Automatic character recognition based on graph theory: a new approach to automation

The aim of this paper is to present a new method Optical Character\ud Recognition (OCR).\ud For it will be used for projections of images and the technique of\ud Dijkstra's shortest path in graph-based structures can To validate the model presented\ud in this work is implemented using software techniques commented above in the\ud knowledge base organized around the Latin alphabet.\ud We made several tests on the\ud software and thus validating the proposed model.\ud The presented method has the benefit\ud that the training time of knowledge is much lower when compared to a neural network\ud that performs the same operation

Impacto do uso de cigarros eletrônicos na evolução clínica de pacientes infectados pela Covid-19 / Impact of electronic cigarette use on the clinical evolution of patients infected by Covid-19

A pandemia da COVID-19 demonstrou ser um evento de alta morbimortalidade que afetou o mundo drasticamente. Verifica-se que os indivíduos de maior susceptibilidade aos maiores danos relacionados a doença são pessoas com comorbidades e hábitos de vida nocivos. Os cigarros eletrônicos na última década tiveram maciça popularização, de modo importante, entre a população mais jovem. Nesse contexto, o uso dos cigarros eletrônicos se mostrou como importante promotor de resposta inflamatória sistêmica no organismo que gera importantes danos, tanto isoladamente quanto em associação com a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2. O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre os impactos do uso de cigarros eletrônicos e o quadro clínico de pacientes contaminados pela COVID-19. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica realizada por meio de buscas nos bancos de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), National Library of Medicine (PubMed) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo). As palavras-chave utilizadas foram “covid-19”, “vape” e “sintomas” e seus correspondentes em inglês associados ao operador booleano AND. Na literatura pesquisada foram encontradas evidências que relacionam o uso de cigarros eletrônicos ao pior prognóstico em caso de infecção pela COVID-19. Usuários dos referidos dispositivos apresentaram maior probabilidade de contaminação pelo vírus e frequência maior de sintomas tais como dor ou aperto no peito (16% vs 10%, usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,005), calafrios (25% vs 19%, usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,0016), mialgia (39% vs 32%, usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,004), dores de cabeça (49% vs 41% usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,026), anosmia/disgeusia (37% vs 30 %, usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,009), náusea/vômito/dor abdominal (16% vs 10%, usuários vs não usuários, P = 0,003), diarreia (16% vs 10%, usuários vs não usuários, P  = 0,004) e tontura não grave (16% vs 9%, usuários vs não usuários, P  < 0,001). Os cigarros eletrônicos se tornaram um real problema de saúde pública, que no atual momento de pandemia deve ser encarado com seriedade para a redução da morbimortalidade da doença

High anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroconversion rates before the second wave in Manaus, Brazil, and the protective effect of social behaviour measures: results from the prospective DETECTCoV-19 cohort

Background: The city of Manaus, Brazil, has seen two collapses of the health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We report anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibody seroconversion rates and associated risk factors in Manaus residents before the second wave of the epidemic in Brazil. Methods: A convenience sample of adult (aged ≥18 years) residents of Manaus was recruited through online and university website advertising into the DETECTCoV-19 study cohort. The current analysis of seroconversion included a subgroup of DETECTCoV-19 participants who had at least two serum sample collections separated by at least 4 weeks between Aug 19 and Oct 2, 2020 (visit 1), and Oct 19 and Nov 27, 2020 (visit 2). Those who reported (or had no data on) having a COVID-19 diagnosis before visit 1, and who were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at visit 1 were excluded. Using an in-house ELISA, the reactivity index (RI; calculated as the optical density ratio of the sample to the negative control) for serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies was measured at both visits. We calculated the incidence of seroconversion (defined as RI values ≤1·5 at visit 1 and ≥1·5 at visit 2, and a ratio >2 between the visit 2 and visit 1 RI values) during the study period, as well as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) through cluster-corrected and adjusted Poisson regression models to analyse associations between seroconversion and variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, health access, comorbidities, COVID-19 exposure, protective behaviours, and symptoms. Findings: 2496 DETECTCoV-19 cohort participants returned for a follow-up visit between Oct 19 and Nov 27, 2020, of whom 204 reported having COVID-19 before the first visit and 24 had no data regarding previous disease status. 559 participants were seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at baseline. Of the remaining 1709 participants who were seronegative at baseline, 71 did not meet the criteria for seroconversion and were excluded from the analyses. Among the remaining 1638 participants who were seronegative at baseline, 214 showed seroconversion at visit 2. The seroconversion incidence was 13·06% (95% CI 11·52–14·79) overall and 6·78% (5·61–8·10) for symptomatic seroconversion, over a median follow-up period of 57 days (IQR 54–61). 48·1% of seroconversion events were estimated to be asymptomatic. The sample had higher proportions of affluent and higher-educated people than those reported for the Manaus city population. In the fully adjusted and corrected model, risk factors for seroconversion before visit 2 were having a COVID-19 case in the household (IRR 1·49 [95% CI 1·21–1·83]), not wearing a mask during contact with a person with COVID-19 (1·25 [1·09–1·45]), relaxation of physical distancing (1·31 [1·05–1·64]), and having flu-like symptoms (1·79 [1·23–2·59]) or a COVID-19 diagnosis (3·57 [2·27–5·63]) between the first and second visits, whereas working remotely was associated with lower incidence (0·74 [0·56–0·97]). Interpretation: An intense infection transmission period preceded the second wave of COVID-19 in Manaus. Several modifiable behaviours increased the risk of seroconversion, including non-compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions measures such as not wearing a mask during contact, relaxation of protective measures, and non-remote working. Increased testing in high-transmission areas is needed to provide timely information about ongoing transmission and aid appropriate implementation of transmission mitigation measures. Funding: Ministry of Education, Brazil; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas; Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO.World Health OrganizationRevisión por pare

Educomunicação, Transformação Social e Desenvolvimento Sustentável

Esta publicação apresenta os principais trabalhos dos GTs do II Congresso Internacional de Comunicação e Educação nos temas Transformação social, com os artigos que abordam principalmente Educomunicação e/ou Mídia-Educação, no contexto de políticas de diversidade, inclusão e equidade; e, em Desenvolvimento Sustentável os artigos que abordam os avanços da relação comunicação/educação no contexto da educação ambiental e desenvolvimento sustentável

Nutrient contents in camu-camu plants (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) fertirrigateds with different doses of nitrogen

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) is a native fruit tree, which is in domestication process, therefore, knowledge of nutritional needs is essential to improve the fertilization efficiency throughout plant development. The aim of this research was to determine the nutrient content of camu-camu plants as a function of nitrogen fertilization via fertirrigation in the first year of cultivation. An experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with 5 treatments as follows: 0; 40; 80; 120 and 160 kg.ha-1 of N, eight replicates and seven plants per experimental unit. The evaluated variables were as follows: total dry matter and nutrient contents in camu-camu leaves. The results show total dry matter of camu-camu plants, which were performed a significant quadratic behavior in response to increasing N doses. In Fact, N doses greater than 128 kg.ha-1 aroused a depressive effects. In addition, leaf contents of N, K, and Ca, had achieved a significant quadratic response and highest concentrations were recorded between 113 and 115 kg of N.ha-1. On the other hand, micronutrients had a polynomial depressive behavior according to an increasing N doses. It can be concluded that nutrient foliar contents are adequate for the camu-camu plants development. In fact, N, Ca, K, Fe, Mn and B, were the most required nutrients. Micronutrients determined in leaves, corresponded to the following decreasing order: N> Ca> K> Mg> S> P> Mn> Fe> B> Zn> Cu, respectively.Revisión por pares

Characterization of the Oxidative Stress in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 3

In kidney disease (KD), several factors released into the bloodstream can induce a series of changes in the heart, leading to a wide variety of clinical situations called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the signaling and progression of systemic inflammatory conditions, as observed in KD. The aim of the present study was to characterize the redox balance in renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac remodeling. C57BL/6 male mice were subjected to occlusion of the left renal pedicle, unilateral, for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 8 and 15 days, respectively. The following redox balance components were evaluated: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), NADPH oxidase (NOX), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the tissue bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) such as S-nitrosothiol (RSNO) and nitrite (NO2−). The results indicated a process of renoprotection in both kidneys, indicated by the reduction of cellular damage and some oxidant agents. We also observed an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, and an increase in NO bioavailability. In the heart, we noticed an increase in the activity of NOX and NOS, together with increased cell damage on day 8, followed by a reduction in protein damage on day 15. The present study concludes that the kidneys and heart undergo distinct processes of damage and repair at the analyzed times, since the heart is a secondary target of ischemic kidney injury. These results are important for a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in CRS

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cardiorenal Syndrome 3: Renocardiac Effect of Vitamin C

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a pathological link between the kidneys and heart, in which an insult in a kidney or heart leads the other organ to incur damage. CRS is classified into five subtypes, and type 3 (CRS3) is characterized by acute kidney injury as a precursor to subsequent cardiovascular changes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative and nitrosative stress have been reported in the pathophysiology of CRS3. It is known that vitamin C, an antioxidant, has proven protective capacity for cardiac, renal, and vascular endothelial tissues. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess whether vitamin C provides protection to heart and the kidneys in an in vivo CRS3 model. The unilateral renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) protocol was performed for 60 min in the left kidney of adult mice, with and without vitamin C treatment, immediately after IR or 15 days after IR. Kidneys and hearts were subsequently collected, and the following analyses were conducted: renal morphometric evaluation, serum urea and creatinine levels, high-resolution respirometry, amperometry technique for NO measurement, gene expression of mitochondrial dynamic markers, and NOS. The analyses showed that the left kidney weight was reduced, urea and creatinine levels were increased, mitochondrial oxygen consumption was reduced, NO levels were elevated, and Mfn2 expression was reduced after 15 days of IR compared to the sham group. Oxygen consumption and NO levels in the heart were also reduced. The treatment with vitamin C preserved the left kidney weight, restored renal function, reduced NO levels, decreased iNOS expression, elevated constitutive NOS isoforms, and improved oxygen consumption. In the heart, oxygen consumption and NO levels were improved after vitamin C treatment, whereas the three NOS isoforms were overexpressed. These data indicate that vitamin C provides protection to the kidneys and some beneficial effects to the heart after IR, indicating it may be a preventive approach against cardiorenal insults

Impact on the ability of healthcare professionals to correctly identify patient-ventilator asynchronies of the simultaneous visualization of estimated muscle pressure curves on the ventilator display: a randomized study (P mus study)

Abstract Background Patient-ventilator asynchronies are usually detected by visual inspection of ventilator waveforms but with low sensitivity, even when performed by experts in the field. Recently, estimation of the inspiratory muscle pressure (P mus) waveforms through artificial intelligence algorithm has been proposed (Magnamed®, São Paulo, Brazil). We hypothesized that the display of these waveforms could help healthcare providers identify patient-ventilator asynchronies. Methods A prospective single-center randomized study with parallel assignment was conducted to assess whether the display of the estimated Pmus waveform would improve the correct identification of asynchronies in simulated clinical scenarios. The primary outcome was the mean asynchrony detection rate (sensitivity). Physicians and respiratory therapists who work in intensive care units were randomized to control or intervention group. In both groups, participants analyzed pressure and flow waveforms of 49 different scenarios elaborated using the ASL-5000 lung simulator. In the intervention group the estimated P mus waveform was displayed in addition to pressure and flow waveforms. Results A total of 98 participants were included, 49 per group. The sensitivity per participant in identifying asynchronies was significantly higher in the P mus group (65.8 ± 16.2 vs. 52.94 ± 8.42, p < 0.001). This effect remained when stratifying asynchronies by type. Conclusions We showed that the display of the P mus waveform improved the ability of healthcare professionals to recognize patient-ventilator asynchronies by visual inspection of ventilator tracings. These findings require clinical validation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NTC05144607. Retrospectively registered 3 December 2021

Anatomy, flow cytometry, and x-ray tomography reveal tissue organization and ploidy distribution in long-term in vitro cultures of melocactus species

Cacti have a highly specialized stem that enables survival during extended dry periods. Despite the ornamental value of cacti and the fact that stems represent the main source of explants in tissue culture, there are no studies on their morpho-anatomical and cytological characteristics in Melocactus. The present study seeks to address the occurrence of cells with mixed ploidy level in cacti tissues. Specifically, we aim to understand how Melocactus stem tissue is organized, how mixoploidy is distributed when present, and whether detected patterns of ploidy change after long periods of in vitro culture. To analyze tissue organization, Melocactus glaucescens and Melocactus paucispinus plants that had been germinated and cultivated in vitro were analyzed for stem structure using toluidine blue, Xylidine Ponceau, Periodic Acid Schiff, ruthenium red, and acid floroglucin. To investigate patterns of ploidy, apical, medial, and basal zones of the stem, as well as, periphery, cortex, and stele (vascular tissue and pith) regions of the stem and root apexes from four- and ten-year old cultured in vitro were analyzed by flow cytometry. X-ray micro-computed tomography (XRµCT) was performed with fragments of stems from both species. The scarcity of support elements (i.e., sclereids and fibers) indicates that epidermis, hypodermis, and wide-band tracheids present in cortical vascular bundles and stele, as well as water stored in aquifer parenchyma cells along the cortex, provide mechanical support to the stem. Parenchyma cells increase in volume with a four-fold increase in ploidy. M. glaucescens and M. paucispinus exhibit the same pattern of cell ploidy irrespective of topophysical region or age, but there is a marked difference in ploidy between the stem periphery (epidermis and hypodermis), cortex, stele, and roots. Mixoploidy in Melocactus is not related to the age of the culture, but is a developmental trait, whereby endocycles promote cell differentiation to accumulate valuable waterCONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS - FAPEMIG88881.132727/2016-01Não temNão te

Macromineral and trace element requirements for Santa Ines sheep

Abstract Minerals play an important role in animal metabolism. Knowledge of mineral requirements allows well-formulated diets to be provided, which is the main factor that affects performance. To determine the macromineral and trace element requirements for growth and maintenance, thirty-eight 2-month-old Santa Ines lambs with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0 ± 1.49 kg were distributed in a factorial design with feeding levels (ad libitum, 30% and 60% feed restriction) and sex classes [castrated (CM) and intact males (IM)]. The net mineral requirements for gain were higher (P  0.05) the maintenance requirement of the trace elements Co, Cu, Zn and Cr which were 0.0015, 0.037, 0.698, and 0.0055 (mg/kg EBW0.75), respectively. Our study indicated that the Santa Ines net mineral requirements are different from the main nutritional requirements established by committees for sheep, which may result in unbalanced diets