Caracterização da construção de edifícios em Portugal: interface urbano-florestal

Os materiais mais usados na construção de edifícios, à medida que a sua altura aumenta, evoluíram da madeira para a alvenaria de pedra ou tijolo e, finalmente, nas primeiras décadas do século XX, para o betão armado, com a publicação em 1918 do “Regulamento para o emprego do beton armado” [1]. A fonte de informação mais fidedigna e completa para caracterizar o parque habitacional em Portugal é o Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) através dos Censos que se realizam com uma periodicidade de cerca de 10 anos. O último censo foi realizado em 2011 [2]. As estruturas em aço são mais frequentemente usadas em edifícios industriais, sendo ainda residual a sua utilização em edifícios habitacionais. Em 2009 o consumo de aço em Portugal para edifícios industriais foi de 75000 toneladas e para edifícios habitacionais foi de 1600 toneladas (www.cmm.pt).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Atividade biológica de extratos acetato de etila, etanólico e aquoso de timbó (Lonchocarpus floribundus) sobre carrapato bovino

Os extratos acetato de etila, etanólico e aquoso de raízes de Lonchocarpus floribundus foram utilizados, a fim de avaliar a atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino. Carrapatos adultos foram coletados em bovinos infestados artificialmente, separados em grupos de dez indivíduos, pesados e imersos, separadamente, nos extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus, nas concentrações de 5, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mg mL-1. Para a avaliação em larvas, foram utilizados indivíduos de 14 a 21 dias, os quais foram imersos nos extratos nas concentrações de 1, 5, 10, 15 e 20 mg mL-1. Após o tratamento, cada grupo foi colocado em placa de Petri e incubado a 27 ± 1 ºC e umidade relativa de 80 ± 5%. Os extratos avaliados não foram eficazes para induzir, acima de 50%, a mortalidade de fêmeas ingurgitadas. Os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico induziram 100% de mortalidade de larvas. Entretanto, quanto aos valores de concentração letal mediana (CL50), o extrato etanólico (CL50 = 2,1 mg mL-1) foi mais tóxico que o extrato acetato de etila (CL50 = 4,1 mg mL-1). O extrato etanólico estimou concentração inibitória mediana (CI50) de 3,0 mg mL-1 e foi mais tóxico que os demais extratos quanto a este parâmetro de avaliação. Entre os três extratos avaliados, os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico apresentaram os melhores resultados quanto ao controle de reprodução de R. (B.) microplus, atingindo 100% na concentração de 5 mg mL-1. Os extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus apresentaram atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino

Giant Pituitary Adenomas: Surgical Outcomes Of 50 Cases Operated On By The Endonasal Endoscopic Approach

Objective: To present our experience with the surgical management of giant pituitary adenomas in a series of 50 cases operated on by an endoscopic endonasal approach. Methods: A retrospective data analysis of all patients who underwent transsphenoidal endonasal endoscopic surgery at the General Hospital of Fortaleza, Brazil, between January 1998 and November 2011 was performed. Patients who presented with pituitary adenomas larger than 4 cm were included in the study. Analysis of factors related to the choice of the operative approach, hormonal and visual status, extent of resection, tumor control rates, clinical outcome, and complications were evaluated. Results: Fifty cases (10.41%) matched our inclusion criteria. Nonfunctioning tumors were present in 42 patients (84%); among functioning adenomas, five patients (10%) had growth hormone-secreting adenomas, and three patients (6%) had prolactinomas. Total removal of the tumor occurred in 19 cases (38%), near-total removal in 9 cases (18%), and partial removal in 22 cases (44%). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred in four cases (8%). Postoperative diabetes insipidus was present in 10% and new anterior pituitary insufficiency affecting one axis or more than one axis was observed in 22% and 14%, respectively. The presence of Knosp score ≥3 was associated with subtotal resection. Patients harboring hormonally active adenomas were submitted to adjuvant medical therapy for long-term clinical control. Vision improved in 38 patients (76%), with only one case of visual deterioration reported. Conclusion: Transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal surgery may provide effective treatment for patients with giant adenomas when performed by a surgical team that specializes in pituitary surgery. In cases in which total resection by the endoscopic approach may be associated with important complications, we advocate the use of partial resections followed by adjuvant drug therapy or radiotherapy. In cases of progressive enlargement of residual lesions, a second endoscopic debulking of the tumor may be considered for control of the disease. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Effects of Lecythis pisonis Camb. (Lecythidaceae) in a mouse model of pruritus

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceLecythis pisonis Camb. (Lecythidaceae), is popularly known as “Sapucaia”. In traditional medicine, leaves are used for the treatment of pruritus.Aim of the studyThe present study is aimed to investigate the antipruritic effect of the ethanol extract from leaves of Lecythis pisonis (LPEE), fractions (hexane-LPHF, ether-LPEF and ethyl acetate-LPEAF) and mixture of triterpenes [ursolic and oleanolic acids (MT)] in mice and rats.Materials and methodsThe LPEE, LPHF, LPEF, LPEAF and MT were evaluated on scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 in mice. In addition, LPEE, LPEF and MT were investigated on rat peritoneal mast cells degranulation induced by compound 48/80 (ex vivo study). The anti-inflammatory activity of LPEE and LPEF was investigated in rats using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model. In the evaluation of the spontaneous motor activity, the LPEE was studied for its effect on spontaneous motor activity in an open-field test in mice.ResultsThe scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 was significantly inhibited in mice pretreated with LPEE, LPHF, LPEF, LPEAF and MT. The suppressive effect of LPEE, LPEF and MT was only partially antagonized by naloxone. In addition, the compound 48/80-elicited degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells was also markedly reduced in animals pretreated with LPEE, LPEF and MT. In the anti-inflammatory test, LPEE decreased the paw edema at the third hour after carrageenan (Carr) administration. Moreover, LPEF also was able to inhibit the oedematogenic response evoked by carr at all analysed time points. In the open-field test, LPEE-pretreated mice showed no impairment of spontaneous locomotion. Furthermore, the LPEE demonstrated no overt toxicity up to an oral dose of 2g/kg in an acute toxicity assay.ConclusionsThese results clearly indicate the antipruritic effects of Lecythis pisonis leaves and suggest that this effect may be related to a stabilizing action on mast cell membrane. Furthermore, these data support the traditional use of this plant against cutaneous pruritus