Preliminary assessment of cardiac short term safety and efficacy of manganese chloride for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in humans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Manganese based agents are intracellular and accumulate inside myocytes allowing for different imaging strategies compared to gadolinium contrasts. While previous agents release manganese very slowly in the circulation, MnCl₂allows for rapid Mn2⁺uptake in myocytes, creating a memory effect that can be potentially explored. Data on animal models are very encouraging but the safety and efficacy of this approach in humans has not yet been investigated. Therefore, our objectives were to study the safety and efficacy of a rapid infusion of manganese chloride (MnCl₂) for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in humans.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent a CMR scan on a 1.5 T scanner. Before the infusion, cardiac function was calculated and images of a short axis mid-ventricular slice were obtained using a 2D and 3D gradient-echo inversion recovery (GRE-IR) sequence, a phase-sensitive IR sequence and a single breath-hold segmented IR prepared steady-state precession acquisition for T₁calculations. MnCl₂was infused over three minutes at a total dose of 5 μMol/kg. Immediately after the infusion, and at 15 and 30 minutes later, new images were obtained and cardiac function re-evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant decrease in T₁values compared to baseline, sustained up to 30 minutes after the MnCl₂infusion (pre,839 ± 281 ms; 0 min, 684 ± 99; 15 min, 714 ± 168; 30 min, 706 ± 172, P = 0.003). The 2D and 3D GRE-IR sequence showed the greatest increase in signal-to-noise ratio compared to the other sequences (baseline 6.6 ± 4.2 and 9.7 ± 5.3; 0 min, 11.3 ± 4.1 and 15.0 ± 8.7; 15 min, 10.8 ± 4.0 and 16.9 ± 10.2; 30 min, 10.6 ± 5.2 and 16.5 ± 8.3, P < 0.001 for both). There was a slight increase in systolic pressure and heart rate after three and four minutes of the infusion with normalization of these parameters thereafter. Patients showed good tolerance to MnCl₂with no major adverse events, despite all reporting transient facial flush.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the short term, MnCl₂appears safe for human use. It effectively decreases myocardium T₁, maintaining this effect for a relatively long period of time and allowing for the development of new imaging strategies in CMR, especially in ischemia research.</p

CULTURA DO EMPREENDEDORISMO NO CONTEXTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Os conceitos do empreendedorismo e das cidades inteligentes são temas de grande relevância para os gestores públicos que buscam atrair grandes empresas para o município, gerando emprego, renda e tributos que serão convertidos em benefícios para os cidadãos, e também é muito importante para os empreendedores que buscam a consolidação de seus negócios em cidades estruturadas. Esse artigo analisa a cultura do empreendedorismo no contexto das cidades inteligentes. Inicialmente foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica por meio de uma seleção de autores, livros, artigos e fontes relevantes ao assunto proposto. Posteriormente foram feitas leituras do material selecionado para que houvesse a familiarização com o objeto da pesquisa obtendo assim um melhor desempenho no desenvolvimento do tema. O assunto planejamento e desenvolvimento urbano é destacado com foco na sustentabilidade e contempla os moradores de uma cidade com mais qualidade de vida, eleva o seu nível de satisfação e felicidade. Uma pluralidade de inovações surge a partir do uso de recursos tecnológicos e consolida a chamada transformação digital. A internet das coisas (IoT) permite a interconexão de equipamentos que facilitam a vida cotidiana de todos os indivíduos. Já o Big Data oferece grandes volumes de dados que podem ser utilizados de forma eficiente tanto pela administração pública como pelos empreendedores no oferecimento de produtos e serviços aos munícipes. O crescimento urbano está diretamente relacionado com o contexto das cidades inteligentes e o empreendedorismo utiliza das tecnologias digitais para atingir a expectativas de cidadãos inteligentes

Twelve Years of Scientific Production on Medline by Latin American Spine Surgeons

Background: Despite the small contribution of LA in the Science Citation Index (SCI), a growing contribution by LA research to international literature has been observed in recent years.Study Design: Systematic review.Purpose: To evaluate the scientific contribution of Latin American (LA) Spine Surgeons in the last decade.Methods: A literature search of publications by LA spinal surgeons on topics concerning the spine or spinal cord was performed using an online database; Pubmed.gov. the results were limited to articles published from January 2000 to December 2011. the quality of the publication was evaluated with the journal impact factor (IF), Oxford classification and number of citations.Results: This study comprised 320 articles published in the Medline database by LA spine surgeons from 2000 to 2011. in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of publications by LA spine surgeons. It was observed that 38.4% of LA papers were published in LA journals. 46.6% of the articles were published in journals with an IF lower than 1, and there was no statistically significant difference in the number of articles published in journals with a higher IF during the period. Linear-by-linear association analysis demonstrated an improvement in the level of evidence provided by LA articles published in recent years.Conclusions: This study showed a growth in the number of publications in last 12 years by LA spinal surgeons. It is necessary to discuss a way to increase quantity and quality of scientific publications, mainly through a better education in research.AOSpine Latin AmericaUniv Caxias do Sul, Dept Neurosurg, Caxias Do Sul, RS, BrazilHosp Servidor Publ Estadual Francisco Morato de O, Dept Neurosurg, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Sao Jose Santa Casa Porto Alegre, Dept Neurosurg, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Orthoped, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Univ Fdn Favaloro, Dept Orthoped, Buenos Aires, DF, ArgentinaUniv Desarrollo, Dept Orthoped, Santiago de Compostela, SpainCtr Med Nacl Occidente, Dept Orthoped, Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoUniv São Paulo, Dept Orthoped, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Orthoped, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

FERRAMENTAS EDUCATIVAS DIGITAIS PARA O ENSINO DE QUÍMICA ANALÍTICA

Analytical Chemistry is a part of Chemistry responsible for identifying and quantifying chemical species through the use of qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques employed in Chemical Analysis. This research arose from the desire to contribute to the teaching and learning process of Analytical Chemistry through the use of digital tools available through Information and Communication Technologies, TIC's, especially in the teaching of Chemical Balance and Volumetry (or Titration) content, central concepts in the study of Analytical Chemistry and that cause learning difficulties in higher education students. For this, based on Scientific Prospecting and on Bibliographic Research, examples of graphic tools and Electronic Spreadsheets created in Microsoft Excel® and freely distributed to be used in teaching concepts of Chemical Balance and Volumetry were presented. Four digital tools available for free were presented, which can help in teaching and learning the contents of Titrations (TitSim, TitGer and CurTiPlot) and Chemical Equilibrium (AlfaDist) through Graphical Simulation using the Electronic Spreadsheet of the Microsoft Excel® Program, aiming to assist students and teachers in learning and teaching the content of Titration, following an approach based on the use of Graphic Methods and Spreadsheets to facilitate the understanding of the mathematical approaches and calculations involved in their study, through the visualization of Titration Curves and their variations.La Química Analítica es una parte de la Química responsable de la identificación y cuantificación de especies químicas mediante el uso de métodos y técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas utilizadas en el Análisis Químico. La presente investigación surgió del deseo de contribuir al proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Química Analítica mediante el uso de las herramientas digitales disponibles a través de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación, las TIC's, especialmente en la enseñanza de los contenidos de Balance Químico y Volumetría (o Titulación). conceptos en el estudio de la Química Analítica y que provocan dificultades de aprendizaje en estudiantes de educación superior. Para ello, con base en la Prospección Científica y la Investigación Bibliográfica, se presentaron ejemplos de Herramientas Gráficas y Planillas Electrónicas creadas en Microsoft Excel® y de libre distribución para ser utilizadas en la enseñanza de los conceptos de Equilibrio Químico y Volumetría. Se presentaron cuatro herramientas digitales disponibles de forma gratuita, que pueden auxiliar en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de los contenidos Títulos (TitSim, TitGer y CurTiPlot) y Equilibrio Químico (AlfaDist) a través de Simulación Gráfica utilizando la Hoja de Cálculo Electrónica del Programa Microsoft Excel®, con el objetivo de asistir a estudiantes y docentes en el aprendizaje y enseñanza de los contenidos de Grados, siguiendo un enfoque basado en el uso de Métodos Gráficos y Hojas de Cálculo Electrónicas para facilitar la comprensión de los enfoques y cálculos matemáticos involucrados.A Química Analítica é uma parte da Química responsável pela identificação e quantificação de espécies químicas por meio do uso de métodos e técnicas quali e quantitativas empregadas em Análises Químicas. A presente pesquisa surgiu do anseio de contribuir para o processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Química Analítica por meio do emprego das ferramentas digitais disponíveis mediante as Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação, TIC’s, em especial no ensino do conteúdo Equilíbrio Químico e Volumetria (ou Titulação), conceitos centrais no estudo de Química Analítica e que causam dificuldades de aprendizagem nos discentes do Ensino Superior. Para isso, baseado em Prospecção Científica e em Pesquisa Bibliográfica, apresentou-se exemplos de ferramentas Gráficas e Planilhas Eletrônicas criadas no Microsoft Excel® e distribuídas gratuitamente para serem usadas no ensino de conceitos de Equilíbrio Químico e Volumetria. Apresentou-se quatro ferramentas digitais disponíveis gratuitamente, que podem auxiliar no ensino e aprendizagem dos conteúdos Titulações (TitSim, TitGer e CurTiPlot) e Equilíbrio Químico (AlfaDist) por meio da Simulação Gráfica a partir do uso da Planilha Eletrônica do Programa Microsoft Excel®, visando auxiliar os discentes e docentes na aprendizagem e ensino do conteúdo Titulações, seguindo uma abordagem baseada no emprego dos Métodos Gráficos e Planilhas Eletrônicas para facilitar a compreensão das abordagens matemáticas e cálculos envolvidos no seu estudo por meio da visualização de Curvas de Titulação e suas variações

A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.Keywords: Social–ecological systems, Tropical forests, Land use, Interdisciplinary research, Sustainability, Trade-off