Avaliação da viabilidade econômico-financeira para um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em relação a um sistema de lavoura exclusiva em Mato Grosso, Brasil.

O crescimento populacional e o aumento do nível de renda em escala global aliados à crescente preocupação com os impactos ambientais decorrente das atividades agropecuárias são fatores que ajudam a explicar os debates sobre a busca por sistemas de produção alternativos e que permitam conciliar esses fatores. Uma alternativa nesse sentido são os sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária. A literatura apresenta inúmeros potenciais benefícios desses sistemas, em especial os associados aos aspectos socioambientais e econômicos. Todavia, há um reduzido número de trabalhos dedicados a analisar a viabilidade econômica desses sistemas, especialmente no Brasil, importante player no mercado de commodities. Tendo como objetivo avançar nessa discussão, o presente trabalho propõe uma metodologia para avaliação da viabilidade econômico-financeira de sistemas de integração e apresenta os resultados para um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária implementado em Mato Grosso, Brasil confrontando esses resultados aos observados por um sistema lavoura exclusivo, conduzido na mesma região. Os resultados mostraram que o sistema de integração demonstrou ser uma melhor alternativa de investimento, com retornos econômicos superiores em todos os anos de análise

Minimally invasive, patient specific, beat-by-beat estimation of left ventricular time varying elastance.

peer reviewedBACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to establish a minimally invasive method for deriving the left ventricular time varying elastance (TVE) curve beat-by-beat, the monitoring of which's inter-beat evolution could add significant new data and insight to improve diagnosis and treatment. The method developed uses the clinically available inputs of aortic pressure, heart rate and baseline end-systolic volume (via echocardiography) to determine the outputs of left ventricular pressure, volume and dead space volume, and thus the TVE curve. This approach avoids directly assuming the shape of the TVE curve, allowing more effective capture of intra- and inter-patient variability. RESULTS: The resulting TVE curve was experimentally validated against the TVE curve as derived from experimentally measured left ventricular pressure and volume in animal models, a data set encompassing 46,318 heartbeats across 5 Pietrain pigs. This simulated TVE curve was able to effectively approximate the measured TVE curve, with an overall median absolute error of 11.4% and overall median signed error of -2.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of clinically available inputs means there is potential for real-time implementation of the method at the patient bedside. Thus the method could be used to provide additional, patient specific information on intra- and inter-beat variation in heart function

Perioperative Complications After Aorto-iliac Stenting: Associated Factors and Impact on Follow-up Cardiovascular Prognosis

ObjectivesTo investigate factors associated with 30-day perioperative complications (POC) after aorto-iliac (AI) stenting, and to compare follow-up cardiovascular prognosis between patients with and without POC.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective multicenter study. We used a multicenter database of 2012 consecutive patients who successfully underwent AI stenting for peripheral arterial disease in 18 centers in Japan from January 2005 to December 2009 to analyze independent predictors of POC and impact of POC on prognosis by logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazard regression model, respectively.ResultsMean age was 71 ± 9 years (median: 72 years; range: 37–98 years), and 1,636 patients (81%) were men. POC occurred in 126 patients (6.3%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, old age (≥80 years), critical limb ischemia (CLI), and Trans Atlantic Inter-Societal Consensus (TASC) II class C/D were independently associated with POC with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 1.9 (1.3–2.9), 2.3 (1.5–3.4), and 2.4 (1.6–3.4), respectively. Out of 2012 patients, 1995 were followed up for more than 30 days (mean: 2.6 ± 1.5 years; range: 2–2,393 days). In a Cox hazard regression model adjusted for baseline clinical characteristics, POC was positively and independently associated with follow-up major adverse cardiac events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3–2.8; p = .002), but not with major adverse limb events and target lesion revascularization (adjusted HR: 1.4; 95% CI: 0.7–2.7; p = .25; and adjusted HR: 1.2; 95% CI 0.6–2.6; p = .568), respectively.ConclusionsAge >80 years, CLI, and TASC C/D lesion were positively associated with POC after AI stenting. Occurrence of POC appears to adversely affect follow-up cardiovascular, but not limb and vessel prognosis

Strategic diagnosis of livestock-forest integration systems in northern mato grosso.

Resumo: Diagnóstico estratégico para sistema de integração pecuária-floresta, inseridos na região norte do estado de Mato Grosso. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo elaborar um diagnóstico estratégico sobre a inclusão do componente florestal (teca) em áreas de pecuária extensiva, no município de Alta Floresta, estado de Mato Grosso. Para isso, foi elaborada a análise SWOT adaptada, inicialmente foram identificados os pontos fortes e fracos para o ambiente interno (entrevistas), bem como as oportunidades e ameaças para o ambiente externo (consulta bibliográfica); e por fim, foi elaborada a matriz de fatores internos e externos. Os dados para a elaboração do diagnóstico foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semi estruturadas com alguns agentes-chave da cadeia agroindustrial, composta por (3) produtores, (3) gerentes de fazenda, (2) profissionais técnicos do setor produtivo da pecuária e florestal e (3) colaboradores de instituições públicas e por meio de consulta bibliográfica. As respostas foram pontuadas por caráter de relevância, conforme o posicionamento dos entrevistados. A pontuação total ponderada dos fatores internos e externos foi de 2,83 e de 3,24, respectivamente, maior que a média 2,5, indicando que o sistema de integração é internamente forte e a região está sob um ambiente externo favorável. O diagnóstico produzido indica que a integração pecuária-floresta é uma atividade atrativa, promovendo a diversidade da produção e colaborando com o desenvolvimento local. Contudo, deve haver planejamento estratégico por meio de ações eficientes, entre diferentes partes interessadas (governo, setor público e privado) a fim de fomentar esta atividade, bem como garantir condições para a consolidação do sistema de integração pecuária-floresta, visto o seu grande potencial frente aos sistemas de monocultura. | Abstract: The objective of this study was to elaborate a strategic diagnosis about integrating the forest component (teak) into extensive cattle raising areas, in Alta Floresta, northern Mato Grosso state. For this, the SWOT analysis consisted of initially identifying the internal factors, the strengths and weaknesses internal to the organization (interviews) and the external factors, opportunities and threats external to the organization (bibliographic search) to elaborate the External and Internal Factor Evaluation Matrices. The data were obtained from applying semi-structured interviews to some of the key players in the agro-industrial chain, such as (3) producers, (3) farm managers, (2) professional technicians from the livestock field, and (3) collaborators of public institutions, and a bibliographic search/review as well. The answers given by each interviewee were scored according to their relevance. The scores assigned to internal and external factor evaluations were 2.83 and 3.24, higher than the average 2.5, indicating that the integration of forest with pasture areas is internally strong while the studied region has a favorable external environment. In general, the produced diagnosis indicates that the integration of livestock-forest is an attractive activity, promoting production diversity and collaborating with local development. However, there must be strategic planning between the different key players (government, public and private sectors) in order to foster the most appropriate activities for the region, guaranteeing the conditions for the consolidation of the forest-livestock integration system, given its great potential in relation to monoculture systems

Measurement of serum total and free prostate-specific antigen in women with colorectal carcinoma

We investigated the diagnostic value and the relationship with clinicopathological features of total and free prostate-specific antigen by measuring the concentrations of these markers in the sera of 75 women with colorectal carcinoma and in 30 healthy women. Measurements were performed by immunoradiometric assay which utilizes monoclonal and polyclonal anti-prostate-specific antigen antibodies; the lowest detection level for both markers was 0.01 ng ml−1. Free prostate-specific antigen levels were significantly higher in women with colorectal carcinoma than healthy women (P=0.006). The percentage of free prostate-specific antigen predominant (free prostate-specific antigen/total prostate-specific antigen >50%) subjects was 20% in colorectal carcinoma patients and 3.3% in healthy women (P=0.035). Cut-off values were 0.34 ng ml−1 for total prostate-specific antigen and 0.01 ng ml−1 for free prostate-specific antigen. In women with colorectal carcinoma, total prostate-specific antigen positivity was 20% and free prostate-specific antigen positivity was 34.6%. When compared to negatives, total prostate-specific antigen positive patients had a lower percentage of well-differentiated (P=0.056) and early stage (stages I and II) tumours (P=0.070). However, patients with predominant free prostate-specific antigen, had a higher percentage of well-differentiated (P=0.014) and early stage tumours (P=0.090) than patients with predominant bound prostate-specific antigen. In conclusion, although the sensitivity of free prostate-specific antigen predominancy is low (20%), in distinguishing women with colorectal carcinoma than healthy women, its specificity is high (96.7%). Free prostate-specific antigen predominancy tends to be present in less aggressive tumours. These findings may indicate clinical significance of preoperative measurement of serum total and free prostate-specific antigen in women with colorectal carcinoma

A model of quiescent tumour microregions for evaluating multicellular resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs

The quiescent cell population of tumours poses a barrier to the success of many cancer therapies. Most chemotherapeutic drugs target proliferating cells, but the growth fraction of many tumours is low. Based on the multicellular tumour spheroid model, a system was developed using human colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells to mimic the microenvironment of quiescent microregions of solid tumours. The quiescent tumour spheroids (TSQ) showed decreased expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and increased expression of the quiescence marker p27kip1 compared to proliferating spheroids (TSP). The quiescent status of the TSQ was confirmed by long-term growth assessment. The quiescence was completely reversible demonstrating that the TSQ retained the ability to proliferate and morphological assessment by light microscopy confirmed the absence of significant apoptosis. When the efficacy of widely used chemotherapeutic drugs was determined, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) all produced significant cell death in the TSP. However, while still effective, the potencies of doxorubicin and cisplatin were significantly reduced in TSQ. In contrast, 5-FU and vinblastine did not produce cell death in the TSQ. In summary, TSQ show considerable resistance to a panel of established chemotherapeutic agents and represent a useful model for evaluating the efficacy of drugs and other cancer therapies in quiescent tumours

Inclusion of MUC1 (Ma695) in a panel of immunohistochemical markers is useful for distinguishing between endocervical and endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma*

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) from endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma (EMMA) is clinically significant in view of the differences in their management and prognosis. In this study, we used a panel of tumor markers to determine their ability to distinguish between primary endocervical adenocarcinoma and primary endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to MUC1 (Ma695), p16, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and vimentin, was performed to examine 32 cases, including 18 EMMAs and 14 ECAs. For MUC1, cases were scored based on the percentage of staining pattern, apical, apical and cytoplasmic (A/C), or negative. For p16, cases were scored based on the percentage of cells stained. For the rest of the antibodies, semiquantitative scoring system was carried out. RESULTS: For MUC1, majority of EMMA (14 of 18 cases, 78%) showed A/C staining, whereas only few ECA (2 of 14, 14%) were positive. The difference of MUC1 expression in the two groups of malignancy was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Staining for p16 was positive in 10 of 14 (71%) ECA and 4 of 18 (22%) EMMA. Estrogen receptor was positive in 3 of 14 (21%) ECA and 17 of 18 (94%) EMMA. Progesterone receptor was positive in 3 of 14 (21%) ECA and 16 of 18 (89%) EMMA. Vimentin was positive in 1 of 14 (7%) ECA, and 9 of 18 (50%) EMA, with median and range of 0 (0–6), and 1.5 (0–9) respectively. CONCLUSION: A panel of immunohistochemical markers including MUC1, p16, ER, PR, and vimentin is recommended, when there is morphological and clinical doubt as to the primary site of endocervical or endometrial origin

Evaluation of a Desktop 3D Printed Rigid Refractive-Indexed-Matched Flow Phantom for PIV Measurements on Cerebral Aneurysms

Purpose Fabrication of a suitable flow model or phantom is critical to the study of biomedical fluid dynamics using optical flow visualization and measurement methods. The main difficulties arise from the optical properties of the model material, accuracy of the geometry and ease of fabrication. Methods Conventionally an investment casting method has been used, but recently advancements in additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing have allowed the flow model to be printed directly with minimal post-processing steps. This study presents results of an investigation into the feasibility of fabrication of such models suitable for particle image velocimetry (PIV) using a common 3D printing Stereolithography process and photopolymer resin. Results An idealised geometry of a cerebral aneurysm was printed to demonstrate its applicability for PIV experimentation. The material was shown to have a refractive index of 1.51, which can be refractive matched with a mixture of de-ionised water with ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN). The images were of a quality that after applying common PIV pre-processing techniques and a PIV cross-correlation algorithm, the results produced were consistent within the aneurysm when compared to previous studies. Conclusions This study presents an alternative low-cost option for 3D printing of a flow phantom suitable for flow visualization simulations. The use of 3D printed flow phantoms reduces the complexity, time and effort required compared to conventional investment casting methods by removing the necessity of a multi-part process required with investment casting techniques