Collision-Induced Effects on the Dielectric Properties of Liquid Dimethylsulfoxide

We present a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study of the dielectric properties of liquid dimethyl sulfoxide that includes interaction-induced effects due to molecular polarizability using a perturbative scheme in which the induced dipoles are computed a posteriori from the MD trajectories generated without explicit inductive forces. Static and dynamical quantities of relevance to the dielectric characterization of the liquid are reported for both polarizable and nonpolarizable versions of the system's collective dipolar densities. Our analysis within this scheme indicates that the role of the interaction induced contributions is predominantly to renormalize the magnitude of the permanent dipole fluctuations, with marginal effects upon the system's dielectric relaxation in the rotational-diffusion, microwave region of the spectrum. At higher frequencies, however, where the dielectric absorption is dominated by fast intermolecular librational motions, the dynamical effects of the molecular polarizability are more pronounced. In the presence of interaction induced contributions, the location of the peak in the MD far infrared absorption coefficient is in much better agreement with recent spectroscopic measurements of the intermolecular dynamics of this liquid.É apresentado um estudo por simulação de dinâmica molecular das propriedades dielétricas do dimetil sulfóxido líquido, onde são incluídos efeitos de indução devido à polarizabilidade molecular através de perturbação em primeira ordem. Neste formalismo, os dipolos induzidos são computados a partir de trajetórias geradas pelos potenciais intermoleculares isentos de forças indutivas. Propriedades dielétricas estáticas e dinâmicas são computadas para as versões polarizável e não-polarizável da densidade dipolar. As análises indicam que o principal papel das componentes de indução nesta abordagem é o de renormalizar o valor das flutuações estáticas dos dipolos permanentes, sendo apenas marginal a influência sobre as propriedades de relaxação no regime de difusão rotacional que caracteriza o espectro na região de micro-ondas. Entretanto, para maiores frequências, onde a absorção dielétrica é predominantemente determinada por movimentos intermoleculares libracionais, os efeitos dinâmicos da polarizabilidade molecular são mais aparentes. Na presença de contribuições indutivas, o máximo do espectro infravermelho obtido das simulações está em melhor concordância com recentes medidas espectroscópicas da dinâmica intermolecular deste líquido.583591Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

A review on the dynamics of water

We present a review on the intermolecular dynamics of liquid aqueous systems focusing mainly on Molecular Dynamics simulation work that has been carried out at the State University of Campinas in recent years. Emphasis is given on simulation results that are more directly related to modern experimental spectroscopic measurements.316Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Performance of Finishing Nellore Beef Steers in Intensively Managed Pastures and Silvopastoral Systems in Southeast of Brazil

This study evaluated the average daily weight gain (ADG), stocking rates, and live weight gain per hectare (LWG) in different intensified animal production systems. The experiment was carried out from September 2020 to September 2021 at Embrapa Southeast Livestock, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Thirty Nellore steers (285±21 kg of live weight and 12±13 months old) were randomly distributed into five treatments, with two replicates: 1) intensively managed and irrigated Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture overseeded in the dry season with Avena byzantina and Lolium multiflorum (IHS); 2) intensively managed rainfed M. maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture (RHS); 3) intensively managed rainfed pasture with a mix of Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk and U. brizantha cv. Marandu (RMS); 4) intensively managed silvopastoral system with U. decumbens cv. Basilisk and Brazilian native trees (312 trees ha-1) (LFS); and 5) extensively managed degraded pasture of U. brizantha cv. Marandu and U. decumbens cv. Basilisk (DP). Data were submitted to analysis of variance considering treatments and seasons as fixed effects, and the interaction between treatment×season was tested. Means were compared by the Fisher test at 5% using the PROC MIXED of SAS. For all parameters, significant interaction was found (P\u3c .0001). In general, higher ADG, stocking rate and LWG values were found for IHS (0.82 kg d-1, 6.03 AU ha-1 and 459.9 kg ha-1, respectively), while the lowest values were found for DP (0.33 kg d-1); for LFS (1.16 AU ha-1); and for LFS and DP (71.0 and 68.9 kg ha-1, respectively). It is important to consider that for LFS the competition for natural resources between the system components (pasture and trees) together with low temperatures and soil moisture during the autumn and winter seasons may explain the unexpected low performances. Overall, our results showed that more intensified systems allowed better animal performances when compared to DP

Brazilian older people hospitalized by COVID-19: characteristics and prognostic factors in a retrospective cohort study

Objective: analyzing the survival of older people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Brazil and identifying its main predictive factors for death. Method: this is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study, based on 20,831 records of hospitalizations of older people due to SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. The observation period was from February 28 to May 18, 2020. Results: there was a reduced overall survival time of 47.70% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [46.72%, 48.67%]) in 10 days. The variables age, race, education, intensive care unit (ICU), region, day of hospitalization, time elapsed between the first symptom and hospitalization, and the municipality that provided assistance showed increased risk of death using the multiple Cox proportional-hazards model. Conclusion: these results emphasize the relevance of inequality and access to health services as determinants for the death of older people with COVID-1

Multicenter cross-sectional study of HTLV-1 prevalence and associated risk factors in epidemiologically relevant groups across Brazil

BackgroundHuman T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is highly endemic in Brazil, necessitating surveillance studies to understand its epidemiology. While previous research has focused on either specific cities or populations, there is a need for multicenter studies encompassing epidemiologically relevant populations to ascertain more accurate prevalence rates and predictors of HTLV-1 infection in the country.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 3,184 participants across seven cities and five study populations in Brazil. Blood samples were collected, and the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors of HTLV-1 infection.ResultsAmong the total study population, 1,135 (35.7%) were aged >40 years and 1,704 (53.5%) were female. The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.3–0.8), with variation observed among the cities or study populations. Factors associated with HTLV-1 infection included age > 40 years (OR, 8.867; 95% CI: 1.824–43.099), female gender (OR, 4.604; 95% CI: 1.184–17.903), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OR, 13.995; 95% CI: 2.374–82.506). The identification of older age and female gender, coupled with the high prevalence of HTLV-1 in HIV-positive patients, suggests sexual transmission as the primary route of HTLV-1 infection.ConclusionOur study reveals varied prevalence rates of HTLV-1 infection across diverse populations and cities in Brazil. The association of older age, female gender, and HCV, emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to prevent HTLV-1 transmission

Análise comparativa entre uma equação de predição de NDT e a DIVMS de pastagens utilizadas para a alimentação animal.

A determinação da composição bromatológica dos alimentos é fundamental e várias técnicas laboratoriais e métodos alternativos, assim como modelos matemáticos, têm sido desenvolvidos ao longo dos anos para a melhor caracterização das dietas fornecidas aos animais

Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study

Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection

Immunodiagnosis of endemic mycoses and bronchopulmonary aspergilosis: A multicenter study in Argentina

Fil: Canteros, C. E. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Rivas, M. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Soria, M. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Lee, W. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Perrotta, Diego. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Rodero, L. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Davel, Graciela Odelsia. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Micología; Argentina.Fil: Berducci, O. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Bonardello, N. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Castro, H. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Chacón, Y. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Cendán Colombo, L. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: De Vechi, M. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Errecalde, G. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Fernández, N. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.FIl: Gorostiaga, J. L. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: López, C. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Mackay, P. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Gonzalez, R. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Cacace, María Luisa. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Mestron, S. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Mónaco, L. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Nardin, M. E. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Ramos, L. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Pagella, H. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Petrussi, N. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Pizarro, M. R. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Sánchez, R. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Saporiti, A. M. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Tichellio, A. G. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Tiraboschi, N. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Tonelli, L. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Fil: Zanuso, A. Grupo EMMB; Argentina.Se realizó entre 01-04-2000 y 30-03-2001, un estudio de corte transversal, para conocer la frecuencia relativa de las enfermedades por hongos dimorfos y Aspergillus spp. en la República Argentina y evaluar la certeza en el diagnóstico de los laboratorios de diferentes áreas geográficas. Participaron 25 centros de salud provenientes de 12 provincias y de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Fueron analizados en el laboratorio de origen 965 sueros de pacientes con sospecha clínica de histoplasmosis (HP), paracoccidioidomicosis (PCM), coccidioidomicosis (CM) y aspergilosis. Todos los sueros positivos y el 35% de los negativos fueron reevaluados en el laboratorio de referencia por inmunodifusión doble en agar. La concordancia entre los resultados obtenidos en los centros de origen y el de referencia fue de 98,8%. Se detectaron anticuerpos específicos en 120 sueros correspondientes a 98 pacientes. El 71,4% (70 casos) de los diagnósticos correspondió a micosis endémicas (HP, PCM y CM) y el resto a aspergilosis. PCM fue diagnosticada en 47,9% (47 casos), aspergilosis en 28,6% (28 casos), HP en13,3% (13 casos) y CM en 10,2% (10 casos). La participación en este estudio fue voluntaria y no todos los centros del país estaban representados, sin embargo, las frecuencias de enfermedades fúngicas fueron las esperadas y coincidentes con estudios previos realizados a nivel nacional. (EN) In order to contribute to the knowledge of the relative frequency of chronic fungal diseases and assess the performance of diagnostic laboratories in Argentina, a multicenter study was performed with the participation of 25 medical centers located in 12 different provinces and Buenos Aires City. Between 04-01- 2000 and 03-30-2001, 965 serum specimens from patients clinically suspected of having histoplasmosis (HP), paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), coccidioidomycosis (CM) or aspergilosis were analyzed. Agar immunodiffusion tests (IDD) were done locally. All positive and 35% of negative sera were retested in the reference center. Results of laboratories of origin showed 98.8% concordance with those of reference center. Antibodies against any of the etiological agents were detected in 120 specimens from 98 patients. Endemic mycoses (HP, PCM and CM) were diagnosed in 70 patients (71.4%) and aspergilosis in 28 (28.6%). The frequencies of the different mycoses in decreasing order w ere PCM 47 patients (47.9%), aspergilosis 28 patients (28.6%), HP 13 patients (13.3%) and CM 10 patients (10.2%). The study was carried out on a voluntary basis and some areas of the country were not represented. However, the frequencies were in range with the expected rates in the population under study