Hepatic fibrogenesis requires sympathetic neurotransmitters

Background and aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated by liver injury to become proliferative fibrogenic myofibroblasts. This process may be regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) but the mechanisms involved are unclear. Methods: We studied cultured HSC and intact mice with liver injury to test the hypothesis that HSC respond to and produce SNS neurotransmitters to promote fibrogenesis. Results: HSC expressed adrenoceptors, catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes, released norepinephrine (NE), and were growth inhibited by α- and β-adrenoceptor antagonists. HSC from dopamine β-hydroxylase deficient (Dbh(−/−)) mice, which cannot make NE, grew poorly in culture and were rescued by NE. Inhibitor studies demonstrated that this effect was mediated via G protein coupled adrenoceptors, mitogen activated kinases, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Injury related fibrogenic responses were inhibited in Dbh(−/−) mice, as evidenced by reduced hepatic accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin(+ve) HSC and decreased induction of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and collagen. Treatment with isoprenaline rescued HSC activation. HSC were also reduced in leptin deficient ob/ob mice which have reduced NE levels and are resistant to hepatic fibrosis. Treating ob/ob mice with NE induced HSC proliferation, upregulated hepatic TGF-β1 and collagen, and increased liver fibrosis. Conclusions: HSC are hepatic neuroglia that produce and respond to SNS neurotransmitters to promote hepatic fibrosis

Helping Faculty Create Assignments to Advance Students\u27 Critical Thinking about AI: A Case Study from Anthropology

In Fall 2023 the UCF Department of Anthropology completed a pilot project to incorporate AI into a major course assignment. Students in ANT 3174 Battlefield Archaeology used AI to generate an essay on the archaeological excavations at a historic battlefield of their choosing. They critically assessed their AI-generated essay, then completed a literature-based paper on the same topic and performed a comparative analysis. Students then reflected on AI\u27s strengths and weaknesses and identified appropriate applications for AI in college and their future career. Our results provide a model for faculty to incorporate AI-based critical thinking exercises into the classroom

Astreintes: multa do Art. 461 do Código de Processo Civil - destinatário da multa

Sinelli, Eliane Souza – Astreinte e sua incidência – Destinatário Final, 2013, (72) folhas – Monografia do Curso de Especialização – Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu em Direito Processual Civil – Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo. A astreinte, reconhecida por multa pela legislação Brasileira, imposta ao descumprimento de ordem judicial que determine obrigação de fazer, de não fazer ou entregar, surgiu no início do século XIX por obra jurisprudencial francesa, foi acolhida, por diversos países como meio de obter a efetividade da prestação jurisdicional e, acabou por influenciar o ordenamento jurídico Brasileiro. Através das “mini-reformas” introduzidas no Código de Processo Civil, pelas Lei nº 8.952/94 e Lei nº 10.444/02, houve uma maior facilidade na aplicação da tutela específica, munindo, o juiz e as partes credoras de meios de obter através da execução indireta, com a imposição de multa, o cumprimento da obrigação pelo devedor nos exatos termos como requerido ou pelo seu equivalente. Pretende-se contemplar a interpretação doutrinária e jurisprudencial, dentre outros aspectos a destinação da multa quando aplicada ao devedor renitenteSinelli, Eliane Souza – L’astreinte et son incidence – Destinataire final, 2013, (72) feuilles – Monographie du Cours de Spécialisation – Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu em Direito Processual Civil – Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo. L’astreinte, reconnue comme une amende par les lois brésiliennes, est imposée à la violation d’une ordonnance de la cour stipulant l’obligation de faire, de ne pas faire ou de livrer. Elle a été créée au début du XIXe siècle par la jurisprudence française et a été adoptée par de nombreux pays comme un moyen d’obtenir l’efficacité de l’arbitrage, et a influencé le système juridique brésilien. Grâce aux mini-réformes introduites dans le Code de procédure civile, par les lois nº 8 952/94 et 10 444/02, l’application de la tutelle spécifique a été rendue plus facile, car le juge et les parties créancières ont été munis de moyens d’obtenir, par l’execution indirecte et par l’imposition d’une amende, la réalisation de l’obligation par le débiteur dans les termes exacts requis ou par son équivalent. On a l’intention de contempler l’interprétation doctrinnaire et jurisprudentielle et, parmi d’autres aspects, la destination de l’amende lorsqu’elle est appliquée au débiteur récalcitrant

Análise do crime de Lavagem de dinheiro durante o período da covid-19 de acordo com os relatórios emitidos pelo COAF

Trabalho de Curso apresentado à disciplina CAD7305 como requisito parcial para a obtenção do grau de Bacharel em Administração pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Área de Concentração: FinançasEsta pesquisa tem a finalidade de analisar informações apresentadas pelo Conselho de Controle de Atividades Financeiras (COAF), divulgadas através de seus Relatórios de Atividades, Relatórios de Gestão e do site COAF Grandes Números, referentes aos anos de 2019, 2020 e 2021, a fim de discorrer sobre o crescimento do crime de lavagem de dinheiro e financiamento ao terrorismo durante os anos da pandemia do covid-19, compreendidos aqui pelos anos de 2020 e 2021 quando comparado aos números apresentados no ano pré-pandemia, referenciado como o ano de 2019. O presente projeto caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa descritiva documental de natureza quantitativa. Foram utilizados dados de livros, pesquisas, artigos, periódicos e revistas, além das informações contidas nos relatórios e site mencionados anteriormente como bases para a sua elaboração. Os resultados alcançados mostram que houve uma progressão nas informações e denúncias encaminhadas ao COAF, bem como um aumento na quantidade de Relatórios de Inteligência Financeira produzidos, o que se caracteriza como um forte indicador do aumento do crime de Lavagem de Dinheiro durante o período estudado

Monovarietal extra-virgin olive oil classification: a fusion of human sensory attributes and an electronic tongue

Olive oil quality grading is traditionally assessed by human sensory evaluation of positive and negative attributes (olfactory, gustatory, and final olfactorygustatory sensations). However, it is not guaranteed that trained panelist can correctly classify monovarietal extra-virgin olive oils according to olive cultivar. In this work, the potential application of human (sensory panelists) and artificial (electronic tongue) sensory evaluation of olive oils was studied aiming to discriminate eight single-cultivar extra-virgin olive oils. Linear discriminant, partial least square discriminant, and sparse partial least square discriminant analyses were evaluated. The best predictive classification was obtained using linear discriminant analysis with simulated annealing selection algorithm. A low-level data fusion approach (18 electronic tongue signals and nine sensory attributes) enabled 100 % leave-one-out cross-validation correct classification, improving the discrimination capability of the individual use of sensor profiles or sensory attributes (70 and 57 % leave-one-out correct classifications, respectively). So, human sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis may be used as complementary tools allowing successful monovarietal olive oil discrimination.This work was co-financed by FCT/MEC and FEDER under Program PT2020 (Project UID/EQU/50020/2013); by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia under the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit; and by Project POCTEP through Project RED/AGROTEC-Experimentation network and transfer for development of agricultural and agro industrial sectors between Spain and Portugal

Ergebnisbericht : Befragung von Einwohnerinnen und Einwohnern der Gemeinde Bassersdorf 2023

Ausgangslage und Vorgehen: Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse der Bevölkerungsumfrage in Bassersdorf bieten einen umfassenden Einblick in die Lebenszufriedenheit der Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner der Gemeinde Bassersdorf. Der vorliegende Ergebnisbericht präsentiert die Resultate aus der Bevölkerungsumfrage in Bassersdorf zum Thema «Leben in Bassersdorf». Die Online-Befragung wurde im September und Oktober 2023 im Auftrag der Gemeinde Bassersdorf durchgeführt. Insgesamt wurden 10'197 Personen ab 16 Jahren postalisch eingeladen, sich an der Befragung zu beteiligen. An der Befragung haben insgesamt 1’885 Personen teilgenommen. Die Ergebnisse beruhen auf Antworten derjenigen Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner, die sich freiwillig an der Umfrage beteiligt haben, und stellen somit keine repräsentative Stichprobe der gesamten Bassersdorfer Wohnbevölkerung dar. Der Fragebogen setzt sich aus den fünf thematischen Blöcken «Zufriedenheit», «Gesellschaft», «Raumentwicklung», «Verwaltung» und «Umwelt» zusammen. Das übergreifende Ziel war es, herauszufinden, wie zufrieden die Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner mit den Lebensbedingungen in Bassersdorf und Baltenswil sind, was aus ihrer Sicht gut läuft und wo Anpassungen vorgenommen werden sollten. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die allgemeine Zufriedenheit mit dem Leben in Bassersdorf hoch ist. Besonders zufrieden sind die Befragten mit der Abfallentsorgung, der Sauberkeit und dem Zustand von Strassen, Plätzen und Wegen. Die grösste Unzufriedenheit besteht bei der Gestaltung öffentlicher Plätze. Zudem verfügen die Befragten über ein hohes Zugehörigkeitsgefühl und ein sehr hohes subjektives Sicherheitsempfinden. Im Themenblock «Gesellschaft» besteht aus Sicht der Befragten am meisten Handlungsbedarf im Bereich Verkehr. Auch beim Kulturangebot gibt es Verbesserungspotenzial. Besonders geschätzt wird in Bassersdorf die Nähe zum Flughafen, zur Natur und zu grösseren Städten. Aus gesellschaftlicher Sicht interessierten auch die Hauptgründe für ein allfälliges Fernbleiben von der Gemeindeversammlung, welche in einer Verhinderung zum Zeitpunkt der Gemeindeversammlung, in fehlendem Interesse oder in einem kürzlichen Zuzug bestehen. Aus Sicht der «Raumentwicklung» besteht beim öffentlichen Verkehr und bei Fussgängerangeboten die höchste Zufriedenheit bei den Befragten. Am schlechtesten schneiden der motorisierte Individualverkehr und Verkehrsberuhigungszonen ab. Die Sport- und Freizeitanlagen kommen bei den Befragten generell gut an. Am zufriedensten sind sie mit dem Vitaparcours und dem Freibad Hasenbühl. Im Themenblock «Verwaltung» interessierten insbesondere die Schalteröffnungszeiten. Eine Mehrheit der Befragten ist der Ansicht, dass diese nicht reduziert werden könnten, auch wenn im Gegenzug die digitalen Dienstleistungen der Gemeinde ausgebaut würden. Konkret zeigt sich, dass über alle Wochentage hinweg eine Öffnung am Vormittag (08.00‒11.30 Uhr), am Nachmittag (14.00‒16.30 Uhr) und am Abend (16.30‒18.30 Uhr) am stärksten gewünscht wird. Zudem wünschen sich die Befragten, dass der Gemeindeschalter einmal pro Monat am Samstag oder an einzelnen Abenden unter der Woche länger oder über Mittag geöffnet ist. Die wichtigsten Kommunikationskanäle mit der Gemeinde sind gemäss den Befragten E-Mail, persönliche Kommunikation am Schalter sowie die Gemeindewebseite. Die Umwelt-Themen nachhaltige Abfallwirtschaft, Naturschutzgebiete und Foodwaste werden als besonders relevant eingestuft. Als weniger relevant schätzen die Befragten die Förderung privater Initiativen, nachhaltige Mobilität und Biodiversität ein. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Befragung in Bassersdorf zeigt eine generell hohe Lebenszufriedenheit der Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner. Allerdings besteht die dringende Notwendigkeit, die Gestaltung öffentlicher Plätze zu verbessern, und im Bereich Verkehr und Kulturangebot gibt es identifiziertes Verbesserungspotenzial. Die Schalteröffnungszeiten der Verwaltung sollten an die Bedürfnisse der Bevölkerung angepasst werden, indem geprüft werden sollte, ob der Gemeindeschalter vereinzelt an Randzeiten (später am Abend), geöffnet haben könnte

Hyaluronic Acid Injections in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Secondary to Primary Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

The purpose of this study is to review the current literature on the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) specifically applied to the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to primary inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Osteoarthritis should be carefully considered because it has potentially devastating effects on health-related quality of life. Locally injected HA seems to be an effective treatment for OA but it is not clear how to place this treatment in the context of inflammatory rheumatic disorders. To retrieve relevant articles, we conducted the search through MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases performing the PICO strategy. We finally selected four randomized clinical trials and six observational studies and grouped them in accordance with its main objective within three focuses: the clinical effect of HA therapy in joints without any signs of inflammation, the clinical effects of HA therapy in joints with active synovitis, and the involvement and changes of synovial fluid in the treatment of secondary OA. Our qualitative analysis clearly showed that the current literature is marked by high levels of heterogeneity and therefore difficult to interpret. Therefore, our hypothesis that viscosupplementation should be considered as a treatment for chronic moderate symptomatic OA secondary to inflammatory rheumatic diseases, and not for flares with joint swelling, cannot be definitely supported. Well-designed studies are necessary to definitively clarify the range of application of intra-articular HA injections in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic disorders

Injection therapy in hip osteoarthritis: one year in review

Hip osteoarthritis affects a substantial and growing number of people worldwide. Its incidence and prevalence are increasing due to ageing and obesity. It is estimated that it affects between 10 and 18% of individuals over 60 years of age and up to 1 in 3 patients over the age of 85 with a substantial proportion of them experiencing persistent pain, loss of function and decline in health-related quality of life. Our work was aimed at updating the latest data on this field. We searched the following terms on PubMed: 'injection therapy', 'osteoarthritis' and 'hip'. We limited our search to the period from 1-1-2018 until 22-6-2019 and to the English language. We retrieved 31 works. We decided to divide the works into three groups: hyaluronic acid in hip OA, other therapies in hip OA and emerging radiological techniques to measure the efficacy of injection therapy. So far, in the literature there is no solid evidence that supports the efficacy of intra-articular infiltration therapies in hip osteoarthritis. The international guidelines reflect this lack of solid scientific evidence. We believe that only original works that show high-level evidence can highlight the benefits of these therapies

Applicazione della spettroscopia nel vicino infrarosso per la caratterizzazione di oli vergini di oliva

L’olio vergine d’oliva, data la sua peculiare composizione chimica, che dipende da molti fattori, quali cultivar, ambiente, sistema di coltivazione, epoca e modalità di raccolta delle olive, tecnologia di trasformazione e conservazione, è un alimento apprezzato per i suoi effetti benefici. Negli ultimi anni si sono diffusi oli vergini d'oliva di origine geografica definita che si differenziano sia per le caratteristiche sensoriali, sia per la composizione chimica. Visto l’incremento sul mercato di tali prodotti di origine e qualità certificate si sente la necessita di mettere a punto metodologie appropriate per verificare il rispetto delle indicazioni riportate in etichetta. Scopo di questo lavoro è stato quello di esplorare il possibile impiego di una tecnica rapida, quale la spettroscopia NIR nella caratterizzazione di oli vergini di oliva italiani. A tal fine 250 campioni di olio vergine di oliva delle annate olearie 2005-2006 sono stati analizzati per la determinazione di alcuni indici qualitativi (acidità, numero di perossidi, K232 e K270, carotenoidi, clorofilla, tocoferoli, fenoli totali e composizione acidica). I campioni sono stati sottoposti a lettura FT-NIR in trasmissione (12000- 4500 cm-1) utilizzando cuvette di passo ottico 8 mm. Gli spettri sono stati correlati con indici compositivi determinati con tecniche convenzionali mediante l’algoritmo PLS mentre la validazione dei modelli è stata ottenuta mediante cross-validazione. Le rette di regressione sono risultate caratterizzate da buoni coefficienti di correlazione (rcv ≥ 0.91) e bassi errori in predizione sia per l’acidità che per il numero di perossidi. Buoni modelli sono stati anche ottenuti per la stima dei principali acidi grassi (acido oleico, linoleico, linoleico) e per la quantificazione dei composti fenolici maggiormente rappresentati (dialdeide aglicone ligstroside e aglicone oleoropeina). I risultati ottenuti mostrano come la spettroscopia NIR sia in grado di quantificare, oltre a parametri di legge, in modo attendibile ed in un unica analisi, indici compositivi utili all’attribuzione dell’origine geografica dell’olio vergine di oliva

Evaluation and predictive modeling of shelf life of minced beef meat stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging at different temperatures

The aims were: (1) to follow the freshness decay of minced beef stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging at different temperatures (4.3, 8.1 and 15.5 \ub0C) by applying traditional methods (microbiological counts, color evaluation, thiobarbituric acid assay TBA, headspace gas composition) and e-nose; (2) to model the decay kinetics to obtain information about the maximum shelf life as function of storage conditions. The minced beef, packaged in modified atmosphere was supplied by a manufacturer at the beginning of its commercial life. The study demonstrated the ability of the traditional methods to describe the kinetics of freshness decay. The modeling of the experimental data and the comparison with microbiological or chemical thresholds allowed the setting, for each index, of a stability time above which the meat was no longer acceptable. The quality decay of meat was also evaluated by the headspace fingerprint of the same set of samples by means of a commercial e-nose. A clear discrimination between \u201cfresh\u201d and \u201cold\u201d samples was obtained using PCA and CA, determining at each temperature a specific range of stability time. The mean value of the stability times calculated for each index was 9 days at 4.3 \ub0C (recommended storage temperature), 3\u20134 days at 8.1 \ub0C (usual temperature in household refrigerators) and 2 days at 15.5 \ub0C (abuse temperature). Resolution of the stability times allowed calculation of mean Q10 values, i.e. the increase in rate for a 10 \ub0C increase in temperature. The results show that the Q10 values from the traditional methods (3.6\u20134.0 range) overlapped with those estimated with e-nose and color indexes (3.4 and 3.9, respectively)