Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction In Chronic Stroke Women Is Attenuated After Submaximal Exercise Test, As Evaluated By Linear And Nonlinear Analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Background: We evaluated cardiac autonomic modulation in women with chronic ischemic stroke (at least 4 years post-stroke) at rest and in response to submaximal exercise test. Methods: Fourteen post-stroke women (S group) and 10 healthy women (C group) participated in this study. Autonomic modulation (using linear and nonlinear analysis), blood pressure and metabolic variables at rest were evaluated immediately after the exercise test and during the recovery period (20 min). All participants underwent submaximal exercise test on cycle ergometer with gas analysis. Results: At rest, the S group displayed higher lactate concentration, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values when compared to C group. Furthermore, the S group had lower heart rate variability (HRV) in time domain (SDNN: S = 30 +/- 5 vs. 40 +/- 8 ms; rMSSD: S = 14 +/- 2 vs. C = 34 +/- 3 ms), decreased high frequency band of pulse interval (S = 8.4 +/- 2 vs. 33.1 +/- 9 %) and 2V pattern of symbolic analysis (S = 17.3 +/- 1 vs. 30 +/- 3 %) (both indicators of cardiac vagal modulation) when compared to C group. Immediately after exercise, S group presented higher values of lactate, SBP, DBP and double product when compared to C group, as well as decreased heart rate recovery (HRR) measured at the first, second and third minutes. At recovery time, all HRV parameters in time and frequency domains improved in the S group; however, HF band remained lower when compared to C group. Conclusions: After the exercise test, women with chronic stroke presented reduced heart rate variability, reduced cardiac vagal modulation, as well as reduced HRR, while displayed an improvement of heart rate variability and cardiac vagal modulation when compared to their baseline. These results reinforce the importance of a physically active lifestyle for cardiovascular autonomic disorders observed in chronic stroke women.15Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Estudo de flotabilidade para separação seletiva dolomita/hematita / Buoyancy study for selective sorting dolomite / hematite

Em plantas industriais de concentração de itabirito, principal minério de ferro brasileiro, diversos são os rejeitos e estéreis produzidos. Têm-se no Quadrilátero Ferrífero (MG), em diversas minas de ferro, reservas significativas de itabiritos dolomíticos, litologia considerada e tratada como estéril. Esta é constituída predominantemente de hematita e dolomita, minerais que se separados seletivamente, podem ser utilizados respectivamente como pellet feed e insumo agrícola. Nesta situação, ter-se-á o aproveitamento de ambos minerais sem a geração de rejeito ou resíduo. Neste estudo, foram realizadas medidas de potencial zeta e flotabilidade dos mineraisdolomita e hematita, obtidos de um itabirito dolomítico, buscando condições para separá-los seletivamente, adequando-os a uma utilização posterior. Assim sendo, foram testados o depressor amido de milho e o coletor óleo de soja na presença dos gases nitrogênio (N2) e dióxido de carbono (CO2). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que foram obtidas condições de seletividade em microflotação que levam a separaçãoda dolomita e hematita

Reliability of the color measurement of resin composites using images obtained using a stereoscopic loupe

Abstract This study assessed the reliability of a color measurement method using images obtained from a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a stereoscopic loupe. Disc-shaped specimens were created using the composite Filtek Z350 XT (shades DA1, DA2, DA3, and DA4) (n = 3). CIELAB color coordinates of the specimens were measured using the spectrophotometer SP60 over white and black backgrounds. Images of the same specimens were taken using a CCD camera attached to a stereoscopic loupe. The color of the image was measured (red–green–blue [RGB]) using an image processing software and converted to CIELAB coordinates. For each color coordinate, data from images were adjusted using linear regressions predicting those values from SP60. The whiteness index for dentistry (WID) and translucency parameter (TP00) of the specimens as well as the color differences (ΔE00) among pairwise shades were calculated. Data were analyzed via repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Images obtained using the loupe tended to be darker and redder than the actual color. Data adjustment resulted in similar WID, ΔE00, and TP00 values to those observed for the spectrophotometer. Differences were observed only for the WID of shade DA3 and ΔE00 for comparing DA1 and DA3 over the black background. However, these differences were not clinically relevant. The use of adjusted data from images taken using a stereoscopic loupe is considered a feasible method for color measurement

ACE gene dosage determines additional autonomic dysfunction and increases renal angiotensin II levels in diabetic mice

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate cardiovascular autonomic modulation and angiotensin II (Ang II) activity in diabetic mice that were genetically engineered to harbor two or three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene. METHODS: Diabetic and non-diabetic mice harboring 2 or 3 copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene were used in the present study. Animals were divided into 4 groups: diabetic groups with two and three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (2CD and 3CD) and the respective age-matched non-diabetic groups (2C and 3C). Hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and autonomic parameters as well as renal Ang II expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart rate was lower in diabetic animals than in non-diabetic animals. Autonomic modulation analysis indicated that the 3CD group showed increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal modulation of heart rate variability, eliciting increased cardiac sympathovagal balance, compared with all the other groups. Concurrent diabetes and either angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism resulted in a significant increase in Ang II expression in the renal cortex. CONCLUSION: Data indicates that a small increase in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in diabetic animals leads to greater impairment of autonomic function, as demonstrated by increased sympathetic modulation and reduced cardiac vagal modulation along with increased renal expression of Ang II

A AÇÃO CULTURAL NAS PRÁTICAS DE FORMAÇÃO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DA EDUCAÇÃO MUSICAL: DA EDUCAÇÃO POPULAR AOS MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS

A AÇÃO CULTURAL NAS PRÁTICAS DE FORMAÇÃO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DA EDUCAÇÃO MUSICAL: DA EDUCAÇÃO POPULAR AOS MOVIMENTOS SOCIAI

Serum proinflammatory cytokines and nutritional status in pediatric chronic liver disease

AIM: To evaluate the nutritional status and its association with proinflammatory cytokines in children with chronic liver disease. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with 43 children and adolescents, aged 0 to 17 years, diagnosed with chronic liver disease. All patients regularly attended the Pediatric Hepatology Unit and were under nutritional follow up. The exclusion criteria were fever from any etiology at the time of enrollment, inborn errors of the metabolism and any chronic illness. The severity of liver disease was assessed by Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Pediatric End Stage Liver Disease (PELD) scores. Anthropometric parameters were height/age, body mass index/age and triceps skinfold/age according to World Health Organization standards. The cutoff points for nutritional status were risk of malnutrition (Z-score < -1.00) and malnutrition (Z-score < -2.00). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were assessed by commercial ELISA kits. For multivariate analysis, linear regression was applied to assess the association between cytokine levels, disease severity and nutritional status RESULTS: The median (25th-75th centile) age of the study population was 60 (17-116)-mo-old, and 53.5% were female. Biliary atresia was the main cause of chronic liver disease (72%). With respect to Child-Pugh score, cirrhotic patients were distributed as follows: 57.1% Child-Pugh A, a mild presentation of the disease, 34.3% Child-Pugh B, a moderate stage of cirrhosis and 8.6% Child-Pugh C, were considered severe cases. PELD and MELD scores were only above the cutoff point in 5 cases. IL-6 values were increased in patients at nutritional risk (34.9%) compared with those who were well-nourished [7.12 (0.58-34.23) pg/mL vs 1.63 (0.53-3.43) pg/mL; P = 0.02], correlating inversely with triceps skinfold-for-age z-score (rs = -0.61; P < 0.001). IL-6 levels were associated with liver disease severity assessed by Child-Pugh score (P = 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for nutritional status in a linear regression model. CONCLUSION: High IL-6 levels were found in children with chronic liver disease at nutritional risk. Inflammatory activity may be related to nutritional status deterioration in these patients

Controlled UV laser cleaning of painted artworks: S systematic effect study on egg tempera paint samples

The Cooperative Research project “Advanced workstation for controlled laser cleaning of artworks” (ENV4-CT98-0787) has yielded important information on the application of UV laser cleaning to paint materials. In the project, in which conservators, researchers and engineers participated, the viability of the laser technique as an additional tool in present conservation practice was investigated. The research was pointed at the definition of the boundary conditions in which laser cleaning can be safely applied. It included a systematic effect study of tempera paint systems. Physical and chemical changes, induced by exposure to UV (248 nm) excimer laser light under various conditions, were evaluated. In parallel, an innovative laser cleaning tool was developed, allowing accurate and controlled removal of superficial layers from paint materials. Both aspects of the project are presented. The presentation of the research focuses on the integration of the results from various analytical techniques, yielding valuable information on the immediate and long-term effects of UV laser radiation on the paint materials. The analytical techniques include colorimetry, spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry and profilometry, as well as thermographic and UV transmission measurements. Furthermore, the application of the laser workstation on various painted artworks is shown. This includes the gradual removal of varnish layers and the recovery of original paint colour in fire-damaged paintings.The European Commission is gratefully acknowledged for facilitating the work in the Cooperative Research project “Advanced workstation for controlled laser cleaning of artworks” (ENV4-CT98-0787)

Manejo químico de Urochloa ruziziensis consorciado com soja na savana de Roraima

The objective of the study was to evaluate the chemical management of Urochloa ruziziensis intercropped with soybean under no tillage system in the Roraima savanna. The experiment was conducted in an experimental area located in the municipality of Boa Vista - RR, in the year 2015. The treatments consisted of the combination of four doses of the herbicide glyphosate (720; 1.200; 1.680 and 2.160 g ha-1 of i.a) sprayed prior to sowing the soybean as a desiccant and five doses of the herbicide fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (0; 38.5; 77; 115.5 and 154 g ha-1 of i.a) sprayed 32 days after emergence of the post-emergence crop. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in the subdivided plots scheme, with four replications. For the soybean crop were evaluated the height of plants, height of insertion of the first pod, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, mass of 100 grains and grain yield in kg ha-1. The fresh and dry forage mass was evaluated for U. ruziziensis at 70 days after soybean harvest and expressed in kg ha-1. It was concluded that only the application of glyphosate at a dose of 1387,64 g ha-1, applied in post-emergence in the soybean crop, guarantees maximum grain yield (3660,07 kg ha-1) and of fresh mass (10136,22 kg ha-1) and dry matter (2404,63 kg ha-1) of U. ruziziensis for soil cover for the next planting, necessary to guarantee the sustainability of the productive system.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o manejo químico de Urochloa ruziziensis consorciado com soja em sistema de plantio direto na savana de Roraima. O experimento foi conduzido em campo, em área experimental localizada no município de Boa Vista - RR, no ano de 2015. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro doses do herbicida glyphosate (720; 1.200; 1.680 e 2.160 g ha-1 de i.a) pulverizado antes da semeadura da soja como dessecante e cinco doses do herbicida fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (0; 38,5; 77; 115,5 e 154 g ha-1 de i.a.) pulverizado 32 dias após a emergência da cultura em pós-emergência. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos casualizados no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Para a cultura da soja foram avaliados a altura de plantas, altura de inserção da 1a vagem, número de vagens por planta, número de grãos por vagem, massa de 100 grãos e produtividade de grãos em kg ha-1. Para a U. ruziziensis foram avaliadas a massa de forragem fresca e seca aos 70 dias após a colheita da soja e expressa em kg ha-1. Conclui-se que, para as condições do cerrado de Roraima, apenas a aplicação do glyphosate na dose de 1.387,64 g ha-1, aplicado em pós‑emergência na cultura da soja, garante máxima produtividade de grãos (3.660,07 kg ha-1) e de massa fresca (10.136,22 kg ha-1) e seca (2.404,63 kg ha-1) de U. ruziziensis para formação de cobertura do solo para o próximo plantio, necessário para garantir a sustentabilidade do sistema produtivo

Nutritional risk and malnutrition in children and adolescents with cirrhosis : the role of nutritional assessment

Introdução: A desnutrição é um importante fator que interfere no prognóstico de crianças e adolescentes com cirrose. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional e a adequação da ingesta alimentar de crianças e adolescente com cirrose. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado com 39 crianças e adolescentes cirróticos com idade entre 0-15 anos. A gravidade da doença hepática foi avaliada pelo critério de Child-Pugh e escores Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease e/ou Model for End-Stage Liver Disease. A classificação do estado nutricional foi determinada de acordo com os padrões WHO (2009) e Frisancho (2008). A avaliação da ingesta alimentar foi realizada a partir de um registro alimentar de três dias. Resultados: As médias e desvios padrão dos escores z para os parâmetros Peso/Idade (P/I), Índice de Massa Corporal/Idade (IMC/I), Estatura/Idade (E/I), Circunferência do Braço/Idade (CB/I) e Dobra Cutânea Tricipital/Idade (DCT/I) foram respectivamente -0,53 (±1,17), 16,8 (±2,53), -1,22 (±1,20), -1,04 (±1,61) e -0,99 (±1,67), caracterizando cerca de 44% como desnutridos; sendo que 69% destes eram desnutridos graves (abaixo do escore-z -3,00). A ingesta alimentar média dos cirróticos (33/39), excluindo aqueles em aleitamento materno, dieta enteral e/ou restrição dietética, comparada com a RDI para idade foi de 112% (±36), sendo que a maioria 78,4% (26/33) apresentou uma ingesta maior ou igual a 80% da recomendação para a idade. Conclusão: A associação de parâmetros antropométricos, clínicos e dietéticos deve ser utilizada para que se possa chegar a um diagnóstico nutricional coerente e intervenção nutricional efetiva.Introduction: Malnutrition is an important factor affecting the prognosis of children and teenagers with cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the nutritional status and adequacy of food intake by children and adolescents with cirrhosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 39 cirrhotic children and adolescents aged 0-15 years. The severity of liver disease was evaluated by Child-Pugh scores and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease and/or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease. The nutritional status was determined according to WHO standards (2009) and Frisancho (2008). The evaluation of food intake was made by recording food intake for three days. Results: The means and standard deviations of z scores for the parameters weight/age (W/A), body mass index/ age (BMI/A), Height/Age (H/A), arm circumference/age (A /I), and triceps skinfold/Age (TS/A) were respectively -0.53 (± 1.17), 16.8 (± 2.53), -1.22 (± 1.20), -1.04 (± 1.61), and -0.99 (± 1.67), characterizing about 44% as malnourished, 69% of whom as severely malnourished (z-score 80% as recommended for their age. Conclusion: A combination of anthropometric, clinical and dietary factors should be used so that a coherent nutritional diagnosis and effective nutritional intervention can be made