Longitudinal study of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in Brazil (SaMi-Trop project): a cohort profile.

PurposeWe have established a prospective cohort of 1959 patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy to evaluate if a clinical prediction rule based on ECG, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and other biomarkers can be useful in clinical practice. This paper outlines the study and baseline characteristics of the participants.ParticipantsThe study is being conducted in 21 municipalities of the northern part of Minas Gerais State in Brazil, and includes a follow-up of 2 years. The baseline evaluation included collection of sociodemographic information, social determinants of health, health-related behaviours, comorbidities, medicines in use, history of previous treatment for Chagas disease, functional class, quality of life, blood sample collection, and ECG. Patients were mostly female, aged 50-74 years, with low family income and educational level, with known Chagas disease for >10 years; 46% presented with functional class >II. Previous use of benznidazole was reported by 25.2% and permanent use of pacemaker by 6.2%. Almost half of the patients presented with high blood cholesterol and hypertension, and one-third of them had diabetes mellitus. N-terminal of the prohormone BNP (NT-ProBNP) level was >300 pg/mL in 30% of the sample.Findings to dateClinical and laboratory markers predictive of severe and progressive Chagas disease were identified as high NT-ProBNP levels, as well as symptoms of advanced heart failure. These results confirm the important residual morbidity of Chagas disease in the remote areas, thus supporting political decisions that should prioritise in addition to epidemiological surveillance the medical treatment of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in the coming years. The São Paulo-Minas Gerais Tropical Medicine Research Center (SaMi-Trop) represents a major challenge for focused research in neglected diseases, with knowledge that can be applied in primary healthcare.Future plansWe will continue following this patients' cohort to provide relevant information about the development and progression of Chagas disease in remotes areas, with social and economic inequalities.Trial registration numberNCT02646943; Pre-results

GPS E GLONASS: ASPECTOS TEÓRICOS E APLICAÇÕES PRÁTICAS

Tanto o GPS (Global Positioning System) como o seu similar GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) oferecem uma poderosa ferramenta para a determinação de coordenadas de pontos na superfície terrestre. Assim, a realização deste trabalho objetiva o estudo dos aspectos envolvidos na associação dos sistemas de posicionamento global GPS e GLONASS, no que se refere à sua aplicação aos levantamentos geodésicos. Para tal, são abordados aspectos teóricos e práticos, considerados relevantes para o esclarecimento do tema. Dentro deste contexto, na parte teórica apresentam-se as principais características dos sistemas, ressaltando-se suas semelhanças e diferenças. Na parte prática são realizados diversos experimentos, subdivididos em posicionamentos absoluto e relativo. A metodologia de avaliação dos resultados visa uma análise quantitativa do desempenho proporcionado pelos sistemas GPS, GLONASS e GPS/GLONASS. GPS and GLONASS: Theorical Aspects and Practical Applications Abstract Both GPS (Global Positioning System) and its similar GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) constitute a powerful tool for the determination of coordinates of points in the terrestrial surface. This way, of this work accomplishment aims the study of the aspects involved in the integration of these two global positioning systems, in what it refers to its application to the geodesic surveyings. Important theoretical and practical aspects are considered for the subjects explain. Into this context, in the theoretical part, the main characteristics of the systems are discussed standing out the similarities and differences of both. In the practical part several experiments are accomplished, subdivided in absolute and relative positionings. The evaluation methodology of the results seeks for a quantitative analysis of the performance provided by the systems GPS, GLONASS and GPS/GLONASS

RESENHA DO LIVRO CIRCUS MAXIMUS: THE ECONOMIC GAMBLE BEHIND HOSTING THE OLYMPICS AND THE WORLD CUP

This article is a critical review of Andrew Zimbalist’s book Circus Maximus. We found that revenues generated by mega-events are well below the amount spent to organize the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, especially in developing countries, due to requirements made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Football Association (FIFA). We concluded that mega-events are bad deals for cities and countries that host those events. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo reseñar el libro Circus Maximus, de Andrew Zimbalist. Se adoptó el procedimiento de la reseña crítica. Se constata con la lectura del libro que la realización de megaeventos, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo, debido a las exigencias impuestas por el Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI) y porla Federación Internacional dela Asociaciones de Fútbol (FIFA), producen ingresos y facturación muy por debajo de los valores que se gastan con la organización de los Juegos Olímpicos yla Copa del Mundo dela FIFA. Se concluye que la realización de megaeventos es un mal negocio para las ciudades y países que acogen esos eventos. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo resenhar o livro Circus Maximus, de Andrew Zimbalist. Adotou-se o procedimento da resenha crítica. Constata-se, com a leitura do livro, que a realização de megaeventos, principalmente em países em desenvolvimento, em função das exigências impostas pelo Comitê Olímpico Internacional (COI) e pela Federação Internacional das Associações de Futebol (FIFA), produz renda e faturamento muito abaixo dos valores despendidos com a organização dos Jogos Olímpicos e da Copa do Mundo FIFA. Conclui-se que a realização dos megaeventos é um mau negócio para as cidades e países que sediam os eventos. 

Reduction mastoplasty with submuscular implants for breast symmetrization in patients undergoing mastectomy

INTRODUCTION: Breast reconstruction with expanders/implants is one of the most common techniques used for the treatment of mastectomy-induced sequelae, due to the reduced surgical time and morbidity. However, the maintenance of long-term symmetrization in the contralateral breast remains a major challenge. The procedure of reduction mastoplasty has been developed, and is performed by positioning a submuscular implant in the contralateral breast of patients undergoing breast reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 31 patients were included in the study. Their primary characteristics were glandular resection, combined with implant insertion in the subpectoral plane. Complications, shape, symmetry, and volume were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: A low incidence of complications and surgical revisions was observed, with no cases of implant loss. Good breast symmetry was achieved. CONCLUSION: Reduction mastoplasty with submuscular implants proved to be a safe procedure, and resulted in good breast symmetry in patients who underwent mastectomy

Hand Posture Effects on Handedness Recognition as Revealed by the Simon Effect

We investigated the influence of hand posture in handedness recognition, while varying the spatial correspondence between stimulus and response in a modified Simon task. Drawings of the left and right hands were displayed either in a back or palm view while participants discriminated stimulus handedness by pressing either a left or right key with their hands resting either in a prone or supine posture. As a control, subjects performed a regular Simon task using simple geometric shapes as stimuli. Results showed that when hands were in a prone posture, the spatially corresponding trials (i.e., stimulus and response located on the same side) were faster than the non-corresponding trials (i.e., stimulus and response on opposite sides). In contrast, for the supine posture, there was no difference between corresponding and non-corresponding trials. Control experiments with the regular Simon task showed that the posture of the responding hand had no influence on performance. When the stimulus is the drawing of a hand, however, the posture of the responding hand affects the spatial correspondence effect because response location is coded based on multiple reference points, including the body of the hand

Antimicrobial Photodinamic Therapy Combined with Laser Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Skin Wounds in a Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Background: Laser photobiomodulation has been used in the treatment of various injuries and diseases. This promotes modulation of the inflammatory process, edema reduction and devitalized tissue regeneration. The advantages of Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy are its easy application and the absence of side effects. Other advantages are the cost of the therapy, minimal damage to animal tissue, the broad spectrum of action, and efficiency against strains resistant to antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to report the clinical and their resolution in a female dog with a traumatic, infected wound treated with laser phototherapy as an alternative therapy method.Case: A 3-year-old bitch Border Collie, weighing 18 kg, from the municipality of Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil, waspresented for examination with a history of traumatic laceration of the left thoracic member. On the anamnesis, it was reported that the patient presented with laceration of the left thoracic member. The wound was cleaned and an antibiotic [30 mg/kg of 12/12 h] and anti-inflammatory [0.1 mg/kg every 24 h were prescribed, both for 5 days]. Twenty-four h after the surgical procedure, there was dehiscence of the sutures, with daily topical therapy based on zinc oxide for secondary intention healing. Upon physical examination, the wound was found to be contaminated with swollen and erythematous edges, an ulcerated area with devitalized tissue, serous exudate, and 8.8 cm2 of wounded area. Given the macroscopic characteristics of the lesion, phototherapy was associated with conventional therapy until complete healing of the wound, with three weekly applications at 48 h intervals. Initially, the wound was cleaned with saline solution at 0.9% and a single treatment with aPDT was scheduled due to the high degree of contamination. The dosimetry parameters of irradiation were calculated according to the wounded area with a diode laser of 0.1W of power, continuous emission, spot area of 0.028 cm2, and energy of 9 J per application point. A gauze imbibed with 1 mL of methylene blue aqueous solution (300 μM), which was the photosensitizer was applied to the lesion, with a pre-irradiation time of 5 min, after which it was irradiated with red laser (RL) (λ = 660nm) for 90 s per point, using the sweeping technique. The edge of the lesion was irradiated with infrared laser (IRL) (λ = 808 nm), total energy of 5 J, using the technique of specific points and 1 J of energy/point. After aPDT, low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) sessions were set up with RL and IRL, with energies of 0.5 J/point and 1 J/point, respectively. The wound was cleaned daily, protected with a bandage, and clinically evaluated until complete regression.Discussion: In the present case, methylene blue was used as a photosensitizer, but it is noteworthy that, apparently, each microorganism responds differently to photosensitizers. Thus, the therapy becomes specific for each application, for example: the type of photosensitizer, its concentration, pre-irradiation time, type of light used in photosensitization, wavelength, energy, power, mode delivery of light. Thus, for the best result, the specific protocol in each application should be used  Low-intensity laser therapy is an easily executed technique with effective results. The use of PDT associated with photobiomodulation therapy enabled rapid healing of the cutaneous wound, in addition to an improvement in clinical signs and pain caused by the lesion. The technique proved to be an efficient alternative in the treatment of wounds, whether used in isolation or associated with conventional therapy. Keywords: methylene blue, healing, wound, photobiomodulation, low-level laser.Título: Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana combinada com a fotobiomodulação a laser no tratamento de ferida cutânea em cão (Canis lupus familiaris)

Electroretinography in dogs using a fiber electrode prototype

We compared two electroretinography (ERG) electrodes in dogs using ERG standards of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV). Ten healthy Yorkshire terrier dogs (mean age, 2.80 +/- 1.42 years; 6 females) weighing 5.20 +/- 1.56 kg were evaluated using an ERG system for veterinary use. Dark-and light-adapted ERG responses were recorded using an ERG-Jet electrode and a fiber electrode prototype. the examinations were performed during 2 visits, 3 weeks apart. Both electrodes (ERG-Jet or fiber prototype) were used on each animal and the first eye to be recorded (OD x OS) was selected randomly. Three weeks later the examination was repeated on the same animal switching the type of electrode to be used that day and the first eye to be examined. the magnitude and waveform quality obtained with the two electrode types were similar for all ERG responses. ERG amplitudes and implicit times obtained from dogs using the fiber electrode prototype were comparable to those obtained with the ERG-Jet electrode for rod, maximal rod-cone summed, cone, and 30-Hz flicker responses. the fiber electrode prototype is a low-cost device, available as an alternative instrument for clinical veterinary ERG recording for retinal function assessment.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Clin Vet Arca Noe, Atibaia, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Dept Vet Med, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Oftalmol, São Paulo, BrazilWashington State Univ, Dept Vet Clin Sci, Pullman, WA 99164 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Oftalmol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 04/02669-6FAPESP: 05/56459-5CNPq: 474251/2009-8Web of Scienc

Ethnobiology of snappers (Lutjanidae): target species and suggestions for management

In this study, we sought to investigate the biology (diet and reproduction) and ethnobiology (fishers knowledge and fishing spots used to catch snappers) of five species of snappers (Lutjanidae), including Lutjanus analis, Lutjanus synagris, Lutjanus vivanus, Ocyurus chrysurus, and Romboplites saliens at five sites along the northeast (Riacho Doce, Maceió in Alagoas State, and Porto do Sauípe, Entre Rios at Bahia State) and the southeast (SE) Brazilian coast (Paraty and Rio de Janeiro cities at Rio de Janeiro State, and Bertioga, at São Paulo State.)