Anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium em amostras de soro de habitantes da região centro-oeste do Brasil

A total of 354 serum samples from inhabitants who frequent the Clinical Laboratory in Catalão, Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil, were collected from June to August, 2002. The samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in order to detect anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies. Reactive and inconclusive samples were tested by Western blotting (WB). Considering WB as a confirmation, the frequency of antibodies in the serum samples of the above population was 11.3% (CI 5.09 - 17.51). The immunodominant bands most frequently recognized in WB were 64-68 kDa (97.5%) and 47-52 kDa (80%). The percentage of seropositivity to cysticercosis was significantly higher for individuals residing in areas without sewage systems (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results indicate a probable endemic situation of cysticercosis in this population. These results reinforce the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by the local public health services.Um total de 354 amostras de soro de habitantes que freqüentaram o Laboratório Clínico em Catalão, Goiás, na região centro-oeste do Brasil, foram colhidas no período de junho a agosto de 2002. As amostras foram avaliadas pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta e enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) com o objetivo de detectar anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium. As amostras reativas e inconclusivas foram testadas pelo Western blotting (WB). Considerando WB como reação confirmatória, a freqüência de anticorpos nas amostras de soro da população estudada foi 11,3% (IC: 5,09 - 17,51). As bandas imunodominantes mais frequentemente reconhecidas no WB foram 64-68 kDa (97,5%) e 47-52 kDa (80%). A porcentagem de soropositividade para cisticercose foi significativamente maior nos indivíduos que residiam em áreas sem sistema de esgoto (p < 0,0001). Concluiu-se que os resultados indicam uma provável situação de endemicidade para cisticercose nesta população, reforçando a urgente necessidade de medidas de controle e prevenção que devem ser implantadas pelo serviço de saúde pública local

Findings on ranking evaluation functions for feature weighting in image retrieval

Background: There are substantial benefits to be gained from ranking optimization in several information retrieval and recommendation systems. However, the analysis of ranking evaluation functions (REFs), which play a major role in many ranking optimization models, needs to be further investigated. An analysis of previous studies that investigated REFs was performed, and evidence was found which indicated that the choice of a proper REF is context sensitive. \ud Methods: In this study, we analyze a broad set of REFs for feature weighting aimed at increasing the image retrieval effectiveness. The REFs analyzed sums ten and includes the most successful and representative REFs from the literature. The REFs were embedded into a genetic algorithm (GA)-based relevance feedback (RF) model, called WLSP-C±, aimed at improving image retrieval results through the use of learning weights for image descriptors and image regions. \ud Results: Analyses of precision-recall curves in five real-world image data sets showed that one non-parameterized REF named F5, not analyzed in previous studies, overcame recommended ones, which require parameter adjustment. We also provided a computational analysis of the GA-based RF model investigated, and it was shown that it is linear in regard to the image data set cardinality. \ud Conclusions: We conclude that REF F5 should be investigated in other contexts and problem scenarios centered on ranking optimization, as rankingCNPqCAPESFAPES

Sex differences in axial spondyloarthritis: data from a Portuguese spondyloarthritis cohort

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), particularly ankylosing spondylitis was historically considered a male’s disease and has been under-recognized in women. Emerging evidence reveals sex differences in pathophysiology, disease presentation and therapeutic efficacy. Objective: To identify differences between sexes in a Portuguese cohort of patients with axSpA regarding clinical manifestations, disease activity, functional capacity, patient related outcomes and presence of sacroiliitis on x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Patients with ≥18 years fulfilling the ASAS- Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society classification criteria for axSpA registered in the electronic Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) were included in this multicentric cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, clinical features and imaging were collected from the first record in Reuma.pt. These variables were compared between sexes using Mann-Whitney test and Chi-Square test. Variables with a significant association with variable sex were considered in the multiple variable analysis to adjust the sex effect on the outcome variables. Statistical analysis was performed with R version 4.0.2 and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1995 patients were included, 1114 (55.9%) men and 881 (44.1%) women. Men had an earlier disease onset (25.1 vs 28.4, p<0.001), were younger at diagnosis (26.9 vs 30.4, p<0.001) and were more frequently smokers (32.1% vs 15.7%, p<0.001). Comparing to women, men had worse Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrological Index scores (4.0 vs 3.4, p<0.001), higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (10.5 vs 6.9 mg/L, p<0.001) and were more often Human Leukocyte Antigen-B27 positive (67.8% vs 54%, p<0.001). In contrast, women more frequently had inflammatory bowel disease (8.8% vs 4.9%, p=0.004), higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (25.0 vs 21.0mm/h, p=0.003) and worse patient-related outcomes- Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (5.7 vs 4.5, p<0.001), Patient Global Assessment (60.0 vs 50.0, p<0.001) and fatigue (6.2 vs 5.0, p<0.001). Discussion: In this large multicentric study from a Portuguese axSpA cohort, we confirmed sex differences in patients with axSpA. This work brings awareness to these differences, resulting in less underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, optimizing treatment strategies, and improving outcomes in axSpA.publishe

data from a Portuguese spondyloarthritis cohort

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), particularly ankylosing spondylitis was historically considered a male’s disease and has been under-recognized in women. Emerging evidence reveals sex differences in pathophysiology, disease presentation and therapeutic efficacy. Objective: To identify differences between sexes in a Portuguese cohort of patients with axSpA regarding clinical manifestations, disease activity, functional capacity, patient related outcomes and presence of sacroiliitis on x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Patients with ≥18 years fulfilling the ASAS-Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society classification criteria for axSpA registered in the electronic Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) were included in this multicentric cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, clinical features and imaging were collected from the first record in Reuma.pt. These variables were compared between sexes using Mann-Whitney test and Chi-Square test. Variables with a significant association with variable sex were considered in the multiple variable analysis to adjust the sex effect on the outcome variables. Statistical analysis was performed with R version 4.0.2 and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1995 patients were included, 1114 (55.9%) men and 881 (44.1%) women. Men had an earlier disease onset (25.1 vs 28.4, p<0.001), were younger at diagnosis (26.9 vs 30.4, p<0.001) and were more frequently smokers (32.1% vs 15.7%, p<0.001). Comparing to women, men had worse Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrological Index scores (4.0 vs 3.4, p<0.001), higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (10.5 vs 6.9 mg/L, p<0.001) and were more often Human Leukocyte Antigen-B27 positive (67.8% vs 54%, p<0.001). In contrast, women more frequently had inflammatory bowel disease (8.8% vs 4.9%, p=0.004), higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (25.0 vs 21.0mm/h, p=0.003) and worse patient-related outcomes-Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (5.7 vs 4.5, p<0.001), Patient Global Assessment (60.0 vs 50.0, p<0.001) and fatigue (6.2 vs 5.0, p<0.001). Discussion: In this large multicentric study from a Portuguese axSpA cohort, we confirmed sex differences in patients with axSpA. This work brings awareness to these differences, resulting in less underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, optimizing treatment strategies, and improving outcomes in axSpApublishersversionpublishe

Method of Analysis of the Resilience and Adaptability in Social Housing Developments through Post-occupancy Evaluation and Co-production. Final research report

The current social and climatic changes observed require an urgent revision of urbanization strategies around the world, to reduce environmental and social impacts, as well as to develop the resilience of built environments. The main challenges are the use of constructive systems and appropriate materials, design techniques and construction for specific climatic zones, besides the existent habitational adaptation with new technologies. In developing countries, the low level of quality in architecture and urbanism increase the social vulnerability that affects millions of people who find it difficult to find adequate housing, which in turn is found in precarious conditions. When the governmental housing programmes try to balance out this deficit, the low quality of defined standards lead to highly inadequate houses for the residents, obligating them to make modifications to buildings which are not necessarily prepared for these adaptations, leading to the waste of material and the inefficient use of resources. This Project will use advanced Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) techniques to develop methodological analysis procedures together with Social Housing Developments. The analysis will focus on the adaptive and transformative capacities alongside the resilience of the built environment in attendance to the necessities of the residents and the subsequent environmental impact caused by these ongoing transformations. The analysis will be centred on three elements: (i) BUILT ENVIRONMENT (building complex, taking into consideration the scales of the district, neighbourhood and unit, and the relation of impact between the built and natural environments; (ii) AGENTS (agents that interfere with the local social dynamic); (iii) USERS (residents of the complex). The evaluation will focus on social, functional, behavioural and environmental issues of the built environment. For verification, the methodological procedures developed will be applied to a case study in the city of Uberlandia - Brazil, specifically the undertaking of the governmental programme "minha casa, minha vida" located in the western area of the city

Exact Effective Action for (1+1 Dimensional) Fermions in an Abelian Background at Finite Temperature

In an effort to further understand the structure of effective actions for fermions in an external gauge background at finite temperature, we study the example of 1+1 dimensional fermions interacting with an arbitrary Abelian gauge field. We evaluate the effective action exactly at finite temperature. This effective action is non-analytic as is expected at finite temperature. However, contrary to the structure at zero temperature and contrary to naive expectations, the effective action at finite temperature has interactions to all (even) orders (which, however, do not lead to any quantum corrections). The covariant structure thus obtained may prove useful in studying 2+1 dimensional models in arbitrary backgrounds. We also comment briefly on the solubility of various 1+1 dimensional models at finite temperature.Comment: A few clarifying remarks added;21 page

Portuguese recommendations for the use of methotrexate in rheumatic diseases – 2016 update

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio