Durability of carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates

Due to their excellent mechanical properties and easy application Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are being successfully used to repair and renew old and damaged civil engineering infrastructures. In particular, the method of strengthening concrete members with externally bonding of CFRP laminates has become increasingly popular. In fact, extensive research has shown that this technique can lead to a substantial improvement in the fl exural and shear strength capacities of the member repaired. In such applications, materials involved will be exposed to outdoor environmental conditions, including humidity, water from rain, saline-water, ground water and high alkalinity solutions due to chemical composition of the concrete itself, as well as solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Thus, it is of great relevancy to study the durability of the materials involved, namely epoxy adhesives and CFRP laminates, as well as, the integrity of the entire system, when subjected to those environmental factors. This work is part of a much larger research study to predict the long-term behaviour of several commercial CFRP laminate/adhesive systems used in the rehabilitation of concrete structures. In the whole project it is recognised that the durability of these solutions depends not only on the durability of the composite materials but also on the performance of the systems used to bond them to the concrete. This present document provides details about the durability of CFRP laminates and the study carried out to investigate the environmental and accelerated ageing effects on three types of commercially available CFRP laminates. The changes in CFRP laminates properties after exposure up to 18 months under different environmental conditions – immersion in demineralised water, saline and alkaline solutions at room temperature, 40 ° C and 60 °C, as well as under constant humidity condensation atmosphere at 40 ° C – are reported and discussed. The results of tests performed in accelerated weathering chambers – with UV radiation – are also included. Results obtained offer valuable information about the progression of material degradation under different ageing conditions (some of them accelerated), which can be used, not only to characterise the behaviour of CFRP laminates, but also for a better understanding of the degradation mechanisms involved, which is a base for the design of service life-prediction models

First Record of Culex (Culex) brethesi (Dyar) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

This is the first record of Culex (Culex) brethesi (Dyar) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The species was identified from specimens collected in a sand bar vegetation with the aid of a Nasci's trap, during an expedition for surveillance of the West Nile Virus in July of 2006, in the city of Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Técnico e Científico (CNPq

Sodio urinario como factor pronóstico para mortalidad en pacientes con falla cardiaca agudamente descompensada

Introduction. Urinary sodium has been proposed as a prognostic marker and as an indicator of the diuretic response in patients with heart failure, nevertheless studies are heterogeneous.Objective. To evaluate the spot urinary sodium level as a risk factor for mortality in patients with decompensated heart failure.Materials and methods. This is a case-control study nested in a prospective cohort of patients with decompensated heart failure. The primary outcome was mortality at 180 days. A bivariate analysis was done to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality. Differences in clinical variables between groups with urinary sodium > or < 70mEq/L were analyzed.Results. 79 patients were included, 15 of them died at 180 days. The mean age of the patients was 68.9 years (SD: ±13.8), 30 were women (38%). Fifteen patients (18.9%) had urinary sodium <70 mEq/L. In the bivariate analysis, a significant association was found between mortality and past medical history of hospitalizations, SBP <90 mmHg, the use of inotropes, and urinary sodium <70 mEq/L. When comparing clinical characteristics, patients with low urinary sodium level more frequently had been hospitalized in the last year, had hyponatremia and hypotension at admission.Conclusion. Patients with urinary sodium <70 mEq/L have worse characteristics. In a bivariate analysis, urinary sodium was associated with 180-day mortality.Introducción. En los pacientes con falla cardíaca el sodio en orina se ha propuesto como marcador de gravedad y de resistencia a los diuréticos, pero los estudios son heterogéneos.Objetivo. Evaluar en los pacientes con falla cardiaca descompensada el sodio en orina ocasional como factor pronóstico para mortalidad.Materiales y métodos. Análisis anidado de casos y controles en una cohorte prospectiva de falla cardíaca descompensada. El desenlace primario fue mortalidad a 180 días. Se hizo un análisis bivariado para evaluar las variables que se asocian con la mortalidad. Se analizaron las diferencias de las variables clínicas entre los grupos con sodio urinario > ó < 70mEq/L. Resultados. se incluyeron 79 pacientes de los cuales 15 fallecieron a 180 días. La edad promedio fue de 68,9 años (DE: ±13,8), 30 eran mujeres (38%). Quince pacientes (18,9%) tuvieron un sodio en orina <70 mEq/L. En el análisis bivariado se encontró una asociación significativa de la mortalidad con las hospitalizaciones, la PAS < 90 mmHg, el uso de inotrópicos y el sodio urinario <70 mEq/L. Los pacientes con sodio urinario bajo más frecuentemente habían estado hospitalizados en el último año, tenían menores valores de sodio sérico y de presión arterial al ingreso.Conclusión. Los pacientes con sodio en orina <70 mEq/L tienen características de mayor gravedad. En un análisis bivariado el sodio en orina se asoció con la mortalidad a 180 días

Consensus document on the progression and treatment response criteria in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Purpose Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of low incidence neoplasms characterized by a low proliferative activity and slow growth. Their response to targeted therapies is heterogeneous and often does not lead to tumor shrinkage. Thus, evaluation of the therapeutic response should difer from other kind of tumors. Methods To answer relevant questions about which techniques are best in the assessment of progression or treatment response a RAND/UCLA-based consensus process was implemented. Relevant clinical questions were listed followed by a systematic search of the literature. The expert panel answered all questions with recommendations, combining available evidence and expert opinion. Recommendations were validated through a questionnaire and a participatory meeting. Results Expert recommendations regarding imaging tools for tumor assessment and evaluation of progression were agreed upon. Available imaging techniques were reviewed and recommendations for best patient monitoring practice and the best way to evaluate treatment response were formulated

Restricted intake and lipid inclusion in Santa Inês ewe lambs diet: age, weight and progesterone concentration at first ovulation.

Abstract: The age at first ovulation is influenced by several factors, and nutrition has an essential role on it. Lipids provide essential fatty acids that are positively associated to reproductive aspects. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of lipid inclusion and restricted intake on age and weight at the first ovulation and the serum progesterone (P4) concentration at the sixth day after first ovulation. Thirty-five Santa Inês ewe lambs with initial body weight (BW) of 21.5 ± 0.3 kg and age of 91.6 ± 1.4 days were used. Animals were blocked according to initial BW and distributed to one of four treatments: animals receiving diet without lipid inclusion (3.5% ether extract ? EE), ad libitum intake (WLI-ALI, control group, n = 9); diet without lipid inclusion and restricted intake (WLI-RI, n = 9); lipid inclusion diet, represented by toasted and broken soybean (9.8% EE), ad libitum intake (LIP-ALI, n = 8); and lipid inclusion diet and restricted intake (LIP-RI, n = 9). Ewe lambs subjected to restricted intake had 84% of the diet offered to those in ad libitum treatments. The individual daily dry matter intake (DMI) and EE intake (EEI) were measured and the animals were weekly weighted until 35 kg BW. For P4 analysis, blood samples were collected once a week after the animals reached 25 kg BW and twice a week after 30 kg until 35 kg BW. Ovulation was estimated to occur on the sixth day before P4 ?1 ng/mL. DMI, EEI, average daily weight gain until first ovulation (DWG), weight and age at first ovulation, serum P4 concentration and days in experiment until first ovulation were analyzed by GLM PROC of the SAS software (version 9.3). Ovulation occurred in 60% (21/35) of the ewe lambs (5; 5; 6; 5 from WLI-ALI; WLI-RI; LIP-ALI; and LIP-RI, respectively). DMI of ewe lambs from WLI-ALI group was greater (P 0.05) among WLI-ALI, WLI-RI, LIP-ALI, and LIP-RI treatments, respectively. The first ovulation in Santa Inês ewe lambs occurs at 30 kg BW. The restricted intake imposed in this study did not delay the age at fist ovulation. The greater lipid intake did not favor reproductive parameters. Serum P4 did not increase with the soybean inclusion in the diet. [Restrição alimentar e suplementação lipídica: idade, peso e concentração de progesterona até a primeira ovulação]. Resumo: A idade da primeira ovulação é influenciada por vários fatores e a nutrição tem um papel essencial. Lipídios fornecem ácidos graxos essenciais que estão associados de forma positiva aos aspectos reprodutivos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar os efeitos da inclusão lipídica e da restrição do consumo na idade e peso a primeira ovulação e na concentração sérica de progesterona (P4) no sexto dia após a primeira ovulação. Foram utilizadas trinta e cinco cordeiras Santa Inês com peso corporal (PC) inicial de 21,5±0,3 kg e idade de 91,6±1,4 dias. Os animais foram blocados de acordo com o PC inicial e distribuído a um dos quatro tratamentos: animais que receberam dieta sem inclusão de lipídeos (3,5% de extrato etéreo - EE), consumo ad libitum (SEM-ALI, grupo controle, n=9); dieta sem inclusão de lipídeos e restrição do consumo (SEMRE, n=9); dieta com inclusão lipídica, representada pela soja tostada e quebrada (9,8% EE), consumo ad libitum (LIP-ALI, n=8); e dieta com inclusão lipídica e restrição do consumo (LIP-RE, n=9). Cordeiras submetidas a restrição do consumo tiveram 84% da dieta oferecida em comparação aos tratamentos ad libitum. O consumo individual diário de matéria seca (CMS) e de EE (CEE) foram mensurados e os animais foram pesados semanalmente até 35 kg de PC. Para a análise de P4, amostras de sangue foram coletadas uma vez por semana depois que os animais atingiram 25 kg de PC e duas vezes por semana após 30 kg até 35 kg de PC. Estimou-se que a ovulação ocorreu no sexto dia que antecedeu P4?1 ng/mL. CMS, CEE, ganho de peso médio diário até a primeira ovulação (GPD), peso e idade da primeira ovulação, a concentração sérica de P4 e dias em experimento até a primeira ovulação foram analisados pelo PROC GLM do software SAS (versão 9.3). A ovulação ocorreu em 60% (21/35) das cordeiras (5; 5; 6; 5 do SEM-ALI; SEM-RE; LIP-ALI e LIP-RE, respectivamente). CMS de cordeiras do grupo SEM-ALI foi maior (P0,05) entre os tratamentos SEM-ALI, SEM-RE, LIP-ALI e LIP-RE, respectivamente. A primeira ovulação em borregas Santa Inês ocorreu com 30 kg de PC. A restrição do consumo imposta neste estudo não retardou a idade a primeira ovulação. A maior ingestão de lipídios não favoreceu os parâmetros reprodutivos. A P4 sérica não aumentou com a inclusão de soja na dieta.Proceedings of the 30th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE); Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil, August 25th to 27th, 2016, and 32nd Meeting of the European Embryo Transfer Association (AETE); Barcelona, Spain, September 9th and 10th, 2016

Genetic Screening of Mutations Associated with Fabry Disease in a Nationwide Cohort of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients

Fabry's disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder associated with an alpha-galactosidase A deficiency. The prevalence of FD among juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with established diagnosis is unknown, but as musculoskeletal pain may be an important complaint at presentation, misdiagnosed cases are anticipated. With this study, we aim to calculate the frequency of FD-associated mutations in a cohort of JIA patients. Children with JIA from a national cohort were selected. Clinical and laboratorial information was recorded in the Portuguese rheumatic diseases register (http://Reuma.pt). Molecular genetic testing to detectGLAgene mutations was performed. After the multiplex polymerase chain reactions technique for DNA amplification, direct sequencing of the complete sequence ofGLAgene was completed. From a cohort of 292 patients with JIA (188 females, 104 males), mutations were identified in 5 patients (all female). Four patients had the mutation D313Y, a rareGLAvariant, which is associated with low enzymatic levels in plasma, but normal lysosomal levels. One patient presented the missense mutation R118C, which was previously described in Mediterranean patients with FD. This is the first screening of FD mutations in a cohort of JIA patients. No "classic" pathogenic FD mutations were reported. The late-onset FD-associated mutation, R118C, was found in a frequency of 0.34% (1/292).publishersversionpublishe

Effects of grass silage and soybean meal supplementation on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles of grazing dairy cows

Copyright © American Dairy Science Association, 2008.The effects of supplementation with grass silage and replacement of some corn in the concentrate with soybean meal (SBM) on milk production, and milk fatty acid (FA) profiles were evaluated in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square study using 16 dairy cows grazing pasture composed of ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and white clover. Each experimental period lasted for 3 wk. The 4 dietary treatments were PC, 20 h of access to grazing pasture, supplemented with 6 kg/d of corn-based concentrate mixture (96% corn; C); PCSB, 20 h of access to grazing pasture, supplemented with 6 kg/d of corn- and SBM-based concentrate mixture (78% corn and 18% SBM; CSB); SC, 7 h of access to grazing pasture during the day and 13 h of ad libitum access to grass silage at night, supplemented with 6 kg/d of C concentrate; and SCSB, 7 h of access to grazing pasture during the day and 13 h of ad libitum access to grass silage at night, supplemented with 6 kg/d of CSB concentrate. The concentrate mixtures were offered twice each day in the milking parlor and were consumed completely. Grass silage supplementation reduced dietary crude protein and concentration of total sugars, and dietary SBM inclusion increased dietary crude protein concentration and decreased dietary starch concentration. Milk yield and energy-corrected milk were increased by SBM supplementation of cows with access to grass silage. Milk protein concentration was lower in cows offered grass silage, regardless of whether SBM was fed. Dietary SBM inclusion tended to increase milk fat concentration. Plasma urea N was reduced by silage feeding and increased by SBM supplementation. Supplementation with grass silage overnight could represent a useful strategy for periods of lower pasture availability. Dietary inclusion of SBM in solely grazing cows had no effects on milk production and composition, exacerbated the inefficient capture of dietary N, and increased diet cost. Grass silage supplementation affected milk FA profiles, increasing both the FA derived from de novo synthesis and those derived from rumen microbial biomass, and decreasing the sum of C18 FA (mostly derived from diet or from mobilization of adipose tissue reserves). Milk fat concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid cis-9, trans-11, vaccenic acid (18:1 trans-11), and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) were unaffected by grass silage supplementation, suggesting that partial replacement of pasture by unwilted grass silage does not compromise the dietary quality of milk fat for humans

Tuberculosis among HIV-1-infected subjects in a tertiary out-patient service in São Paulo city, Brazil

Atualmente, a tuberculose (TB) é considerada a doença infecciosa mais importante entre os pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1 nos países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. Análise retrospectiva dos casos de tuberculose ocorridos a partir de janeiro 1995 até dezembro de 2010 foi realizada em nossa coorte de 599 pacientes HIV positivos. O desfecho primário foi a ocorrência de TB ativa, e 41 casos da doença foram diagnosticados durante este período de 16 anos. As contagens médias do nadir de células T CD4 e ao momento do diagnóstico de TB foram de 146 e 217 células/mm³, respectivamente. A carga viral média de HIV foi de 5,19 log10 cópias/mL, e 59% dos pacientes estavam em tratamento com ART. A incidência de TB foi de 1,47 casos por 100 pessoas-ano, para um tempo total de seguimento da coorte de 2775 pessoas-ano. A probabilidade de sobreviver até 10 anos após o diagnóstico foi de 75% para pacientes com TB, em oposição a 96% para pacientes com outras doenças oportunistas não-TB (p = 0,03). A tuberculose pode ser considerada problema de saúde pública entre as pessoas que vivem com HIV no Brasil, apesar da ampla utilização de anti-retrovirais para o tratamento da infecção pelo HIV / AIDS.TB is currently considered to be the most important infectious disease among HIV-1-infected subjects in developing countries, such as Brazil. A retrospective analysis of TB cases was performed, occurring from January 1995 to December 2010 in our cohort of 599 HIV positive patients. The primary outcome was the occurrence of active TB. Forty-one TB cases were diagnosed over this period of 16 years, among 599 HIV positive patients in an open cohort setting in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. All-time lowest mean CD4 T cell count at the time of TB diagnosis was 146 and 186 cells/mm³, respectively. The mean HIV viral load was 5.19 log10 copies/mL, and 59% of the patients were on HAART. TB incidence was 1.47 per 100 person-years, for a total follow-up time of 2775 person-years. The probability of surviving up to 10 years after diagnosis was 75% for TB patients as opposed to 96% for patients with other, non-TB opportunistic diseases (p = 0.03). TB can be considered a public health problem among people living with HIV in Brazil despite of the widespread use of antiretrovirals for the treatment of HIV infection/AIDS

Covalent Plasmodium falciparum-selective proteasome inhibitors exhibit a low propensity for generating resistance in vitro and synergize with multiple antimalarial agents

Therapeutics with novel modes of action and a low risk of generating resistance are urgently needed to combat drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here, we report that the peptide vinyl sulfones WLL-vs (WLL) and WLW-vs (WLW), highly selective covalent inhibitors of the P. falciparum proteasome, potently eliminate genetically diverse parasites, including K13-mutant, artemisinin-resistant lines, and are particularly active against ring-stage parasites. Selection studies reveal that parasites do not readily acquire resistance to WLL or WLW and that mutations in the β2, β5 or β6 subunits of the 20S proteasome core particle or in components of the 19S proteasome regulatory particle yield only <five-fold decreases in parasite susceptibility. This result compares favorably against previously published non-covalent inhibitors of the Plasmodium proteasome that can select for resistant parasites with >hundred-fold decreases in susceptibility. We observed no cross-resistance between WLL and WLW. Moreover, most mutations that conferred a modest loss of parasite susceptibility to one inhibitor significantly increased sensitivity to the other. These inhibitors potently synergized multiple chemically diverse classes of antimalarial agents, implicating a shared disruption of proteostasis in their modes of action. These results underscore the potential of targeting the Plasmodium proteasome with covalent small molecule inhibitors as a means of combating multidrug-resistant malaria