Plataforma digital para interação social dos Engenheiros sem Fronteiras - núcleo Belo Horizonte

In this work, we developed a digital communication and social interaction platform for the Civil Society Organization named Engineers Without Borders - Belo Horizonte Center. The organization provides social support in Belo Horizonte and in its surrounding metropolitan area. Since its foundation, it has worked on more than 50 projects, directly benefiting more than 3,500 people. The platform consists of a responsive website and an application for mobile devices. The objective of developing the website was to disseminate institutional information, promote volunteering and enable acceptance of financial donations. On the other hand, the objective of developing the mobile device application was to create a network connecting third sector entities and needy communities. Thus, the mobile device application promotes interaction between service providers and underprivileged population. We conducted the work based on the Scrum methodology for agile development. The justification of our work was the expansion of the organizational presence in the digital environment. Besides, the relevance of our work for the organization and society was the strengthening of institutional communication, improvement of the donation acceptance process, and creation of a solidarity network connecting Civil Society Organizations, communities and citizens in situation of social vulnerability. Thus, our work joined other efforts to combat social inequalities in the region. The result was a platform that follows principles for improving usability and user experience, expanding the organization's capacity for action. The platform helped to promote social and professional development of citizens in the areas assisted by the institution.Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvida uma plataforma digital de comunicação e interação social para a Organização da Sociedade Civil Engenheiros Sem Fronteiras - Núcleo Belo Horizonte. A organização presta apoio social em Belo Horizonte e região metropolitana. Desde sua fundação, já atuou em mais de 50 projetos, beneficiando diretamente mais de 3.500 pessoas. A plataforma é composta por um website responsivo e um aplicativo para dispositivos móveis. O objetivo de desenvolver o website foi divulgar informação institucional, promover o voluntariado e possibilitar o recebimento de recursos financeiros através de doações. Por outro lado, o objetivo de desenvolver o aplicativo foi criar uma rede entre entidades do terceiro setor e comunidades carentes, promovendo interação entre prestadores de serviço e a população. O trabalho foi conduzido com base na metodologia Scrum para desenvolvimento ágil. A justificativa para desenvolvimento da plataforma foi a ampliação da presença organizacional no ambiente digital. A relevância do trabalho para a organização e para a sociedade foi o fortalecimento da comunicação institucional, a melhoria do recebimento de doações e a criação de uma rede solidária entre Organizações da Sociedade Civil, comunidades e cidadãos em situação de vulnerabilidade social. Assim, o trabalho se juntou a outros esforços para o combate às desigualdades sociais na região. O resultado do trabalho foi uma plataforma que segue os princípios para melhoria de usabilidade e da experiência do usuário, ampliando a capacidade de atuação da organização. A plataforma ajudou a promover o desenvolvimento social e profissional dos cidadãos nas áreas assistidas pela instituição

Rarity of monodominance in hyperdiverse Amazonian forests.

Tropical forests are known for their high diversity. Yet, forest patches do occur in the tropics where a single tree species is dominant. Such "monodominant" forests are known from all of the main tropical regions. For Amazonia, we sampled the occurrence of monodominance in a massive, basin-wide database of forest-inventory plots from the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN). Utilizing a simple defining metric of at least half of the trees ≥ 10 cm diameter belonging to one species, we found only a few occurrences of monodominance in Amazonia, and the phenomenon was not significantly linked to previously hypothesized life history traits such wood density, seed mass, ectomycorrhizal associations, or Rhizobium nodulation. In our analysis, coppicing (the formation of sprouts at the base of the tree or on roots) was the only trait significantly linked to monodominance. While at specific locales coppicing or ectomycorrhizal associations may confer a considerable advantage to a tree species and lead to its monodominance, very few species have these traits. Mining of the ATDN dataset suggests that monodominance is quite rare in Amazonia, and may be linked primarily to edaphic factors

Cell-derived microvesicles in infective endocarditis: Role in diagnosis and potential for risk stratification at hospital admission

Objectives: To characterize the plasmatic profile of cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) at diagnosis and during the treatment of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Methods: Blood samples from 57 patients with IE were obtained on 3 consecutive moments: upon admission (T0), at 2 weeks (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2), and were compared with 22 patients with other bacterial infections. MPs were measured by flow cytometry and labeled for specific cell markers of CD45 (leukocytes), CD66b (neutrophils), CD14 (monocytes), CD41a (platelets), CD51 (endothelial cells), CD3 (T lymphocyte) and CD235a (erythrocytes). Results: MVs from platelets (pltMVs), leukocytes (leukMVs), neutrophils (neutMVs), monocytes (monoMVs) and lymphocytes (lymphMVs) were significantly more elevated in the patients with IE, compared to the patients with other bacterial infections, despite comparable age, sex, blood counts and C-reactive protein levels. MVs values revealed a relatively stable pattern over time in IE, except for a significant increase in leukMVs and neutMVs in T1. LeukMVs (p = 0.011), neutMVs (p = 0.010), monoMVs (p = 0.016) and lymphMVs (p = 0.020), measured at admission, were significantly higher in IE patients that died during hospitalization in comparison with those that survived. In a multivariable analyses, the levels of neutMVs remained as an independent factor associated with mortality (odds ratio 2.203; 95% confidence interval 1.217 - 3.988; p = 0.009), adjustment for heart failure during the treatment. Conclusions: Plasma levels of pltMVs, leukMVs, neutMVs, monoMVs and lymphMVs were significantly more elevated in patients with IE than in patients with other bacterial infections at hospital admission. Furthermore, neutMVs at admission have been identified as an independent predictor of mortality in patients with IE. Thus, cell derived MPs may become an important tool in the differential diagnosis and mortality risk assessment early in the course of IE suspected cases

Lesão Pulmonar Associada Ao Uso De Cigarros Eletrônicos: Revisão De Literatura

E-cigarettes, a widely used emerging product, are facing growing popularity despite little research into their health risks. Electronic Cigarette Use Associated Lung Injury, or EVALI, has become a prominent concern in recent research, expanding the need to understand the health effects of vaping, given the diversity of technologies and liquids involved. An integrative review was carried out to analyze the relationship between electronic cigarettes and lung injuries, using the PubMed database. 664 articles were selected, with inclusion criteria based on human studies published between 2018 and 2023. The analysis, exclusion and selection process was carefully conducted by the authors. Electronic cigarettes, consisting of a battery, atomizer and liquid, stand out due to the uncertainty about their health effects, in contrast to traditional cigarettes. EVALI, predominantly associated with the vaporization of THC products, reveals serious symptoms and significant risks. The complex composition of e-liquids, especially when exposed to high temperatures, generates harmful substances, including carbonyl compounds, suspected of causing oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways. The integrative review highlights the lack of consensus on the safety of electronic cigarettes and the urgency in understanding the associated risks. EVALI, as a diagnosis of exclusion, highlights the need for immediate investigation in the event of respiratory symptoms. Treatment and monitoring of EVALI patients requires a careful approach, considering clinical and risk factors. Public education about potential dangers and cessation strategies becomes crucial, especially among young people.Los cigarrillos electrónicos, un producto emergente ampliamente utilizado, se enfrentan a una creciente popularidad a pesar de la poca investigación sobre sus riesgos para la salud. La lesión pulmonar asociada al uso de cigarrillos electrónicos, o EVALI, se ha convertido en una preocupación destacada en investigaciones recientes, ampliando la necesidad de comprender los efectos del vapeo en la salud, dada la diversidad de tecnologías y líquidos involucrados. Se realizó una revisión integradora para analizar la relación entre los cigarrillos electrónicos y las lesiones pulmonares, utilizando la base de datos PubMed. Se seleccionaron 664 artículos, con criterios de inclusión basados ​​en estudios en humanos publicados entre 2018 y 2023. El proceso de análisis, exclusión y selección fue cuidadosamente realizado por los autores. Los cigarrillos electrónicos, compuestos por batería, atomizador y líquido, destacan por la incertidumbre sobre sus efectos sobre la salud, a diferencia de los cigarrillos tradicionales. EVALI, predominantemente asociado con la vaporización de productos de THC, revela síntomas graves y riesgos importantes. La compleja composición de los e-líquidos, especialmente cuando se exponen a altas temperaturas, genera sustancias nocivas, incluidos compuestos carbonílicos, sospechosos de causar estrés oxidativo e inflamación en las vías respiratorias. La revisión integradora destaca la falta de consenso sobre la seguridad de los cigarrillos electrónicos y la urgencia de comprender los riesgos asociados. EVALI, como diagnóstico de exclusión, destaca la necesidad de investigación inmediata en caso de síntomas respiratorios. El tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes con EVALI requiere un enfoque cuidadoso, considerando los factores clínicos y de riesgo. La educación pública sobre los peligros potenciales y las estrategias para dejar de fumar se vuelve crucial, especialmente entre los jóvenes.Os cigarros eletrônicos, produto emergente amplamente utilizado, enfrentam crescente popularidade apesar da escassa investigação sobre seus riscos à saúde. A Lesão Pulmonar Associada ao Uso de Cigarro Eletrônico, ou EVALI, tornou-se uma preocupação destacada nas pesquisas recentes, ampliando a necessidade de compreender os efeitos da vaporização na saúde, dada a diversidade de tecnologias e líquidos envolvidos. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa para analisar a relação entre cigarros eletrônicos e lesões pulmonares, utilizando a base de dados PubMed. Foram selecionados 664 artigos, com critérios de inclusão baseados em estudos humanos publicados entre 2018 e 2023. O processo de análise, exclusão e seleção foi conduzido de forma criteriosa pelos autores. Os cigarros eletrônicos, compostos por bateria, atomizador e líquido, destacam-se pela incerteza sobre seus efeitos à saúde, em contraste com os tradicionais. A EVALI, predominantemente associada à vaporização de produtos com THC, revela sintomas graves e riscos significativos. A composição complexa dos e-líquidos, especialmente quando expostos a altas temperaturas, gera substâncias nocivas, incluindo compostos carbonílicos, suspeitos de causar estresse oxidativo e inflamação nas vias aéreas. A revisão integrativa destaca a falta de consenso sobre a segurança dos cigarros eletrônicos e a urgência em compreender os riscos associados. A EVALI, como diagnóstico de exclusão, destaca a necessidade de investigação imediata diante de sintomas respiratórios. O tratamento e o acompanhamento de pacientes EVALI requerem abordagem cuidadosa, considerando fatores clínicos e de risco. A educação pública sobre os perigos potenciais e estratégias de cessação torna-se crucial, especialmente entre os jovens

Mielomeningocele e anomalias associadas: uma série de casos e revisão sistemática

A mielomeningocele é uma malformação congênita grave do sistema nervoso central, representando um dos tipos mais complexos de defeitos do tubo neural. A condição é marcada pela exposição das meninges e, em alguns casos, da medula espinhal, através de uma abertura na coluna vertebral, desafiando tanto o prognóstico do paciente quanto as estratégias de tratamento. O presente estudo visa explorar os avanços recentes no diagnóstico, intervenções cirúrgicas e desfechos neurológicos associados à mielomeningocele, com foco particular na eficácia e segurança das abordagens atuais. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2016 a 2024 nas bases de dados PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library e SciELO, aplicando critérios de inclusão e exclusão rigorosos para selecionar estudos que abordassem esses aspectos. Três estudos chave foram analisados, destacando-se pelas técnicas de diagnóstico antenatal, pela utilização de intervenções cirúrgicas inovadoras, como o fechamento fetal, e pelos cuidados pós-operatórios visando melhorias nos desfechos neurológicos. Os resultados indicam uma tendência positiva na melhoria da qualidade de vida dos pacientes, com avanços significativos no controle e na prevenção de complicações a longo prazo. No entanto, foi observada a necessidade de uma abordagem multidisciplinar no tratamento, integrando cuidados neurocirúrgicos, ortopédicos e reabilitativos. A mielomeningocele, apesar dos desafios, tem testemunhado progressos notáveis nas últimas décadas, sugerindo um futuro mais promissor para os pacientes afetados. Ainda assim, são necessários mais estudos para consolidar essas abordagens e otimizar as estratégias de tratamento na prática clínica

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geography and ecology shape the phylogenetic composition of Amazonian tree communities

Aim: Amazonia hosts more tree species from numerous evolutionary lineages, both young and ancient, than any other biogeographic region. Previous studies have shown that tree lineages colonized multiple edaphic environments and dispersed widely across Amazonia, leading to a hypothesis, which we test, that lineages should not be strongly associated with either geographic regions or edaphic forest types. Location: Amazonia. Taxon: Angiosperms (Magnoliids; Monocots; Eudicots). Methods: Data for the abundance of 5082 tree species in 1989 plots were combined with a mega-phylogeny. We applied evolutionary ordination to assess how phylogenetic composition varies across Amazonia. We used variation partitioning and Moran\u27s eigenvector maps (MEM) to test and quantify the separate and joint contributions of spatial and environmental variables to explain the phylogenetic composition of plots. We tested the indicator value of lineages for geographic regions and edaphic forest types and mapped associations onto the phylogeny. Results: In the terra firme and várzea forest types, the phylogenetic composition varies by geographic region, but the igapó and white-sand forest types retain a unique evolutionary signature regardless of region. Overall, we find that soil chemistry, climate and topography explain 24% of the variation in phylogenetic composition, with 79% of that variation being spatially structured (R$^{2}$ = 19% overall for combined spatial/environmental effects). The phylogenetic composition also shows substantial spatial patterns not related to the environmental variables we quantified (R$^{2}$ = 28%). A greater number of lineages were significant indicators of geographic regions than forest types. Main Conclusion: Numerous tree lineages, including some ancient ones (>66 Ma), show strong associations with geographic regions and edaphic forest types of Amazonia. This shows that specialization in specific edaphic environments has played a long-standing role in the evolutionary assembly of Amazonian forests. Furthermore, many lineages, even those that have dispersed across Amazonia, dominate within a specific region, likely because of phylogenetically conserved niches for environmental conditions that are prevalent within regions

Geographic patterns of tree dispersal modes in Amazonia and their ecological correlates

Aim: To investigate the geographic patterns and ecological correlates in the geographic distribution of the most common tree dispersal modes in Amazonia (endozoochory, synzoochory, anemochory and hydrochory). We examined if the proportional abundance of these dispersal modes could be explained by the availability of dispersal agents (disperser-availability hypothesis) and/or the availability of resources for constructing zoochorous fruits (resource-availability hypothesis). Time period: Tree-inventory plots established between 1934 and 2019. Major taxa studied: Trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 9.55 cm. Location: Amazonia, here defined as the lowland rain forests of the Amazon River basin and the Guiana Shield. Methods: We assigned dispersal modes to a total of 5433 species and morphospecies within 1877 tree-inventory plots across terra-firme, seasonally flooded, and permanently flooded forests. We investigated geographic patterns in the proportional abundance of dispersal modes. We performed an abundance-weighted mean pairwise distance (MPD) test and fit generalized linear models (GLMs) to explain the geographic distribution of dispersal modes. Results: Anemochory was significantly, positively associated with mean annual wind speed, and hydrochory was significantly higher in flooded forests. Dispersal modes did not consistently show significant associations with the availability of resources for constructing zoochorous fruits. A lower dissimilarity in dispersal modes, resulting from a higher dominance of endozoochory, occurred in terra-firme forests (excluding podzols) compared to flooded forests. Main conclusions: The disperser-availability hypothesis was well supported for abiotic dispersal modes (anemochory and hydrochory). The availability of resources for constructing zoochorous fruits seems an unlikely explanation for the distribution of dispersal modes in Amazonia. The association between frugivores and the proportional abundance of zoochory requires further research, as tree recruitment not only depends on dispersal vectors but also on conditions that favour or limit seedling recruitment across forest types