Photometric determination of the mass accretion rates of pre-main sequence stars. VI. The case of LH 95 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We report on the accretion properties of low-mass stars in the LH95 association within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Using non-contemporaneous wide-band and narrow-band photometry obtained with the HST, we identify 245 low-mass pre-main sequence (PMS) candidates showing H$\alpha$ excess emission above the 4$\sigma$ level. We derive their physical parameters, i.e. effective temperatures, luminosities, masses ($M_\star$), ages, accretion luminosities, and mass accretion rates ($\dot M_{\rm acc}$). We identify two different stellar populations: younger than ~8Myr with median $\dot M_{\rm acc}$~5.4x10$^{-8}M_\odot$/yr (and $M_\star$~0.15-1.8$M_\odot$) and older than ~8Myr with median $\dot M_{\rm acc}$~4.8x10$^{-9}M_\odot$/yr (and $M_\star$~0.6-1.2$M_\odot$). We find that the younger PMS candidates are assembled in groups around Be stars, while older PMS candidates are uniformly distributed within the region without evidence of clustering. We find that $\dot M_{\rm acc}$ in LH95 decreases with time more slowly than what is observed in Galactic star-forming regions (SFRs). This agrees with the recent interpretation according to which higher metallicity limits the accretion process both in rate and duration due to higher radiation pressure. The $\dot M_{\rm acc}-M_\star$ relationship shows different behaviour at different ages, becoming progressively steeper at older ages, indicating that the effects of mass and age on $\dot M_{\rm acc}$ cannot be treated independently. With the aim to identify reliable correlations between mass, age, and $\dot M_{\rm acc}$, we used for our PMS candidates a multivariate linear regression fit between these parameters. The comparison between our results with those obtained in other SFRs of our Galaxy and the MCs confirms the importance of the metallicity for the study of the $\dot M_{\rm acc}$ evolution in clusters with different environmental conditions.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 26 pages, 12 pages, 3 tables; abstract shortened. Fixed a typo in the name of a co-autho

Ansiedade e consumo de ansiolíticos entre estudantes de enfermagem de uma universidade pública

Trata-se de estudo transversal, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa realizado em uma escola pública de enfermagem do estado de São Paulo, que avaliou a incidência de ansiedade entre os estudantes, seu conhecimento sobre os ansiolíticos e o padrão de consumo destes medicamentos. Dos 308 estudantes, 16% estavam utilizando ansiolíticos no período em que a pesquisa foi realizada ou já usaram em algum momento de suas vidas; destes, 35% apresentaram ansiedade severa, de acordo com a aplicação do Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck. Mesmo tendo recebido orientação, a maioria dos usuários referiram possuir dúvidas, especialmente no que diz respeito à interação com outros fármacos, efeitos colaterais e seu potencial para causar dependência. Destaca-se a importância do reconhecimento e tratamento da ansiedade entre os estudantes, uma vez que sua presença, quando em níveis mais altos, pode afetar de forma significativa a formação da identidade do estudante e sua qualidade de vida

Genetic Testing and Counselling in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Frequently Asked Questions

Genetic counselling and genetic testing in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represent an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm to confirm the diagnosis, distinguish it from phenocopies, and suggest tailored therapeutic intervention strategies. Additionally, they enable cascade genetic testing in the family. With the implementation of Next Generation Sequencing technologies (NGS), the interpretation of genetic data has become more complex. In this regard, cardiologists play a central role, aiding geneticists to correctly evaluate the pathogenicity of the identified genetic alterations. In the ideal setting, geneticists and cardiologists must work side by side to diagnose HCM as well as convey the correct information to patients in response to their many questions and concerns. After a brief overview of the role of genetics in the diagnosis of HCM, we present and discuss the frequently asked questions by HCM patients throughout our 20-year genetic counselling experience. Appropriate communication between the team and the families is key to the goal of delivering the full potential of genetic testing to our patients

Altered resting-state functional connectivity patterns in late middle-aged and older adults with obstructive sleep apnea

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline, and has been associated with structural brain alterations in regions relevant to memory processes and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is unclear whether OSA is associated with disrupted functional connectivity (FC) patterns between these regions in late middle-aged and older populations. Thus, we characterized the associations between OSA severity and resting-state FC between the default mode network (DMN) and medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions. Second, we explored whether significant FC changes differed depending on cognitive status and were associated with cognitive performance.MethodsNinety-four participants [24 women, 65.7 ± 6.9 years old, 41% with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)] underwent a polysomnography, a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). General linear models were conducted between OSA severity markers (i.e., the apnea-hypopnea, oxygen desaturation and microarousal indices) and FC values between DMN and MTL regions using CONN toolbox. Partial correlations were then performed between OSA-related FC patterns and (i) OSA severity markers in subgroups stratified by cognitive status (i.e., cognitively unimpaired versus MCI) and (ii) cognitive scores in the whole sample. All analyzes were controlled for age, sex and education, and considered significant at a p < 0.05 threshold corrected for false discovery rate.ResultsIn the whole sample, a higher apnea-hypopnea index was significantly associated with lower FC between (i) the medial prefrontal cortex and bilateral hippocampi, and (ii) the left hippocampus and both the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus. FC patterns were not associated with the oxygen desaturation index, or micro-arousal index. When stratifying the sample according to cognitive status, all associations remained significant in cognitively unimpaired individuals but not in the MCI group. No significant associations were observed between cognition and OSA severity or OSA-related FC patterns.DiscussionOSA severity was associated with patterns of lower FC in regions relevant to memory processes and Alzheimer’s disease. Since no associations were found with cognitive performance, these FC changes could precede detectable cognitive deficits. Whether these FC patterns predict future cognitive decline over the long-term needs to be investigated

FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES DE CIÊNCIAS NATURAIS E EXATAS NO CÂMPUS DE RIO DO SUL: A EXPERIÊNCIA DE 2012

O IF Catarinense - Câmpus Rio do Sul oferta cursos de Licenciatura desde2010 e tem realizado aproximações com as instituições de educação básica daregião com o objetivo de contribuir com a qualidade da educação básica, integraros níveis de ensino e promover o desenvolvimento regional através de ações deextensão integradas ao ensino e à pesquisa.Com o objetivo de realizar cursos para formação continuada de professorese dar apoio à formação inicial, o curso de Física-Licenciatura, através de seusprofessores, aprovou o projeto “Produção de Materiais Didáticos para Cursos de Extensãona Formação de Professores”, referente ao edital 014/2011 e que teve vigênciade julho de 2011 a junho de 2012, beneficiando com bolsa uma acadêmica docurso de Física. O objetivo do projeto era “auxiliar na produção de material pedagógico(teórico e experimental) para viabilizar cursos de extensão para formaçãoinicial e continuada de docentes da educação básica do Alto Vale do Itajaí.” Asatividades realizadas envolveram a organização dos materiais de laboratório deFísica, elaboração de instrumento de investigação aplicado a professores da redepública estadual, auxílio na montagem de equipamentos e elaboração de oficina

Measles in Italy: Viral strains and crossing borders

In 2017, Italy experienced one of the largest outbreaks of measles in recent years, with 5404 notified cases and 4347 confirmed cases. A further 2029 cases were notified during the first 6 months of 2018, and 1516 of them were laboratory-confirmed. The B3 and D8 genotypes were identified as those responsible for the outbreak. Possible transmission routes can be established by monitoring the circulating measles virus strains in support of the national health authorities to warn people and travellers

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Role of NADPH oxidase in increased blood pressure induced by chronic ethanol consumption: evaluation of vascular oxidative stress

O consumo crônico de etanol acarreta alterações significativas das funções cardíaca e circulatória, figurando como um importante fator de risco no desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, como por exemplo a hipertensão arterial. O passo inicial para a disfunção cardiovascular associada ao etanol envolve a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) e redução da biodisponibilidade do óxido nítrico (NO), sendo esse processo mediado pela enzima nicotinamida adenina dinucleótido fosfato (NADPH) oxidase. Baseado nestas observações, a hipótese do estudo é a de que o consumo de etanol aumente a pressão arterial, a geração de ERO e induza a ativação de vias de sinalização redox sensíveis na vasculatura via NADPH oxidase. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a participação da NADPH no aumento da pressão arterial e estresse oxidativo vascular induzidos pelo consumo crônico de etanol através de sua inibição pela apocinina. O trabalho demonstrou pela primeira vez o envolvimento do estresse oxidativo via ERO geradas pela NADPH oxidase no aumento da pressão arterial induzida pelo consumo crônico de etanol. Houve aumento da contração induzida por fenilefrina em anéis de aorta com e sem endotélio de animais tratados com etanol e foi demonstrada a participação das ERO geradas pela NADPH oxidase nesta resposta, uma vez que o tratamento com apocinina promoveu diminuição da contração observada. O tratamento com etanol aumentou a geração de ERO em tecido aórtico via NADPH oxidase, reduziu a biodisponibilidade de NO plasmático e tecidual e promoveu peroxidação lipídica, visto pela elevação dos níveis de TBARS. Também foi demonstrado que a enzima NADPH oxidase está envolvida no aumento da expressão protéica da PKC ? e SAPK/JNK induzido pelo etanol, e que o tratamento com etanol é capaz de diminuir a atividade enzimática da superóxido dismutase (SOD) e aumentar a expressão protéica especificamente da SOD2, possível resposta adaptativa ao aumento de geração de O2- via NADPH oxidase pelo etanol. Houve aumento da expressão protéica da nNOS em aorta de animais tratados com etanol, sendo esta, uma possível resposta adaptativa intrínseca às alterações promovidas pelo aumento da pressão arterial nestes animais. O tratamento com etanol não alterou os níveis aórticos de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), glutationa reduzida (GSH) e atividades enzimáticas da xantina oxidase (XO), superoxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx). Além disso, a partir da avaliação da translocação citosol/membrana das subunidades organizadoras p47phox e Nox organizer 1 (Noxo1) e expressão protéica das subunidades catalíticas da NADPH oxidase, Nox1, Nox2 e Nox4, foi possível concluir que o aumento da expressão da Nox1 possui importante papel na modulação da geração de ERO pelo etanol, podendo participar do aumento da pressão arterial e estresse oxidativo sistêmico e vascular gerados. Portanto, a partir dos resultados obtidos, o estudo demonstrou que o consumo crônico de etanol induz o aumento da produção de ERO, resposta implicada no aumento da pressão arterial observado nos animais tratados com etanol. Além disso, o trabalho evidencia a participação da enzima Nox1/NADPH oxidase neste processo, uma vez que houve aumento da expressão protéica dessa subunidade catalítica na aorta dos animais tratados com etanolChronic ethanol consumption results in significant alterations in cardiac and circulatory functions, appearing as an important risk factor responsible for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The initial step for cardiovascular dysfunction associated with ethanol consumption involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), processes mediated by the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. Based on the mentioned observations we hypothesized that ethanol consumption increases blood pressure, ROS generation and induces activation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways in the vasculature through NADPH oxidase. Thus, here we investigated the contribution of NADPH oxidase in chronic ethanol consumption-induced hypertension and vascular oxidative stress through its inhibition by apocynin. This study demonstrated for the first time the involvement of oxidative stress via ROS derived from NADPH oxidase in increased blood pressure induced by chronic ethanol intake. The increased contractility of endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings from ethanol-treated rats to phenylephrine was prevented by apocynin. Ethanol consumption increased systemic and vascular oxidative stress and apocynin prevented these responses. The decrease on plasma and vascular nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels induced by ethanol were not prevented by apocynin. Treatment with ethanol did not affect aortic levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Ethanol-induced increased protein expression of Nox1, PKC?, nNOS, SAPK/JNK and SOD2 in the rat aorta was prevented by apocynin. No difference on the aortic expression of Nox2, Nox4, p47phox, Nox organizer 1 (Noxo1), eNOS and iNOS was detected after treatment with ethanol. Ethanol treatment did not alter the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, c-Src, Rac1 or PKC?. The major new finding of our study is that the increased vascular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by ethanol is related to the increased vascular Nox1/NADPH oxidase expression. This mechanism is involved on the vascular dysfunction and hypertension induced by ethanol. Additionally, we conclude that ethanol consumption induces the expression of different proteins that regulate vascular contraction and growth and that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS play a role in such respons