Manoel Luiz Reefs morphology unveiled by high resolution satellite images (North Brazilian Continental Shelf)

The reefs of Manoel Luiz are located 100 nautical miles N from the city of São Luís, capital of the State of Maranhão - Brazil. The region is practically unconquerable, due to the great concentration of shallow reef pinnacles; it has never been possible to map the area by traditional methods, due to the dangers to navigate. The images acquired in June 2018, by programmed WorldView-3 satellite (30 cm resolution), revealed for the first time the real and exuberant reef formation with innumerable constructions, predominantly individual with circular, or linear and coalescent format. The reefs of Manoel Luiz are not constructed by corals. Drop-camera videos shows that sparse colonies of corals are fixed on hard structures formed (covered) by superimposed crusts of calcareous algae. The location of Manoel Luiz reefs remained almost 300 years unknown to navigators, since the year 1500, attributed to the discovery of Brazil, until 1820, when it was described by the French hydrographer Adm. Baron de Roussin, and another 198 years to be precisely georeferenced and mapped

Análise do somatotipo e condicionamento físico entre atletas de futebol de campo sub-20

The objective of this study was to compare the Somatotype, Explosive force, Speed, Anaerobic and Aerobic resistance between semi-professional and professional athletes of sub-20 category. For that, 20 athletes were separated into two groups and were respectively carried through the following tests with its variables: Somatotype; Vertical jump without countermovement; Test of race speed of 30 meters, Running-based anaerobic sprint test and Yo-yo intermittent recovery test. Both groups had assumed somatotype predominance of “Balanced Mesomorphy”, and had demonstrated the importance of the body mass as a variable to be related in the obtain of the Explosive force. Therefore, we consider somatotype and physical capacity contributing factors for the best performance of the functions technician and tactics of the players.O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o Somatotipo, Força Explosiva, Velocidade, Resistência Anaeróbica e Aeróbica entre atletas Semiprofissionais e Profissionais da categoria Sub-20. Para tanto, 20 atletas separados nos 2 grupos realizaram os seguintes testes com suas variáveis: Somatotipia (Endomorfia, Mesomorfia e Ectomorfia); Salto Vertical sem Contra-Movimento; Teste de Corrida de Velocidade de 30 metros; Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test e Yo-yo Intermitent Recovery test. Ambos os grupos assumiram predominância somatotípica de “Mesomorfo Equilibrado”, e demonstraram a importância da Massa Corporal como uma variável a ser relacionada na obtenção da Força Explosiva. Assim, consideramos o Somatotipo e o Condicionamento Físico contribuintes para o melhor desempenho das funções técnico e táticas dos jogadores

Portuguese translation and Brazilian cultural adaptation of the Assessment of Burden in Chronic Venous Disease questionnaire (ABC-V)

 Introduction: The Assessment of Burden in Chronic Venous Disease questionnaire (ABC-V) is a valuable tool for assessing the impact that chronic venous disease (CVD) has on patients’ quality of life (QL). There was a need for a translated and adapted version suitable for use in the Brazilian population. CVD is becoming a public health issue as the incidence and prevalence are high. The ABC-V can be used to collect information on patients’ QL and thus the development of a Brazilian version that facilitates research into the CVD population.  Objective: To provide translation and cultural validation of the Assessment of Burden in Chronic-Venous Disease (ABC-V) questionnaire for the Portuguese language.  Methods: The ABC-V was translated into Portuguese by two bilingual translators working independently. The translators then created a consensus version, which was translated back into English by two native English speakers. Finally all the versions were analysed by a committee of with expertise in translation and the two cultures involved. The committee produced a draft Portuguese-language version which was tested in a pilot sample of between 30 and 40 people. The committee evaluated feedback from the pilot sample on the clarity and comprehensibility of the draft version.  Results: The draft version was completed by 31 patients at the Chronic Venous Diseases Department of Padre Anchieta’s Teaching Hospital. With the analysis of the questionnaires used in the pre-test, it is possible to observe that in English, unlike Portuguese, verbs are often used in the passive tense. It also emerged that there was a need to use more colloquial terms and expressions so that the question would be easier to understand, whilst preserving the meaning of the original items. Changing the tone of the questionnaire in this way should make it more suitable for use with people from a wide range of socioeconomic levels, especially those with lower social status and less education. Because the questions are qualitative rather than quantitative they are more open to interpretation and elicit more subjective responses. This creates an additional difficulty in adapting the questionnaire for the Brazilian cultural context. The data from pilot-testing of the draft version was used to develop a translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V using the procedure described by Beaton et al.  Conclusion: A translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V suitable for use in Brazil has been developed and can be used to evaluate changes in the QL of Brazilian patients with CVD.  Introduction: The Assessment of Burden in Chronic Venous Disease questionnaire (ABC-V) is a valuable tool for assessing the impact that chronic venous disease (CVD) has on patients’ quality of life (QL). There was a need for a translated and adapted version suitable for use in the Brazilian population. CVD is becoming a public health issue as the incidence and prevalence are high. The ABC-V can be used to collect information on patients’ QL and thus the development of a Brazilian version that facilitates research into the CVD population. Objective: To provide translation and cultural validation of the Assessment of Burden in Chronic-Venous Disease (ABC-V) questionnaire for the Portuguese language. Methods: The ABC-V was translated into Portuguese by two bilingual translators working independently. The translators then created a consensus version, which was translated back into English by two native English speakers. Finally all the versions were analysed by a committee of with expertise in translation and the two cultures involved. The committee produced a draft Portuguese-language version which was tested in a pilot sample of between 30 and 40 people. The committee evaluated feedback from the pilot sample on the clarity and comprehensibility of the draft version.  Results: The draft version was completed by 31 patients at the Chronic Venous Diseases Department of Padre Anchieta’s Teaching Hospital. With the analysis of the questionnaires used in the pre-test, it is possible to observe that in English, unlike Portuguese, verbs are often used in the passive tense. It also emerged that there was a need to use more colloquial terms and expressions so that the question would be easier to understand, whilst preserving the meaning of the original items. Changing the tone of the questionnaire in this way should make it more suitable for use with people from a wide range of socioeconomic levels, especially those with lower social status and less education. Because the questions are qualitative rather than quantitative they are more open to interpretation and elicit more subjective responses. This creates an additional difficulty in adapting the questionnaire for the Brazilian cultural context. The data from pilot-testing of the draft version was used to develop a translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V using the procedure described by Beaton et al.  Conclusion: A translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V suitable for use in Brazil has been developed and can be used to evaluate changes in the QL of Brazilian patients with CVD

End-user assessment of an innovative clothing-based sensor developed for pressure injury prevention: a mixed-method study

This study aimed to evaluate a clothing prototype that incorporates sensors for the evaluation of pressure, temperature, and humidity for the prevention of pressure injuries, namely regarding physical and comfort requirements. A mixed-method approach was used with concurrent quantitative and qualitative data triangulation. A structured questionnaire was applied before a focus group of experts to evaluate the sensor prototypes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the discourse of the collective subject, followed by method integration and meta-inferences. Nine nurses, experts in this topic, aged 32.66 ± 6.28 years and with a time of profession of 10.88 ± 6.19 years, participated in the study. Prototype A presented low evaluation in stiffness (1.56 ± 1.01) and roughness (2.11 ± 1.17). Prototype B showed smaller values in dimension (2.77 ± 0.83) and stiffness (3.00 ± 1.22). Embroidery was assessed as inadequate in terms of stiffness (1.88 ± 1.05) and roughness (2.44 ± 1.01). The results from the questionnaires and focus groups’ show low adequacy as to stiffness, roughness, and comfort. The participants highlighted the need for improvements regarding stiffness and comfort, suggesting new proposals for the development of sensors for clothing. The main conclusions are that Prototype A presented the lowest average scores relative to rigidity (1.56 ± 1.01), considered inadequate. This dimension of Prototype B was evaluated as slightly adequate (2.77 ± 0.83). The rigidity (1.88 ± 1.05) of Prototype A + B + embroidery was evaluated as inadequate. The prototype revealed clothing sensors with low adequacy regarding the physical requirements, such as stiffness or roughness. Improvements are needed regarding the stiffness and roughness for the safety and comfort characteristics of the device evaluated.The 4NoPressure project was co-financed by the Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (COMPETE 2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), reference number POCI-01-0247- FEDER-039869

Oral treatment with the extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. improves motor dysfunction and reduces brain injury in rats subjected to ischemic stroke

PROPESP-UFPA.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Centre for the Valorization of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Centre for the Valorization of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Pará. Institute Biological Science. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute Biological Science. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ischemic stroke is one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to the formation of the stroke lesions range from the bioenergetic failure of the cells and the intense production of reactive oxygen species to neuroinflammation. The fruit of the açaí palm, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (EO), is consumed by traditional populations in the Brazilian Amazon region, and it is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We evaluated whether the clarified extract of EO was capable of reducing the area of lesion and promoting neuronal survival following ischemic stroke in rats. Animals submitted to ischemic stroke and treated with EO extract presented a significant improvement in their neurological deficit from the ninth day onward. We also observed a reduction in the extent of the cerebral injury and the preservation of the neurons of the cortical layers. Taken together, our findings indicate that treatment with EO extract in the acute phase following a stroke can trigger signaling pathways that culminate in neuronal survival and promote the partial recovery of neurological scores. However, further detailed studies of the intracellular signaling pathways are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved

NLP based model for individual plant dispatch in long term hydrothermal planning

This paper presents a method to the hydrothermal dispatch using optimization techniques based on non linear programming techniques. To do so, the expected cost-to-go functions from a long term operation plannning strategic decision model are used. This decision model is based on stochastic dual dynamic programming and energy equivalent reservoirs. The proposed method considers a set of historical water inflow scenarios to the hydroelectric reservoirs. Those scenarios are used to simulate the long term operation planning to a given horizon. The results obtained from this disaggregation model (MIUH) are compared with those from the model officially adopted in the Brazilian power system, SUISHI-O. The latter is based on operation heuristics aiming at operating the reservoir maintaining the water storag e in similar levels, that is, trying to operate them in parallel.Este trabalho apresenta um modelo de despacho hidrotérmico à usinas individualizadas, utilizando métodos de otimização baseados em programação não linear. Para tanto, considera-se funções de custo futuro geradas por um modelo de decisão estratégica baseado em programação dinâmica e sistemas equivalentes de energia. O modelo proposto considera diversos cenários históricos de afluências hidrológicas às usinas hidrelétricas, os quais são simulados para um horizonte de planejamento da operação de médio/longo prazo. Os resultados obtidos através do modelo proposto, denominado Modelo Individualizado de Usinas Hidráulicas (MIUH), são comparados com os resultados obtidos a partir da utilização do modelo SUISHI-O adotado pelo Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico Brasileiro (ONS)

Mesotelioma uterino: um raro relato de caso

Os mesoteliomas ou cistos de inclusão mesotelial são tumores benignos raros, aderidos à superfície serosa das vísceras e que surgem a partir de modificações das células mesoteliais peritoneais. Sua fisiopatogenia tem sido considerada como decorrente de uma reação mesotelial de origem reativa, pois a maioria dos casos não apresentam características celulares de atipias ou figuras de mitose. A maior parte das pacientes com esses cistos não apresentam sintomas clínicos, sendo descobertos em consultas de rotina, exames complementares ou em atos operatórios incidentais. Nos casos de crescimento tumoral, podem aparecer sintomas como distensão abdominal, dores pélvicas e alterações do hábito intestinal. Relatamos o caso de um paciente do sexo feminino, branca, com 38 anos de idade, que apresentou durante sua cirurgia de cesariana múltiplos cistos, de variados tamanhos, aderidos em toda superfície uterina. O resultado de exame anatomopatológico, de uma das lesões uterinas, revelou tratar-se de um cisto de inclusão mesotelial. Foi optado por conduta expectante e a paciente segue assintomática até o momento

Sugar-based bactericides targeting phosphatidylethanolamine-enriched membranes

Free PMC Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6242839/Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bioterrorism agent that develops resistance to clinically used antibiotics. Therefore, alternative mechanisms of action remain a challenge. Herein, we disclose deoxy glycosides responsible for specific carbohydrate-phospholipid interactions, causing phosphatidylethanolamine lamellar-to-inverted hexagonal phase transition and acting over B. anthracis and Bacillus cereus as potent and selective bactericides. Biological studies of the synthesized compound series differing in the anomeric atom, glycone configuration and deoxygenation pattern show that the latter is indeed a key modulator of efficacy and selectivity. Biomolecular simulations show no tendency to pore formation, whereas differential metabolomics and genomics rule out proteins as targets. Complete bacteria cell death in 10 min and cellular envelope disruption corroborate an effect over lipid polymorphism. Biophysical approaches show monolayer and bilayer reorganization with fast and high permeabilizing activity toward phosphatidylethanolamine membranes. Absence of bacterial resistance further supports this mechanism, triggering innovation on membrane-targeting antimicrobials.The European Union is gratefully acknowledged for the support of the project “Diagnostic and Drug Discovery Initiative for Alzheimer’s Disease” (D3i4AD), FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP, GA 612347. We thank the Management Authorities of the European Regional Development Fund and the National Strategic Reference Framework for the support of the Incentive System - Research and Technological Development Co-Promotion FACIB Project number 21457. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia is also acknowledged for the support of projects UID/Multi/00612/2013, FCT/UID/ Multi/04046/2013, IF/00808/2013/CP1159/CT0003, PTDC/BBBBQB/6071/2014, as well as for the post-doc grant SFRH/BPD/42567/2007 (A.M.), the Ph.D. grants SFRH/BDE/51998/2012 (C.D.), and SFRH/BDE/51957/2012 (J.P.P.), both co-sponsored by CIPAN, and also for the Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/116614/2016 (R.N.).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Twelve-Month Follow-Up of Dexamethasone Implants for Macular Edema from Various Diseases in Vitrectomized and Nonvitrectomized Eyes

Purpose. To evaluate the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and the number of dexamethasone implants needed to treat cystoid macular edema (CME) from various etiologies over 12 months in vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes. Methods. This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 112 patients with CME secondary to retinal diseases treated pro re nata (PRN) with a 0.7 mg intravitreal dexamethasone implant for 12 months. The BCVA, CRT, adverse events, safety data, and number of implants were recorded. Results. Vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes received means of three implants and one implant, respectively, over 12 months (P<0.001). The mean BCVA of all patients improved from 0.13 at baseline to 0.33 (P<0.001) 12 months after one (P=0.001), two (P=0.041), and three (P<0.001) implants but not four implants (P=0.068). The mean baseline CRT decreased significantly (P<0.001) from 463 to 254 microns after 12 months with one (P<0.001), two (P=0.002), and three (P=0.001) implants but not with four implants (P=0.114). The anatomic and functional outcomes were not significantly different between vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes. Increased IOP was the most common adverse event (23.2%). Conclusions. Dexamethasone implant administered PRN improved VA and decreased CRT in CME, with possible long-term clinically relevant benefits for treating CME from various etiologies. Vitrectomized eyes needed more implants compared with nonvitrectomized eyes