Um grande surto de Legionella ausente do debate público

The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that hit Portugal in November 2014 was the third largest worldwide and was declared a “great public health emergency”. Nonetheless, the Portuguese outbreak, despite killing 12 people and infecting 375 others did not promote extensive media coverage, nor did it make it into the political debate. We conducted a quantitative analysis of 83 news pieces on Legionella published in four national newspapers, and interviewed the journalists who covered this outbreak. The communication process was controlled by a small group of official sources and the outbreak was pushed away from news lineups due to two political scandals. The production of another news wave made the outbreak’s news wave to break prematurely.O surto de Legionella que atingiu Portugal em novembro de 2014 foi o terceiro maior em nível mundial, constituindo “uma grande emergência de saúde pública”. Ainda assim, o surto português não promoveu uma longa cobertura mediática, apesar das 12 mortes e 375 pessoas infetadas. Nem entrou no debate político. Fizemos uma análise quantitativa das 83 notícias sobre Legionella publicadas em quatro jornais nacionais, e conduzimos entrevistas com os jornalistas que cobriram este surto. O processo comunicativo foi controlado por um pequeno grupo de fontes oficiais, e o surto foi rapidamente afastado dos alinhamentos noticiosos, sendo substituído por dois escândalos políticos. A produção de outra onda noticiosa fez com que a onda noticiosa do surto de Legionella se quebrasse prematuramente.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Soluble human Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 is associated with endoscopic activity in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis treated with golimumab

Suppressor of Tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is an IL33 receptor detected in the mucosa and serum of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. We evaluated soluble ST2 (sST2) as a surrogate biomarker of disease outcome and therapeutic response, in moderate-to-severe UC patients treated with golimumab.Agência financiadora Merck Sharp and Dohme, Lda, Portugal MK8259-22info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Urinary incontinence related to perineal muscle strength in the first trimester of pregnancy: cross-sectional study

Objective To analyze pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS), urinary continence and quality of life related to urinary incontinence (UI) of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Method Cross-sectional study with a sample of 500 women who started prenatal care in a complementary healthcare facility in Guarulhos, state of São Paulo, from 2012 and 2013. Pelvic floor muscle strength was evaluated through perineometry. The pregnant women who presented UI answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results It was found that maternal age (OR=1.06; CI95% 1.02-1.11) and prior UI (OR=15.12; 95%CI 8.19-27.92) are the variables that, in tandem, best explain the occurrence of UI at the beginning of pregnancy. The mean score on the ICIQ-SF was 8.2 (SD=3.9), considered a moderate impact on quality of life. Conclusion Older pregnant women with prior UI are more likely to have UI in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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DODAB and DODAC bilayer-like aggregates in the micromolar surfactant concentration domain

In the millimolar concentration domain (typically 1 mM), dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and chloride (DODAX, X representing Br- or Cl- counterions) molecules assemble in water as large unilamellar vesicles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a suitable technique to obtain the melting temperature (Tm) characteristic of surfactant bilayers, while fluorescence spectroscopy detects formation of surfactant aggregates, like bilayers. These two techniques were combined to investigate the assemble of DODAX molecules at micromolar concentrations, from 10 to 100 micromolar. At 1 mM surfactant, Tm ~ 45 ºC and 49 oC, respectively for DODAB and DODAC. DSC and fluorescence of Nile Red were used to show the formation of DODAX aggregates, at the surfactant concentration as low as 10 micromolar, whose Tm decreases monotonically with increasing DODAX concentration to attain the value for the ordinary vesicles. The data indicate that these aggregates are organized as bilayer-like structures.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Myths of Multipolarity: The Sources of Brazil's Foreign Policy Overstretch

In this article, we provide a framework to analyze the foreign policy overstretch of middle powers, that is, their recent tendency to expand foreign policy goals and ambitions beyond their capabilities. We propose that overstretch results from the interaction of permissive international environments and the collusion of domestic actors to produce foreign policy myths. These myths, in turn, justify unsustainable swelling of foreign policy expenditures until they are shattered. After laying out our theory, we test it against the case of twenty-first-century Brazil. First, we document how interest groups logrolled to foster and capitalize on a “myth of multipolarity,” which, once entrenched in elite discourse and public opinion, resulted in a tangible overgrowth of foreign policy. Second, we show the extent of overstretch across four indicators—number of embassies, participation in peacekeeping operations, membership in international organizations, and aid projects overseas—using the synthetic control method to compare Brazil with a plausible counterfactual

Historical analysis of the Brazilian cervical cancer screening program from 2006 to 2013: a time for reflection

BACKGROUND: The Cervical Cancer Database of the Brazilian National Health Service (SISCOLO) contains information regarding all cervical cytological tests and, if properly explored, can be used as a tool for monitoring and managing the cervical cancer screening program. The aim of this study was to perform a historical analysis of the cervical cancer screening program in Brazil from 2006 to 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data necessary to calculate quality indicators were obtained from the SISCOLO, a Brazilian health system tool. Joinpoint analysis was used to calculate the annual percentage change. RESULTS: We observed important trends showing decreased rates of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and an increased rate of rejected exams from 2009 to 2013. The index of positivity was maintained at levels below those indicated by international standards; very low frequencies of unsatisfactory cases were observed over the study period, which partially contradicts the low rate of positive cases. The number of positive cytological diagnoses was below that expected, considering that developed countries with low frequencies of cervical cancer detect more lesions annually. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of indicators from 2006 to 2013 suggests that actions must be taken to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer control in Brazil

Effect of hemicellulose liquid phase on the enzymatic hydrolysis of autohydrolyzed Eucalyptus globulus wood

In this work, Eucalyptus globulus wood was pretreated under non-isothermal autohydrolysis process at 210, 220, and 230 °C, obtaining a pretreated solid with high cellulose content and a hemicellulosic liquid phase (HLP) containing mainly xylose, acetic acid, furfural, xylooligosaccharides, and phenolic compounds. The maximum concentration of xylooligosaccharides (8.97 g/L) and phenolic compounds (2.66 g/L) was obtained at 210 and 230 °C, respectively. To evaluate the effect of HLP addition on the enzymatic hydrolysis using unwashed pretreated solid as substrate, different proportions of HLP were studied. Also, in order to use the whole slurry on enzymatic hydrolysis, the supplementation of xylanases was evaluated. Glucose concentration of 107.49 g/L (corresponding to 74.65 % of conversion) was obtained using pretreated solid at 220 °C liquid/solid ratio (LSR) of 4 g/g and enzyme solid ratio (ESR) of 25 FPU/gwithout the addition of HLP. Thus, it was shown that the unwashed pretreated solids are susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis contributing to reduce operational cost (water consumption). Additionally, the influence of the inhibitory compounds in the HLP was shown to affect the enzymatic hydrolysis. Results indicated that 82.52 g/L of glucose (59.37 % of conversion) was obtained, using 100 % of HLP at LSR of 4 g/g and ESR of 16 FPU/g at 210 °C of pretreated solid. However, a positive effect was shown on the enzymatic hydrolysis when the xylanases were added using 100 % of HLP, increasing to 35 and 27 % in the glucose production with respect to whole slurry without addition of xylanases.The authors A. Romani and F. B. Pereira thank to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for their fellowships (grant number, SFRH/BPD/77995/2011 and SFRH/BD/64776/2009, respectively)

High connectivity of the Crocodile Shark between the Atlantic and Southwest Indian Oceans: highlights for conservation

Among the various shark species that are captured as bycatch in commercial fishing operations, the group of pelagic sharks is still one of the least studied and known. Within those, the crocodile shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, a small-sized lamnid shark, is occasionally caught by longline vessels in certain regions of the tropical oceans worldwide. However, the population dynamics of this species, as well as the impact of fishing mortality on its stocks, are still unknown, with the crocodile shark currently one of the least studied of all pelagic sharks. Given this, the present study aimed to assess the population structure of P. kamoharai in several regions of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans using genetic molecular markers. The nucleotide composition of the mitochondrial DNA control region of 255 individuals was analyzed, and 31 haplotypes were found, with an estimated diversity Hd = 0.627, and a nucleotide diversity pi = 0.00167. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a fixation index phi(ST) = -0.01118, representing an absence of population structure among the sampled regions of the Atlantic Ocean, and between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. These results show a high degree of gene flow between the studied areas, with a single genetic stock and reduced population variability. In panmictic populations, conservation efforts can be concentrated in more restricted areas, being these representative of the total biodiversity of the species. When necessary, this strategy could be applied to the genetic maintenance of P. kamoharai.Foundation for Research Support of the Sao Paulo State - FAPESP [2011/23787-0, 2010/51903-2]; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [SFRH/BPD/93936/2013]; Foundation for Research Support of the Sao Paulo State - FAPESP [2011/23787-0, 2010/51903-2]; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [SFRH/BPD/93936/2013]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HFE variants and the expression of iron-related proteins in breast cancer-associated lymphocytes and macrophages

Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5264664/The association of HFE (High Iron FE) major variants with breast cancer risk and behavior has been a matter of discussion for a long time. However, their impact on the expression of iron-related proteins in the breast cancer tissue has never been addressed. In the present study, hepcidin, ferroportin 1, transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), and ferritin expressions, as well as tissue iron deposition were evaluated in a collection of samples from breast cancers patients and analyzed according to the patients’ HFE genotype. Within the group of patients with invasive carcinoma, those carrying the p.Cys282Tyr variant in heterozygosity presented a higher expression of hepcidin in lymphocytes and macrophages than wild-type or p.His63Asp carriers. An increased expression of TfR1 was also observed in all the cell types analyzed but only in p.Cys282Tyr/p.His63Asp compound heterozygous patients. A differential impact of the two HFE variants was further noticed with the observation of a significantly higher percentage of p.Cys282Tyr heterozygous patients presenting tissue iron deposition in comparison to p.His63Asp heterozygous. In the present cohort, no significant associations were found between HFE variants and classical clinicopathological markers of breast cancer behavior and prognosis. Although limited by a low sampling size, our results provide a new possible explanation for the previously reported impact of HFE major variants on breast cancer progression, i.e., not by influencing systemic iron homeostasis but rather by differentially modulating the local cellular expression of iron-related proteins and tissue iron deposition.OM is a recipient of the PhD grant SFRH/BD/2011/78184 from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). The authors also acknowledge financial support from ICBAS/AI&NSUMIB and by national funds through FCT and Ministério da Educação e Ciência (MEC) and when applicable co-funded by FEDER funds within the partnership agreement PT2020 related with the research unit number 4293.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The influence of alkalosis on repeated high-intensity exercise performance and acid–base balance recovery in acute moderate hypoxic conditions

Purpose Exacerbated hydrogen cation (H⁺) production is suggested to be a key determinant of fatigue in acute hypoxic conditions. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of NaHCO3 ingestion on repeated 4 km TT cycling performance and post-exercise acid–base balance recovery in acute moderate hypoxic conditions. Methods Ten male trained cyclists completed four repeats of 2 × 4 km cycling time trials (TT1 and TT2) with 40 min passive recovery, each on different days. Each TT series was preceded by supplementation of one of the 0.2 g kg⁻¹ BM NaHCO3 (SBC2), 0.3 g kg⁻¹ BM NaHCO3 (SBC3), or a taste-matched placebo (0.07 g kg⁻¹ BM sodium chloride; PLA), administered in a randomized order. Supplements were administered at a pre-determined individual time to peak capillary blood bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3⁻]). Each TT series was also completed in a normobaric hypoxic chamber set at 14.5% FiO2 (~ 3000 m). Results Performance was improved following SBC3 in both TT1 (400.2 ± 24.1 vs. 405.9 ± 26.0 s; p = 0.03) and TT2 (407.2 ± 29.2 vs. 413.2 ± 30.8 s; p = 0.01) compared to PLA, displaying a very likely benefit in each bout. Compared to SBC2, a likely and possible benefit was also observed following SBC3 in TT1 (402.3 ± 26.5 s; p = 0.15) and TT2 (410.3 ± 30.8 s; p = 0.44), respectively. One participant displayed an ergolytic effect following SBC3, likely because of severe gastrointestinal discomfort, as SBC2 still provided ergogenic effects. Conclusion NaHCO3 ingestion improves repeated exercise performance in acute hypoxic conditions, although the optimal dose is likely to be 0.3 g kg⁻¹ BM