Umbral Methods and Harmonic Numbers

The theory of harmonic based function is discussed here within the framework of umbral operational methods. We derive a number of results based on elementary notions relying on the properties of Gaussian integrals.Comment: 6 page

Lacunary generating functions of Hermite polynomials and symbolic methods

We employ an umbral formalism to reformulate the theory of Hermite polynomials and the derivation of the associated lacunary generating functions

Ombudsman communication: a case of organizational practice

Este artículo plantea el tema “comunicación y defensoría del pueblo público” al presentar un estudio en curso que busca comprender cómo la Red de Defensoría del Pueblo de la Empresa Brasileña de Servicios Hospitalarios (EBSERH) desarrolla prácticas comunicativas desde la perspectiva de la tríada: registro de manifestación, encuesta de satisfacción y servicio de información ciudadana; y cómo estas prácticas pueden analizarse en el contexto de comunicación organizativa. La metodología es cualitativa, con datos provenientes de cuestionario, entrevistas y observación participante.This article questions the matter of communication and public ombudsman services by presenting an ongoing study that analyzes how the Ombudsman Network of the Brazilian Hospital Services Company (EBSERH) develops communicative practices from the perspective of the triad registration of manifestation, satisfaction survey and citizen information service and how such practices can be analyzed in the context of organizational communication. The methodology adopted is qualitative, with data from questionnaire, interviews and participant observation.Este artigo traz uma problematização acerca da temática “comunicação e ouvidoria pública” ao apresentar um estudo em andamento que busca compreender de que formas a rede de ouvidorias da Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH) desenvolve práticas comunicativas sob a ótica da tríade: registro de manifestação, pesquisa de satisfação e serviço de informação ao cidadão; e como tais práticas podem ser analisadas no contexto da comunicação organizacional. A metodologia é qualitativa, com informações advindas de questionário, entrevistas e observação participante

Custos de oportunidade para alocação de efluentes nas áreas plantadas de cana na bacia do rio Pirapama

O artigo identifica os custos de oportunidade da alocação de efluentes nas áreas plantadas de cana, distantes mais de 2 Km da agroindústria JB, nos meses de safra em que isso não ocorre. Esses custos são obtidos por meio dos valores marginais das variáveis de decisão, provenientes do problema de maximização de benefícios econômicos, resolvido por meio do General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) e da análise do dual do problema linearizado. Além disso, simulam-se diferentes coeficientes para os custos de transporte e de tratamento de efluentes para verificação dos efeitos sobre sua alocação e os benefícios associados à mesma. Desta forma, pode-se subsidiar a identificação de taxas e/ou subsídios que favoreçam a alocação dos efluentes em áreas plantadas de cana mais distantes das agroindústrias, proporcionando não só ganhos de produtividade mais disseminados, como também o respeito aos limites de qualidade do rio.This paper identifies the opportunity costs in effluent allocation over sugarcane crop acres located more than 2Km away from the agroindustry plant JB, during the harvest season. The optimization problem described herein explains why these opportunity costs are usually missed. Actually, these costs derive from the marginal values associated to the decision-making variables concerning an economic benefit maximization problem resolved using the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) and from the dual analysis of the linearized problem therein. Besides, different effluent transportation and effluent treatment cost coefficients were considered in simulating possible impacts and benefits regarding effluent allocation. This approach supports the optimal definition of charging and/or subsidizing schemes best suited to allocate effluents over sugarcane crops located farther away from hub agroindustry plants, not just for more disseminated productivity gains, but also for best compliance with river water quality constraints

Hydronephrosis in a Dog Related to Ovariosalpingohysterectomy

Background: Hydronephrosis is the dilation of the pelvis and renal calyxes due to post-renal obstruction. The obstruction is often associated with extraluminal masses, blood clots and ureter ligation in castration procedures. Ureter ligation is reported as a malpractice. The renal function is reestablished if ligation is rapidly undone, but not for obstructions longer than four weeks. Often, clinical signs are results from months to years after the castration, when nephrectomy is the best therapeutic option. This paper aims to report a case of asymptomatic unilateral hydronephrosis in a 10-year-old dog caused by chronic ureter occlusion with Nylon 3.0 suture during an elective procedure.Case: A 10-year-old female pinscher dog, spayed 3 years ago was admitted at the Surgery Department of the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Jataí (HV-UFJ). The animal was taken for periodontal treatment. In the physical and laboratory examination (complete blood count, hepatic and renal biochemical tests) no significant and noteworthy alterations were found. Ultrasonographic examination showed no changes in the topography and echotexture of the left kidney, however the right kidney was not visualized, with an anechoic structure suggestive of advanced and severe hydronephrosis. Therefore, exploratory laparotomy was proposed to identify the observed structure, with the periodontal treatment considered for a later time. So, a retroumbilical incision was made, followed by linea alba and the removal of simple isolated suture remaining from previous surgical procedure. In the cavity, the viscera were isolated and the left kidney was identified, observing preserved anatomy. On the other hand, the right kidney had altered topography and morphology, being exposed after release of adhesions in adjacent structures. The right renal artery and vein were dissected and a double ligature was made. Then, the right ureter was dissected, observing marked dilatation in the proximal portion and the presence of local ligation with Nylon 3.0. Right ureterectomy and right nephrectomy were performed. After nephrectomy, the capsule was ruptured, observing dark fluid in it and absence of tissue compatible with renal parenchyma. The material was preserved in 10% formaldehyde and sent for histopathological examination. Histopathology revealed risk of rupture of the renal capsule due to the advance of renal degeneration and complete absence of parenchyma. However, contrary to the severity of the histopathological, surgical and ultrasonographic findings, the patient did not present clinical signs at the time of diagnosis.Discussion: In the intraoperative evaluation, the cause of the hydronephrosis was verified to be in fact the ligation of the ureter, which may have been accidental or due to the malpractice of the veterinarian surgeon. Other possible causes such as adhesions and granulomas were ruled out because the Nylon 3.0 suture was found in the proximal portion of the right ureter. It is believed that the patient may have presented clinical signs of hydronephrosis that may have been confused by the tutors as postoperative complications, changes that if identified and performed in time, could have avoided the occurrence or worsening of hydronephrosis and subsequent nephrectomy. Clinically, the bitch did not show clinical signs presented in the literature as consistent with hydronephrosis such as polyuria, polydipsia, abdominalgia, external fistula and anorexia. Therefore, it is believed that this case is one of the first reports of the occurrence of severe hydronephrosis without typical clinical manifestations of hydronephrosis. This fact raises a warning about the thorough monitoring in the postoperative period by owners and veterinarians, in addition to highlighting concerns regarding the occurrence of medical malpractice versus surgical accidents. Keywords: castration, malpractice, nephrectomy, nylon

Identification of Immunodominant Antigens From a First-Generation Vaccine Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasites belonging to the Leishmania genus for which there is no vaccine available for human use. Thus, the aims of this study are to evaluate the immunoprotective effect of a first-generation vaccine against L. amazonensis and to identify its immunodominant antigens. BALB/c mice were inoculated with phosphate buffer sodium (PBS), total L. amazonensis antigens (TLAs), or TLA with Poly (I:C) and Montanide ISA 763. The humoral and cellular immune response was evaluated before infection. IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a were measured on serum, and IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 cytokines as well as cell proliferation were measured on a splenocyte culture from vaccinated mice. Immunized mice were challenged with 104 infective parasites of L. amazonensis on the footpad. After infection, the protection provided by the vaccine was analyzed by measuring lesion size, splenic index, and parasite load on the footpad and spleen. To identify immunodominant antigens, total proteins of L. amazonensis were separated on 2D electrophoresis gel and transferred to a membrane that was incubated with serum from immunoprotected mice. The antigens recognized by the serum were analyzed through a mass spectrometric assay (LC-MS/MS-IT-TOF) to identify their protein sequence, which was subjected to bioinformatic analysis. The first-generation vaccine induced higher levels of antibodies, cytokines, and cell proliferation than the controls after the second dose. Mice vaccinated with TLA + Poly (I:C) + Montanide ISA 763 showed less footpad swelling, a lower splenic index, and a lower parasite load than the control groups (PBS and TLA). Four immunodominant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry: cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase, an uncharacterized protein, a kinetoplast-associated protein-like protein, and a putative heat-shock protein DNAJ. The identified proteins showed high levels of conserved sequence among species belonging to the Leishmania genus and the Trypanosomatidae family. These proteins also proved to be phylogenetically divergent to human and canine proteins. TLA + Poly (I:C) + Montanide ISA 763 could be used as a first-generation vaccine against leishmaniasis. The four proteins identified from the whole-protein vaccine could be good antigen candidates to develop a new-generation vaccine against leishmaniasis.Fil: Germano, Maria Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Mackern Oberti, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Vitório, Jessica Gardone. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Duarte, Mariana Costa. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Pimenta, Daniel Carvalho. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; BrasilFil: Sanchez Sanchez, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Bruna, Flavia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Grupo Vinculado de Investigacion y Desarrollo Biotecnologico Aplicado Al Diagnostico Al Ihem | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas. Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Grupo Vinculado de Investigacion y Desarrollo Biotecnologico Aplicado Al Diagnostico Al Ihem.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandes, Ana Paula. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Cargnelutti, Diego Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Combating Malnutrition Among Pregnant Women, Mothers and Babies in the Rural Amazonian Forest: What can Telehealth Do?

Purpose: Malnutrition is a current public health problem and a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality among the indigenous population in the Amazon forest. This may be related to the nutritional transition observed among indigenous women in Brazil. This research aims to empower health professionals to promote food and nutritional education for mothers and babies living in the forest of the Brazilian state of Amazonas and its Colombian border. We describe our experience using telehealth to combat malnutrition among pregnant women, mothers and babies in the rural Amazonian forest. Methods: This is a qualitative study that included three interventions: field visits, a scoping review, and online meetings. Data collect from field visits and the scoping review were used to identify demands and incorporate themes discussed in the virtual meetings held at telehealth units. Sessions used the web conferencing platform of the state of Amazonas and were facilitated by Brazilian specialists. Locations were selected according to existence of telehealth site. Results and Conclusions: Seven telehealth sessions were held between April and December in 2018 and three in 2019, including 14 different locations equipped with telehealth points, and lasted 120 minutes each. The main findings were that telehealth services can be an instrument to establish a knowledge exchange between health professionals and indigenous people. The participation of indigenous people in social media could be an instrument to maintain their culture and to promote their healthcare, especially traditional and healthy dietary patterns

Assessment of the microbiological quality of pattern minas cheese commercialized in Uberlândia and Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais

O queijo minas padrão é um produto elaborado com leite pasteurizado, fermentado com culturas mesófilas e adição de coalho. Esse queijo passa por um processo de maturação artesanal, possui uma casca firme de cor amarelada e sabor ácido. O presente trabalho avaliou a qualidade microbiológica de queijo minas padrão comercializado em duas microrregiões (Uberlândia e Patos de Minas) da mesorregião do Triângulo Mineiro e Alto Paranaíba do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram examinadas 40 amostras de queijo. Os ensaios microbiológicos foram contagens de enterobactérias, Escherichia coli, coliformes a 35 oC, Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e pesquisa de Salmonella spp. Na microrregião de Patos de Minas, os resultados foram de 45%, 35%, 20% e 20% superiores a 103 CFU/g para as contagens de enterobactérias, Escherichia coli, coliformes a 35oC e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, respectivamente. Cinco por cento das amostras analisadas foram positivas à pesquisa de Salmonella spp. Considerando a microrregião analisada (Uberlândia e Patos de Minas), a conclusão obtida foi que na região estudada, as condições de higiene nas etapas de fabricação, manuseio, transporte e armazenamento do queijo minas padrão são precárias, sendo necessária a implementação de sistemas de Boas Práticas de Fabricação (GMP), incluindo Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (HACCP).Pattern minas cheese is a product developed with pasteurized milk, fermented with mesophilic cultures, and with the final addition of rennet. This cheese undergoes an artisanal maturation process and possesses a firm shell of yellowish color and striking and acidic flavor. Our study objective was to evaluate the microbiological quality of pattern minas cheese. We collected 40 samples from two micro regions (Uberlândia and Patos de Minas) of the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba mesor regions of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The microbiological test results were recorded as counts of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms at 35°C, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and Salmonella spp. In the Patos de Minas micro region, the results were 45%, 35%, 20%, and 20% higher than 103 CFU/g for the counts of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms at 35°C, and Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, respectively. Five percent of the analyzed samples were positive for Salmonella spp. in the Uberlândia micro region. Based on the findings of the microbiota in the cheese analyzed from the micro regions (Uberlândia and Patos de Minas), we concluded that the hygiene conditions in the manufacturing, handling, transport, and storage stages were precarious, requiring the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) systems, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Imunoterapia na doença de Huntington: Uma revisão sistemática / Immunotherapy in Huntington's disease: A systematic review

A imunoterapia (IT) é promissora no tratamento da doença de Huntington (DH), uma doença genética desencadeada pelo desdobramento da proteína huntingtina com um trato de poliglutamina (CAG) que se repete múltiplas vezes e, como consequência, haverá uma morte seletiva de neurônios, levando à perda de coordenação motora e demência progressiva. Objetivos. Investigar o desempenho da IT na DH através de uma revisão sistemática. Métodos. Foram analisados estudos em fases pré-clínica e clínica publicados originalmente em inglês, tendo como referência a base de dados MEDLINE. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as palavras-chave “IT”, “Doença de Huntington” e “Doenças neurodegenerativas”, sendo seus sinônimos obtidos através do MeSH. Os critérios de inclusão foram estudos sobre o uso da IT para a DH, sendo os de exclusão estudos com métodos pouco claros e publicações disponíveis somente em resumo. A recomendação PRISMA foi utilizada com o intuito de melhorar o relato da revisão sistemática. Resultados. Na DH ocorre desregulação de mecanismos imunes, gerando ativação microglial e elevação de citocinas inflamatórias, até mesmo antes da fase sintomática. Os imunoterápicos destinados a restaurar a função normal dessas vias deveriam, em teoria, ter o potencial para desacelerar a doença e melhorar as características. Alguns deles mostraram resultados promissores em modelos animais na DH, mas não conseguiram reproduzir eficácia equivalente em ensaios clínicos. Além disso, indivíduos identificados geneticamente nos estágios iniciais podem apresentar benefícios particulares ao passo que os fármacos atingem tecidos periféricos além do cérebro. Estudos in vitro sugerem que a co-expressão da cadeia única de Anticorpos Fv (acFv) à proteína huntingtina reduz a agregação de sequências GAC, logo, pressupõe-se que aplicações semelhantes dessa tecnologia podem fornecer um meio de induzir expressão endógena de anticorpos na DH. Um protocolo de imunização ativo relatou que a vacinação com um fragmento de DNA Exon 1 mutante da DH poderia melhorar um fenótipo de intolerância à glicose em um modelo de camundongo. Esses resultados sugerem que as IT têm um potencial significativo para o tratamento tanto do SNC quanto fenótipos sistêmicos na DH. Conclusão. Atualmente, poucos ensaios clínicos de alto valor científico têm sido relatados sobre imunoterapia na DH, no entanto, estudos in vitro e in vivo com cobaias têm apresentado sucesso em ensaios clínicos de fase III