Permanent and temporary shocks to government spending: an empirical approach

Cointegration between government spending and output is rarely considered in fiscal re­search. Motivated by this potential long ­run relationship, the paper focuses on separating temporary from permanent shocks to government spending using a SVECM. In particular,thisdecompositionrevealsthatgovernmentexpendituredataisindeedamixofstabilisationinterventions and responses to economic growth. The interpretation of these shocks is thenusedtoinfertheconsequencesoftemporaryincreasesingovernmentspending. Controlling for cointegration delivers results consistent with existent literature, yet the effects seem to be less persistent as the impact on output rapidly converges to zero

Correlação entre o consumo de carboidratos e calorias com o desempenho físico de adolescentes praticantes de tênis

The practice of physical exercises leads to an increase in caloric expenditure and consequently to a greater daily energy requirement so that there is no fall in physical performance, especially when it comes to high performance athletes who have extensive and exhaustive training routines. Tennis is not an exception for such characteristics, as it is characterized by departures of various intensities and duration, with intermittent stimuli and repetitive movements. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the carbohydrate intake and the daily energetic value that the athletes of tennis consumed had influence on the physical performance in aerobic power test. Eight tennis athletes, men, aged between 11 and 15, participated in the study. The following evaluations were performed: anthropometric (weight and height), body composition through electrical bioimpedance (BIA), a physical test (Yo-Yo Endurance Test Level 1) and finally an evaluation of food consumption (three hours on differentiated days, two being during the week and one at the end of the week). Subsequently, the variables were presented as mean and standard deviation. Athletes' body fat was 15.2 ± 4.8% while the estimated VO2 Max was 45.3 ± 5.8 ml / kg / min. When correlating the carbohydrate and calorie consumption with the VO2 Max of the athletes, no statistically significant values ​​were found. In summary, the athletes presented anthropometric data above the recommended for the sporting modality in question and adequate consumption for carbohydrates only, since calories, protein and lipids were above the recommendation.A prática de exercícios físicos leva a um aumento no gasto calórico e consequentemente a uma maior necessidade energética diária para que não haja queda no desempenho físico, principalmente quando se trata de atletas de alto rendimento, que possuem rotinas de treinos extensos e exaustivos. O tênis, não é uma exceção para tais características, pois caracteriza-se por partidas de diversas intensidades e duração, com estímulos intermitentes e movimentos repetitivos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar se o consumo de carboidratos e o valor energético diário que os atletas de tênis consumiam tinham influência sobre o desempenho físico em teste de potência aeróbia. Participaram do estudo 8 atletas de tênis, homens, com faixa etária entre 11 e 15 anos. Foram realizadas as seguintes avaliações: antropométrica (Peso e Estatura), da composição corporal por meio da bioimpedância elétrica (BIA), um teste físico (Yo-Yo Endurance Teste Level 1) e por fim uma avaliação do consumo alimentar (três recordatórios de 24 horas em dias diferenciados, sendo dois durante a semana e um ao final de semana). Posteriormente as variáveis foram apresentadas em média e desvio padrão. A gordura corporal dos atletas foi 15,2 ± 4,8% enquanto o VO2 Max estimado foi 45,3 ± 5,8 ml/kg/min. Ao correlacionar o consumo de carboidrato e calorias com o VO2 Max dos atletas, não foram encontrados valores estatisticamente significantes. Em suma, verificou-se que os atletas apresentavam dados antropométricos acima do recomendado para a modalidade esportiva em questão e consumo adequado apenas para carboidratos, visto que calorias, proteína e lipídios estavam acima da recomendação

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype (MCC-Spain)

Epidemiologic evidence on the association between vitamin D and breast cancer is still inconclusive. This study analyzes the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtype, stage at diagnosis and specific breast cancer risk factors. We conducted a population-based multicase-control study where 546 histologically-confirmed breast cancer cases and 558 population controls, frequently matched by geographic area, age and body mass index, were recruited in 12 Spanish provinces (MCC-Spain). Information was collected by a questionnaire and plasma 25(OH)D was measured by solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic and multinomial mixed regression models. We found a clear protective effect between 25(OH)D levels and breast cancer risk, with a significant dose-response trend (OR per 10?nmol/L?=?0.88; 95%CI?=?0.82-0.94). While no differences were observed between pre and postmenopausal women, stage at diagnosis, or across strata of the main breast cancer risk factors, the protection was more pronounced for triple negative tumors (OR per 10?nmol/L?=?0.64; p-heterogeneity?=?0.038). Similar results were observed when only cases sampled in the first month after diagnosis were considered. The protective effect of vitamin D on breast cancer risk may be subtype specific, being stronger for more aggressive tumors, which provides a new approach to prevent this disease.The study was funded by Carlos III Institute of Health grants (PI12/00488, PI12/00265, PI12/00715, PI12/01270, PI09/00773 and PI08/1770), by the Spanish Ministry of Health (EC11-273), by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (IJCI-2014-20900) and by Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI-0571-2009) competitive calls including peer review for scientific quality. Additional funding was provided by the Spanish Federation of Breast Cancer Patients (FECMA: EPY 1169-10), the Association of Women with Breast Cancer from Elche (AMACMEC: EPY 1394/15), the Marqués de Valdecilla foundation (grant API 10/09), and by Acción Transversal del Cancer, approved by the Spanish Ministry Council on October 11, 2007. None of the funders played any role in conducting research or writing the paper. This article presents independent research. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Carlos III Institute of Health

Aprendizagem inventiva de professores da escola básica na pandemia da covid-19

Based on inventive cognition’s perspective, this work aims to understand how teachers invent themselves in the process of learning how to use remote teaching tools. 93 basic education teachers (from Paraíba and Pernambuco) participated. Through descriptive statistical analysis of sociodemographic data and content analysis of answers to a survey (open-ended questions), it was observed that women are the most affected by the changes in school education conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they recreate interpersonal relations and relations with their profession’s knowledge within the limits of their own body and the demands of continuous teaching work.Basado en la perspectiva de la cognición inventiva, este trabajo busca comprender la reinvención del professor aprendiendo a utilizar herramientas de enseñanza remota. Participaron 93 profesores de educación básica (Paraíba y Pernambuco). Mediante análisis estadístico descriptivo de datos sociodemográficos y análisis de contenido de respuestas a preguntas abiertas de un cuestionario, se observó que las mujeres son más afectadas por los cambios en las condiciones de la educación escolar provocados por la pandemia del COVID-19, recreando relaciones (inter)personales y con los conocimientos de su profesión, en los límites de su propio cuerpo y de las exigencias del trabajo docente continuo.Este trabalho está fundamentado na perspectiva da cognição inventiva, objetivando compreender como o professor se inventa no processo de sua própria aprendizagem de utilização de ferramentas no ensino remoto. Participaram 93 professores da educação básica (Paraíba e Pernambuco). Mediante análise estatística descritiva dos dados sociodemográficos e análise de conteúdo de respostas às questões abertas de um questionário online, observou-se que as mulheres são as mais afetadas pelas mudanças nas condições da educação escolar provocadas pela pandemia da COVID-19, recriando relações (inter)pessoais e com os conhecimentos da profissão nos limites do próprio corpo e das exigências de um trabalho docente contínuo

Protective Role of UCP2 in Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis during the Silent Phase of an Experimental Model of Epilepsy Induced by Pilocarpine

Neuroprotection is a desirable process in many neurological disorders, yet complex mechanisms involved in this field are not completely understood. The pilocarpine epilepsy model causes potent, seizure-induced excitotoxicity cell death and mitochondria impairment. The present study is aimed at investigating the role of UCP2, a ROS negative regulator, in the neuroprotection after cholinergic insult. Our data demonstrated that UCP2 expression was augmented in the rat hippocampus 3 days after status epilepticus (SE), reaching a peak on the fifth day, then returning to basal levels. Concomitantly, phospho-AKT expression levels were higher in the hippocampus during the early silent phase (5 days after SE). Additionally, it was demonstrated that the blockade of UCP2 by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) in SE rats successfully diminished both UCP2 mRNA and protein contents. SE ASO rats presented increased mitochondrial proapoptotic factor expression, caspase-3 activity, inflammatory cytokine expression, and ROS formation. Moreover, ASO treatment diminished p-AKT expression and antioxidant enzyme activities after pilocarpine insult. In conclusion, the present results highlight the neuroprotective actions of UCP2, acting in the inhibition of apoptotic factors and oxidative stress, to increase neuron survival after SE onset

Conventional and Doppler Abdominal Ultrasonography in Pacas (Cuniculus paca)

Background: The first report of ultrasound evaluation in pacas was for gestational diagnosis and monitoring. However, there are no reports of the use of this technique for the evaluation of abdominal structure in pacas. Elucidating the biology of wild species is important for preservation and potential use as experimental models for human and animal research. As such, this study aimed to describe an ultrasonographic view of major abdominal organs and determine the vascular indices of abdominal aorta and renal arteries in pacas (Cuniculus paca) by Doppler mode.Materials, Methods & Results: Fifteen adult females with a mean weight of nine kilograms were positioned into dorsal or lateral recumbency. A specific gel was applied, and transabdominal ultrasound examination was performed by a single experienced evaluator using MyLab 30 VET ultrasound equipment (ESAOTE, Italy) with 7.5 and 10.0 MHz linear transducers. Anatomy, biometry and ultrasonographic findings, such as ecogenicity, echotexture and wall thickness of main abdominal organs (bladder, kidneys, adrenals, spleen, liver, digestive system and ovaries), were assessed during the ultrasound scan. Doppler ultrasound was used to determine the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI = [PSV - EDV]/PSV) and pulsatility index (PI = [PSV - EDV]/mean velocity) of the abdominal aorta and renal arteries. The animals were healthy based on physical examination, hemogram and biochemical profile. Furthermore, we determined that the ultrasound technique for abdominal evaluation of these animals was feasible. Major abdominal organs were accessed using conventional ultrasonography biometric values and sonographic characteristics. Doppler examination was used to determine mean vascular indices of the abdominal aorta and the left and right renal arteries.Discussion: Several studies using the ultrasound technique in wild animals have demonstrated the clinical importance and applicability of this imaging method for veterinary medicine. As mentioned, ultrasound examination is feasible, effective and important for the assessment of topographical relations and ultrasound characteristics of abdominal organs in pacas. During urinary bladder ultrasound examination of the caudal abdomen, little repletion with anechoic content without sediment was observed, renal structures presented a topography, echogenicity and cortico-medullary relationship (1:1) and sonographic findings of the spleen and liver of pacas were similar to those described in dogs and cats. Upon digestive system ultrasound, the stomach showed sonographic characteristics similar to dogs such as peristaltic movements (3 to 5 per minute) and intestinal silhouettes (2 to 3 per min). The adrenal glands were easily detected by ultrasound, located cranial to the ipsilateral kidney, the same as in dogs, ferrets and coatis. Ovaries, as well as the internal follicular structures, were observed near the caudal renal pole. These findings corroborate the findings of normal ovaries in dogs and cats. Doppler mode of the abdominal aorta and renal arteries was feasible and useful for the study of the physiology and detection of hemodynamic abnormalities in pacas. Conventional and Doppler ultrasonography allowed the study of the abdominal structures of pacas (Cuniculus paca), providing original and valuable information on the topographic anatomy and morphophysiology of abdominal tissues and their sonographic descriptions. The results of this study may aid in abdominal injury evaluation in these animals and other wild species.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype (MCC-Spain)

Epidemiologic evidence on the association between vitamin D and breast cancer is still inconclusive. This study analyzes the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtype, stage at diagnosis and specific breast cancer risk factors. We conducted a population-based multicase-control study where 546 histologically-confirmed breast cancer cases and 558 population controls, frequently matched by geographic area, age and body mass index, were recruited in 12 Spanish provinces (MCC-Spain). Information was collected by a questionnaire and plasma 25(OH)D was measured by solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic and multinomial mixed regression models. We found a clear protective effect between 25(OH)D levels and breast cancer risk, with a significant dose-response trend (OR per 10 nmol/L = 0.88; 95%CI = 0.82-0.94). While no differences were observed between pre and postmenopausal women, stage at diagnosis, or across strata of the main breast cancer risk factors, the protection was more pronounced for triple negative tumors (OR per 10 nmol/L = 0.64; p-heterogeneity = 0.038). Similar results were observed when only cases sampled in the first month after diagnosis were considered. The protective effect of vitamin D on breast cancer risk may be subtype specific, being stronger for more aggressive tumors, which provides a new approach to prevent this disease