Antimicrobial and antioxidant screening of curcumin and pyrocatechol in the prevention of biodiesel degradation: oxidative stability

Owing to its hygroscopicity biodiesel may accumulate water during storage, which becomes favorable to the growth of microorganisms. In order to control microbial contamination, use of various chemical biocides has been studied. However, the addition of a natural substance simultaneously with antioxidant and microbial growth inhibition could prove advantageous in the prevention of biodiesel oxidation and microbial contamination. Curcumin and pyrocatechol are antioxidant agents, which also exhibit microbial growth inhibition abilities. This research effort aimed at evaluating the addition of curcumin and pyrocatechol to biodiesel produced from various vegetable sources (waste frying oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, macaúba almond oil and microalgae oil). The combined addition of 1% (w/w) water and curcumin (viz. 0.2% (w/w) for biodiesel from spent frying oil, 0.5% (w/w) for biodiesel from soybean oil, 0.1% (w/w) for biodiesel from cotton seed oil, 0.5% (w/w) for biodiesel from sesame seed oil, 0.2% (w/w) for biodiesel from macaúba almond oil, and 0.2% (w/w) for biodiesel from microalgae oil) were those processing variables that promoted the best fungistatic and antioxidant effects, allowing maintenance of an unfavorable environment for microbial growth in biodiesel inoculated with the ubiquitous filamentous mold Paecilomyces variotii Bainier.Project funding by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - Brazil) (CNPq Ref. No. 404808/ 2013-1, Project ‘Studies on Biodiesel: Development of analytical methods for the characterization and quality control, and research of new natural additives to improve the quality of this biofuel’), is hereby gratefully acknowledged. This work received support from CNPq, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development Brazil, in the form of Research Productivity (PQ) fellowships granted to Victor M. Balcão (Ref. No. 306113/2014-7) and Marco V. Chaud (Ref. No. 309598/2014-1). The authors have no conflicts of interest whatsoever to declare

A FORMAÇÃO DO ENFERMEIRO PARA A ASSISTÊNCIA DE PORTADORES DE NECESSIDADES ESPECIAIS, COM PARALISIA CEREBRAL, SUBMETIDOS À INTERNAÇÃO DOMICILIAR

This is an end of course work that has as its subject nurse training in the home care of special needs patients, particularly, of patients with cerebral paralysis. Its aim is to sensitize the nurse to the peculiarities of Attention Services at home and for patients with cerebral palsy. To direct the course of this work, we present as a study the problem of the identification of the main necessities of the patients with cerebral palsy in Attention Services at home. The general objective of this research will be to describe the training process of specialist nurses in home care and the specific objectives will be: To identify the main requirements of patients with special needs and cerebral palsy, and to describe how nurses are prepared for this type of care of patients and their family. It was opted to carry out a bibliographical research, contemplating a qualitative focus, of explorative nature, descriptive and explanatory, resulting in the following thematic categories: The perception of the importance of "being a nurse in home care" and the relevance of the knowledge of the needs of patients with cerebral palsy and their family, in regards to home internment. From its development, it was possible to perceive that the academic focus given to this type of service and to this type of patient is limited, and that a specific specialization for the peculiarities of the service of home care and the peculiarities of a patient with cerebral palsy is still restricted. We conclude that greater assessment and study of the service of home care, as well as the patient with cerebral palsy, is necessary. As much during study as after graduation because this is a service in expansion and the patient needs complete care. We hope that this study contributes to a greater interest in the subject, facilitating the assistance of patients in home care, particularly those with special needs.Este es un trabajo de finalización de curso, que tiene como tema la formación de enfermeras en la atención domiciliaria con una necesidad especial, más concretamente, para el cliente con parálisis cerebral; quiere aumentar la sensibilización, especialmente a la enfermera acerca de las peculiaridades del Servicio de Atención a domicilio y al paciente con parálisis cerebral. Para dirigir el progreso de este trabajo, se presenta como problema el estudio de la identificación de las principales necesidades presentadas por el cliente con parálisis cerebral en el servicio de cuidados en el hogar. El objetivo general de esta investigación es describir el proceso de formación de la enfermera especialista en cuidados en el hogar y los objetivos específicos: identificar las principales necesidades de la atención al cliente con necesidades especiales, con parálisis cerebral; describir cómo las enfermeras están preparadas para este tipo de asistencia a estos clientes y de su familia. Nuestra opción es realizar una búsqueda bibliográfica, se contempla un enfoque cualitativo, el carácter exploratorio, descriptivo y explicativo, por lo que en las siguientes categorías temáticas: La percepción de la importancia de "ser calificadas enfermeras en la atención a domicilio" y la importancia del conocimiento de las necesidades del cliente y de la familia del neuropata, frente al episodio de hospitalización en domicilio. A partir de su desarrollo, es posible percibir que el enfoque académico dispensado a este tipo de servicio y a ese tipo de cliente es limitada, y que está todavía limitada una especialización especifica tanto para las peculiaridades del servicio de atención domiciliaria, como las peculiaridades de un paciente neuropata. Llegamos a la conclusión de que necesitamos una mayor valoración y estudio del servicio de atención domiciliaria, así como a los clientes con parálisis cerebral, tanto durante como en la postgraduación, por el hecho de que este es un servicio en expansión y el cliente es un usuario que necesita toda la atención. Esperamos que este estudio contribuya a un mayor interés en el tema, facilitar la asistencia de los clientes sometidos a atención domiciliaria, especialmente los que tienen necesidades especiales.Trata-se de um trabalho de conclusão de curso, que tem como tema a formação do enfermeiro no atendimento domiciliar ao portador de necessidade especial, mais especificamente, ao cliente com paralisia cerebral, pretende sensibilizar, em especial ao enfermeiro quanto às peculiaridades do serviço de atendimento domiciliar e do paciente com paralisia cerebral. Para direcionar o andamento deste trabalho, apresentamos como problema de estudo a identificação das principais necessidades apresentadas pelo cliente com paralisia cerebral no serviço de atendimento domiciliar. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi descrever o processo de formação do enfermeiro especialista em atendimento domiciliar e os objetivos específicos: identificar as principais necessidades assistenciais do cliente portador de necessidades especiais com paralisia cerebral; descrever como o enfermeiro é preparado para essa assistência a esses clientes e sua família. Optou-se por realizar uma pesquisa bibliográfica, contemplando-se uma abordagem qualitativa, de natureza exploratória, descritiva e explicativa, resultando nas seguintes categorias temáticas: A percepção da importância do “ser enfermeiro capacitado em home care” e A relevância do conhecimento das necessidades do cliente e da família do neuropata, frente ao episodio de internação domiciliar. A partir do seu desenvolvimento, foi possível perceber que a abordagem acadêmica dispensada a esse tipo de serviço e a esse tipo de cliente é restrita, e que ainda é restrita também uma especialização especifica, tanto para as peculiaridades do serviço de atendimento domiciliar, como às peculiaridades de um paciente neuropata. Concluímos que é necessário maior valorização e estudo quanto ao serviço de atendimento domiciliar, assim como também ao cliente com paralisia cerebral, tanto no intra como na pós-graduação, pelo fato de que este é um serviço em expansão e esse cliente é um usuário em potencial, por ser um cliente que necessita de atenção integral. Desejamos que este estudo contribua de forma a impulsionar um maior interesse sobre o tema, facilitando a assistência de clientes submetidos à internação domiciliar, em especial àqueles que possuem necessidades especiais

DIAGNÓSTICOS DE ENFERMAGEM COMO INSTRUMENTOS NA FORMAÇÃO DO ENFERMEIRO: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

This research presents a review of articles on the topic of "Nursing Diagnosis," published during the years 2000-2007 and refers to a trend which has increasingly been mentioned in practice and in medical journals: The study is based on evidence. To this end, we used the methodology of a bibliographic search, using data sources such as the national nursing journals indexed in the LILACS database (Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), MEDLINE (International Science Literature Health) SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). We chose to use the term "Nursing Diagnosis," that was found in 65 articles. For the analysis it was revealed the nature of the items, the assessment of the authors and how they evaluated the diagnosis teaching of nursing. It highlighted the main theoretical references, issues of proportionality and the years of the publication in question. It can be concluded that the production of nursing articles, within the theme of the diagnosis, has been made even in small quantities, which indicates the need of production and application of these articles in the fields of teaching and practice.  Esta investigación presenta una revisión bibliográfica de los artículos sobre el tema "Diagnóstico de Enfermería", publicados durante los años 2000-2007, y se refiere a una tendencia que se ha afirmado en la práctica y en las revistas médicas: el estudio basado en la evidencia. Con este fin, hemos utilizado la metodología de búsqueda bibliográfica, utilizando fuentes de datos como las revistas de enfermería nacional indexadas a la base de datos LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud), MEDLINE (Literatura Internacional en Ciencias Salud) y SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Se optó por utilizar el término "Diagnóstico de Enfermería", donde fueron encontrados 65 artículos. Para el análisis se puso de manifiesto la naturaleza de los artículos, la valoración de los autores, y cómo estos evalúan el diagnóstico en el hacer/educar en enfermería. Se destacaron los principales teóricos referenciados, temas y proporcionalidad de los años de la publicación en cuestión. Se puede concluir que la producción de artículos de enfermería, dentro de la temática del diagnóstico, se ha hecho incluso en pequeñas cantidades, lo que indica la necesidad de la producción y aplicación de estos productos en las esferas de la enseñanza y la práctica, teniendo en cuenta la consideración de enfermería como ciencia.Esta pesquisa apresenta uma revisão de literatura dos artigos referentes ao tema “Diagnósticos de Enfermagem” publicados no período dos anos 2000-2007, e relaciona-os a uma tendência, a qual cada vez tem se afirmado na prática e nas publicações médicas: o estudo baseado em evidências. Para tal, utilizou-se a metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizando-se como fontes de dados as Revistas de Enfermagem nacionais indexadas às base de dados LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), MEDLINE (Literatura Internacional em Ciências da Saúde) e Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Utilizando como descritor o termo “Diagnósticos de Enfermagem”, foram encontrados 65 artigos. Para a análise demonstramos a natureza dos artigos, a titulação dos autores, e como estes avaliam a visão diagnóstica dentro do fazer/ educar na Enfermagem, procuramos evidenciar os principais teóricos referenciados, temáticas e proporcionalidade dos anos de publicação em questão. Pode-se concluir que a produção de artigos na Enfermagem, dentro da temática diagnóstico, tem-se apresentado ainda em pequena quantidade, evidenciando a necessidade de produção e aplicabilidade destas produções, nos campos da docência e prática, visto a afirmação da Enfermagem como ciência.  

Frozen and Invariant Quantum Discord under Local Dephasing Noise

In this chapter, we intend to explore and review some remarkable dynamical properties of quantum discord under various different open quantum system models. Specifically, our discussion will include several concepts connected to the phenomena of time invariant and frozen quantum discord. Furthermore, we will elaborate on the relation of these two phenomena to the non-Markovian features of the open system dynamics and to the usage of dynamical decoupling protocols.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figure

Serum biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 severity

Immunity with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the acute phase is not sufficiently well understood to differentiate mild from severe cases and identify prognostic markers. We evaluated the immune response profile using a total of 71 biomarkers in sera from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by RT-PCR and controls. We correlated biological marker levels with negative control (C) asymptomatic (A), nonhospitalized (mild cases-M), and hospitalized (severe cases-S) groups. Among angiogenesis markers, we identified biomarkers that were more frequently elevated in severe cases when compared to the other groups (C, A, and M). Among cardiovascular diseases, there were biomarkers with differences between the groups, with D-dimer, GDF-15, and sICAM-1 higher in the S group. The levels of the biomarkers Myoglobin and P-Selectin were lower among patients in group M compared to those in groups S and A. Important differences in cytokines and chemokines according to the clinical course were identified. Severe cases presented altered levels when compared to group C. This study helps to characterize biological markers related to angiogenesis, growth factors, heart disease, and cytokine/chemokine production in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering prognostic signatures and a basis for understanding the biological factors in disease severity

Multicenter study of the natural history and therapeutic responses of patients with chikungunya, focusing on acute and chronic musculoskeletal manifestations - a study protocol from the clinical and applied research in Chikungunya (REPLICK network)

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya is associated with high morbidity and the natural history of symptomatic infection has been divided into three phases (acute, post-acute, and chronic) according to the duration of musculoskeletal symptoms. Although this classification has been designed to help guide therapeutic decisions, it does not encompass the complexity of the clinical expression of the disease and does not assist in the evaluation of the prognosis of severity nor chronic disease. Thus, the current challenge is to identify and diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and to provide the optimal treatment in order to prevent perpetuation or progression to a potentially destructive disease course. METHODS: The study is the first product of the Clinical and Applied Research Network in Chikungunya (REPLICK). This is a prospective, outpatient department-based, multicenter cohort study in Brazil. Four work packages were defined: i. Clinical research; ii) Translational Science - comprising immunology and virology streams; iii) Epidemiology and Economics; iv) Therapeutic Response and clinical trials design. Scheduled appointments on days 21 (D21) ± 7 after enrollment, D90 ± 15, D120 ± 30, D180 ± 30; D360 ± 30; D720 ± 60, and D1080 ± 60 days. On these visits a panel of blood tests are collected in addition to the clinical report forms to obtain data on socio-demographic, medical history, physical examination and questionnaires devoted to the evaluation of musculoskeletal manifestations and overall health are performed. Participants are asked to consent for their specimens to be maintained in a biobank. Aliquots of blood, serum, saliva, PAXgene, and when clinically indicated to be examined, synovial fluid, are stored at -80° C. The study protocol was submitted and approved to the National IRB and local IRB at each study site. DISCUSSION: Standardized and harmonized patient cohorts are needed to provide better estimates of chronic arthralgia development, the clinical spectra of acute and chronic disease and investigation of associated risk factors. This study is the largest evaluation of the long-term sequelae of individuals infected with CHIKV in the Brazilian population focusing on musculoskeletal manifestations, mental health, quality of life, and chronic pain. This information will both define disease burden and costs associated with CHIKV infection, and better inform therapeutic guidelines

Jet energy measurement with the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at root s=7 TeV

The jet energy scale and its systematic uncertainty are determined for jets measured with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 7TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 38 pb-1. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-kt algorithm with distance parameters R=0. 4 or R=0. 6. Jet energy and angle corrections are determined from Monte Carlo simulations to calibrate jets with transverse momenta pT≥20 GeV and pseudorapidities {pipe}η{pipe}<4. 5. The jet energy systematic uncertainty is estimated using the single isolated hadron response measured in situ and in test-beams, exploiting the transverse momentum balance between central and forward jets in events with dijet topologies and studying systematic variations in Monte Carlo simulations. The jet energy uncertainty is less than 2. 5 % in the central calorimeter region ({pipe}η{pipe}<0. 8) for jets with 60≤pT<800 GeV, and is maximally 14 % for pT<30 GeV in the most forward region 3. 2≤{pipe}η{pipe}<4. 5. The jet energy is validated for jet transverse momenta up to 1 TeV to the level of a few percent using several in situ techniques by comparing a well-known reference such as the recoiling photon pT, the sum of the transverse momenta of tracks associated to the jet, or a system of low-pT jets recoiling against a high-pT jet. More sophisticated jet calibration schemes are presented based on calorimeter cell energy density weighting or hadronic properties of jets, aiming for an improved jet energy resolution and a reduced flavour dependence of the jet response. The systematic uncertainty of the jet energy determined from a combination of in situ techniques is consistent with the one derived from single hadron response measurements over a wide kinematic range. The nominal corrections and uncertainties are derived for isolated jets in an inclusive sample of high-pT jets. Special cases such as event topologies with close-by jets, or selections of samples with an enhanced content of jets originating from light quarks, heavy quarks or gluons are also discussed and the corresponding uncertainties are determined. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the ATLAS collaboration

Measurement of the inclusive and dijet cross-sections of b-jets in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The inclusive and dijet production cross-sections have been measured for jets containing b-hadrons (b-jets) in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurements use data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb^-1. The b-jets are identified using either a lifetime-based method, where secondary decay vertices of b-hadrons in jets are reconstructed using information from the tracking detectors, or a muon-based method where the presence of a muon is used to identify semileptonic decays of b-hadrons inside jets. The inclusive b-jet cross-section is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 20 < pT < 400 GeV and rapidity in the range |y| < 2.1. The bbbar-dijet cross-section is measured as a function of the dijet invariant mass in the range 110 < m_jj < 760 GeV, the azimuthal angle difference between the two jets and the angular variable chi in two dijet mass regions. The results are compared with next-to-leading-order QCD predictions. Good agreement is observed between the measured cross-sections and the predictions obtained using POWHEG + Pythia. MC@NLO + Herwig shows good agreement with the measured bbbar-dijet cross-section. However, it does not reproduce the measured inclusive cross-section well, particularly for central b-jets with large transverse momenta.Comment: 10 pages plus author list (21 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version published in European Physical Journal

MIF Participates in Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Pathology Following Oral Infection

BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is essential for controlling parasite burden and survival in a model of systemic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Peroral T. gondii infection induces small intestine necrosis and death in susceptible hosts, and in many aspects resembles inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Considering the critical role of MIF in the pathogenesis of IBD, we hypothesized that MIF participates in the inflammatory response induced by oral infection with T. gondii. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Mif deficient (Mif(-/-)) and wild-type mice in the C57Bl/6 background were orally infected with T. gondii strain ME49. Mif(-/-) mice had reduced lethality, ileal inflammation and tissue damage despite of an increased intestinal parasite load compared to wt mice. Lack of MIF caused a reduction of TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-23 and an increased expression of IL-22 in ileal mucosa. Moreover, suppressed pro-inflammatory responses at the ileal mucosa observed in Mif(-/-) mice was not due to upregulation of IL-4, IL-10 or TGF-β. MIF also affected the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) but not MMP-2 in the intestine of infected mice. Signs of systemic inflammation including the increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in the plasma and liver damage were less pronounced in Mif(-/-) mice compared to wild-type mice. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, our data suggested that in susceptible hosts MIF controls T. gondii infection with the cost of increasing local and systemic inflammation, tissue damage and death