Neurological Manifestations in Primary Immunodeficiencies

As imunodeficiências primárias são um grupo heterogéneo de doenças individualmente raras. A sua associação a manifestações neurológicas não é rara, sendo os mecanismos fisiopatológicos implicados distintos consoante a patologia em causa. As manifestações neurológicas podem ser a característica predominante da doença ou estar presentes de forma ligeira e/ou inconstante. O correto reconhecimento desta associação pode permitir um diagnóstico atempado destas doenças e o desenvolvimento de estratégias preventivas e terapêuticas. Os autores fazem uma revisão e sistematização das imunodeficiências primárias em que se verifica esta relação, sumariando as manifestações neurológicas e imunes de cada uma das patologias.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tissue engineering as a remarkable tool for cartilage repair

Articular cartilage is a very specialized tissue with outstanding load-bearing capacity. It consists mainly of a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) with chondrocytes embedded on it. Cartilage has very low capacity of self-repair and regeneration after traumatic, degenerative or inflammatory injury. Current available surgical treatments for cartilage repair present several drawbacks, such as possible implant rejection or infection, or the need for revision after some years of implantation. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is an autologous therapy that was proposed as a basis for tissue engineering strategies to repair cartilage (1). Modifications on various aspects of this surgical technique have been developed, comprising the use of natural-based scaffolds as supports for chondrocyte expansion (2). Many strategies and systems have been developed along the years for cartilage regeneration and repair. Scaffolds play a major role in those strategies, as they provide the support for cell growth and to promote extracellular matrix production. Both natural based (3) or synthetic scaffolds (4) have been successfully used as supports for chondrogenic differentiation or cartilage-like tissue production. The interest in cells cross-talk and communication has been growing in the past years, revealing that signalling pathways are pivotal elements when understanding the tissue formation and its repair mechanisms (5). Chondrocytes release morphogenetic signals that influence the surrounding cells, for example, stem cells, to differentiate into the chondrogenic lineage (5). In fact, the increased cartilage formation on co-cultures using stem cells and articular chondrocytes has been reported (6). Therefore, the study of co-cultures using chondrocytes and undifferentiated cells is a very promising strategy to develop engineered cartilage

Conservação de recursos genéticos animais de grande porte na Amazônia Oriental (BAGAM).

Os búfalos da raça Carabao e do Tipo Baio compõem pequenas populações no País, sofrendo assim, ameaças de extinção e fortes riscos de descaracterização. O Núcleo de conservação desenvolve estudos voltados à avaliação de parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos das espécies supracitadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi acompanhar as ações de conservação genética no Banco de Germoplasma Animal da Amazônia Oriental/BAGAM, com ênfase na coleta, caracterização e documentação dessas espécies de importância socioeconômica para a região. Localizado na ilha de Marajó/PA, o BAGAM atualmente mantêm 238 búfalos entre Carabaos e Baios. Os dados de características fenotípicas, morfométricas, moleculares, assim como, parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos estão sendo organizados e documentados em bancos de dados de espécies em conservação.PIBIC-2011

STUDY AND VALIDATION OF MESHES IN TURBULENT ISOTHERMAL PROBLEMS OF NATURAL CONVECTION IN FLAT PLATES

The study of natural convection on flat plates is of great interest in the areas of Engineering, both for the simplicity of geometry and the wide variety of applications. In the study and definition of a numerical model, an ideal mesh configuration is the one that best represents physically, with minimal numerical influence and with the lowest computational cost, the problem addressed. The influence of two mesh configurations (non-uniform staggered and entirely uniform), at different refinement levels, was studied to evaluate natural convection heat transfer rates in flat plates of AR = 5; in isothermal conditions, in turbulent regime with the κ−ω SST RANS model and using free and open-source software OpenFOAM®. The physical-numerical methodology applied, and the numerical results obtained were validated from experimental results in the literature. The non-uniform staggered mesh configuration proved to be more adequate in precision, and computational cost to the problem situation studied. The entirely uniform mesh proved to be infeasible due to the high number of elements and computational cost demanded

Updated Big Bang Nucleosynthesis Bounds on Long-lived Particles from Dark Sectors

As electromagnetic showers may alter the abundance of Helium, Lithium, and Deuterium, we can place severe constraints on the lifetime and amount of electromagnetic energy injected by long-lived particles. Considering up-to-date measurements of the light element abundances that point to $Y_p=0.245\pm 0.003$,$({\rm D/H})= (2.527\pm 0.03)\times 10^{-5}$,$(^7{\rm Li/H})=1.58 ^{+0.35}_{-0.28} \times 10^{-10}$, $(^6{\rm Li/^7 Li})=0.05$, and the baryon-to-photon ratio obtained from the Cosmic Microwave Background data, $\eta=6.104 \times 10^{-10}$, we derive upper limits on the fraction of electromagnetic energy produced by long-lived particles. Our findings apply to decaying dark matter models, long-lived gravitinos, and other non-thermal processes that occurred in the early universe between $10^2-10^{10}$ seconds.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Influence of textile cord tension in cap ply production

The deep knowledge about manufacturing processes, as well as their optimization, present themselves as indispensable factors in the search for the best product quality. It is this point of view of continuous improvement that makes companies in profitable and sustainable way. This paper presents a study about unwinding tension of textile cords in the cap ply manufacturing process, using machines called cap-strips for production. In this work, tension can be understood as the tensile force exerted on the cord. This study determines the influence of unwinding tension on the physical and shrinkage properties of the cord, as well as on the properties of cap ply, namely green adhesion and peel adhesion. Furthermore, the impact of cord tension on tire uniformity and the manufacturing process itself was also studied. All conclusions are based on the performed experiments and the execution of statistical tests. This work allows to conclude that the unwinding tension of the textile cords have some impact on the cap ply properties but have no influence on the tire uniformity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of concentration of the diazoalcene molybdenum complex immobilized in ureasil matrix

The complex trans-[FMo(NNCHCHCHCH2CH3)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2][BPh4], was dispersed in a hybrid matrix synthesized by a sol-gel process. The host matrix of the so-called ureasil is a network of silica to which oligopolyoxyethylene chains [POE, (OCH2CH2)n] are grafted by means of urea cross-links. The free complex and sol-gel materials were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC), surface analysis (XPS) and spectroscopic methods (FT-IR and UV/Vis). The data gathered indicates that the molybdenum(IV) complex is immobilized in the host matrix, and it exhibits structural properties different from those of the free form. These differences could arise either from distortions caused by steric effects imposed by the structure of hybrid matrix or by interactions with the matrix. These materials shows potential applications in heterogeneous catalysis in mild conditions

Cytoskeleton structure, pattern of mitochondrial activity and ultrastructure of frozen or vitrified sheep embryos.

Even though sheep embryo cryopreservation is a commonly used procedure the survival and pregnancy outcomes can vary greatly. This study investigated whether cryopreservation was causing subtle changes in ultrastructure, mitochondrial activity or cytoskeletal integrity. Sheep embryos were either slow cooled in 1.5 M EG (n = 22), or vitrified in 20% EG + 20% DMSO with 0.5 M sucrose in Open Pulled Straws (OPS) (n = 24). One hour after warming the cryopreserved embryos differed from control embryos in that they had no mitochondrial activity combined with cytoskeletal disorganization and large vesicles. Vitrified embryos also showed many points of cytoskeleton disruption. Ultrastructural alterations resulting from actin filaments disorganization were observed in both cryopreserved groups. This includes areas presenting no cytoplasmic organelles, Golgi complex located far from the nucleus and a decrease of specialized intercellular junctions. Additionally, large vesicles were observed in vitrified morulae and early blastocysts. The alterations after cryopreservation were proportional to embryo quality as assessed using the stereomicroscope. Even in the absence of mitochondrial activity, grade I and II cryopreserved embryos contained mitochondria with normal ultrastructure. Embryos classified as grade I or II in the stereomicroscope revealed mild ultrastructural alterations, meaning that this tool is efficient to evaluate embryos after cryopreservation

Metástase ocular como apresentação inicial de carcinoma de células renais: relato de dois casos

Authors report the cases of 2 patients who had an ocular lesion as the first sign leading to diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, an uncommon presentation of this neoplasm. The first patient was a 59-year-old man presented with a mass in the right eye. The histological and immunohistochemical profile of the biopsy showed a probable renal cell carcinoma. A CT scan showed a solid mass in the left kidney. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy and excision of the ocular lesion and had an uneventful evolution. The second patient was a 72-year-old man presenting with an ulcerated lesion on the right inferior tarsal conjunctiva. An excisional biopsy of the lesion showed histological and immunohistochemical patterns of a clear cell carcinoma. Abdominal tomography disclosed a right peripheral renal tumor. A right radical nephrectomy was performed. Renal cell carcinoma may present atypically with metastases to quite uncommon organs. Nephrectomy may be of value in selected cases; the ocular metastases are usually excised for aesthetic and functional reasons.Os autores apresentam dois casos de metástase ocular como o primeiro sinal que levou ao diagnóstico de carcinoma renal, uma apresentação incomum desta neoplasia. O primeiro paciente era um homem de 59 anos com uma massa no olho direito. O perfil histológico e imunohistoquimico demonstraram um provável carcinoma de células renais. A tomografia computadorizada revelou uma massa sólida no rim esquerdo, e o paciente foi submetido a nefrectomia radical esquerda, apresentando uma evolução sem complicações. O segundo paciente era um homem com 72 anos portador de uma lesão ulcerada na conjuntiva tarsal inferior direita. Uma biopsia excisional da lesão demonstrou um padrão histológico e imunohistoquimico de carcinoma de células renais. A tomografia de abdômen demonstrou um tumor periférico em rim direito, sendo o paciente submetido a nefrectomia radical. O carcinoma de células renais pode se apresentar atipicamente com metástases para órgãos incomuns. Nefrectomia pode ser útil em casos selecionados. As metástases oculares geralmente são excisadas por razoes estéticas e funcionais

Numerical Investigation of Frequency and Amplitude Influence on a Plunging NACA0012

Natural flight has always been the source of imagination for Mankind, but reproducing the propulsive systems used by animals that can improve the versatility and response at low Reynolds number is indeed quite complex. The main objective of the present work is the computational study of the influence of the Reynolds number, frequency, and amplitude of the oscillatory movement of a NACA0012 airfoil in the aerodynamic performance. The thrust and power coefficients are obtained which together are used to calculate the propulsive efficiency. The simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent with a RANS approach for Reynolds numbers between 8500 and 34,000, reduced frequencies between 1 and 5, and Strouhal numbers from 0.1 to 0.4. The aerodynamic parameters were thoroughly explored as well as their interaction, concluding that when the Reynolds number is increased, the optimal propulsive efficiency occurs for higher nondimensional amplitudes and lower reduced frequencies, agreeing in some ways with the phenomena observed in the animal kingdom.Aeronautics and Astronautics Research Center (AEROG), Laboratório Associado em Energia, Transportes e Aeronáutica (LAETA) e Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia;info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio