Time domains of the hypoxic ventilatory response in ectothermic vertebrates

Over a decade has passed since Powell et al. (Respir Physiol 112:123–134, 1998) described and defined the time domains of the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in adult mammals. These time domains, however, have yet to receive much attention in other vertebrate groups. The initial, acute HVR of fish, amphibians and reptiles serves to minimize the imbalance between oxygen supply and demand. If the hypoxia is sustained, a suite of secondary adjustments occur giving rise to a more long-term balance (acclimatization) that allows the behaviors of normal life. These secondary responses can change over time as a function of the nature of the stimulus (the pattern and intensity of the hypoxic exposure). To add to the complexity of this process, hypoxia can also lead to metabolic suppression (the hypoxic metabolic response) and the magnitude of this is also time dependent. Unlike the original review of Powell et al. (Respir Physiol 112:123–134, 1998) that only considered the HVR in adult animals, we also consider relevant developmental time points where information is available. Finally, in amphibians and reptiles with incompletely divided hearts the magnitude of the ventilatory response will be modulated by hypoxia-induced changes in intra-cardiac shunting that also improve the match between O2 supply and demand, and these too change in a time-dependent fashion. While the current literature on this topic is reviewed here, it is noted that this area has received little attention. We attempt to redefine time domains in a more ‘holistic’ fashion that better accommodates research on ectotherms. If we are to distinguish between the genetic, developmental and environmental influences underlying the various ventilatory responses to hypoxia, however, we must design future experiments with time domains in mind

Measurement of the electron reconstruction efficiency at LHCb

The single electron track-reconstruction efficiency is calibrated using a sample corresponding to 1.3 fb−1 of pp collision data recorded with the LHCb detector in 2017. This measurement exploits B+→ J/ψ(e+e−)K+ decays, where one of the electrons is fully reconstructed and paired with the kaon, while the other electron is reconstructed using only the information of the vertex detector. Despite this partial reconstruction, kinematic and geometric constraints allow the B meson mass to be reconstructed and the signal to be well separated from backgrounds. This in turn allows the electron reconstruction efficiency to be measured by matching the partial track segment found in the vertex detector to tracks found by LHCb's regular reconstruction algorithms. The agreement between data and simulation is evaluated, and corrections are derived for simulated electrons in bins of kinematics. These correction factors allow LHCb to measure branching fractions involving single electrons with a systematic uncertainty below 1%

BONE-MARROW MORPHOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH NEUTROPENIA DUE TO CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ORGANIC-SOLVENTS (BENZENE) - EARLY LESIONS

The authors present the histological and cytological features of bone marrow (BM) in 152 employees from the steel plant of Cubatao (S. Paulo-Brazil) who presented with neutropenia, due to chronic exposure to benzene and its homologues. All patients were male. Mean age was 35 years. At the time of this study, all patients were removed from risk areas because of the hematological abnormality. BM morphology was characterized by a hypocellular hemopoiesis (82%). Decrease of the granulocytic precursors (86%) was the most outstanding feature. Erythroid and megakaryocytic series were diminished in 40% and 57% of the cases, respectively. Eosinophilia in BM was observed in 71% of the cases. Cell atypias and stromal changes (necrosis, increase in reticulin fibres) were frequent.190215115

Vulnerabilidade no manejo dos resíduos de serviços de saúde de João Pessoa (PB, Brasil) Vulnerability of management of waste from health services in João Pessoa, State of Paraíba (Brazil)

Observa-se na academia a discussão sobre os resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU), sendo os oriundos de serviços de saúde (RSS) parte integrante dos RSU, não necessariamente pela quantidade gerada, mas pelo potencial de risco que afeta à saúde coletiva e ambiental. Objetivou-se verificar a vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS, nos estabelecimentos de atenção primária, secundária e terciária de João Pessoa - PB. Foi uma pesquisa quantitativa, exploratória e descritiva do manejo dos RSS, tendo como instrumentos de coleta de dados checklist e avaliação analítica da vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS. Percebeu-se que 21,05% dos estabelecimentos não realizam segregação, 26,34% não padronizam os sacos plásticos e 47,37% dos trabalhadores responsáveis pela coleta não possuem treinamento para o manuseio dos RSS. Conclui-se que a vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS de João Pessoa - PB foi significativo 48,02%, podendo contribuir para a deterioração da saúde ambiental e coletiva, acarretando problema de saúde pública.<br>The discussion in the academy on solid urban waste residues (UWR) is analyzed, with health service waste (HSW) being an integral part of UWR, not necessarily in terms of the amount generated, but due to the risk potential to collective and environmental health. The scope of the study was to verify the vulnerability of UWR handling in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare units in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba. This involved a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive investigation of the handling of UWR, using a checklist and analytical evaluation of the vulnerability of HSW handling for data collection. It was detected that 21.05% of the establishments failed to separate hazardous waste, 26.34% did not standardize plastic disposal bags, and 47.37% of the workers responsible for collection were not trained to handle HSW. It was concluded that the vulnerability of HSW handling in João Pessoa in the order of 48.02%, was significant, potentially contributing to the deterioration of environmental and collective health and leading to a public health problem