Abnormalities Of Thyroid Hormone Metabolism During Systemic Illness: The Low T3 Syndrome In Different Clinical Settings

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Thyroid hormone abnormalities are common in critically ill patients. For over three decades, a mild form of these abnormalities has been described in patients with several diseases under outpatient care. These alterations in thyroid hormone economy are a part of the nonthyroidal illness and keep an important relationship with prognosis in most cases. The main feature of this syndrome is a fall in free triiodothyronine (T3) levels with normal thyrotropin (TSH). Free thyroxin (T4) and reverse T3 levels vary according to the underlying disease. The importance of recognizing this condition in such patients is evident to physicians practicing in a variety of specialties, especially general medicine, to avoid misdiagnosing the much more common primary thyroid dysfunctions and indicating treatments that are often not beneficial. This review focuses on the most common chronic diseases already known to present with alterations in serum thyroid hormone levels. A short review of the common pathophysiology of the nonthyroidal illness is followed by the clinical and laboratorial presentation in each condition. Finally, a clinical case vignette and a brief summary on the evidence about treatment of the nonthyroidal illness and on the future research topics to be addressed are presented.FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Support Foundation) [2013/03295-1]Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Remarks on Charged Vortices in the Maxwell-Chern-Simons Model

We study vortex-like configuration in Maxwell-Chern-Simons Electrodynamics. Attention is paid to the similarity it shares with the Nielsen-Olesen solutions at large distances. A magnetic symmetry between a point-like and an azimuthal-like current in this framework is also pointed out. Furthermore, we address the issue of a neutral and spinless particle interacting with a charged vortex, and obtain that the Aharonov-Casher-type phase depends upon mass and distance parameters.Comment: New refs. added. Version accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

On Dirac-like Monopoles in a Lorentz- and CPT-violating Electrodynamics

We study magnetic monopoles in a Lorentz- and CPT-odd electrodynamical framework in (3+1) dimensions. This is the standard Maxwell model extended by means of a Chern-Simons-like term, $b_\mu\tilde{F}^{\mu\nu}A_\nu$ ($b_\mu$ constant), which respects gauge invariance but violates both Lorentz and CPT symmetries (as a consequence, duality is also lost). Our main interest concerns the analysis of the model in the presence of Dirac monopoles, so that the Bianchi identity no longer holds, which naively yields the non-conservation of electric charge. Since gauge symmetry is respected, the issue of charge conservation is more involved. Actually, the inconsistency may be circumvented, if we assume that the appearance of a monopole induces an extra electric current. The reduction of the model to (2+1) dimensions in the presence of both the magnetic sources and Lorentz-violating terms is presented. There, a quantization condition involving the scalar remnant of $b_\mu$, say, the mass parameter, is obtained. We also point out that the breaking of duality may be associated with an asymmetry between electric and magnetic sources in this background, so that the electromagnetic force experienced by a magnetic pole is supplemented by an extra term proportional to $b_\mu$, whenever compared to the one acting on an electric charge.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, typed in te

Ortho-surgical treatment of maxillary in Class III patients with severe mandibular protrusion and middle line deviation: a systematic review

Introduction: In Brazil, malocclusion is found in ages between 7 and 15 years with a prevalence of 6%. In this scenario, Class III malocclusion affects between 5% and 15% of the entire Brazilian population. Orthodontics stands out due to its strong aesthetic compromise and unfavorable treatment prognosis, especially when there is a hereditary component. It is suggested that most cases of Class III malocclusion have maxillary retrusion or hypoplasia, which may or may not be associated with mandibular prognathism. Thus, several treatment modalities are proposed for the correction of Class III malocclusion. Objective: To explore the literary findings of the importance of knowing advances in orthodontics for the treatment of class III malocclusion. Methods: Experimental and clinical studies (case reports, retrospective, prospective and randomized) with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis were included, following the rules of the systematic review-PRISMA. 289 articles were initially found and, after selection, 54 articles were used to compose this study. Results and conclusion: According to the literary findings, the treatment of Class III should be fundamentally based on the diagnosis so that the treatment can be installed in order to correct the compromised structures instead of being compensated in places not affected by this malocclusion. In other words, the degree of involvement of the maxilla and mandible must be evaluated so that the treatment is directed to that bone base and really achieves its goals and impacts of facial improvement. Redirection of growth in Class III cases is indicated as soon as the anomaly is diagnosed, as the displacement processes that occur in the middle face can only be affected with treatment while the growth zones are able to respond to the biomechanical stimulus. Therefore, the younger the Class III patient is treated, the better the facial correction effects

How hole defects modify vortex dynamics in ferromagnetic nanodisks

Defects introduced in ferromagnetic nanodisks may deeply affect the structure and dynamics of stable vortex-like magnetization. Here, analytical techniques are used for studying, among other dynamical aspects, how a small cylindrical cavity modify the oscillatory modes of the vortex. For instance, we have realized that if the vortex is nucleated out from the hole its gyrotropic frequencies are shifted below. Modifications become even more pronounced when the vortex core is partially or completely captured by the hole. In these cases, the gyrovector can be partially or completely suppressed, so that the associated frequencies increase considerably, say, from some times to several powers. Possible relevance of our results for understanding other aspects of vortex dynamics in the presence of cavities and/or structural defects are also discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 4 page

Análise do posicionamento de indústrias calçadistas na região de Franca

Este estudo analisa estratégias de posicionamento da indústria calçadista da região de Franca (SP) com relação ao mercado interno. O trabalho apresenta um panorama da indústria calçadista nacional; em seguida, são apresentados os resultados de uma pesquisa empírica empreendida com empresas da região. Uma análise de conglomerados permitiu identificar quatro diferentes grupos de empresas com base em cinco variáveis (preços praticados, custos de produção, qualidade dos produtos, tecnologia de produção e capacidade de inovação), utilizando três diferentes estratégias: foco no segmento de calçados masculinos para um público de renda baixa (grupo 1), baixo custo (grupos 2 e 3), e diferenciação por meio de produtos de melhor qualidade e preços mais altos (grupo 4). Ao final, foram sugeridas alternativas estratégicas para as empresas consideradas em posição desfavorável em comparação às concorrentes.This study analyzes the footwear industry in Franca region (SP), with regard to positioning strategies in the domestic market. An overview of the national footwear industry is followed by results of an empirical research performed with shoe manufacturers from the region of Franca. A cluster analysis resulted in a four group classifi cation based on fi ve variables (prices, production costs, product quality, production technology and innovation capacity). Groups are characterized by the use of one of the following strategies: focus on the male shoe low income segment (group 1); low costs (groups 2 and 3); and differentiation by means of high quality products at higher prices (group 4). In closing, strategic alternatives were suggested to firms considered in an unfavorable position compared to their competitors

Graphene as an electronic membrane

Experiments are finally revealing intricate facts about graphene which go beyond the ideal picture of relativistic Dirac fermions in pristine two dimensional (2D) space, two years after its first isolation. While observations of rippling added another dimension to the richness of the physics of graphene, scanning single electron transistor images displayed prevalent charge inhomogeneity. The importance of understanding these non-ideal aspects cannot be overstated both from the fundamental research interest since graphene is a unique arena for their interplay, and from the device applications interest since the quality control is a key to applications. We investigate the membrane aspect of graphene and its impact on the electronic properties. We show that curvature generates spatially varying electrochemical potential. Further we show that the charge inhomogeneity in turn stabilizes ripple formation.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures. Updated version with new results about the re-hybridization of the electronic orbitals due to rippling of the graphene sheet. The re-hybridization adds the next-to-nearest neighbor hopping effect discussed in the previous version. New reference to recent STM experiments that give support to our theor

Advance in contemporary orthodontics: a systematic review

Introduction: During orthodontic treatment, careful planning is essential for its success, taking into account aspects such as facial harmony, functional occlusion, and esthetics. The anchorage system has been widely used by orthodontists due to its high level of success. In addition to replacing the use of extra and intraoral devices, mini-implants show a simple technique that does not require patient cooperation and less discomfort, enabling more movements predictable and balanced in a short treatment time. Objective: To report the types of mini-implants and their characteristics, addressing their advantages and disadvantages, insertion locations, indications, and contraindications, in order to promote general knowledge of orthodontic treatment with skeletal anchorage. Methods: Clinical studies with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis were included, following the rules of the systematic review-PRISMA. Results: The mini-implants are made in two types, such as self-tapping requires a drill and self-drilling that has a cut. Their use provides advantages such as a set of more agile, simple, and less invasive techniques, with minimal anatomical limitations, less cost, not depending on the patient's contribution, allowing the application of immediate load and increased predictability of movements. Disadvantages are considered when there is movement and loosening of the mini-implant, involvement of nerves and blood vessels during surgery, mucosal irritation, and gingival hyperplasia caused by poor hygiene causing pain and swelling. Conclusion: It is concluded that the mini-implant emerged to revolutionize orthodontic treatment through more precise movements, in a short time, facilitating more complex movements that other devices had difficulty performing. Its main characteristic is a high success rate, in addition to having a reduced size, which allows its insertion in several sites. Consequently, the skeletal anchorage device is an excellent method, as long as it is used according to indications and taking meticulous care from the ideal choice of the device to the moment of its insertion