Desenvolvimento socioambiental: um passo com o projeto Rondon

Trabalho apresentado no II Congresso Nacional do PROJETO RONDON, realizado em Florianópolis, SC, no período de 23 a 25 de setembro de 2015 - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.Este trabalho relata as atividades desenvolvidas durante a Operação Velho Monge do Projeto Rondon realizada no município de Peritoró-MA junto à equipe da UTFPR câmpus Pato Branco dentro da área temática de meio ambiente. As atividades ocorreram durante o período de 20 de janeiro à 01 de fevereiro de 2014. Foram ofertadas à comunidade do município oficinas de Tratamento de Água e Higiene, Fabricação de Sabão Caseiro Utilizando Óleos e Gorduras Residuais e Fabricação de Papel Reciclado, esta última com foco no público infantil. A oficina de Tratamento de Água e Higiene foi acompanhada por grande parte do corpo de agentes comunitários de saúde de Peritoró e moradores locais e a oficina de Fabricação de Sabão Caseiro por vários moradores. Diversas comunidades do município foram atendidas com as oficinas, tanto na área urbana quanto rural, tendo sido executadas em locais públicos como escolas municipais e no centro paroquial. Foi confeccionado e entregue aos participantes de todas as oficinas uma cartilha didática para uso como material de apoio contendo informações necessárias para futuras aplicações dos conhecimentos adquiridos. Além de auxiliar no desenvolvimento de soluções para problemas técnicos e sociais do município, também foi possível através da relação entre conhecimentos acadêmico-científicos e populares um significativo avanço qualitativo na formação do acadêmico

Analysis of S-band solid-state transmitters for the solar power satellite

The possibility of replacing the Reference System antenna in which thermionic devices are used for the dc-to-microwave conversion, with solid-state elements was explored. System, device, and antenna module tradeoff investigations strongly point toward the desirability of changing the transmitter concept to a distributed array of relatively low power elements, deriving their dc power directly from the solar cell array and whose microwave power outputs are combined in space. The approach eliminates the thermal, weight, and dc-voltage distribution problems of a system in which high power tubes are simply replaced with clusters of solid state amplifiers. The proposed approach retains the important advantages of a solid state system: greatly enhanced reliability and graceful degradation of the system

Gender and country differences in academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout in a sample of Italian and Russian first-year university students

Background: The first year of university represents a challenging period that requires students to make significant investments in adaptive resources to face the new academic environment. The present study intends to contribute to the controversial discussion of gender differences in academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout. This cross-sectional study examined above-mentioned constructs among first-year university students in a cross-cultural context. Methods: The sample consisted of 637 Italian and 496 Russian first-year university students (n = 1133), 40.3% of whom were females. The participants’ ages ranged from 17 to 23 years, with a mean age of 18.75 years (SD = 1.07). To assess academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout, participants responded to the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI–SS) application. Results: The findings reveal gender and country differences in academic motivation, emotion and avoidance oriented coping strategies, and emotional exhaustion and expands previous studies in this educational area. Conclusion: Given the technical nature of the research topic, the target audience for our study is academic career guidance practitioners, who can apply the findings to the design of effective programmes aimed at improving positive academic goals and reducing the tendency to switch academic courses or abandon the university among first-year students

Clinical diagnostic utility of IP-10 and LAM antigen levels for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions in a high burden setting

Background: Current tools for the diagnosis of tuberculosis pleural effusions are sub-optimal. Data about the value of new diagnostic technologies are limited, particularly, in high burden settings. Preliminary case control studies have identified IFN-γ-inducible-10kDa protein (IP-10) as a promising diagnostic marker; however, its diagnostic utility in a day-to-day clinical setting is unclear. Detection of LAM antigen has not previously been evaluated in pleural fluid. Methods: We investigated the comparative diagnostic utility of established (adenosine deaminase [ADA]), more recent (standardized nucleic-acid-amplification-test [NAAT]) and newer technologies (a standardized LAM mycobacterial antigendetection assay and IP-10 levels) for the evaluation of pleural effusions in 78 consecutively recruited South African tuberculosis suspects. All consenting participants underwent pleural biopsy unless contra-indicated or refused. The reference standard comprised culture positivity for M. tuberculosis or histology suggestive of tuberculosis. Principal Findings: Of 74 evaluable subjects 48, 7 and 19 had definite, probable and non-TB, respectively. IP-10 levels were significantly higher in TB vs non-TB participants (p<0.0001). The respective outcomes [sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV %] for the different diagnostic modalities were: ADA at the 30 IU/L cut-point [96; 69; 90; 85], NAAT [6; 93; 67; 28], IP-10 at the 28,170 pg/ml ROC-derived cut-point [80; 82; 91; 64], and IP-10 at the 4035 pg/ml cut-point [100; 53; 83; 100]. Thus IP-10, using the ROC-derived cut-point, missed ~20% of TB cases and mis-diagnosed ~20% of non-TB cases. By contrast, when a lower cut-point was used a negative test excluded TB. The NAAT had a poor sensitivity but high specificity. LAM antigendetection was not diagnostically useful. Conclusion: Although IP-10, like ADA, has sub-optimal specificity, it may be a clinically useful rule-out test for tuberculous pleural effusions. Larger multi-centric studies are now required to confirm our findings

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on eating disorders and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine: the pooled prevalence of symptomatic behaviours and mental health deterioration amongst individuals with eating disorders (EDs) and obesity during the COVID-19 confinement. Moreover, we examined changes in EDs and distress before and during the confinement, and the association between psychosocial factors and EDs symptoms. METHOD: A systematic search was carried out in biomedical databases from January 2020 to January 2021. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that used quantitative measures of ED symptoms and psychological distress during and after the COVID-19 confinement were included. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies met inclusion criteria (n = 3399, 85.7% female). The pooled prevalence of symptomatic deterioration in EDs was 65% (95% CI[48,81], k = 10). The pooled prevalence of increased weight in obesity was 52% (95% CI[25,78], k = 4). More than half of the participants experienced depression and anxiety. Moreover, at least 75% of the individuals with EDs reported shape and eating concerns, and increased thinking about exercising. However, the pooled analyses of longitudinal studies showed no significant differences from pre-pandemic levels to the first lockdown phase in Body Mass Index and ED symptoms, whereas only few studies suggested increased distress, particularly among individuals with anorexia nervosa. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of individuals with EDs and obesity reported symptomatic worsening during the lockdown. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to identify vulnerable groups, as well as the long-term consequences of COVID-19

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on eating disorders and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine: the pooled prevalence of symptomatic behaviours and mental health deterioration amongst individuals with eating disorders (EDs) and obesity during the COVID-19 confinement. Moreover, we examined changes in EDs and distress before and during the confinement, and the association between psychosocial factors and EDs symptoms. Method: A systematic search was carried out in biomedical databases from January 2020 to January 2021. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that used quantitative measures of ED symptoms and psychological distress during and after the COVID-19 confinement were included. Results: A total of 26 studies met inclusion criteria (n = 3399, 85.7% female). The pooled prevalence of symptomatic deterioration in EDs was 65% (95% CI[48,81], k = 10). The pooled prevalence of increased weight in obesity was 52% (95% CI[25,78], k = 4). More than half of the participants experienced depression and anxiety. Moreover, at least 75% of the individuals with EDs reported shape and eating concerns, and increased thinking about exercising. However, the pooled analyses of longitudinal studies showed no significant differences from pre-pandemic levels to the first lockdown phase in Body Mass Index and ED symptoms, whereas only few studies suggested increased distress, particularly among individuals with anorexia nervosa. Conclusions: The majority of individuals with EDs and obesity reported symptomatic worsening during the lockdown. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to identify vulnerable groups, as well as the long-term consequences of COVID-19

Monitoring on chemical and biological pollutants in sea waters of central-northern Sardinia

Introduction. The aims of this study are to assess the quality of the coastal waters of central-northern Sardinia through data from a monitoring network and to outline maps and experimental models of environmental risk correlated to the presence of chemical and microbiological contaminants. The area studied is the coast between Capo Falcone and the mouth of the river Coghinas, in the northwestern part of the island. Methods. In a first phase, 7 sampling stations of sea water and 1sampling station of bivalve molluscs (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.) wereidentified. For each transept 3 different collection points at respectively 500, 1000, and 3000 meters from the coast for a total 21 sampling sites were identified. In a second phase, another 7 transepts wereidentified, 2 of which on the island of Asinara. Results. As regards the microbiological monitoring of the sea water, very low concentrations of Total coliforms, Faecal coliforms and Faecal Streptococci were found and no Salmonella were isolated. Chemical analysis of the waters showed a high constant presence of phenols. In the bivalves we found rather high concentrations of Faecal coliforms without any clear seasonal variation, while no Salmonella was isolated in any of the examined samples. Discussion. The results show that the considered area is not affected by serious pollution processes, thus allowing to express a completely satisfactory judgement on its state of health. However, anthropic pressure in the considered territory is testified by the presence in the water of high concentrations of phenols. Conclusions. The results point out to the necessity of targeted and rational preventive action by means of control and protection measures for environmental ecosytems

Rosmarinus officinalis L.: chemical modifications of the essential oil and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil was separated into its hydrocarbon and oxygenated fractions. The major compounds in the hydrocarbon fraction were α-pinene (44.2%), camphene (24.5%), and limonene (11.7%), while in the oxygenated fraction they were 1,8-cineole (37.6%), camphor (16.5%), and bornyl acetate (21.4%). The hydrocarbon fraction was submitted to a hydroformylation process and the antioxidant activity of the product was screened by the DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests. The hydroformylated fraction maintained the antioxidant activity of the whole oil. The MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) and the MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) of the essential oil, hydrocarbon, oxygenated and hydroformylated fractions were also tested on several microorganisms. Aeromonas sobria and Candida strains were the most susceptible micro-organisms. The hydroformylated fraction exhibited a MBC against Candida strains resistant to the other fractions

Insulin Resistance and High Blood Pressure: Mechanistic Insight on the Role of the Kidney

The metabolic effects of insulin predominate in skeletal muscle, fat, and liver where the hormone binds to its receptor, thereby priming a series of cell-specific and biochemically diverse intracellular mechanisms. In the presence of a good secretory reserve in the pancreatic islets, a decrease in insulin sensitivity in the metabolic target tissues leads to compensatory hyperinsulinemia. A large body of evidence obtained in clinical and experimental studies indicates that insulin resistance and the related hyperinsulinemia are causally involved in some forms of arterial hypertension. Much of this involvement can be ascribed to the impact of insulin on renal sodium transport, although additional mechanisms might be involved. Solid evidence indicates that insulin causes sodium and water retention, and both endogenous and exogenous hyperinsulinemia have been correlated to increased blood pressure. Although important information was gathered on the cellular mechanisms that are triggered by insulin in metabolic tissues and on their abnormalities, knowledge of the insulin-related mechanisms possibly involved in blood pressure regulation is limited. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the cellular mechanisms that are involved in the pro-hypertensive actions of insulin, focusing on the contribution of insulin to the renal regulation of sodium balance and body fluids

Association of arterial stiffness with a prothrombotic state in uncomplicated nondiabetic hypertensive patients

Background and aims: Past studies reported a significant contribution of a prothrombotic state to the development and progression of target organ damage in hypertensive patients. Stiffening of arterial vessels is associated with aging and hypertension, and additional factors could contribute to this process. This study was designed to examine the relationships between arterial stiffening and the hemostatic and fibrinolytic system. Methods: In 128 middle-aged, nondiabetic, essential hypertensive patients without major cardiovascular and renal complications, we measured coagulation markers that express the spontaneous activation of the hemostatic and fibrinolytic system and assessed stiffness of the arterial tree by measurement of the carotid/femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and pulse wave analysis with calculation of the brachial augmentation index (AIx). Results: Levels of fibrinogen (FBG), D-dimer (D-d), and plasminogen activator-inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were significantly higher in patients with PWV and AIx above the median of the distribution. FBG, D-d, and PAI-1 were significantly and directly related with both cfPWV and AIx, and multivariate regression analysis indicated that the relationships of D-d and PAI-1 with both cfPWV and AIx and of FBG with AIx, were independent of age, body mass index, severity and duration of hypertension, use of antihypertensive drugs, blood glucose, and plasma lipids. Conclusion: In middle-aged, uncomplicated, nondiabetic patients with essential hypertension, spontaneous activation of plasma hemostatic cascade and impaired fibrinolysis is significantly and independently associated with stiffening of the arterial tree