DNA damage profiles induced by sunlight at different latitudes

Despite growing knowledge on the biological effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on human health and ecosystems, it is still difficult to predict the negative impacts of the increasing incidence of solar UV radiation in a scenario of global warming and climate changes. Hence, the development and application of DNA-based biological sensors to monitor the solar UV radiation under different environmental conditions is of increasing importance. With a mind to rendering a molecular view-point of the genotoxic impact of sunlight, field experiments were undertaken with a DNA-dosimeter system in parallel with physical photometry of solar UVB/UVA radiation, at various latitudes in South America. Onapplying biochemical and immunological approaches based on specific DNA-repair enzymes and antibodies, for evaluating sunlight-induced DNA damage profiles, it became clear that the genotoxic potential of sunlight does indeed vary according to latitude. Notwithstanding, while induction of oxidized DNA bases is directly dependent on an increase in latitude, the generation of 6-4PPs is inversely so, whereby the latter can be regarded as a biomolecular marker of UVB incidence. This molecular DNA lesion-pattern largely reflects the relative incidence of UVA and UVB energy at any specific latitude. Hereby is demonstrated the applicability of this DNA-based biosensor for additional, continuous field experiments, as a means of registering variations in the genotoxic impact of solar UV radiation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil)FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil)CNPq (Brasilia, Brazil)CNPq (Brasilia, Brazil)Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (Japan)Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of JapanLaboratory of Science and Engineering, Takushoku University, JapanLaboratory of Science and Engineering, Takushoku University, Japa

Análise Atmosférica dos Eventos de Efeito Secundário do Buraco de Ozônio Antártico Sobre o Sul do Brasil em 2012. Parte 1: Identificação dos Eventos e Análise da Dinâmica da Estratosfera

In this study were identified events of Influence of the Antarctic ozone hole over southern Brazil in the year 2012. For this, we analyzed the daily average data of total ozone column obtained through Brewer Spectrophotometer, installed in the southern Space Observatory-OESCRSINPE-MCTI (29.4° S; 53.8°; 488 m) and by satellite instruments Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), seeking days of falls in the ozone content. For these days, we analyzed potential vorticity maps made using Reanalysis data provided by NCEPNCAR and retroactive trajectories made through the Hysplit model of NOAA, in order to verify the origin of the polar air mass poor in ozone. In addition, it was also conducted a complementary analysis through the images of the ozone content of the OMI satellite, verifying the performance of the Antarctic Ozone Hole in polar regions and its connection with the Southern Brazil. The methodology used was shown to be effective in the identification of 2 events of side effect of the Antarctic ozone hole over the South of Brazil, which showed a fall of 12.1 ± 2.3 average in the ozone content.Na presente estudo foram identificados os eventos de Efeito Secundário do Buraco de Ozônio Antártico ocorridos sobre o Sul do Brasil no ano de 2012. Para isso, foram analisados os dados médios diários da coluna total de ozônio obtidos através de Espectrofotômetro Brewer, instalado no Observatório Espacial do Sul – OES/CRS/INPE – MCTI (29,4 °S; 53,8°O; 488,7m) e pelos instrumentos de satélite Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) e Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), buscando dias de quedas no conteúdo de ozônio. Para estes dias, foram analisados mapas de vorticidade potencial confeccionados utilizando dados de reanálise fornecidos pelo NCEP/NCAR e trajetórias retroativas confeccionadas através do modelo Hysplit da NOAA, a fim de verificar a origem polar da massa de ar pobre em ozônio. Além disso, foi também realizada uma análise complementar através das imagens do conteúdo de ozônio do satélite OMI, verificando-se a atuação do Buraco de Ozônio na região Antártica e sua conexão com o Sul do Brasil. A metodologia empregada mostrou-se eficaz na identificação de 2 eventos de Efeito Secundário do Buraco de Ozônio Antártico sobre o Sul do Brasil, os quais apresentaram uma queda média de 12,1 ± 2,3% no conteúdo de ozônio

The initial steps for developing the South American K index from the embrace magnetometer network

In this paper we present the first steps given towards the development of the South American K index (Ksa) based on the measurements made by the Embrace Magnetometer Network. We present: (a) a description of the magnetometer and of the network; (b) the procedure used to calibrate the network equipments; (c) the procedure to obtain each station K scale and its corresponding upper limits of ranges for the three-hour-range station K index (thereafter referred as K9 threshold); and (d) some particularities regarding the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) deviation and its long term variation.No presente artigo, apresentamos os primeiros passos realizados para desenvolvermos o índice K sul-americano (Ksa) baseado nas medidas feitas pela rede Embrace de magnetômetros. Apresentamos (a) uma descrição do equipamento utilizado, bem como da rede de magnetômetros; (b) o procedimento adotado para calibrar todos os equipamentos individuais da rede; (c) o procedimento para se obter a escala K de cada estação magnética e o seu correspondente limite superior para o índice K de três horas (doravante denominado limiar K9); e (d) algumas particularidades com respeito à obtenção da curva do Dia Quieto (QDC) e suas variações de longos períodos.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

The initial steps for developing the South American K index from the embrace magnetometer network

In this paper we present the first steps given towards the development of the South American K index (Ksa) based on the measurements made by the Embrace Magnetometer Network. We present: (a) a description of the magnetometer and of the network; (b) the procedure used to calibrate the network equipments; (c) the procedure to obtain each station K scale and its corresponding upper limits of ranges for the three-hour-range station K index (thereafter referred as K9 threshold); and (d) some particularities regarding the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) deviation and its long term variation.No presente artigo, apresentamos os primeiros passos realizados para desenvolvermos o índice K sul-americano (Ksa) baseado nas medidas feitas pela rede Embrace de magnetômetros. Apresentamos (a) uma descrição do equipamento utilizado, bem como da rede de magnetômetros; (b) o procedimento adotado para calibrar todos os equipamentos individuais da rede; (c) o procedimento para se obter a escala K de cada estação magnética e o seu correspondente limite superior para o índice K de três horas (doravante denominado limiar K9); e (d) algumas particularidades com respeito à obtenção da curva do Dia Quieto (QDC) e suas variações de longos períodos.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

The initial steps for developing the South american K index from the embrace magnetometer network

In this paper we present the first steps given towards the development of the South American K index (Ksa) based on the measurements made by the Embrace Magnetometer Network. We present: (a) a description of the magnetometer and of the network; (b) the procedure used to calibrate the network equipments; (c) the procedure to obtain each station K scale and its corresponding upper limits of ranges for the three-hour-range station K index (thereafter referred as K9 threshold); and (d) some particularities regarding the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) deviation and its long term variation.No presente artigo, apresentamos os primeiros passos realizados para desenvolvermos o ´ındice K sul-americano (Ksa) baseado nas medidas feitas pela rede Embrace de magnetˆometros. Apresentamos (a) uma descric¸˜ao do equipamento utilizado, bem como da rede de magnetˆometros; (b) o procedimento adotado para calibrar todos os equipamentos individuais da rede; (c) o procedimento para se obter a escala K de cada estac¸˜ao magn´etica e o seu correspondente limite superior para o ´ındice K de trˆes horas (doravante denominado limiar K9); e (d) algumas particularidades com respeito `a obtenc¸˜ao da curva do Dia Quieto (QDC) e suas variac¸ ˜oes de longos per´ıodos.Fil: Denardini, Clezio Marcos. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Da Silva, Marlos Rockenbach. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Gende, Mauricio Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Su Chen, Sony. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Fagundes, Paulo Roberto. Universidade do Vale do Paraíba; BrasilFil: Schuch, Nelson Jorge. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Petry, Adriano. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Resende Araújo, Laysa Cristina. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Moro, Juliano. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Lopes Padilha, Antonio. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Sant’Anna, Nilson. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; BrasilFil: Riberiro Alves, Livia. Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; Brasi

The South American K Index: Initial Steps from the Embrace Magnetometer Network

In the present paper we present the first steps given towards the development of the South American K index (Ksa) based on the measurement made by the Embrace Magnetometer Network. We present: (a) a description of the magnetometer and of the network; (b) the procedure used to calibrate the network equipments; (c) the procedure to obtain each station K scale and its corresponding upper limits of ranges for the three-hour-range station K indices (thereafter referred as K9 threshold); and (d) some particularities regarding the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) deviation and its long term variation.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years