A new 'saccamminid' genus (Rhizaria: Foraminifera), from 4400 m water depth in the Nazare Canyon (NE Atlantic)

We describe Bithekammina occulta, a new monothalamous agglutinated foraminiferan ('saccamminid') collected in multicore samples at 4400 m on the terrace of the lower Nazare Canyon on the Portuguese margin. The test is spherical to oval, up to similar to 400 mu m in length, with a simple circular aperture. The wall has a very smooth surface with a distinct sheen in reflected light. It is <10 mu m thick and composed of very fine agglutinated plate-like clay particles and a thin inner organic layer. The most distinctive feature of the new species is that the test is contained within an agglutinated case ('secondary test') composed mainly of larger (10-50 mu m) quartz grains. The case is equipped with a long, narrow tube that originates near the aperture of the inner test and presumably acts as a channel through which pseudopodia are deployed. Secondary agglutinated structures have been described in a number of foraminifera, but never before in a 'saccamminid'.EC FP6 GOCE-CT-2005–511234 HERMESEC FP7 - 226354 HERMIONEFCT - PTDC/MAR/110082/2009 DeepForamsFCT - SFRH/BPD/26272/200

Primary non-adherence in Portugal: findings and implications

The final publication will be available at Springer via http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11096-015-0108-1"Background: Portugal is currently facing a serious economic and financial crisis, which is dictating some important changes in the health care sector. Some of these measures may potentially influence patients’ access to medication and consequently adherence, which will ultimately impact on health status, especially in chronic patients. Aims: This study aimed at providing a snapshot of adherence in patients with chronic conditions in Portugal between March and April 2012. Setting: Community pharmacy in Portugal Method: A cross-sectional pilot study was undertaken, where patients were recruited via community pharmacies to a questionnaire study evaluating the number of prescribed and purchased drugs and, when these figures were inconsistent, the reasons for this. Main outcome measures: Primary and secondary adherence measures. Failing to purchase prescription items was categorized as primary nonadherence. Secondary nonadherence was attributed to purchasing prescription items, but not taking medicines as prescribed. Results: Data were collected from 375 patients. Primary nonadherence was identified in 22.8% of patients. Regardless of the underlying condition, the most commonly reported reason for primary non-adherence was having spare medicines at home (“left-overs”), followed by financial problems. The latter appeared to be related to the class of medicines prescribed. Primary non-adherence was associated with low income (<475 €/month; p=0.026). Secondary non-adherence, assessed by the 7-MMAS was detected in over 50% of all patients, where unintentional nonadherence was higher than intentional nonadherence across all disease conditions. Conclusion: This study revealed that more than one fifth of chronic medication users report primary nonadherence (22.8%) and more than 50% report secondary nonadherence. Data indicates that the existence of spare medicines and financial constraints occurred were the two most frequent reasons cited for nonadherence (47,6-64,8% and 19-45.5%, depending on the major underlying condition, respectively)."All authors are part of the Portuguese Observatory of Health Systems (OPSS)

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UMA FERRAMENTA PARA EDUCAÇÃO NO TRÂNSITO, BASEADO EM TEORIAS DO DESENVOLVIMENTO COGNITIVO DE PIAGET

Nos tempos atuais pode-se observar que a relação Homem x Trânsito não está na mais perfeita harmonia, devido ao fato do homem não possuir em sua infância uma base estrutural com suporte às ferramentas computacionais para apoio na área de psicologia, no tocante à educação de crianças para o trânsito. Com esta problemática observa-se que é necessário o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação utilizando recursos tecnológicos para área educacional do trânsito direcionado às crianças. A complexidade da aplicação deve atender aos princípios abordados pela Teoria do Desenvolvimento cognitivo de Piaget, uma vez que trata dos aspectos cognitivos, que auxilia na capacidade de manipular os componentes de um computador

Quantitative analysis of cementitious materials by X-ray ptychographic nanotomography

Cement manufacturing is responsible for ~7% of the anthropogenic CO2 emissions and hence, decreasing the CO2 footprint, in a sustainable, safe, and cost-effective way, is a top priority. It is also key to develop more durable binders as the estimated world concrete stock is 315 Gt which currently results in ~0.3 Gt/yr of concrete demolition waste (CDW). Moreover, models under development predict a skyrocketing increase of CDW to 20–40 Gt/yr by 2100. This amount could not be easily reprocessed as aggregates for new concretes as such volumes would be more than two times the predicted need. Furthermore, concretes have very complex hierarchical microstructures. The largest components are coarse aggregates with dimensions bigger than a few centimetres and the smallest ones are amorphous components and the calcium silicate hydrate gel with nanoparticle sizes smaller than a few nanometres. To fully understand the properties of current and new cement binders and to optimize their performances, a sound description of their spatially-resolved contents is compulsory. However, there is not a tomographic technique that can cover the spatial range of heterogeneity and features of concretes and mortars. This can only be attained within a multitechnique approach overlapping the spatial scales in order to build an accurate picture of the different microstructural features. Here, we have employed far-field and near-field synchrotron X-ray ptychographic nanotomographies to gain a deeper insight into the submicrometer microstructures of Portland cement binders. With these techniques, the available fields of view range from 40 to 300 um with a true spatial resolution evolving between ~50to~300 nm. It is explicitly acknowledged here that other techniques like X-ray synchrotron microtomography are necessary to develop the whole picture accessing to larger fields of view albeit with poorer spatial resolution and without the quantitativeness in the reconstructed electron densities

Hydration studies of ye’elimite by using Ptychographic X-ray nano-tomography

CSA (Calcium SulfoAluminate) cements may have variable compositions but all of them contain ye’elimite(Ca4Al6O12SO4). The manufacture of CSA cements is more environmentally friendly than that of ordinary Portland cements as their production releases up to 40% less CO2. The hydration of ye’elimite leads to crystalline ettringite (AFt) and amorphous aluminum hydroxide (AH3•nH2O). Ptychographic X-ray computed nanotomography (PXCT) has been used here to study the hydration of ye’elimite-containing samples. PXCT is an X-ray imaging technique having demonstrated an isotropic 3D resolution better than 20 nm[1]. PXCT, which nondestructively provides 3D images of the sample complex-valued X-ray refractive index, has been recently applied for hydration studies of Portland cement samples[2]. Samples for this study were measured in cSAXS beamline (Swiss Light Source). The main goal of this study has been the quantification of the electron and mass densities of the phases present in these samples. These mass densities were compared with the theoretical values in order to identify the phases and matched well the expected values. For instance, the hydration of pure ye’elimite with gypsum sample was studied. This sample should show a large amount of AFt due to the presence of gypsum in the hydration medium. This is precisely what it was observed from the analysis of the histogram. Figure 1 shows the tomogram of one slice obtained for this sample. The most relevant results for CSA cement hydration will be discussed. A volume of interest (VOI) histogram has been studied in order to identify all the phases. Figure 2 shows a comparison between the histogram obtained in this study and a previous one performed by Gastaldi et al. (2012) at TOMCAT Beamline (Swiss Light Source). As it can be observed, TOMCAT data cannot properly distinguish between AFt and ye'elimite phase. Conversely, PXCT technique can resolve the peaks for all the phases present in CSA cements. All reconstructions have been successful and now we are analyzing the data (segmentation, etc.) to characterize the porosities and the shape and size of the different phase, chiefly ettringite.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

In situ hydration imaging study of a ye'elimite paste by ptychographic x-ray computed tomography

Eco-cements are a desirable alternative to ordinary Portland cements because of their lower CO2 footprints. For instance, the manufacture of Calcium SulfoAluminate (CSA) cements is more environmentally friendly than that of Portland cements as their production may decrease CO2 footprint by up to 40%. CSA cements contain ye'elimite, Ca4Al6O12SO4, as main phase. The hydration of ye'elimite leads to hydrated compounds such as crystalline ettringite (AFt), crystalline monosulfoaluminate (AFm) and amorphous aluminum hydroxide gel, Al(OH)3·nH2O. Here, we report the results of a ptychographic X-ray computed tomography (PXCT) study on the in situ hydration of ye'elimite with gypsum at different early ages. PXCT is a nondestructive X-ray imaging technique which provides 3D electron density and attenuation coefficient distributions of cement pastes with an isotropic resolution close to 100 nm allowing distinguishing between component phases with very similar contrast in more conventional absorption-based X-ray tomography. The sample was prepared by hydrating ye'elimite with gypsum. Four datasets were recorded at 48, 53, 58 and 63 hours of hydration. The main aim of this imaging study was to quantify the microstructure evolution, within this time interval, with submicrometer spatial resolution. The different component phases were identified and their mass densities determined. Furthermore, the tomograms were segmented and the volume percentage of each component were determined and compared at the four hydrating ages. The overall porosity content (air and pore solution) decreased from 11.5 to 8.8 vol% and the anhydrous material content (ye'elimite and gypsum) decreased from 14.7 to 7.5 vol% in the studied time interval. Correspondingly, the hydrated content (crystalline ettringite and aluminum hydroxide gel) increased from 73.7 to 83.7 vol%. The time evolution of several anhydrous particles was analyzed to determine the dissolution rate of the ye'elimite particles. Similarly, the pore filling process has also been investigated by quantifying their time evolution. These rates are reported and some insights about the mechanisms of these processes are discussed.This work has been supported by MINECO through BIA2014−57658-C2-1-R and BIA2014-57658-C2-2-R, which is cofunded by FEDER, research grants. We thank SLS for providing beamtime at the cSAXS beamline. We also thank the Swiss National Science Foundation SNF for the support to the work of J.C.d.S. (Grant 137772). Instrumentation development was supported by SNF (R’EQUIP, No. 145056,“OMNY”) and the Competence Centre for Materials Science and Technology (CCMX) of the ETH-Board, Switzerland. In addition, the authors would like to thank Dr. Manuel Guizar-Sicairos for his valuable assistance with the ptychography and PXCT data analysis

The cytotoxic effect of TiF4 and NaF on fibroblasts is influenced by the experimental model, fluoride concentration and exposure time.

OBJECTIVE: Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) has shown promising effect in preventing tooth lesions. Therefore, we compared the cytotoxicity of TiF4 with sodium fluoride (NaF) (already applied in Dentistry) considering different fluoride concentrations, pH values and experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Step 1) NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were exposed to mediums containing NaF or TiF4 (from 0.15 to 2.45% F), both at native and adjusted pH, for 6 h. Step 2) NIH/3T3 were exposed to NaF or TiF4 varnishes with 0.95, 1.95 or 2.45% F (native pH), for 6, 12 or 24 h. We applied MTT (1st and 2nd steps) and Hoescht/PI stain (2nd step) assays. Step 3) NIH/3T3 were exposed to NaF or TiF4 varnish (2.45% F), at native pH, for 6 or 12 h. The cell stiffness was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). RESULTS: Step 1) All cells exposed to NaF or TiF4 mediums died, regardless of the F concentration and pH. Step 2) Both varnishes, at 1.90 and 2.45% F, reduced cell viability by similar extents (33-86% at 6 h, 35-93% at 12 h, and 87-98% at 24 h) compared with control, regardless of the type of fluoride. Varnishes with 0.95% F did not differ from control. Step 3) TiF4 and NaF reduced cell stiffness to a similar extent, but only TiF4 differed from control at 6 h. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the 3 experimental steps, we conclude that TiF4 and NaF have similar cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity was dependent on F concentration and exposure time. This result gives support for testing the effect of TiF4 varnish in vivo

Propriedades reológicas e efeito da adição de sal na viscosidade de exopolissacarídeos produzidos por bactérias do gênero Rhizobium

Viscosity of some polysaccharide solutions supports that these molecules can be applied in food sectors. Four exopolysaccharides (R1, R2, R3, R4) produced by different Rhizobium strains were selected. Sugar composition and differences in the uronic acid contents suggests that chemical structure of these molecules can vary when different culture conditions and strains are analyzed. The Power Law was the rheological model used to represent the experimental data of shear stress versus shear rate. All exopolysaccharides showed non-Newtonian behavior, with pseudoplastic characteristics. R1, R2 and R4 showed a slight increase in viscosity in the presence of 0,2 M NaCl

Enzyme replacement therapy with galsulfase in 34 children younger than five years of age with MPS VI

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) is a progressive, chronic and multisystem lysosomal storage disease with a wide disease spectrum. Clinical and biochemical improvements have been reported for MPS VI patients on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with rhASB (recombinant human arylsulfatase B; galsulfase, Naglazyme (R), BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.), making early diagnosis and intervention imperative for optimal patient outcomes. Few studies have included children younger than five years of age. This report describes 34 MPS VI patients that started treatment with galsulfase before five years of age.Methods: Data from patients who initiated treatment at <5 years of age were collected from patients' medical records. Baseline and follow-up assessments of common symptoms that led to diagnosis and that were used to evaluate disease progression and treatment efficacy were evaluated.Results: A significant negative correlation was seen with treatment with ERT and urinary GAG levels. of those with baseline and follow-up growth data, 47% remained on their pre-treatment growth curve or moved to a higher percentile after treatment. of the 9 patients with baseline and follow-up sleep studies, 5 remained unaffected and 1 patient initially with mild sleep apnea showed improvement. Data regarding cardiac, ophthalmic, central nervous system, hearing, surgical interventions and development are also reported. No patient discontinued treatment due to an adverse event and all that were treatment-emergent resolved.Conclusions: the prescribed dosage of 1 mg/kg IV weekly with galsulfase ERT is shown to be safe and effective in slowing and/or improving certain aspects of the disease, although patients should be closely monitored for complications associated with the natural history of the disease, especially cardiac valve involvement and spinal cord compression. A long-term follow-up investigation of this group of children will provide further information on the benefits of early treatment as well as disease progression and treatment efficacy and safety in this young patient population. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.ShireGenzymeBioMarinFiocruz MS, Inst Nacl Saude Mulher Crianca & Adolescente Fern, Ctr Genet Med, BR-22250020 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Serv Genet Med, Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Albert Sabin, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Fac Med, Campo Grande, MS USAUniv São Paulo, Inst Crianca, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Barao de Lucena, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Hosp Clin, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilCtr Reabilitacao Infantil, Natal, RN, BrazilHosp Univ Maranhao, Sao Luis, MA, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Referencia Erros Inatos Metab, São Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp São Paulo, Enzyme Replacement Therapy Serv, Hosp & Maternidade Celso Pierro, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, HOSPED, Hosp Pediat Prof Heriberto Ferreira Bezerra, Natal, RN, BrazilUniv Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, BR-59072970 Natal, RN, BrazilUniv Fed Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, BrazilHosp Clin Acre, Rio Branco, AC, BrazilUniv Fed Espirito Santo, HUCAM, Vitoria, ES, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Referencia Erros Inatos Metab, São Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp São Paulo, Enzyme Replacement Therapy Serv, Hosp & Maternidade Celso Pierro, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc