Chiral Analysis of Pesticides and Drugs of Environmental Concern: Biodegradation and Enantiomeric Fraction

The importance of stereochemistry for medicinal chemistry and pharmacology is well recognized and the dissimilar behavior of enantiomers is fully documented. Regarding the environment, the significance is equivalent since enantiomers of chiral organic pollutants can also differ in biodegradation processes and fate, as well as in ecotoxicity. This review comprises designed biodegradation studies of several chiral drugs and pesticides followed by enantioselective analytical methodologies to accurately measure the enantiomeric fraction (EF). The enantioselective monitoring of microcosms and laboratory-scale experiments with different environmental matrices is herein reported. Thus, this review focuses on the importance of evaluating the EF variation during biodegradation studies of chiral pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse, and agrochemicals and has implications for the understanding of the environmental fate of chiral pollutants.The authors wish to thank Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia—FCT for financial support under the project Fluoropharma PTDC/EBB-EBI/111699/2009, the PhD grant attributed to Alexandra S. Maia SFRH/BD/86939/2012, QREN-POPH, European Social Fund, MCTES, PEst FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022718; PEst-OE/EQB/LA0016/2011, PEst-OE/SAU/UI4040/2014. This research was partially supported by the Strategic Funding UID/Multi/04423/2013 through national funds provided by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the program PT2020 and by CESPU (ChiralDrugs_CESPU_2017

The use of histological analysis for the detection of somatic embryos in sugarcane

The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro system for the induction, maturation and regeneration of somatic embryo in sugarcane from buds of cultivar RB 867515. Embryogenic calluses were obtained on semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 4.42 mg L-1 2,4-D. After four weeks of culture of explants on the callus induction medium, globular structures were obtained. At the end of 20 days in maturation medium, somatic embryos were observed. Histological analysis showed somatic embryos with caulinarand root apex, protodermal tissue, and the vascular system, which  apparently has no connection with the vascular tissue explant that gave rise to it confirming the presence of the somatic embryo. The embryos were transferred to regeneration medium containing 1 mg L-1 GA3 and BAP, and after 1 to 2 weeks of culture, green points were observed, indicating the beginning of the formation of shoots. Key words: Saccharum spp, bud culture, 2.4-D, morphogenetic pathway, embryogenesis, plant regeneration

On an acute case of Chagas disease in a region under vector control in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

No vector transmitted cases of Chagas disease had been notified in the state of São Paulo since the 1970s. However, in March, 2006, the death of a six-year-old boy from the municipality of Itaporanga was notified to the Center for Epidemiological Survey of the São Paulo State Health Secretariat: an autochthonous case of acute Chagas disease. The postmortem histopathological examination performed in the Hospital das Clínicas of the Botucatu School of Medicine confirmed the diagnosis. Reference to hospital records, consultation with the health professionals involved in the case and interviews with members of the patient's family supplied the basis for this study. We investigated parasite route of transmission, probable local reservoirs and vectors. No further human cases of acute Chagas disease were diagnosed. No locally captured vectors or reservoirs were found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Alternative transmission hypotheses - such as the possible ingestion of foods contaminated with vector excreta - are discussed, as well as the need to keep previously endemic regions and infested houses under close surveillance. Clinicians should give due attention to such signs as uni- or bilateral palpebral edema, cardiac failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, anasarca and atypical signs of nephrotic syndrome or nephritis and consider the diagnostic hypothesis of Chagas disease.Desde a década de 1970 não se notificavam casos autóctones de doença de Chagas aguda em São Paulo. Em março de 2006 a Vigilância Epidemiológica registrou óbito por doença de Chagas aguda, em Itaporanga, de paciente de seis anos de idade. Exame histopatológico post mortem realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu confirmou o diagnóstico. Consultamos prontuários de hospitais e entrevistamos profissionais de saúde envolvidos além de familiares do paciente. Descrevemos medidas adotadas in loco para identificar a via de transmissão, reservatórios e vetores. Discutimos as possíveis fontes de infecção. Na região não foram identificados outros casos humanos, vetores ou reservatórios vertebrados infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi. Salientamos a importância de manter a vigilância, mesmo em áreas onde a transmissão de doença de Chagas está interrompida e naquelas ainda infestadas por triatomíneos. Deve-se admitir a hipótese diagnóstica de doença de Chagas quando observados: edema palpebral (uni ou bilateral), insuficiência cardíaca, miocardite, pericardite, anasarca, quadros similares aos de síndrome nefrótica ou glomerulonefrite sem causas outras aparentes, em pacientes com dados epidemiológicos positivos. Encontro, mesmo em raras ocasiões, de triatomíneos na região ou ainda contato com alimento contaminável com formas infectantes de T. cruzi

Reflexiones de la insencia de trabajo inss

Objetiva-se com o presente artigo a análise dos reflexos provocados pela sentença trabalhista perante o órgão responsável pela previdência social, denominado de INSS. Isto porque, a eficácia de tal sentença tem gerado polêmicas na jurisprudência trabalhista brasileira, pois há uma resistência por parte dos órgãos administrativos previdenciários, no sentido de não reconhecer a sentença e o acordo judicial trabalhista como prova única do tempo de serviço para fins de concessão de benefí­cios. Todavia, após a EC nº 20 de 1998, houve uma ampliação da competência da Justiça do Trabalho para executar as contribuições previdenciárias decorrentes de suas decisões, tornando a partir daí­ um grande avanço de inegável valia e qualificação desta Justiça Especializada, pois além de resguardar os direitos dos trabalhadores, também serviu de meio fiscalizatório, e tão importante quanto, foram os montantes que se passou a arrecadar para os cofres da Autarquia Previdenciária vertidos da execução perante a Justiça do Trabalho, o que sem dúvidas auxilia sobremaneira o sustento da Seguridade Social. Posteriormente, o entendimento jurisprudencial foi se consolidando nesse sentido, sobretudo com o advento dos enunciados das súmulas nº 31 e 34 da TNU (Turma Nacional de Uniformização de jurisprudência), as quais consideram a anotação na CTPS decorrente de sentença trabalhista homologatória prova constitutiva para fins previdenciários", cujo iní­cio deve ser contemporâneo í  época dos fatos a provar".The objective of this article is to analyze the reflexes provoked by the labor sentence before the social security body, called INSS. This is because, the effectiveness of such a sentence has generated controversy in the Brazilian labor jurisprudence, because there is a resistance on the part of the social security administrative bodies, in the sense of not recognizing the sentence and the labor judicial agreement as a single proof of the time of service for concession purposes. of benefits. However, after EC No. 20 of 1998, there was an extension of the jurisdiction of the Labor Court to execute the social security contributions resulting from its decisions, making from then on a great advance of undeniable value and qualification of this Specialized Justice, because besides safeguarding the workers' rights, also served as a means of enforcement, and just as important, were the amounts that began to be collected for the coffers of the Social Security Authority poured from execution before the Labor Court, which undoubtedly helps the support of Social Security. Subsequently, the jurisprudential understanding was consolidated in this sense, especially with the advent of the statements of the summaries 31 and 34 of the TNU (National Classification of Uniformization of jurisprudence), which consider the annotation in CTPS resulting from homologation labor judgment constitutive proof for purposes social security ", whose beginning must be contemporary to the time of the facts to prove".El objetivo de este artí­culo es analizar los reflejos provocados por la sentencia laboral ante el organismo de seguridad social, llamado INSS. Esto se debe a que la efectividad de dicha sentencia ha generado controversia en la jurisprudencia laboral brasileña, porque existe una resistencia por parte de los órganos administrativos de la seguridad social, en el sentido de no reconocer la sentencia y el acuerdo judicial laboral como una prueba única de la duración del servicio para fines de concesión. de beneficios. Sin embargo, después de la CE No. 20 de 1998, hubo una extensión de la jurisdicción de la Corte Laboral para ejecutar las contribuciones a la seguridad social derivadas de sus decisiones, haciendo desde entonces un gran avance de valor innegable y calificación de esta Justicia Especializada, porque además de salvaguardar el Los derechos de los trabajadores, también sirvieron como un medio para hacer cumplir, e igual de importante, fueron los montos que comenzaron a recaudarse para las arcas de la Autoridad de Seguridad Social vertidas de la ejecución ante el Tribunal Laboral, lo que sin duda ayuda al apoyo de la Seguridad Social. Posteriormente, la comprensión jurisprudencial se consolidó en este sentido, especialmente con el advenimiento de las declaraciones de los resúmenes 31 y 34 de la TNU (Clasificación Nacional de Uniformización de Jurisprudencia), que consideran la anotación en CTPS como resultado de la homologación de la prueba de juicio laboral para propósitos seguridad social ", cuyo comienzo debe ser contemporáneo a la época de los hechos a probar"

Proposta de aplicação da metodologia da Manutenção Centrada em Confiabilidade para uma Recuperadora de Minério Tipo Ponte em uma mineradora / Aplication proposal of the Reliability-Centered Maintenance methodology for a Bridge-Type Bucket Wheel reclaimer in a mining

Esse trabalho propõe atividades baseadas na metodologia da Manutenção Centrada na Confiabilidade (MCC) para uma máquina Recuperadora de Minério do Tipo Ponte, a qual opera em uma grande mineradora multinacional. Foram levantados o histórico de produção e de falhas do ativo em um período de 10 meses, em que se percebe a baixa confiabilidade da máquina em cumprir suas funções principais, pois não foram cumpridas as metas de produção orçadas para o período e, também, porque ocorreram diversos eventos de parada não programada para manutenção corretiva. Assim, com envolvimento de profissionais de diversos setores (engenharia, operação, manutenção e inspeção mecânica), foi realizado um estudo detalhado de falhas com a ferramenta FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis). Por conseguinte, foram priorizados os modos de falhas mais críticos para, no final, se propor soluções que mitiguem ou amenizem os problemas encontrados, atuando sempre nas causas fundamentais das falhas

Morphofunctional Alterations in Endocrine Pancreas of Short- and Long-term Dexamethasone-treated Rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Long-term dexamethasone therapy may induce peripheral insulin resistance (IR), which in turn elicits increased beta-cell function and proliferation. However, whether such adaptive compensations occur during short-term treatment with dexamethasone is unclear. Here, we compared morphofunctional parameters in endocrine pancreas after short- and long-term dexamethasone administration. Groups of rats received daily i.p. injection of 1 mg/kg b.w. dexamethasone for 1 (DEX-1), 3 (DEX-3), or 5 consecutive days (DEX-5), whilst control rats were saline-treated (CTL). Despite the absence of apparent IR in DEX-1 rats, this group exhibited increased circulating insulin levels and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), compared to the CTL group (p < 0.05). Evident IR as well as marked hyperinsulinemia and GSIS, as judged by the static and dynamic insulin secretion values, were observed in DEX-3 and DEX-5 rats (p < 0.05). GSIS in islets cultured with 1 mu M dexamethasone was lower compared to the control (p < 0.05). Marked increases in beta-cell proliferation were observed in DEX-3 and DEX-5 rats, compared to CTL and DEX-1 rats (p < 0.05). The alterations observed in DEX-3 rats were more pronounced in DEX-5 rats, which also exhibited a higher content of islet Cdk4 and Cd2 proteins, compared to the CTL group (p < 0.05). We conclude that short-term dexamethasone treatment (DEX-1) induces an increase in beta-cell function that does not require the presence of discernible IR. As the treatment continues, the IR develops rapidly, and increased insulin secretion as well as beta-cell hyperplasia is demanded for the appropriate maintenance of glucose homeostasis.434275281Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)INOD (Instituto Nacional de Obesidade e Diabetes)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Sarcopenia and risk of malnutrition as risk factors for complications from COVID-19

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo associar o risco nutricional e de sarcopenia com desfechos clínicos em pacientes idosos com COVID-19. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte retrospectivo longitudinal. Idosos hospitalizados com diagnóstico de COVID-19 foram incluídos no estudo. O risco nutricional foi avaliado usando o Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) e o risco de sarcopenia foi avaliado usando o SARC-F. As associações foram avaliadas por modelos logísticos multivariados. Resultados: No total, 127 pacientes (média de idade: 71,25 ±8,06 anos) foram acompanhados até o desfecho clínico. Risco de sarcopenia foi diagnosticado em 63,8% da amostra, enquanto risco nutricional foi observado em 72% deles. Além disso, 48,8% da amostra necessitoude internação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), 38,6% necessitaram ventilação mecânica e 32,3% foram a óbito. Idosos com risco de sarcopenia tiveram maior chance de internação em UTI (OR: 5,62; IC 95%: 2,2-14,3), necessidade de ventilação mecânica (OR: 4,0; IC 95%: 1,5-10,2) e óbito (OR: 5,06; IC 95%: 1,7-14,2). O risco de desnutrição avaliado pelo MUST foi um importante fator de risco para óbito (OR = 30,15; IC 95%: 3,6-245,8; p&lt;0,01). Conclusão: O risco de sarcopenia foi fator de risco para óbito, internação em UTI e ventilação mecânica,enquanto o risco nutricional foi fator de risco para óbito.Purpose: This study aimed to associate nutritional and sarcopenia risk with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with COVID-19. Methods: This is a longitudinal retrospective cohort study. Hospitalized elderly individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the study. Nutritional risk was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F. Associations were assessed throughmultivariable logistic models. Results: In total, 127 patients (mean age: 71.25 ±8.06 years) were followed up until the clinical outcome. Sarcopenia risk was diagnosed in 63.8% of the sample, whereas nutritional risk was observed in 72%. Hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) was required in 48.8% of the sample, 38.6% required mechanicalventilation, and 32.3% died. Elderly individuals with sarcopenia risk were more likely to be hospitalized inICUs (OR: 5.62; 95%CI: 2.2-14.3), require mechanical ventilation (OR: 4.0; 95% CI: 1.5-10.2), and die (OR: 5.06; 95% CI: 1.7-14.2). The risk of malnutrition assessed through MUST was an important risk factor for death (OR = 30.15; 95% CI: 3.6-245.8; p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Sarcopenia risk was a risk factor for death, hospitalization in ICU, and mechanical ventilation, while nutritional risk was a risk factor for death

Constraining New Physics with a Positive or Negative Signal of Neutrino-less Double Beta Decay

We investigate numerically how accurately one could constrain the strengths of different short-range contributions to neutrino-less double beta decay in effective field theory. Depending on the outcome of near-future experiments yielding information on the neutrino masses, the corresponding bounds or estimates can be stronger or weaker. A particularly interesting case, resulting in strong bounds, would be a positive signal of neutrino-less double beta decay that is consistent with complementary information from neutrino oscillation experiments, kinematical determinations of the neutrino mass, and measurements of the sum of light neutrino masses from cosmological observations. The keys to more robust bounds are improvements of the knowledge of the nuclear physics involved and a better experimental accuracy.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures. Minor changes. Matches version published in JHE