Effect of air pollution on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in São Paulo, Brazil

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and these patients, even without previous myocardial infarction, run the risk of fatal coronary heart disease similar to non-diabetic patients surviving myocardial infarction. There is evidence showing that particulate matter air pollution is associated with increases in cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus on the association of air pollution with cardiovascular emergency room visits in a tertiary referral hospital in the city of São Paulo. Using a time-series approach, and adopting generalized linear Poisson regression models, we assessed the effect of daily variations in PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, and O3 on the daily number of emergency room visits for cardiovascular diseases in diabetic and non-diabetic patients from 2001 to 2003. A semi-parametric smoother (natural spline) was adopted to control long-term trends, linear term seasonal usage and weather variables. In this period, 45,000 cardiovascular emergency room visits were registered. The observed increase in interquartile range within the 2-day moving average of 8.0 µg/m³ SO2 was associated with 7.0% (95%CI: 4.0-11.0) and 20.0% (95%CI: 5.0-44.0) increases in cardiovascular disease emergency room visits by non-diabetic and diabetic groups, respectively. These data indicate that air pollution causes an increase of cardiovascular emergency room visits, and that diabetic patients are extremely susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution on their health conditions.Disciplina de Clínica Médica, Departamento de MedicinaUniversidade de São Paulo - Laboratório de Poluição Atmosférica Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, USP (FM-USP

Comparative Cr, As and CCA induced Cytostaticity in mice kidney: a contribution to assess CCA toxicity

CCA (Chromium Copper Arsenate) treated wood, widely used in outdoor residential structures and playgrounds, poses considerable dangers of leaching of its components to the environment. In this study, mouse kidney samples were used to evaluate the effects of CCA, chromium trioxide (CrO3) and arsenic pentoxide (As2O5) on cell pathophysiology by flow cytometry. Samples were collected after 14, 24, 48 and 96 h of animal exposure. While Cr had no statistically significant cytostatic effects, As2O5 induced a S-phase delay in animals exposed for 24 h, and over time a G0/G1 phase blockage. The effects of CCA in S-phase were similar, but more severe than those of As2O5. Since environmental and public health hazards due to the long durability of CCA-treated wood products, these data confirm that CCA has profoundly toxic effects on cell cycle, distinct from the compounds themselves. These cytostatic effects support cell cycle dynamics as a valuable endpoint to assess the toxicity of remaining CCA-treated infrastructures, and the expected increased waste stream over the coming decades.publishe

The effects of 12 weeks in-water training in stroke kinematics, dry-land power, and swimming sprints performance in master swimmers

Background: Master swimming is becoming increasingly popular, but research related to the training process and its effect on this population is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks in-water training in stroke kinematics, dry-land power, and swimming sprints performance in master swimmers, and the relationships between these variables in this sports population. Methods: 15 healthy and physically active male master swimmers (age 32.3 ± 5.1 years, height 1.81 ± 0.04 m, body mass 77.0 ± 6.5 kg, training experience of 11 ± 4 years and average swimming training volume ~2.5 km/day, 3 times a week) participated in the study. Previously and after the intervention program, entirely water-based, swimmers were tested in a dry-land environment to assess their upper and lower body limbs (UL and LL) strength through power measurements, namely countermovement jumps (CMJ), seated 3 kg medicine ball throwing (MBT) and maximal isometric strength with handgrip (HG). In-water 50 m maximal front crawl swimming test was also completed. Swimming performance at 15, 25, and 50 m (T15, T25, and T50) was determined, and the associated stroke kinematics. During the intervention program period, swimming training comprised three sessions per week (7.5 ± 0.9 km per microcycle), with low to high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic swimming series and technical drills. Results: T25 significantly decreased after 12 weeks of training (18.82 ± 2.92 vs. 18.60 ± 2.87 sec, p = 0.02), the same was observed in the case of T50 (40.36 ± 7.54 vs. 38.32 ± 6.41 sec, p = 0.00). Changes in stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) in swimming performance at 15 m were not observed, contrarily to 25 and 50 m, where SL and SI significantly increased. MBT and HG improved, but not CMJ, and improvements in T15, T25 and T50 were mostly related to kinematic proficiency improvement. Conclusions: 12 weeks of in-water training in master swimmers significantly enhance performance time in 25 and 50 m front crawl swimming. SL and SI are also improved and are the variables that most influence T15, T25 and T50 when compared to SR and dry-land power variables. Centering the training process not only in in-water tasks in master swimmers seem to be of relevant interest since age influences stroke kinematic and power variables.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

VARIAÇÃO ENTRE E DENTRO DE POPULAÇÕES EM TAMANHO E DORMÊNCIA DE SEMENTES DE Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake NA FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509820592Seed size and dormancy level were studied in 20 trees from two populations of Schizolobium parahybatoevaluate how these characteristics occurbetween and within populations, and whether seed germinationwas affected by its morphometry. These two populations are located in the coastal (Paraty) or mountain(Miguel Pereira) regions in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The seed morphometrictraits (length,width, thickness and weight) were measured. Germination with or without seedcoatdormancy treatment(mechanical scarification) wasassessedbya randomized emergence test in nursey. All morphometric traitsdiffered significantly among individuals and between populations. The trees from the mountain regionshowed a larger seed size and a lower dormancy level than that of trees from the coastal region. Seed sizehad no effect on seed germination or seedling development. Climate influence on the determination of germination behavior is discussed based on the results.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509820592O tamanho da semente e seu grau de dormência foram estudados em 20 matrizes de duas populações de Schizolobium parahyba, visando avaliar como estas características se distribuem entre e dentro de populações e qual a influência da morfometria na capacidade de germinação da espécie. As populações são procedentes da região litorânea (Paraty) e montanhosa (Miguel Pereira) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As características morfométricas (comprimento, largura, espessura e massa) foram medidas e a germinação com e sem tratamento de quebra de dormência (escarificação mecânica) foi avaliada em um teste de emergência com delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Todas as variáveis morfométricas diferiram significativamente entre indivíduos e entre populações. As matrizes da região montanhosa apresentaram maior tamanho da semente e um menor nível de dormência do que aquelas localizadas na região litorânea. O tamanho da semente não influenciou a germinação das sementes e o desenvolvimento das plântulas. A influência do clima na seleção do comportamento germinativo da espécie foi discutido com base nos resultados obtidos

O ensino de botânica por meio de sequência didática: uma experiência no ensino de ciências com aulas práticas / The teaching of botany through didactic sequence: an experience in teaching science with practical classes

As aulas do ensino de ciências ainda são estruturadas na metodologia tradicional. Nas aulas de botânica percebemos que esse problema gera a falta de motivação nos educandos, pois faltam interação, e participação direta no do processo de construção do conhecimento. Para a botânica, determinados conteúdos representam verdadeiros desafios para serem ministrados, e o docente precisa além das aulas teóricas com aplicação de conceitos, interagir com os discentes utilizando outras metodologias. A partir dessa problemática elaboramos uma proposta de intervenção composta por uma sequência didática, tendo como base aulas práticas, onde os educandos participaram ativamente do processo de construção do conhecimento. Tendo como objetivo registrar a importância das aulas práticas de botânica para a construção do conhecimento dos estudantes do ensino fundamental. A pesquisa foi realizada com 58 estudantes do 7º Ano do Ensino Fundamental da Escola Estadual Ministro Jarbas Passarinho, situada em Camaragibe-PE. O trabalho é de natureza qualitativa e para a coleta de dados utilizamos a aplicação de um questionário pré e pós-realização da sequência didática com atividades práticas, onde os educandos desenvolveram o processo reprodutivo e evolutivo das briófitas e pteridófitas, através de aulas práticas. Os resultados encontrados evidenciaram que, os mesmos, tinham dificuldades na compreensão desses dois grupos de plantas, porém, a sequência didática desenvolvida colaborou com a construção do conhecimento dos estudantes, através dos trabalhos realizados pelos mesmos. Consideramos que o objetivo proposto foi alcançado, pois os educandos refletiram criticamente, e produziram as atividades relacionando o conhecimento prévio com o conhecimento científico, internalizando uma aprendizagem significativa.

Emprego de índices de compacidade de cachos para variedades viníferas com base em caracteres físico-morfológicos.

A compacidade do cacho é um dos principais fatores determinantes para maior suscetibilidade à doenças. Cachos compactos favorecem condições para o desenvolvimento e maior incidência de fitopatógenos além de influenciar na maturação heterogênea dos cachos afetando a qualidade de uvas para consumo ou processamento. Apesar da importância desta característica o uso do descritor visual qualitativo para determinação da compacidade é bastante controverso, dificultando alguns estudos de base genética que exigem medidas quantitativas. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi testar índices de compacidade baseados em caracteres físicomorfológicos do cacho para variedades viníferas

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in COVID-19 patients and healthy volunteers up to 6 months post disease onset

SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a human pathogen, causing clinical signs, from fever to pneumonia—COVID-19—but may remain mild or asymptomatic. To understand the continuing spread of the virus, to detect those who are and were infected, and to follow the immune response longitudinally, reliable and robust assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection and immunological monitoring are needed. We quantified IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies recognizing the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) or the Spike (S) protein over a period of 6 months following COVID-19 onset. We report the detailed setup to monitor the humoral immune response from over 300 COVID-19 hospital patients and healthcare workers, 2500 University staff, and 198 post-COVID-19 volunteers. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses follow a classic pattern with a rapid increase within the first three weeks after symptoms. Although titres reduce subsequently, the ability to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies remained robust with confirmed neutralization activity for up to 6 months in a large proportion of previously virus-positive screened subjects. Our work provides detailed information for the assays used, facilitating further and longitudinal analysis of protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, it highlights a continued level of circulating neutralising antibodies in most people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Homozygous Inactivating Mutation In Nanos3 In Two Sisters With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

Despite the increasing understanding of female reproduction, the molecular diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is seldom obtained. The RNA-binding protein NANOS3 poses as an interesting candidate gene for POI since members of the Nanos family have an evolutionarily conserved function in germ cell development and maintenance by repressing apoptosis. We performed mutational analysis of NANOS3 in a cohort of 85 Brazilian women with familial or isolated POI, presenting with primary or secondary amenorrhea, and in ethnically-matched control women. A homozygous p.Glu120Lys mutation in NANOS3 was identified in two sisters with primary amenorrhea. The substituted amino acid is located within the second C2HC motif in the conserved zinc finger domain of NANOS3 and in silico molecular modelling suggests destabilization of protein-RNA interaction. In vitro analyses of apoptosis through flow cytometry and confocal microscopy show that NANOS3 capacity to prevent apoptosis was impaired by this mutation. The identification of an inactivating missense mutation in NANOS3 suggests a mechanism for POI involving increased primordial germ cells (PGCs) apoptosis during embryonic cell migration and highlights the importance of NANOS proteins in human ovarian biology.201478746