Observações preliminares sobre a transmissão de oncocercose no rio Toototobi, Amazonas, Brasil

Em dezembro de 1975 os autores estudaram vários fatores que influenciam a transmissão de Onchocerca volvulus ao norte do Amazonas, no rio Toototobi. Observaram que a densidade de microfilarias de O. volvulus era maior no tronco do que nos membros de dois índios Yanomama examinados. Foram capturados três espécies antropófilas de Simuliidae, provisoriamente denominados Simulium sp. A, S.sp. B e S.sp. C. A primeira espécie foi coletada em grande número no começo da tarde, atacando o homem. O encontro de larvas salsichóides em espécimes naturalmente infetados e o sucesso da infecção experimental de espécimes selvagens com microfilarias de O. volvulus que desenvolveram até o final do estágio salsichóide, sugerem que o provável vetor de oncocercose nesta área é o Simulium sp. A.Preliminary studies on various factors influencing the transmission of onchocerciasis were made in December 1975 on the river Toototobi in northern Amazonas. Microfilariae of O. volvulus were more abundant in the trunk than in the limbs of two Yanomama indian volunteers. Three anthrophilic species of Simuliidae were captured and have been temporarily nemaed as Simulium sp.A., sp.B., sp.C. until a definitive identification is made. Only the former species was abundant biting mainly in the early afternoon. The finding of sausage larva in a naturally infected fly and the successful experimental infection of wild flies with microfilariae of O. volvulus, which subsequently developed to the late sausage stage, suggest that Simulium sp.A is a probable vector of onchocerciasis in the area

ANÁLISE da Eficiência das Ferrovias Especializadas em Transporte de Minério de Ferro e Pelotas, Pertencentes às Empresas Mineradoras e Usinas de Pelotização, Por Meio do Método Data

O mercado mundial de minério de ferro extrai e negocia mais de dois bilhões de toneladas por ano. As poucas empresas mineradoras e usinas de pelotização estabelecem uma cadeia produtiva integrando mina, usina, ferrovia e porto visando reduzir seus custos. Suas ferrovias são vistas como custos operacionais para exploração da mina e envolvem altos investimentos e custos operacionais. Neste estudo propõe-se analisar comparativamente o desempenho de doze ferrovias especializadas no transporte de minério de ferro e pelotas, que fazem parte do patrimônio das empresas de mineração e/ou usinas de pelotização. Estas ferrovias estão localizadas em quatro continentes e distribuídas em dez países. Para isso, foi utilizada a metodologia Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) com retornos constantes de escala (CCR) e orientação a saída. O objetivo é mensurar e comparar a eficiência das ferrovias, identificando seu posicionamento em relação às outras ferrovias. Como variáveis de entrada foram adotadas a quantidade de vagões em operação, a quantidade de vagões do trem tipo de maior predominância e a carga por eixo do vagão, e como variável de saída foi adotado o TKU, que representa a tonelada útil transportada pela distância percorrida. Foi utilizado o software Frontier Analyst para resolver o modelo DEA proposto. No resultado obtido, três ferrovias foram consideradas como eficientes: Estrada de Ferro Carajás (EFC), Mount Newman (NEWM) e Fortescue (FMG). As ferrovias Estrada de Ferro Vitória-Minas (EFVM), Hamersley (RTHA) e Roy Hill (RHILL) poderão alcançar a fronteira de eficiência com aumento do output TKU, conforme sugerido pelos resultados gerados pelo software. As ferrovias Robe River (RTRR), QNS&L, Cartier (CART), Yekepa-Buchanan Line (AML), Iron Ore Line (IOL) e Mauritânia (MAUR) precisam aumentar mais de 140% o TKU realizado em 2016 para atingir a eficiência. Para aumentar a quantidade de MFe e PLMFe transportada é preciso analisar a capacidade produtiva das minas de MFe, avaliando o cenário de produção: exaustão, estabilidade ou crescimento. Além disso, é preciso estudar o mercado antes de aumentar a produção, pois uma oferta excessiva de MFe e PLMFe poderá desequilibrar o mercado, reduzindo o preço destes commodities e a margem de lucro das mineradoras e usinas de pelotização

Original Articles National Lipid Association recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia: Part 1 -executive summary E M B A R G O E D

Abstract: Various organizations and agencies have issued recommendations for the management of dyslipidemia. Although many commonalities exist among them, material differences are present as well. The leadership of the National Lipid Association (NLA) convened an Expert Panel to develop a consensus set of recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia in clinical medicine. The current Executive Summary highlights the major conclusions in Part 1 of the recommendations report of the NLA Expert Panel and includes: (1) background and conceptual framework for formulation of the NLA Expert Panel recommendations; (2) screening and classification of lipoprotein lipid levels in adults; (3) targets for intervention in dyslipidemia management; (4) atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk assessment and treatment goals based on risk category; (5) atherogenic cholesterol-non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-as the primary targets of therapy; and (6) lifestyle and drug therapies intended to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with dyslipidemia. Ó 2014 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved. Various organizations and agencies have issued recommendations for the management of dyslipidemia. The current Executive Summary highlights the major conclusions in Part 1 of the recommendations report of the NLA Expert Panel. The Executive Summary does not include a comprehensive reference list, but citations have been included for several key publications. The full report will include additional details on the rationale for the recommendations and citations to published research considered in the panel's deliberations. A presentation containing the main elements of these recommendations was made available to the public and other organizations involved with the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) to solicit input during an open comment period. Comments and suggestions were received from many members of the NLA as well as other individuals and organizations and were collated for consideration and adjudication by the panel in formulating the final set of recommendations contained herein. Part 1 of the NLA Expert Panel Recommendations for Patient-Centered Management of Dyslipidemia, will cover: Background and conceptual framework for formulation of the NLA Expert Panel recommendations; Screening and classification of lipoprotein lipid levels in adults; Targets for intervention in dyslipidemia management; ASCVD risk assessment and treatment goals based on risk category; Atherogenic cholesterol-non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-as the primary targets of therapy; and Lifestyle and drug therapies intended to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with dyslipidemia

RNA-dependent association with myosin IIA promotes F-actin-guided trafficking of the ELAV-like protein HuR to polysomes

The role of the mRNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) in stabilization and translation of AU-rich elements (ARE) containing mRNAs is well established. However, the trafficking of HuR and bound mRNA cargo, which comprises a fundamental requirement for the aforementioned HuR functions is only poorly understood. By administering different cytoskeletal inhibitors, we found that the protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)-triggered accumulation of cytoplasmic HuR by Angiotensin II (AngII) is an actin-myosin driven process functionally relevant for stabilization of ARE-bearing mRNAs. Furthermore, we show that the AngII-induced recruitment of HuR and its bound mRNA from ribonucleoprotein particles to free and cytoskeleton bound polysomes strongly depended on an intact actomyosin cytoskeleton. In addition, HuR allocation to free and cytoskeletal bound polysomes is highly sensitive toward RNase and PPtase and structurally depends on serine 318 (S318) located within the C-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM3). Conversely, the trafficking of the phosphomimetic HuRS318D, mimicking HuR phosphorylation at S318 by the PKCδ remained PPtase resistant. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments with truncated HuR proteins revealed that the stimulus-induced association of HuR with myosin IIA is strictly RNA dependent and mediated via the RRM3. Our data implicate a microfilament dependent transport of HuR, which is relevant for stimulus-induced targeting of ARE-bearing mRNAs from translational inactive ribonucleoprotein particles to polysomes

Towards a Mirror System for the Development of Socially-Mediated Skills

We present a system that attempts to model the functional role of mirror neurons, namely the activation of structures in response to both the observation of a demonstrated task, and its generation. Through social situatedness and a set of innate skills, perceptual and motor structures develop for recognition and reproduction of demonstrated actions. We believe this is an implementation towards a mirror system, and we test it on two platforms, one in simulation involving imitation of object interactions, the second on a physical robot learning from a human to follow walls