-70Evans, G.R.D., Brandt, K., Katz, S., Chauvin, P., Otto, L., Bogle, M., Wang, B., Patrick Jr, C.W., Bioactive poly(L-lactic acid) conduits seeded with Schwann cells for peripheral nerve regeneration (2002) Biomaterials, 23, pp. 841-848Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Levi, A.D.O., Wade, J.A., Hunter, D.A., Nakao, Y., Midha, R., Cold preserved allografts, changes in basement membrane, viability, immunogenicity and regeneration (1998) Muscle Nerve, 21, pp. 1507-1522Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Best, T.J., Wade, J.A., Awerbuck, D.C., Makino, A.P., Hunter, D.A., Midha, R., Regeneration across preserved peripheral nerve grafts (1995) Muscle Nerve, 18, pp. 1128-1138Fansa, H., Keilhoff, G., Plogmeier, K., Frerichs, O., Wolf, G., Schneider, W., Successful implantation of Schwann cells in acellular muscles (1999) J. Reconstr. Microsurg, 15, pp. 61-65Fansa, H., Lassner, F., Kook, P.H., Keilhoff, G., Schneider, W., Cryopreservation of peripheral nerve grafts (2000) Muscle Nerve, 23, pp. 1227-1233Figueiredo, J.F., Fisiologia e Fisiopatologia da Conservação de Órgãos. Captação de Órgãos para Transplante (1997) Gráfica e Editora, , Tecla: CampinasFox, I.K., Jaramillo, A., Hunter, D.A., Rickman, S.R., Mohanakumar, T., Mackinnon, S.E., Prolonged cold-preservation of nerve allografts (2005) Muscle Nerve, 31, pp. 59-69Hadlock, T.A., Sundback, C.A., Hunter, D.A., Vacanti, J.P., Cheney, M.L., A new artificial nerve graft containing rolled Schwann cell monolayers (2001) Microsurgery, 21, pp. 96-101Hall, S., The response to injury in the peripheral nervous system (2005) J. Bone Joint Surg. Br, 87, pp. 1309-1319Hare, G.M.T., Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Nakao, Y., Midha, R., Wade, J.A., Hunter, D.A., Hay, J.B., Effect of cold preservation on lymphocyte migration into peripheral nerve allografts in sheep (1993) Transplantation, 56, pp. 154-162Jamieson, N.V., Lindell, R., Southard, J.H., Belzer, F.O., Evaluation of simplified variants of the UW solution using the isolated perfused rabbit liver (1989) Transplant. Proc, 21, pp. 1294-1295Karacaoglu, E., Yuksel, F., Peker, F., Guler, M.M., Nerve regeneration through sheath: Its functional aspect compared with nerve and vein grafts (2001) Microsurgery, 21, pp. 196-201Kerr-Conte, J., Boudjema, K., Southard, J.H., Cinqualbre, J., Mechanism of hypothermic cell death: Glutathione prevents injury in hepatocytes during hypothermic (4°C) preservation (1991) Transplant. Proc, 23, pp. 2405-2406Koyama, I., Bulkley, G.B., Williams, G.M., Im, M.J., The role of oxygen free radicals in mediating reperfusion injury of cold preserved ischemic kidneys (1985) Transplantation, 40, pp. 590-595Krekoski, C.A., Neubauer, D., Zuo, J., Muir, D., Axonal regeneration into acellular nerve grafts is enhanced by degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (2001) J. Neurosci, 21, pp. 6206-6213Levi, A.D.O., Evans, P.J., Mackinnon, S.E., Bunge, R.P., Cold storage of peripheral nerve: An in vitro assay of cell viability and function (1994) Glia, 10, pp. 121-131Mackinnon, S.E., Techniques of nerve repair (1996) The Practice of Neurosurgery, pp. 179-202. , Tindall GT, Cooper PR, Barrow DL, eds, pp, Williams & Wilkins: BaltimoreMackinnon, S.E., Doolabh, V.B., Novak, C.B., Trulock, E.P., Clinical outcome following nerve allograft transplantation (2001) Plast. Reconstr. Surg, 107, pp. 1419-1429Matejcik, V., Peripheral nerve reconstruction by autograft (2002) Injury, 33, pp. 627-631Suzuki, K., Suzuki, Y., Tanihara, M., Ohnishi, H., Hashimoto, T., Endo, K., Nishimura, Y., Reconstruction of rat peripheral nerve gap without sutures using freeze-dried alginate gel (2000) J. Biomed. Mater. Res, 49, pp. 528-533Southard, J.H., Marsh, D.C., McAnulty, J.F., Belzer, F.O., The importance of O2-derived free radical injury to organ preservation and transplantation (1987) Transplant. Proc, 19, pp. 1380-1381Strasberg, S.R., Mackinnon, S.E., Genden, E.M., Baian, J.R., Purcell, C.M., Hunter, D.A., Hay, J.B., Long-segment nerve allograft regeneration in the sheep model: Experimental study and review of the literature (1996) J. Reconstr. Microsurg, 12, pp. 529-537Sumimoto, R., Dohi, K., Urushihara, T., Jamieson, N.V., Ito, H., Sumimoto, K., Fukuda, Y., An examination of the effects of the solution containing histidine and lactobionate for heart, pancreas and liver preservation in the rat (1992) Transplantation, 54, pp. 1206-1210Sumimoto, R., Lindell, S.L., Southard, J.H., Belzer, F.O., A comparison of histidine-lactobionate and UW solution in 48-hour liver preservation (1992) Transplantation, 54, pp. 610-614Terenghi, G., Peripheral nerve injury and regeneration (1995) Histol. Histopathol, 10, pp. 709-718Toledo-Pereyra, L.H., Simmons, R.L., Olson, L.C., Najarian, J.S., Clinical effects of allopurinol on preserved kidneys: A randomized double-blind study (1977) Ann. Surg, 185, pp. 128-136Trumble, T.E., Parvin, D., Cell viability and migration in nerve isograft and allografts (1994) J. Reconstr. Microsurg, 10, pp. 27-34Vreugdenhil, P.K., Evans, W., Belzer, F.O., Southard, J.H., Glutathione depletion in cold-storage organs (1990) Transplant. Proc, 22, pp. 455-45

Água E Saúde No Município De Igarapé-açu, Pará

This article aims to analyze and understand the relationship between water and health in rural communities located in the watershed of Cumaru stream, in the municipality Igarapé-Açu, North-east of Pará state. The harvesting and treatment of the water conducted by the rural population for human consumption were assessed, considering their practices of sanitary sewer, since these aspects have direct impact on their health. This study is based on field research with a quantitative approach. Closed questionnaire was used to raise the sources of water harvesting, rural sanitation, and use of agricultural inputs. We used participant observation, when focusing on the functioning of the agricultural establishment, to observe from various angles the relationship between water and health. We noted that the vulnerability of the water resources accessed by the population is a factor that contributes to the contamination of the sources, therefore a threat to the health of the rural population. However, the perception of the population is notable regarding deeper water sources, such as tube wells, which are priorities for water harvesting. © 2016, UNIV SAOPAULO. All rights reserved.2541095110

Templates for Convex Cone Problems with Applications to Sparse Signal Recovery

This paper develops a general framework for solving a variety of convex cone problems that frequently arise in signal processing, machine learning, statistics, and other fields. The approach works as follows: first, determine a conic formulation of the problem; second, determine its dual; third, apply smoothing; and fourth, solve using an optimal first-order method. A merit of this approach is its flexibility: for example, all compressed sensing problems can be solved via this approach. These include models with objective functionals such as the total-variation norm, ||Wx||_1 where W is arbitrary, or a combination thereof. In addition, the paper also introduces a number of technical contributions such as a novel continuation scheme, a novel approach for controlling the step size, and some new results showing that the smooth and unsmoothed problems are sometimes formally equivalent. Combined with our framework, these lead to novel, stable and computationally efficient algorithms. For instance, our general implementation is competitive with state-of-the-art methods for solving intensively studied problems such as the LASSO. Further, numerical experiments show that one can solve the Dantzig selector problem, for which no efficient large-scale solvers exist, in a few hundred iterations. Finally, the paper is accompanied with a software release. This software is not a single, monolithic solver; rather, it is a suite of programs and routines designed to serve as building blocks for constructing complete algorithms.Comment: The TFOCS software is available at http://tfocs.stanford.edu This version has updated reference

Metabolic and nutritional triggers associated with increased risk of liver complications in SARS-CoV-2

Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer and smoking are risk factors for negative outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can quickly induce severe respiratory failure in 5% of cases. Coronavirus disease-associated liver injury may occur during progression of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with or without pre-existing liver disease, and damage to the liver parenchyma can be caused by infection of hepatocytes. Cirrhosis patients may be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 if suffering with cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction. Furthermore, pharmacotherapies including macrolide or quinolone antibiotics and steroids can also induce liver damage. In this review we addressed nutritional status and nutritional interventions in severe SARS-CoV-2 liver patients. As guidelines for SARS-CoV-2 in intensive care (IC) specifically are not yet available, strategies for management of sepsis and SARS are suggested in SARS-CoV-2. Early enteral nutrition (EN) should be started soon after IC admission, preferably employing iso-osmolar polymeric formula with initial protein content at 0.8 g/kg per day progressively increasing up to 1.3 g/kg per day and enriched with fish oil at 0.1 g/kg per day to 0.2 g/kg per day. Monitoring is necessary to identify signs of intolerance, hemodynamic instability and metabolic disorders, and transition to parenteral nutrition should not be delayed when energy and protein targets cannot be met via EN. Nutrients including vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, selenium and ω-3 fatty acids have in isolation or in combination shown beneficial effects upon immune function and inflammation modulation. Cautious and monitored supplementation up to upper limits may be beneficial in management strategies for SARS-CoV-2 liver patients

Compilation of parameterized seismogenic sources in Iberia for the SHARE European-scale seismic source model.

Abstract: SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded project (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are compiling a fully-parameterized active fault database for Iberia and the nearby offshore region. The principal goal of this initiative is for fault sources in the Iberian region to be represented in SHARE and incorporated into the source model that will be used to produce seismic hazard maps at the European scale. The SHARE project relies heavily on input from many regional experts throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the SHARE regional meeting for Iberia, the 2010 Working Group on Iberian Seismogenic Sources (WGISS) was established; these researchers are contributing to this large effort by providing their data to the Iberian regional integrators in a standardized format. The development of the SHARE Iberian active fault database is occurring in parallel with IBERFAULT, another ongoing effort to compile a database of active faults in the Iberian region. The SHARE Iberian active fault database synthesizes a wide range of geological and geophysical observations on active seismogenic sources, and incorporates existing compilations (e.g., Cabral, 1995; Silva et al., 2008), original data contributed directly from researchers, data compiled from the literature, parameters estimated using empirical and analytical relationships, and, where necessary, parameters derived using expert judgment. The Iberian seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first regional-scale source model for Iberia that includes fault data and follows an internationally standardized approach (Basili et al., 2008; 2009). This model can be used in both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be appropriate for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Freqüência de infecção por Toxocara em crianças atendidas em serviço público de Maringá, sul do Brasil

The lack of specific laboratorial diagnosis methods and precise symptoms makes the toxocariasis a neglected disease in Public Health Services. This study aims to determine the frequency of Toxocara spp. infection in children attended by the Health Public Service of Hospital Municipal de Maringá, South Brazil. To evaluate the association of epidemiological and clinical data, an observational and cross-section study was carried out. From 14,690 attended children/year aged from seven month to 12 years old, 450 serum samples were randomly collected from September/2004 to September/2005. A questionnaire was used to evaluate epidemiological, clinical and hematological data. An ELISA using Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory products as antigen detected 130 (28.8%) positive sera, mainly between children from seven month to five years old (p = 0.0016). Significant correlation was observed between positive serology for Toxocara, and frequent playing in sandbox at school or daycare center (p = 0.011) and the presence of a cat at home (p = 0.056). From the families, 50% were dog owners which exposed soil backyards. Eosinophilia (p = 0.776), and signs and symptoms analyzed (fever p = 0.992, pneumonia p = 0.289, cold-like symptoms p = 0.277, cough p = 0.783, gastrointestinal problems p = 0.877, migraine p = 0.979, abdominal pain p = 0.965, joint pain p = 0.686 and skin rash p = 0.105) could not be related to the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies. Therefore, two asthmatics children showed titles of 1:10,240 and accentuated eosinophilia (p = 0.0001). The authors emphasize the needs of prevention activities.A falta de métodos de diagnóstico laboratorial específico e sintomas específicos fazem da toxocaríase uma doença negligenciada nos serviços públicos de saúde. Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar a freqüência de infecção por Toxocara spp. em crianças atendidas no serviço público do Hospital Municipal de Maringá, sul do Brasil, e avaliar a associação com dados epidemiológicos e clínicos, em estudo observacional e transversal. De 14.690 crianças/ano atendidas, com idade entre sete meses a 12 anos, foram coletados 450 soros de setembro/2004 a setembro/2005. Um questionário foi utilizado para avaliar dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e hematológicos. Pelo teste ELISA, com antígeno de excreção/secreção de larvas de Toxocara canis, detectou-se 130 (28,8%) soros positivos, principalmente em crianças entre sete meses e cinco anos (p = 0,0016). Houve significante correlação entre sorologia positiva para Toxocara e freqüente recreação das crianças em caixas de areia da escola ou pré escola (p = 0,011) e presença do gato no domicilio (p = 0,056). Das famílias dessas crianças, 50% possuíam cachorros e o quintal com solo exposto. Eosinofilia (p = 0,776), sinais e sintomas (febre p = 0,992, pneumonia p = 0,289, resfriado p = 0,277, tosse p = 0,783, problema gastrointestinal p = 0877, dor de cabeça p = 0,979, dor abdominal p = 0,965, dores articulares p = 0,686, urticária p = 0,105) não se correlacionaram com a soropositividade. Todavia, duas crianças asmáticas apresentaram títulos de 1:10.240 (>; 1:320) e acentuada eosinofilia (p = 0.0001). Os autores enfatizam a necessidade de atividades preventivas