Medidas de produção mais limpa e otimização de tratamento de efluentes líquidos em indústrias galvânicas da região metropolitana de Florianópolis

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental, Florianópolis, 2010A maioria dos produtos químicos perdidos nos processos galvânicos por práticas inadequadas de produção ou operação é potencialmente prejudicial ao meio ambiente, em especial o cianeto e os metais pesados, por sua alta toxicidade. Por este motivo este trabalho teve como objetivos propor medidas de Produção mais Limpa (P+L) aos processos da indústria de galvanoplastia, a fim de prevenir e reduzir perdas nas etapas produtivas e no efluente final, e também otimizar o tratamento dos efluentes gerados e enquadrá-lo na legislação ambiental pertinente. Para alcançá-los foram pesquisadas as empresas do ramo da Região Metropolitana de Florianópolis, para identificação das etapas produtivas, de seus métodos de trabalho e os tratamentos de efluentes mais utilizados. Foi elaborada uma cartilha utilizando materiais bibliográficos específicos do assunto, com informações úteis às empresas galvânicas sobre técnicas de P+L voltada aos seus processos galvânicos. Ensaios em escala de bancada foram realizados para otimizar o tratamento de efluentes gerados e determinar sua toxicidade, e desta forma auxiliar as empresas a adequarem o seu sistema e reduzirem seus impactos ambientais nos corpos hídricos da região. Os resultados das estratégias de tratamento propostas incluíram a correção do pH para 10, que é o valor ideal encontrado para a precipitação dos metais; e aplicação de 25,9 mL/L de hipoclorito de sódio para oxidação do cianeto

Atrial fibrillation classification based on MLP networks by extracting Jitter and Shimmer parameters

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac anomaly and one that potentially threatens human life. Due to its relation to a variation in cardiac rhythm during indeterminate periods, long-term observations are necessary for its diagnosis. With the increase in data volume, fatigue and the complexity of long-term features make analysis an increasingly impractical process. Most medical diagnostic aid systems based on machine learning, are designed to automatically detect, classify or predict certain behaviors. In this work, using the PhysioNet MIT-BIH Atrial Fibrillation database, a system based on MLP artificial neural network is proposed to differentiate, between AF and non-AF, segments and ECG’s features, obtaining average accuracy of 80.67% in test set, for the 10-fold cross-validation method. As a highlight, the extraction of jitter and shimmer parameters from ECG windows is presented to compose the network input sets, indicating a slight improvement in the model's performance. Added to these, Shannon's and logarithmic energy entropies are determined, also indicating an improvement in performance related to the use of fewer features.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UIDB/05757/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INSaFLU — an online bioinformatics platform for genome-scale analysis of influenza virus: an innovative contribution for the worldwide flu surveillance

A vigilância laboratorial da gripe entrou numa nova era marcada pela análise e caracterização do vírus da gripe à escala do seu genoma completo. Este ar tigo resume o contexto inerente ao desenvolvimento e à aplicação da plataforma bioinformática online INSaFLU (“INSide the FLU”) (https://insaflu.insa.pt/), a qual consiste na primeira ferramenta bioinformática online gratuita especificamente criada para permitir que qualquer laboratório do mundo possa integrar facilmente a análise genoma do vírus na vigilância e investigação da gripe. Este avanço científico constitui um importante alicerce para a operacionalização de uma vigilância à escala global harmonizada pelo uso da sequência do genoma total do vírus da gripe.A new era of laboratory flu surveillance has already started based on the genome-scale analysis and characterization of the causative agent, the influenza virus. This article summarizes the context behind the development and application of “INSaFLU” (“INSide the FLU”) (https://insaflu.insa.pt/), which is the first influenza-oriented bioinformatics platform that allows any laboratory in the world to analyze the genome of the influenza virus in a user-friendly manner towards the generation core “genetic requests” for an effective and timely flu laboratory surveillance. INSaFLU supplies public health laboratories and influenza researchers with an open “one size fits all” framework, potentiating the operationalization of a harmonized multicountry WGS-based surveillance for influenza virus.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Weight gain measured at 6 weeks after birth as a predictor for severe retinopathy of prematurity: study with 317 very low birth weight preterm babies

Recent studies suggest that postnatal weight gain can play an important role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).To analyze the low weight gain (WG) from birth to 6 weeks of life to predict the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among very low birth weight preterm babies (VLBW).A prospective cohort study included 317 newborns with birth weight (BW) a parts per thousand currency sign1,500 g and gestational age (GA) a parts per thousand currency sign32 weeks. the main outcome was the development of severe ROP (defined as threshold ROP and higher stages of ROP). in all patients, the proportion of the WG was defined as the preterm weight measured at 6 weeks of life minus the BW divided by the BW. Seventeen risk factors for ROP were studied by univariate analysis. Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used to compare no-ROP/mild ROP patients and severe ROP patients. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to determine if the WG proportion was independently related to severe ROP development and if it was capable of predicting severe ROP. Ophthalmological examinations started between the fourth and sixth week of life, and were repeated until the 45th week of postmenstrual age. Weight gain proportion was always calculated at completed 6 weeks of life.Mean GA and mean BW of the whole cohort were 29.6 weeks (+/- 1.9) and 1,124 grams (+/- 239.5) respectively. After logistic regression, the low WG proportion under 51.2% from the BW, measured at 6 weeks of life, showed OR 3.007 (95%CI: 1.195-7.566; P = 0.019), for severe ROP, when adjusted for BW and for any stage intraventricular hemorrhage. Area under the ROC curve was 0.63 (95%CI: 0.495-0.761; P = 0.037). for the discriminative cutoff of 51.2% of the WG proportion, sensitivity and specificity values were 66.3% and 62.6% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 10.2% and 94.7% respectively.Low WG by six weeks of life is an important and independent risk factor for severe ROP and is capable to predict the development of severe ROP in most patients that needed treatment.Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Pediat, Newborn Sect, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Acute leukemia as the initial presentation of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

Copyright © 2020 the International Society of DermatologyA 90-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of fatigue and rapidly progressive, widespread skin lesions. Physical examination exhibited numerous erythematous to violaceous tumors and bruise-like patches scattered through his trunk and limbs (Fig. 1a,b). Enlarged bilateral axillary lymph nodes were noted.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acquired perforating dermatosis: clinicopathologic study of a 10‐year period at a tertiary teaching hospital

© 2019 The International Society of DermatologyBackground: Acquired perforating dermatosis (APD) comprises an uncommon group of skin disorders that develop in adulthood in association with systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes in a series of patients diagnosed with APD. Methods: Retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with an APD over a 10-year period (2009-2018) at a tertiary teaching hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Results: Fifty-seven patients with APD were identified. Thirty-five patients presented lesions in multiple anatomic areas (61.4%), and the lower limbs were the most common location. Forty-six patients reported pruritus (80.7%), which was classified as severe in 21 of them (36.8%). An underlying systemic disease was identified in 53 patients (93.0%). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were the most common associated systemic diseases, but psychiatric disorders, malignancies, and chronic infections were present in a significant number of patients. The combination of topical steroids with antihistamines was the most prescribed initial treatment, but only 37.8% of the patients had a complete response. Acitretin, systemic steroids, and phototherapy were the treatments associated with the best outcome. Conclusion: Acquired perforating dermatosis can be associated with many systemic disorders that have pruritus as a common factor. Chronic viral infections and an occult malignancy should be sought, particularly in the absence of DM and CKD. The management of APD is challenging and is best achieved with the control of the underlying systemic diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influenza A(H3) whole genome analysis: searching causes for vaccine failure in 2011/2012

Background: The 2011/2012 season in Portugal, was characterized by an excess mortality and influenza vaccine failures. Predominant influenza A(H3) viruses with new antigenic properties were associated with potential host immune evasion. The aim of this study was to determine possible viral genetic causes that may be associated with cases of vaccine failure by performing a whole genome-based comparison of viruses detected in vaccinated (vacc) and unvaccinated (unvacc) individuals in 2011/2012 season. Methods: In 2011/12 season, 678 nasopharyngeal swabs from ILI cases were analyzed by the Portuguese NIC. Were detected 260 influenza A(H3) and 6 B/Yamagata viruses. For whole genome sequencing (WGS) 25 A(H3) positive samples, 20 from vacc and 5 from unvacc individuals, were selected. Each of the influenza genomic segments was submitted to standard or multiplex PCR amplification. WGS was performed on a MiSeq platform. Multiple alignments, phylogenetic and mutational analysis were performed using MEGA software 6.0. Results: Influenza A(H3) viruses clustered into different genetic clades, reflecting the clades circulating in Portugal, in2011/2012. 20 viruses belonged to clade 6 (reference strain A/Iowa/19/2010) and 5 viruses have clustered in the clade 3: 1 from clade 3A (A/Stockholm/18/2011), a second from clade 3B (A/England/259/2011) and 3 viruses from clade 3C (A/Victoria/361/2011). Viral genomes were highly similar at nucleotide level, ranging 98.2% – 100.0% of similarity. Matrix and nucleoprotein genomic segments were the most conserved, whereas the highest number of substitutions leading to amino acid changes was observed in hemagglutinin and neuraminidase segments (comparisons performed against the vaccine strain A/Perth/16/2009). The deduced amino acid sequences of viral proteins did not reveal any particular feature assigned to the group of vacc or unvacc individuals. Conclusions: In all 8 genomic segments of studied viruses no particular amino acid substitution was found to be associated with the vacc or unvacc cases. The observed differences were associated with the genetic distances between the clades to which viruses belong rather than with vaccine failure. Still, WGS in influenza surveillance is a powerful tool for monitoring the overall evolution of viral genome and establishment of molecular markers for, disease severity and drug resistance. This study points that a full evaluation of influenza vaccine failures should integrate not only data on virus characteristics, but also on host genetic polymorphisms related to immunity and serosurveys in order to better evaluate interindividual variation in influenza vaccine-induced immune responses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phenotypic and genotypic profile of susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors of influenza A(H3) circulating in Portugal during 2016/2017 season

Background: The influenza antiviral surveillance is one of the key areas for influenza control. The neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI) play an important role in flu treatment especially for high risk patients. This study aims to determine the NAI susceptibility profile of influenza A(H3) detected during 2016/2017 season in Portugal and to evaluate the emergence of new variants by deep sequencing analysis related to NAI resistance. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with influenza like illness (ILI) selected in primary care settings in the scope of the National Influenza Surveillance Program during 2016/2017 season. For 134 A(H3) viruses, isolated in MDCK-Siat1 cells, the phenotypic antiviral drug susceptibility assay to NAI (Oseltamivir and zanamivir) was performed. Viral RNA was extracted directly from biological samples and after multiplex PCR amplification, the whole genome was sequenced for 84 influenza A(H3) viruses by deep sequencing on a MiSeq platform. The neuraminidase gene sequences were assembled using a in-house multi-software pipeline with a mean depth of coverage of 1144x. Multiple gene alignments and mutational analysis was performed on MEGA software 6.0. All neuraminidase sequences were submitted to Flusurver(http://flusurver.bii.a-star.edu.sg/) in order to detect any mutation associated with susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors. Results: All 134 A(H3) strains had IC50 compatible with susceptibility to both NAI. The IC50 mean values were 0,30 (IQR 0,22-0,36) for oseltamivir and 0,49 (IQR 0,40-0,59) for zanamivir. The IC50 were unchanged for viruses that belonged to both co-circulating clades 3C.2a (A/Hong Kong/4801/2014-like) and 3C.2a1 (A/Bolzano/7/2016-like) although amino acid replacements were observed in NA. By deep sequencing analysis no variations were identified in any of the known resistant markers for NAI. Intrahost single nucleotide variants (iSNV) (frequency above 20% and under 95%) were detected in 4/84 (5%) viruses in nucleotide positions not related with NAI susceptibility. A further synonymous iSNV was observed in 23/84 (27%),with a frequency range 97,8-100,0%, at position 666 (amino acid 222). Curiously, non-synonymous changes affecting this codon ( I222V/L substitution) have been associated with reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir and NA activity, although wild-type I222 was observed in 100% of viruses in this study. Majority of these viruses belonged to the 3C.2a1clade(A/Bolzano/7/2016-like). Conclusions: All of the tested A(H3)viruses were susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Isolates possessing iSNV`s expressed the wild-type aa residue and had IC50 compatible with NAI susceptible. NAI`s should be considered a good therapeutic options for influenza A(H3) infection, prioritized to high risk groups. Whole genome deep sequencing, directly from the biological samples, proved to be a good laboratory method to monitor the emergence of iSNV that could lead to a resistant genotype. This approach could be used in management of influenza severe infections under NAI treatment.N/

Is it time to rethink our weight loss paradigms?

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Strategies aiming to promote weight loss usually include anything that results in an increase in energy expenditure (exercise) or a decrease in energy intake (diet). However, the probability of losing weight is low and the probability of sustained weight loss is even lower. Herein, we bring some questions and suggestions about the topic, with a focus on exercise interventions. Based on the current evidence, we should look at how metabolism changes in response to interventions instead of counting calories, so we can choose more efficient models that can account for the complexity of human organisms. In this regard, high-intensity training might be particularly interesting as a strategy to promote fat loss since it seems to promote many physiological changes that might favor long-term weight loss. However, it is important to recognize the controversy of the results regarding interval training (IT), which might be explained by the large variations in its application. For this reason, we have to be more judicious about how exercise is planned and performed and some factors, like supervision, might be important for the results. The intensity of exercise seems to modulate not only how many calories are expended after exercise, but also where they came from. Instead of only estimating the number of calories ingested and expended, it seems that we have to act positively in order to create an adequate environment for promoting healthy and sustainable weight loss

The Yellow-­crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea (Aves: Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae) in the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos: a new species for the Western Palearctic

This paper presents and describes the first confirmed occurrence of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea in the Azores, which also represents the first record for Europe and the Western Palearctic. We also present and discuss subsequent reports of the species in Macaronesia. Several hypotheses may help to explain the occurrence of this species in this part of the Atlantic, including disorientation caused by strong winds and increasing observation pressure. However, further studies are necessary to assess the part played by the different factors in the occurrence of new vagrant individuals/species in Macaronesia