Floral, reproductive, and pollination biology of Eugenia myrcianthes Nied.

Studies on species of the family Myrtaceae are mostly related to floristic surveys, reproduction involving large plant communities, and family taxonomy. Thus, the objective of this study was to elucidate aspects of the floral and reproductive biology, as well as floral visitors of ubajai (Eugenia myrcianthes Nied.). Studies were conducted on floral morphology and morphometry, identification of nectaries and structures attractive to floral visitors, characterization of floral visitors, stigma receptivity, and androecium maturation, pollen storage, in vitro viability testing, and characterization of the reproductive system. Ubajai flowers open at approximately 6:00 a.m., and their anthers are the main attractive structure to floral visitors. The main floral visitors and effective pollinators of ubajai are honeybees (Apis mellifera). The addition of 40% sucrose to the culture medium, using fresh pre-anthesis pollen, allows for a 90% germination rate. Ubajai pollen is recalcitrant, thus, it loses viability before 30 days of storage, even when stored in a refrigerator, freezer, liquid nitrogen, or natural environment. Ubajai can be considered a self-compatible plant; however, fertilization of flowers through cross-pollination also occurs, and apomixis does not occur.Studies on species of the family Myrtaceae are mostly related to floristic surveys, reproduction involving large plant communities, and family taxonomy. Thus, the objective of this study was to elucidate aspects of the floral and reproductive biology, as well as floral visitors of ubajai (Eugenia myrcianthes Nied.). Studies were conducted on floral morphology and morphometry, identification of nectaries and structures attractive to floral visitors, characterization of floral visitors, stigma receptivity, and androecium maturation, pollen storage, in vitro viability testing, and characterization of the reproductive system. Ubajai flowers open at approximately 6:00 a.m., and their anthers are the main attractive structure to floral visitors. The main floral visitors and effective pollinators of ubajai are honeybees (Apis mellifera). The addition of 40% sucrose to the culture medium, using fresh pre-anthesis pollen, allows for a 90% germination rate. Ubajai pollen is recalcitrant, thus, it loses viability before 30 days of storage, even when stored in a refrigerator, freezer, liquid nitrogen, or natural environment. Ubajai can be considered a self-compatible plant; however, fertilization of flowers through cross-pollination also occurs, and apomixis does not occur

Recommendations of the neuroendocrinology department of the Brazilian society of endocrinology and metabolism for the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease in Brazil

Although it is a rare condition, the accurate diagnosis and treatment of Cushing’s disease is important due to its higher morbidity and mortality compared to the general population, which is attributed to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and infections. Screening for hypercortisolism is recommended for patients who present multiple and progressive clinical signs and symptoms, especially those who are considered to be more specific to Cushing’s syndrome, abnormal findings relative to age (e.g., spinal osteoporosis and high blood pressure in young patients), weight gain associated with reduced growth rate in the pediatric population and for those with adrenal incidentalomas. Routine screening is not recommended for other groups of patients, such as those with obesity or diabetes mellitus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary, the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test and the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test are the main tests for the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Bilateral and simultaneous petrosal sinus sampling is the gold standard method and is performed when the triad of initial tests is inconclusive, doubtful or conflicting. The aim of this article is to provide information on the early detection and establishment of a proper diagnosis of Cushing’s disease, recommending follow-up of these patients at experienced referral centers

A review of Cushing’s disease treatment by the Department of Neuroendocrinology of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism

The treatment objectives for a patient with Cushing’s disease (CD) are remission of hypercortisolism, adequate management of co-morbidities, restoration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, preservation of fertility and pituitary function, and improvement of visual defects in cases of macroadenomas with suprasellar extension. Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is the main treatment option for the majority of cases, even in macroadenomas with low probability of remission. In cases of surgical failure, another subsequent pituitary surgery might be indicated in cases with persistent tumor imaging at post surgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or pathology analysis of adrenocorticotropic hormone-positive (ACTH+) positive pituitary adenoma in the first procedure. Medical treatment, radiotherapy and adrenalectomy are the other options when transsphenoidal pituitary surgery fails.There are several options of medical treatment, although cabergoline and ketoconazole are the most commonly used alone or in combination. Novel treatments are also addressed in this review. Different therapeutic approaches are frequently needed on an individual basis, both before and, particularly, after surgery, and they should be individualized. The objective of the present review is to provide the necessary information to achieve a more effective treatment for CD. It is recommended that patients with CD be followed at tertiary care centers with experience in treating this condition

TRANSFORMAÇÃO DA PAISAGEM E USO DOS RECURSOS NATURAIS NA ATIVIDADE PECUÁRIA: UM ESTUDO DE CASO NA FAZENDA SANTA HELENA, BONITO, PARÁ, BRASIL

O Brasil configura-se como um dos grandes produtores em relação a atividade pecuária, tendo grande importância para o cenário econômico do país, mas, ao mesmo tempo, desencadeia inúmeros problemas ambientais, como o desmatamento e consequente degradação do solo. Além disso, promove mudanças significativa na paisagem onde está inserida. Deste modo, o presente artigo tem por objetivo demonstrar e analisar as transformações na paisagem e o uso dos recursos naturais na atividade pecuária, por meio de um estudo de caso na fazenda Santa Helena, Bonito, Pará, Brasil. Para isso, fez uso das metodologias de observação direta, entrevista aberta aplicando o método de história oral e mapeamento de uso e ocupação do solo da propriedade usando o software QGis 3.0. A propriedade tem uma área de 450 hectares, sendo 250 deles destinados a pastagem, única e principal atividade realizada na fazenda. A produção tem entrado em declínio, em parte pela degradação dos pastos da propriedade, que a partir de observação direta e informação da proprietária encontram-se em estágio moderado de degradação, com presença de plantas daninhas e áreas de erosão. Portanto, a análise de transformação da paisagem e uso dos recursos naturais na atividade da pecuária realizada na fazenda Santa Helena mostrou que a área encontra-se com problemas de degradação do solo, provocados pelo manejo inadequado dos pastos, o que tem afetado diretamente o sucesso da produção de gado no local

Framework for in-service teacher education for sustainability: some principles and strategies

No abstract available.publishe

Atualizações sobre a doença de Alzheimer e seus estágios clínicos: Update on Alzheimer's disease and its clinical stages

A doença de Alzheimer é a causa mais comum de demência e uma das principais fontes de morbidade e mortalidade no envelhecimento da população. As alterações neuropatológicas marcantes da DA são placas difusas e neuríticas, marcadas pela deposição extracelular de beta-amiloide, e emaranhados neurofibrilares, compostos pelo acúmulo intracelular de proteína tau hiperfosforilada. Os déficits cognitivos aparecem e progridem insidiosamente, o comprometimento da memória, especificamente a perda de memória de eventos recentes, é a característica mais frequente da DA e geralmente é sua primeira manifestação. Outros déficits cognitivos aparecem com ou após o desenvolvimento do comprometimento da memória. A disfunção executiva e habilidades visuoespaciais prejudicadas tendem a ser afetadas precocemente, enquanto déficits na função da linguagem e sintomas comportamentais geralmente se manifestam mais tarde. Os sintomas neuropsiquiátricos e comportamentais são comuns nos estágios intermediários e tardios da DA, mas podem ocorrer no início do curso em alguns pacientes. Os déficits neurológicos não cognitivos, sinais motores piramidais e extrapiramidais, mioclonias e convulsões podem ocorrer nos estágios finais da DA, mas são incomuns nos estágios iniciais e intermediários.  As apresentações atípicas incluem uma variante visual (atrofia cortical posterior), uma variante com afasia progressiva e uma variante com disfunção executiva progressiva como sintoma predominante. As apresentações atípicas são mais comuns em pessoas mais jovens com DA. A DA é inexoravelmente progressiva, mas a taxa de progressão pode variar. A expectativa média de vida após o diagnóstico foi relatada entre 8 e 10 anos, mas pode variar de 3 a 20 anos. A DA deve ser suspeitada em qualquer idoso com início insidioso, declínio progressivo da memória e pelo menos um outro domínio cognitivo que leve ao funcionamento prejudicado.&nbsp

Identification of clusters of asthma control: A preliminary analysis of the inspirers studies

This work was funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the operations: POCI- -01-0145-FEDER-029130 (“mINSPIRERS—mHealth to measure and improve adherence to medication in chronic obstructive respiratory diseases - generalisation and evaluation of gamification, peer support and advanced image processing technologies”) co-funded by the COMPETE2020 (Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização), Portugal 2020 and by Portuguese Funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia).© 2020, Sociedade Portuguesa de Alergologia e Imunologia Clinica. All rights reserved. Aims: To identify distinct asthma control clusters based on Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) and to compare patients’ characteristics among these clusters. Methods: Adults and adolescents (≥13 years) with persistent asthma were recruited at 29 Portuguese hospital outpatient clinics, in the context of two observational studies of the INSPIRERS project. Demographic and clinical characteristics, adherence to inhaled medication, beliefs about inhaled medication, anxiety and depression, quality of life, and asthma control (CARAT, >24 good control) were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using CARAT total score (CARAT-T). Results: 410 patients (68% adults), with a median (percentile 25–percentile 75) age of 28 (16-46) years, were analysed. Three clusters were identified [mean CARAT-T (min-max)]: cluster 1 [27(24-30)], cluster 2 [19(14-23)] and cluster 3 [10(2-13)]. Patients in cluster 1 (34%) were characterised by better asthma control, better quality of life, higher inhaler adherence and use of a single inhaler. Patients in clusters 2 (50%) and 3 (16%) had uncontrolled asthma, lower inhaler adherence, more symptoms of anxiety and depression and more than half had at least one exacerbation in the previous year. Further-more, patients in cluster 3 were predominantly female, had more unscheduled medical visits and more anxiety symp-toms, perceived a higher necessity of their prescribed inhalers but also higher levels of concern about taking these inhalers. There were no differences in age, body mass index, lung function, smoking status, hospital admissions or specialist physician follow-up time among the three clusters. Conclusion: An unsupervised method based on CARAT--T, identified 3 clusters of patients with distinct, clinically meaningful characteristics. The cluster with better asthma control had a cut-off similar to the established in the validation study of CARAT and an additional cut-off seems to distinguish more severe disease. Further research is necessary to validate the asthma control clusters identified.publishersversionpublishe