Planos e ações do Brasil para questões ambientais após a ECO 92

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Márcio CataldoMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Curso de Especialização em Projetos Sustentáveis, Mudanças Climáticas e Mercado de CarbonoInclui referênciasResumo: Em 1992, o Brasil foi palco de um dos maiores eventos que colocou em pauta as discussões ambientais. Na Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre o Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, ou ECO 92, como ficou conhecida, foi discutido o desenvolvimento econômico assegurando a proteção social e ambiental. Dentre as convenções originadas durante o evento, destaca-se a Convenção Quadro das Nações Unidas para as Mudanças do Clima onde foi exposto o reconhecimento que a mudança do clima da Terra traria efeitos negativos comuns à humanidade e esboçou-se medidas a fim de proteger o sistema climático para gerações presente e futuras. Em revisão sistemática nas bases nacionais de dados dos Ministérios do Meio Ambiente; Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação; Planejamento, Orçamento e Gestão, pode-se levantar, através de projetos, planos e ações, a forma como o Brasil vem tratando internamente as questões referentes aos compromissos assumidos na convenção. Mesmo diante do desafio de desenvolver-se superando a necessidade de manter-se alinhado com seus compromissos, o país vem apresentando coerentes intenções e amadurecimento ao tratar o assunto ao longo desses 20 anos. Evidências disso são as abordagens do tema Mudanças Climáticas nos Planos Plurianuais; as políticas públicas referentes ao tema e os programas de medidas de mitigação e adaptação às mudanças do clima

Potencial antioxidante e síntese de nanopartículas de óxido de cobre a partir de extratos vegetais de Piper amalago L. (Piperaceae)

Piper amalago L. popularly known as jaborandi-manso, jaborandi-falso and jaborandinhandi is widely used in the Brazilian folk medicine for treating urinary calculus diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and determine the levels of phenols, flavonoids and total tannins of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of P. amalago leaves, as well as to synthesize and characterize copper oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract, in addition to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Quantification of total phenols, flavonoids and tannins was performed by spectrophotometry in the visible region and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH• free radical scavenging method. The synthesis of nanoparticles was prepared with a solution containing aqueous extract of the leaves and copper salt. Subsequently, the characterization was performed by microscopy and FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity; the ethanol extract was the most active, reducing the DPPH• at a concentration of 100 μg.mL-1 by more than 90%. This extract also presented the highest levels of total phenols (199.17 ± 4.11mg GAE/g extract), total flavonoids (30.84 ± 0.59 mg QE/g extract) and total tannins (158.30 ± 4.83 mg TAE/g extract). The generated nanoparticles showed no great capacity to reduce DPPH•. The results suggest that the antioxidant potential evidenced by P. amalago extracts is mainly related to the presence of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins, recognized as antioxidants and confirmed the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles, but with the lowest antioxidant potential.Piper amalago L. conhecida popularmente como jaborandi-manso, jaborandi-falso e jaborandinhandi é muito utilizada na medicina popular brasileira no tratamento de doenças do cálculo urinário. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a atividade antioxidante e determinar os teores de fenóis, flavonoides e taninos totais dos extratos etanólico e aquoso das folhas de P. amalago, bem como sintetizar e caracterizar nanopartículas de óxido de cobre utilizando o extrato aquoso, além de avaliar sua atividade antioxidante. A quantificação de fenóis, flavonoides e taninos totais foi realizada por espectrofotometria na região do visível e a atividade antioxidante avaliada pelo método de sequestro do radical livre DPPH•. A síntese das nanopartículas foi preparada com uma solução contendo extrato aquoso das folhas e sal de cobre e a caracterização foi realizada por microscopia e espectroscopia de FTIR e UV-Vis. Ambos os extratos apresentaram ação antioxidante, sendo o extrato etanólico o mais ativo reduzindo em mais de 90% o DPPH• na concentração de 100 μg.mL-1. Este extrato foi também o que apresentou os maiores teores de fenóis totais (199,17 ± 4,11mg de EAG/g), flavonoides totais (30,84 ± 0,59 mg de EQ/g) e taninos totais (158,30 ± 4,83 mg de EAT/g). As nanopartículas geradas não apresentaram a menor ação de redução de DPPH•. Os resultados sugerem que a potencialidade antioxidante evidenciada pelos extratos de P. amalago está relacionada, principalmente à presença de compostos fenólicos, como flavonoides e taninos e confirmaram a síntese verde das nanopartículas de óxido de cobre, porém com o menor potencial antioxidante

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer metastasis through the lymphatic syste

It was already in the 18th century when the French surgeon LeDran first noted that breast cancer patients with spread of tumor cells to their axillary lymph nodes had a drastically worse prognosis than patients without spread (LeDran et al., ). Since then, metastatic spread of cancer cells to regional lymph nodes has been established as the most important prognostic factor in many types of cancer (Carter et al., ; Elston and Ellis, ). However, despite its clinical importance, lymph metastasis remains an underexplored area of tumor biology. Fundamental questions, such as when, how, and perhaps most importantly, why tumor cells disseminate through the lymphatic system, remain largely unanswered. Accordingly, no treatment strategies exist that specifically target lymph metastasis. The identification of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a mechanism, which allows cancer cells to dedifferentiate and acquire enhanced migratory and invasive properties, has been a game changer in cancer research. Conceptually, EMT provides an explanation for why epithelial cancers with poor differentiation status are generally more aggressive and prone to metastasize than more differentiated cancers. Inflammatory cytokines, such as TGF-β, which are produced and secreted by tumor-infiltrating immune cells, are potent inducers of EMT. Thus, reactivation of EMT also links cancer-related inflammation to invasive and metastatic disease. Recently, we found that breast cancer cells undergoing TGF-β- induced EMT acquire properties of immune cells allowing them to disseminate in a targeted fashion through the lymphatic system similar to activated dendritic cells during inflammation. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms by which cancer cells spread through the lymphatic system and the links to inflammation and the immune system. We also emphasize how imaging techniques have the potential to further expand our knowledge of the mechanisms of lymph metastasis, and how lymph nodes serve as an interface between cancer and the immune system

EvoEvo Deliverable 6.8: Final report

Final report of the EvoEvo project

Assessment of ataxia rating scales and cerebellar functional tests : critique and recommendations

Background: We assessed the clinimetric properties of ataxia rating scales and functional tests, and made recommendations regarding their use. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify the instruments used to rate ataxia symptoms. The identified rating scales and functional ability tests were reviewed and ranked by the panel as "recommended," "suggested," or "listed" for the assessment of patients with discrete cerebellar disorders, using previously established criteria. Results: We reviewed 14 instruments (9 rating scales and 5 functional tests). "Recommended" rating scales for the assessment of symptoms severity were: for Friedreich's ataxia, the Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale, the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA); for spinocerebellar ataxias, ICARS and SARA; for ataxia telangiectasia: ICARS and SARA; for brain tumors, SARA; for congenital disorder of glycosylation-phosphomannomutase-2 deficiency, ICARS; for cerebellar symptoms in multiple sclerosis, ICARS; for cerebellar symptoms in multiple system atrophy: Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale and ICARS; and for fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome, ICARS. "Recommended" functional tests were: for Friedreich's ataxia, Ataxia Functional Composite Score and Composite Cerebellar Functional Severity Score; and for spinocerebellar ataxias, Ataxia Functional Composite Score, Composite Cerebellar Functional Severity Score, and SCA Functional Index. Conclusions: We identified some "recommended" scales and functional tests for the assessment of patients with major hereditary ataxias and other cerebellar disorders. The main limitations of these instruments include the limited assessment of patients in the more severe end of the spectrum and children. Further research in these populations is warranted

Organ-specific COP1 control of BES1 stability adjusts plant growth patterns under shade or warmth

Under adverse conditions such as shade or elevated temperatures, cotyledon expansion is reduced and hypocotyl growth is promoted to optimize plant architecture. The mechanisms underlying the repression of cotyledon cell expansion remain unknown. Here, we report that the nuclear abundance of the BES1 transcription factor decreased in the cotyledons and increased in the hypocotyl in Arabidopsis thaliana under shade or warmth. Brassinosteroid levels did not follow the same trend. PIF4 and COP1 increased their nuclear abundance in both organs under shade or warmth. PIF4 directly bound the BES1 promoter to enhance its activity but indirectly reduced BES1 expression. COP1 physically interacted with the BES1 protein, promoting its proteasome degradation in the cotyledons. COP1 had the opposite effect in the hypocotyl, demonstrating organ-specific regulatory networks. Our work indicates that shade or warmth reduces BES1 activity by transcriptional and post-translational regulation to inhibit cotyledon cell expansion.Peer reviewe

PROPHETIC: Prospective Identification of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the leading infection-related cause of death. Using simple clinical criteria and contemporary epidemiology to identify patients at high risk of nosocomial pneumonia should enhance prevention efforts and facilitate development of new treatments in clinical trials. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the clinical criteria and contemporary epidemiology trends helpful in identifying patients at high risk of nosocomial pneumonia? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Within the intensive care units of 28 United States hospitals, we conducted a prospective cohort study among adults hospitalized more than 48 hours and considered high risk for pneumonia (defined as treatment with invasive or noninvasive ventilatory support or high levels of supplemental oxygen). We estimated the proportion of high-risk patients developing nosocomial pneumonia. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified patient characteristics and treatment exposures associated with increased risk of pneumonia development during the intensive care unit admission. RESULTS: Between February 6, 2016 and October 7, 2016, 4613 high-risk patients were enrolled. Among 1464/4613 (32%) high-risk patients treated for possible nosocomial pneumonia, 537/1464 (37%) met the study pneumonia definition. Among high-risk patients, a multivariable logistic model was developed to identify key patient characteristics and treatment exposures associated with increased risk of nosocomial pneumonia development (c-statistic 0.709, 95% confidence interval 0.686 to 0.731). Key factors associated with increased odds of nosocomial pneumonia included an admission diagnosis of trauma or cerebrovascular accident, receipt of enteral nutrition, documented aspiration risk, and receipt of systemic antibacterials within the preceding 90 days. INTERPRETATION: Treatment for nosocomial pneumonia is common among intensive care unit patients receiving high levels of respiratory support, yet more than half of patients treated do not fulfill standard diagnostic criteria for pneumonia. Application of simple clinical criteria may improve the feasibility of clinical trials of pneumonia prevention and treatment by facilitating prospective identification of patients at highest risk

PROPHETIC EU: Prospective Identification of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Patients in the Intensive Care Unit in European and United States Cohorts

Background The prospective identification of patients at high risk for hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia may improve clinical trial feasibility and foster antibacterial development. In a prior study conducted in the United States, clinical criteria were used to prospectively identify these patients; however, these criteria have not been applied in a European population. Methods Adults considered high risk for pneumonia (treatment with ventilation or high levels of supplemental oxygen) in the intensive care units of 7 European hospitals were prospectively enrolled from June 12 to December 27, 2017. We estimated the proportion of high-risk patients developing pneumonia according to US Food and Drug Administration guidance and a subset potentially eligible for antibacterial trial enrollment. We compared patient characteristics, treatment exposures, and pneumonia incidence in a European cohort and a previously described US cohort. Results Of 888 high-risk patients, 211/888 (24%) were treated for possible pneumonia, and 150/888 (17%) met the Food and Drug Administration definition for hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. A higher proportion of European patients treated for possible pneumonia met the pneumonia definition (150/211 [71%] vs 537/1464 [37%]; P < .001). Among patients developing pneumonia, a higher proportion of European patients met antibacterial trial eligibility criteria (124/150 [83%] vs 371/537 [69%]; P < .001). Conclusions Clinical criteria prospectively identified high-risk patients with high rates of pneumonia in the European cohort. Despite higher rates of established risk factors and incident pneumonia, European patients were significantly less likely to receive antibiotics for possible pneumonia than US patients. Different treatment practices may contribute to lower rates of antibacterial trial enrollment in the United States

The Ninth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III) presents the first spectroscopic data from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). This ninth data release (DR9) of the SDSS project includes 535,995 new galaxy spectra (median z=0.52), 102,100 new quasar spectra (median z=2.32), and 90,897 new stellar spectra, along with the data presented in previous data releases. These spectra were obtained with the new BOSS spectrograph and were taken between 2009 December and 2011 July. In addition, the stellar parameters pipeline, which determines radial velocities, surface temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities of stars, has been updated and refined with improvements in temperature estimates for stars with T_eff<5000 K and in metallicity estimates for stars with [Fe/H]>-0.5. DR9 includes new stellar parameters for all stars presented in DR8, including stars from SDSS-I and II, as well as those observed as part of the SDSS-III Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration-2 (SEGUE-2). The astrometry error introduced in the DR8 imaging catalogs has been corrected in the DR9 data products. The next data release for SDSS-III will be in Summer 2013, which will present the first data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) along with another year of data from BOSS, followed by the final SDSS-III data release in December 2014.Comment: 9 figures; 2 tables. Submitted to ApJS. DR9 is available at http://www.sdss3.org/dr

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London