Body size predicts ontogenetic nitrogen stable-isotope (δ15N) variation, but has little relationship with trophic level in ectotherm vertebrate predators.

Large predators have disproportionate effects on their underlying food webs. Thus, appropriately assigning trophic positions has important conservation implications both for the predators themselves and for their prey. Large-bodied predators are often referred to as apex predators, implying that they are many trophic levels above primary producers. However, theoretical considerations predict both higher and lower trophic position with increasing body size. Nitrogen stable isotope values (δ15N) are increasingly replacing stomach contents or behavioral observations to assess trophic position and it is often assumed that ontogenetic dietary shifts result in higher trophic positions. Intraspecific studies based on δ15N values found a positive relationship between size and inferred trophic position. Here, we use datasets of predatory vertebrate ectotherms (crocodilians, turtles, lizards and fishes) to show that, although there are positive intraspecific relationships between size and δ15N values, relationships between stomach-content-based trophic level (TPdiet) and size are undetectable or negative. As there is usually no single value for 15N trophic discrimination factor (TDF) applicable to a predator species or its prey, estimates of trophic position based on δ15N in ectotherm vertebrates with large size ranges, may be inaccurate and biased. We urge a reconsideration of the sole use of δ15N values to assess trophic position and encourage the combined use of isotopes and stomach contents to assess diet and trophic level.

O desenvolvimento dos objetos transcendentes e da religião fundamentado na teoria freudiana / El desarrollo de los objetos trascendentes y de la religión basados en la teoría freudiana / The development of transcendent objects and religion based on freudian theory

RESUMO Talvez, o homem seja o único dos entes a ter e a estabelecer relações com certos 'objetos' que ultrapassam a sua realidade material transcendendo-a para designar outra realidade para além da física. Dentre eles, poderíamos caracterizar como sendo 'Objetos Transcendentes' (e. g. Deus, por excelência, assim como o Demônio e outras entidades deste universo, quer passíveis de aceitação, aversão ou rejeição) aqueles que constituem a base para o desenvolvimento de sentimentos e de ideias religiosas e podem, também, ser entendidos (na sua origem, sentido e função) sob perspectiva da psicanálise. Nesse sentido, delimitando nossa proposta de análise, este artigo se propõe a analisar estes objetos a partir do ponto de vista de Sigmund Freud almejando e, com isto, analisar sua origem nos processos de sublimação da sexualidade e nos processos projetivos e identificatórios que caracterizam o desenvolvimento emocional do ser humano. Tal compreensão pode auxiliar na compreensão e intervenção clínica com aqueles que se relacionam com esses objetos ocupam um lugar central em seus modos de ser e estar no mundo, bem como com área da psicologia da religião em suas investigações.

RESUMEN Quizás, el Hombre es la única de las entidades que tiene y establece relaciones con ciertos 'objetos' que van más allá de su realidad material, trascendiéndola para designar otra realidad además de la física. Entre ellos, podríamos caracterizar como 'Objetos Trascendentes' (ej. Dios, por excelencia, así como el Demonio y otras entidades de este universo, ya sean sujetos a aceptación, aversión o rechazo) a aquellos que constituyen la base para el desarrollo de los sentimientos y ideas religiosas y también pueden ser entendidas (en su origen, significado y función) por el psicoanálisis. En este sentido, delimitando nuestra propuesta de análisis, este artículo propone analizar estos objetos desde el punto de vista de Sigmund Freud apuntando y, con ello, analizar su origen en los procesos de sublimación de la sexualidad y en los procesos proyectivos e identificativos que caracterizan el desarrollo emocional de los seres humanos. Tal comprensión puede ayudar en la comprensión e intervención clínica con quienes se relacionan con estos objetos que ocupan un lugar central en sus formas de ser y estar en el mundo, así como con el área de Psicología de la Religión en sus investigaciones.

ABSTRACT Perhaps, man is the unique entity to have and establish relationships with certain 'objects' that go beyond their material reality, transcending it to designate another reality beyond the physical. Among them, we could characterize as 'Transcendent Objects' (e.g. God, par excellence, such as the Devil and other entities belonging to this universe, whether subject to acceptance, aversion or rejection) those responsible for constituting the basis for developing feelings and religious ideas, and they can also be understood (in their origin, sense and function) from the perspective of psychoanalysis. Therefore, delimiting our proposal of analysis, this article aimed to analyze such objects from the point of view of Sigmund Freud, thus, analyzing their origin in the processes of sublimation of sexuality and in the projective and identification processes that characterize the emotional development of the human being. Such understanding can assist in clinical intervention of cases where there is a personal relationship or a centrality of these objects in personal experiences, as well as with the area of psychology of religion in its investigations.

Sentiment Analysis in Understanding the Potential of Online News in the Public Health Crisis Response.

This study analyzes online news disseminated throughout the pre-, during-, and post-intervention periods of the "Syphilis No!" Project, which was developed in Brazil between November 2018 and March 2019. We investigated the influence of sentiment aspects of news to explore their possible relationships with syphilis testing data in response to the syphilis epidemic in Brazil. A dictionary-based technique (VADER) was chosen to perform sentiment analysis considering the Brazilian Portuguese language. Finally, the data collected were used in statistical tests to obtain other indicators, such as correlation and distribution analysis. Of the 627 news items, 198 (31.58%) were classified as a sentiment of security (TP2; stands for the news type 2), whereas 429 (68.42%) were classified as sentiments that instilled vulnerability (TP3; stands for the news type 3). The correlation between the number of syphilis tests and the number of news types TP2 and TP3 was verified from (i) 2015 to 2017 and (ii) 2018 to 2019. For the TP2 type news, in all periods, the p-values were greater than 0.05, thus generating inconclusive results. From 2015 to 2017, there was an ρ = 0.33 correlation between TP3 news and testing data (p-value = 0.04); the years 2018 and 2019 presented a ρ = 0.67 correlation between TP3 news and the number of syphilis tests performed per month, with p-value = 0.0003. In addition, Granger's test was performed between TP3 news and syphilis testing, which resulted in a p-value = 0.002, thus indicating the existence of Granger causality between these time series. By applying natural language processing to sentiment and informational content analysis of public health campaigns, it was found that the most substantial increase in testing was strongly related to attitude-inducing content (TP3).

Similarity Analysis in Understanding Online News in Response to Public Health Crisis.

BACKGROUND: The "Syphilis No!" campaign the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) launched between November 2018 and March 2019, brought forward the concept "Test, Treat and Cure" to remind the population of the importance of syphilis prevention. In this context, this study aims to analyze the similarity of syphilis online news to comprehend how public health communication interventions influence media coverage of the syphilis issue. METHODS: This paper presented a computational approach to assess the effectiveness of communication actions on a public health problem. Data were collected between January 2015 and December 2019 and processed using the Hermes ecosystem, which utilizes text mining and machine learning algorithms to cluster similar content. RESULTS: Hermes identified 1049 google-indexed web pages containing the term 'syphilis' in Brazil. Of these, 619 were categorized as news stories. In total, 157 were grouped into clusters of at least two similar news items and a single cluster with 462 news classified as "single" for not featuring similar news items. From these, 19 clusters were identified in the pre-campaign period, 23 during the campaign, and 115 in the post-campaign. CONCLUSIONS: The findings presented in this study show that the volume of syphilis-related news reports has increased in recent years and gained popularity after the SNP started, having been boosted during the campaign and escalating even after its completion.

Trombo Atrial Esquerdo e Contraste Espontâneo Denso no Uso de Anticoagulante Oral de Ação Direta em Fibrilação Atrial: Visão de Centro Referenciado / Left Atrial Thrombus and Dense Spontaneous Contrast in Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy of Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from a Reference Center

Resumo Fundamento No tratamento da fibrilação atrial (FA), a arritmia sustentada mais frequente, com ablação por cateter (ABL) ou cardioversão elétrica (CVE), o período periprocedimento é uma das fases mais críticas. Atualmente, o uso de novos anticoagulantes orais de ação direta (DOAC) é cada vez mais frequente, no entanto, no mundo real, ainda existem poucos dados de estudos sobre a incidência de trombo no átrio esquerdo (TrAE) ou contraste espontâneo denso (CE) no ecocardiograma transesofágico (ETE). Objetivo Analisar a prevalência de TrAE, por ETE, em pacientes em uso de DOAC submetidos à CVE/ABL. Secundariamente: avaliar a associação de comorbidades com a presença de trombos e CE. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, unicêntrico, com pacientes do Ambulatório de Arritmia (InCor-HCFMUSP). Foram selecionados e analisados dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos no prontuário da instituição de pacientes com indicação de procedimentos e em uso de DOACs. Considerado um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Foram incluídos 354 pacientes, no total de 400 procedimentos, de março de 2012-março de 2018. TrAE foi encontrado em 11 pacientes (2,8%), associado com idade avançada (p=0,007) e CHA2DS2-VASc maior (p<0,001). Foi encontrado CE no AE no procedimento antes da ETE em 29 pacientes (7,3%), com menor FEVE (p <0,038) e maior dimensão do AE (p <0,0001). Conclusão A incidência de TrAE e CE em pacientes em uso de DOAC no contexto de CVE/ABL de FA, embora pequena, não é desprezível. Pacientes com escore CHA2DS2-VASc maior, principalmente mais idosos e com diâmetro do AE maior, são mais propensos a esses achados ecocardiográficos.

Abstract Background In the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most frequently sustained arrhythmia, with catheter ablation (CA) or electrical cardioversion (ECV), the periprocedural period is one of the most critical phases. Currently, the use of new direct action oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is increasingly frequent; however, in the real world, there are still few data on studies on the thrombus incidence in the left atrium (TrLA) or dense spontaneous contrast (DSC) on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Objective To evaluate the prevalence of events and association with risk factors in patients using DOACs. Primary objective: to analyze the prevalence of thrombus in the LA by TEE in patients using DOAC undergoing ECV/CA. Second, evaluate the association of comorbidities with the presence of thrombi and DSC. Methods Retrospective cohort, single-center study with patients followed at the Arrhythmia Outpatient Unit (InCor-HCFMUSP). Patients indicated for procedures and using DOACs were selected, and their clinical/echocardiographic data were analyzed. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results 354 patients were included, a total of 400 procedures, from March 2012-March 2018. Thrombus in the LA was found in 11 patients (2.8%), associated with advanced age (p=0.007) and higher CHA2DS2-VASc (p<0.001) score. DSC in the LA before TEE was found in 29 patients (7.3%), with lower LVEF (p<0.038) and greater LA dimension (p<0.0001). Conclusion The incidence of LA thrombus and DSC in patients using DOC in the context of AF ECV/CA, although small, is not negligible. Patients with higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores, especially older and with larger LA diameter, are more prone to these echocardiographic findings.

Left Atrial Thrombus and Dense Spontaneous Contrast in Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy of Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from a Reference Center. / Trombo Atrial Esquerdo e Contraste Espontâneo Denso no Uso de Anticoagulante Oral de Ação Direta em Fibrilação Atrial: Visão de Centro Referenciado.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most frequently sustained arrhythmia, with catheter ablation (CA) or electrical cardioversion (ECV), the periprocedural period is one of the most critical phases. Currently, the use of new direct action oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is increasingly frequent; however, in the real world, there are still few data on studies on the thrombus incidence in the left atrium (TrLA) or dense spontaneous contrast (DSC) on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of events and association with risk factors in patients using DOACs. Primary objective: to analyze the prevalence of thrombus in the LA by TEE in patients using DOAC undergoing ECV/CA. Second, evaluate the association of comorbidities with the presence of thrombi and DSC. METHODS: Retrospective cohort, single-center study with patients followed at the Arrhythmia Outpatient Unit (InCor-HCFMUSP). Patients indicated for procedures and using DOACs were selected, and their clinical/echocardiographic data were analyzed. A significance level of 5% was considered. RESULTS: 354 patients were included, a total of 400 procedures, from March 2012-March 2018. Thrombus in the LA was found in 11 patients (2.8%), associated with advanced age (p=0.007) and higher CHA2DS2-VASc (p<0.001) score. DSC in the LA before TEE was found in 29 patients (7.3%), with lower LVEF (p<0.038) and greater LA dimension (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of LA thrombus and DSC in patients using DOC in the context of AF ECV/CA, although small, is not negligible. Patients with higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores, especially older and with larger LA diameter, are more prone to these echocardiographic findings.

FUNDAMENTO: No tratamento da fibrilação atrial (FA), a arritmia sustentada mais frequente, com ablação por cateter (ABL) ou cardioversão elétrica (CVE), o período periprocedimento é uma das fases mais críticas. Atualmente, o uso de novos anticoagulantes orais de ação direta (DOAC) é cada vez mais frequente, no entanto, no mundo real, ainda existem poucos dados de estudos sobre a incidência de trombo no átrio esquerdo (TrAE) ou contraste espontâneo denso (CE) no ecocardiograma transesofágico (ETE). OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de TrAE, por ETE, em pacientes em uso de DOAC submetidos à CVE/ABL. Secundariamente: avaliar a associação de comorbidades com a presença de trombos e CE. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, unicêntrico, com pacientes do Ambulatório de Arritmia (InCor-HCFMUSP). Foram selecionados e analisados dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos no prontuário da instituição de pacientes com indicação de procedimentos e em uso de DOACs. Considerado um nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 354 pacientes, no total de 400 procedimentos, de março de 2012-março de 2018. TrAE foi encontrado em 11 pacientes (2,8%), associado com idade avançada (p=0,007) e CHA2DS2-VASc maior (p<0,001). Foi encontrado CE no AE no procedimento antes da ETE em 29 pacientes (7,3%), com menor FEVE (p <0,038) e maior dimensão do AE (p <0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A incidência de TrAE e CE em pacientes em uso de DOAC no contexto de CVE/ABL de FA, embora pequena, não é desprezível. Pacientes com escore CHA2DS2-VASc maior, principalmente mais idosos e com diâmetro do AE maior, são mais propensos a esses achados ecocardiográficos.

Estratificação da Insuficiência Cardíaca Clínica através do Mapa T1 Nativo: Experiência de um Serviço de Referência / Clinical Heart Failure Stratification Through Native T1 Mapping: Experience of a Referral Service

Resumo Fundamento: Fibrose cardíaca difusa é fator importante na avaliação prognóstica dos pacientes com disfunção ventricular. Mapeamento T1 nativo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) apresenta elevada sensibilidade e é considerado preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas e desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) nos pacientes com cardiomiopatia. Objetivos: Avaliar aplicabilidade da avaliação com mapa T1 nativo em pacientes com IC em um hospital de referência de cardiologia e sua associação com parâmetros estruturais e perfil funcional. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com IC classes funcionais NYHA I e II, isquêmicos e não isquêmicos, acompanhados em hospital de referência, que realizaram RMC. Os valores de T1 nativo foram analisados em relação a parâmetros estruturais, comorbidades, etiologia e categorização da IC pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). Análises foram realizadas com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Analisados 134 pacientes. Valores de T1 nativo elevados foram encontrados em pacientes com maior dilatação (1004,9 vs 1042,7ms, p=0,001), volume (1021,3 vs 1050,3ms, p<0,01) e disfunção ventricular (1010,1 vs 1053,4ms, p<0,001), mesmo quando analisados isoladamente os não isquêmicos. Pacientes classificados com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida apresentaram maiores valores T1 em relação aos com IC e fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) (992,7 vs 1054,1ms, p<0,001). Dos com ICFEP, 55,2% apresentavam T1 elevado. Conclusões: Mapeamento T1 por RMC é factível para avaliação da IC clínica. Houve associação direta entre maior valor nativo de T1 e menor fração de ejeção, maiores diâmetros e volumes do VE, independentemente da etiologia da IC.

Abstract Background: Diffuse cardiac fibrosis is an important factor in the prognostic assessment of patients with ventricular dysfunction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) native T1 mapping is highly sensitive and considered an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) development in patients with cardiomyopathy. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of native T1 mapping assessment in patients with HF in a cardiology referral hospital and its association with structural parameters and functional profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study with adult patients with HF NYHA functional classes I and II, ischemic and non-ischemic, followed in a referral hospital, who underwent CMR. Native T1 values were analyzed for structural parameters, comorbidities, etiology, and categorization of HF by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: Enrollment of 134 patients. Elevated native T1 values were found in patients with greater dilation (1004.9 vs 1042.7ms, p = 0.001), ventricular volumes (1021.3 vs 1050.3ms, p <0.01) and ventricular dysfunction (1010.1 vs 1053.4ms, p <0.001), also present when the non-ischemic group was analyzed separately. Patients classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction had higher T1 values than those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (992.7 vs 1054.1ms, p <0.001). Of those with HFPEF, 55.2% had higher T1. Conclusions: CMR T1 mapping is feasible for clinical HF evaluation. There was a direct association between higher native T1 values and lower ejection fraction, and with larger LV diameters and volumes, regardless of the etiology of HF.

Vertical one-and-a-half syndrome in a patient with pecheron artery ischemia: A case report.

Vertical one-and-a-half syndrome (VOHS) is an uncommon presentation resulting from a unilateral thalamomesencephalic stroke with involvement of the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus and posterior commissure. The artery of Percheron (aPe) is a branch of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and it is a variant that arises as a solitary trunk supplying both medial thalami and upper midbrain. A 78-year-old female patient, presented at the hospital emergency with approximately 12 hours of sudden onset of diplopia, associated with dizziness. Neurological exam revealed torsional nystagmus associated with bilateral upgaze palsy with limitation of infraduction on the left. We describe a rare case of VOHS associated with ischemic alterations at the MRI suggesting an aPe impairment. The conjugate gaze control lies anatomically at the midbrain at the central nervous system (CNS). This report describes a rare type of VOHS and brings a new insight on a possible aPe topography possibly causing this clinical presentation.

Clinical Heart Failure Stratification Through Native T1 Mapping: Experience of a Referral Service. / Estratificação da Insuficiência Cardíaca Clínica através do Mapa T1 Nativo: Experiência de um Serviço de Referência.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse cardiac fibrosis is an important factor in the prognostic assessment of patients with ventricular dysfunction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) native T1 mapping is highly sensitive and considered an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) development in patients with cardiomyopathy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of native T1 mapping assessment in patients with HF in a cardiology referral hospital and its association with structural parameters and functional profile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with adult patients with HF NYHA functional classes I and II, ischemic and non-ischemic, followed in a referral hospital, who underwent CMR. Native T1 values were analyzed for structural parameters, comorbidities, etiology, and categorization of HF by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Enrollment of 134 patients. Elevated native T1 values were found in patients with greater dilation (1004.9 vs 1042.7ms, p = 0.001), ventricular volumes (1021.3 vs 1050.3ms, p <0.01) and ventricular dysfunction (1010.1 vs 1053.4ms, p <0.001), also present when the non-ischemic group was analyzed separately. Patients classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction had higher T1 values than those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (992.7 vs 1054.1ms, p <0.001). Of those with HFPEF, 55.2% had higher T1. CONCLUSIONS: CMR T1 mapping is feasible for clinical HF evaluation. There was a direct association between higher native T1 values and lower ejection fraction, and with larger LV diameters and volumes, regardless of the etiology of HF.

FUNDAMENTO: Fibrose cardíaca difusa é fator importante na avaliação prognóstica dos pacientes com disfunção ventricular. Mapeamento T1 nativo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) apresenta elevada sensibilidade e é considerado preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas e desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) nos pacientes com cardiomiopatia. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar aplicabilidade da avaliação com mapa T1 nativo em pacientes com IC em um hospital de referência de cardiologia e sua associação com parâmetros estruturais e perfil funcional. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com IC classes funcionais NYHA I e II, isquêmicos e não isquêmicos, acompanhados em hospital de referência, que realizaram RMC. Os valores de T1 nativo foram analisados em relação a parâmetros estruturais, comorbidades, etiologia e categorização da IC pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). Análises foram realizadas com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Analisados 134 pacientes. Valores de T1 nativo elevados foram encontrados em pacientes com maior dilatação (1004,9 vs 1042,7ms, p=0,001), volume (1021,3 vs 1050,3ms, p<0,01) e disfunção ventricular (1010,1 vs 1053,4ms, p<0,001), mesmo quando analisados isoladamente os não isquêmicos. Pacientes classificados com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida apresentaram maiores valores T1 em relação aos com IC e fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) (992,7 vs 1054,1ms, p<0,001). Dos com ICFEP, 55,2% apresentavam T1 elevado. CONCLUSÕES: Mapeamento T1 por RMC é factível para avaliação da IC clínica. Houve associação direta entre maior valor nativo de T1 e menor fração de ejeção, maiores diâmetros e volumes do VE, independentemente da etiologia da IC.

Flow-Batch Sample Preparation for Fractionation of the Stress Signaling Phytohormone Salicylic Acid in Fresh Leaves.

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important stress signaling phytohormone and plays an essential role in physiological processes in plants. SA fractionation has been carried out batchwise, which is not compatible with the high analytical demand in agronomical studies and increases susceptibility to analytical errors. In this context, a novel flow-batch sample preparation system for SA fractionation on fresh plant leaves was developed. It was based on microwave-assisted extraction with water and conversion of the conjugated species to free SA by alkaline hydrolysis. Free and total SA were quantified by fluorimetry after separation by sequential injection chromatography in a C18 monolithic column. The proposed procedure is directly applicable to plant leaves containing up 16 mg kg-1 SA, with a limit of detection of 0.1 mg kg-1 of SA, coefficient of variation of 3.0% (n = 10), and sampling rate of 4 samples h-1. The flow-batch sample preparation system was successfully applied to SA fractionation in sugarcane, corn, and soybean leaves without clogging or increasing in backpressure. The proposed approach is simple, less time-consuming, and more environmentally friendly in comparison to batchwise procedures.

Seasonal variation in net ecosystem CO2 exchange of a Brazilian seasonally dry tropical forest.

Forest ecosystems sequester large amounts of atmospheric CO2, and the contribution from seasonally dry tropical forests is not negligible. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify and evaluate the seasonal and annual patterns of CO2 exchanges in the Caatinga biome, as well as to evaluate the ecosystem condition as carbon sink or source during years. In addition, we analyzed the climatic factors that control the seasonal variability of gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Reco) and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). Results showed that the dynamics of the components of the CO2 fluxes varied depending on the magnitude and distribution of rainfall and, as a consequence, on the variability of the vegetation state. Annual cumulative NEE was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in 2014 (-169.0 g C m-2) when compared to 2015 (-145.0 g C m-2) and annual NEP/GPP ratio was 0.41 in 2014 and 0.43 in 2015. Global radiation, air and soil temperature were the main factors associated with the diurnal variability of carbon fluxes. Even during the dry season, the NEE was at equilibrium and the Caatinga acted as an atmospheric carbon sink during the years 2014 and 2015.

Systematic evaluation of sample preparation for fractionation of phytohormone salicylic acid in fresh leaves.

The determination of salicylic acid (SA), an important phytohormone responsible for stress signaling in plants, is of great importance in agricultural studies. However, a critical evaluation of the procedures for the extraction of the analytes and hydrolysis of the conjugated forms of SA is lacking in the literature and the available alternatives are complex, time-consuming, and laborious. In this study, the sample preparation methods for SA fractionation were critically evaluated to develop a simpler and faster alternative procedure. Microwave-assisted extractions were carried out with 2.0 g of fresh leaves and 8.0 mL of a 75% v/v ethanol:water solution at 40 °C for 10 min, followed by alkaline hydrolysis using 100 µL of 0.1 mol L-1 NaOH at 80 °C for 60 min. Free and total SA were determined in crude and hydrolyzed extracts, respectively, by fluorimetry after chromatographic separation of the sample matrix under isocratic elution (25% v/v acetonitrile/phosphate buffer) using a C18 column. Recovery experiments using methyl salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid model compounds demonstrated that the soft microwave-assisted extraction did not decompose the SA derivatives and that alkaline hydrolysis was quantitative. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for fractionation of SA in sugarcane, corn, and soybean leaves with extraction and hydrolysis yields up to 70 and 20% higher than those achieved in previously proposed approaches, respectively. The developed procedure is a simple, fast, and reliable alternative for SA fractionation in crude extracts without sample clean-up, and utilizes dilute reagents and green solvents.

Critical assessment of the surgical treatment of low rectal adenocarcinoma in a reference hospital in Recife / Análise crítica do tratamento cirúrgico do adenocarcinoma de reto inferior em hospital de referência no Recife

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the rates of abdominoperineal resection in patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma at the Hospital Barão de Lucena - SES/PE. Methodology: This is a study based on the analysis of medical records of patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma submitted to surgical treatment at the Hospital Barão de Lucena Coloproctology Service between 2013 and 2016. Results: It was observed that 77.5% of patients underwent abdominoperineal resection and 22.5% underwent anal sparing surgery. Most of the patients were male (62.5%), were under 70 years old (72.5%), presented a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 (87.5%), presented American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I and III (82.5%), Rullier classification from I to III (95%) and TNM different from T1-T3 (95%). In 92.5% of medical records, there was no record of fecal continence before surgery. The most frequent period between the end of the radiotherapy and the surgery was over 11 weeks (57.5%); the most common distance from the tumor to the anal margin was between 3.1 and 4.0 cm (35% of patients). Conclusion: There was a high rate of non-sparing anal sphincter surgeries. The only predictive factor for abdominoperineal resection was the presence of tumors classified as Rullier type III and IV.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a taxa de ressecção abdominoperineal em portadores de adenocarcinoma de reto inferior no Hospital Barão de Lucena - SES/PE. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo baseado na análise de prontuários de pacientes com adenocarcinoma de reto inferior submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico no serviço de Coloproctologia do Hospital Barão de Lucena entre 2013 e 2016. Resultados: Observou-se que 77,5% dos pacientes foram submetidos à ressecção abdominoperineal e 22,5% à cirurgia com preservação esfincteriana. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (62,5%), tinha menos que 70 anos (72,5%), apresentava IMC menor que 30 kg/m2 (87,5%), apresentava ASA I e II (82,5%), classificação de Rullier de I a III (95%) e TNM diferente de T1-T3 (95%). Em 92,5% dos prontuários, não havia registro sobre a continência fecal antes da cirurgia. O período mais frequente entre o término da radioterapia e a realização da cirurgia foi superior a 11 semanas (57,5%); a distância, mais comum, do tumor à margem anal estava entre 3,1-4,0 cm (35% dos pacientes). Conclusão: Houve uma alta taxa de cirurgias não poupadoras de esfíncter anal. O único fator preditivo para a realização da ressecção abdominoperineal foi a presença de tumores classificados como Rulier tipo III e IV.

Mid-IR Hollow-core microstructured fiber drawn from a 3D printed PETG preform.

Mid-infrared (mid-IR) optical fibers have long attracted great interest due to their wide range of applications in security, biology and chemical sensing. Traditionally, research was directed towards materials with low absorption in the mid-IR region, such as chalcogenides, which are difficult to manipulate and often contain highly toxic elements. In this paper, we demonstrate a Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) hollow-core fiber (HCF) with guiding properties in the mid-IR. Guiding is provided by the fiber geometry, as PETG exhibits a material attenuation 2 orders of magnitude larger than the HCF propagation loss. The structured plastic fiber preforms were fabricated using commercial 3D printing technology and then drawn using a conventional fiber drawing tower. The final PETG fiber outer diameter was 466 µm with a hollow-core diameter of 225 µm. Thermal imaging at the fiber facet performed within the wavelength range 3.5-5 µm clearly indicates air guidance in the fiber hollow-core.

Direct Modification of Microcrystalline Cellulose with Ethylenediamine for use as Adsorbent for Removal Amitriptyline Drug from Environment.

Cellulose derivatives have been widely used as adsorbents for the removal of micropollutants such as drugs, dyes, and metals, due to their abundance, low cost and non-contaminating nature. In this context, several studies have been performed searching for new adsorbents (cellulose derivatives) efficient at contaminant removal from aqueous solutions. Thus, a new adsorbent was synthesized by chemical modification of cellulose with ethylenediamine in the absence of solvent and applied to the adsorption of amitriptyline (AMI) in aqueous solution. The modification reaction was confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry/Differential Scanning Calorimeter (TG/DSC), solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of ¹H and 13C (¹H-NMR and 13C-NMR). Moreover, the effectiveness of reaction was confirmed by computational calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) at level B3LYP/6-31G(d). This adsorption process was influenced by pH, time, concentration, temperature and did not show significant changes due to the ionic strength variation. Through these experiments, it was observed that the maximum adsorption capacity of AMI by CN polymer at 298 K, 300 min, and pH 7 was 87.66 ± 0.60 mg·g-1.

Performance evaluation of a high-pressure microwave-assisted flow digestion system for juice and milk sample preparation.

Acid digestion is usually required for metal determination in food samples. However, this step is usually performed in batch mode which is time consuming, labor intensive, and may lead to sample contamination. Flow digestion can overcome these limitations. In this work, the performance of a high-pressure microwave-assisted flow digestion system with a large volume reactor was evaluated for liquid samples high in sugar and fat (fruit juice and milk). The digestions were carried out in a coiled perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) tube reactor (13.5 mL) installed inside an autoclave pressurized with 40 bar nitrogen. The system was operated at 500 W microwave power and 5.0 mL min-1 carrier flow rate. Digestion conditions were optimized with phenylalanine, as this substance is known to be difficult to digest completely. The combinations of HCl or H2O2 with HNO3 increased the digestion efficiency of phenylalanine, and the residual carbon content (RCC) was around 50% when 6.0% V/V HCl or H2O2 was used in combination with 32% V/V HNO3. Juice samples were digested with 3.7 mol L-1 HNO3 and 0.3 mol L-1 HCl, and the RCC was 16 and 29% for apple and mango juices, respectively. Concentrated HNO3 (10.5 mol L-1) was successfully applied for digesting milk samples, and the RCCs were 23 and 25% for partially skimmed and whole milk, respectively. Accuracy and precision of the flow digestion procedure were compared with reference digestions using batch mode closed vessel microwave-assisted digestion and no statistically significant differences were encountered at the 95% confidence level. Graphical abstract Application of a high-pressure microwave-assisted flow digestion system for fruit juice and milk sample preparation.

Morphology dependent polymeric capillary optical resonator hydrostatic pressure sensor.

A hydrostatic pressure sensor based on morphology dependent resonances in a polymeric tube is presented. By internal pressurization, normal tensions will increase the device's size and shrink its wall thickness, inducing a shift in the resonant wavelengths of the resonator. Numerical simulations indicate that there are two modal regimes of sensitivity and a maximum achievable sensitivity, related to the device's geometry, constitutive material and analysed mode order. A sensitivity as high as 0.36 ± 0.01 nm/bar has been experimentally found for a 1.8mm diameter PMMA tube with wall thickness of 80µm.

Anticonvulsant effects of acute treatment with cyane-carvone at repeated oral doses in epilepsy models.

Epilepsy affects about 40 million people worldwide. Many drugs block seizures, but have little effect in preventing or curing this disease. So the search for new drugs for epilepsy treatment using animal models prior to testing in humans is important. Increasingly pharmaceutical industries invest in the Re​search & Drug Development area to seek safe and effective new therapeutic alternatives to the currently available epilepsy treatment. In this perspective, natural compounds have been investigated in epilepsy models, particularly the monoterpenes obtained from medicinal plants. In our study we investigated the effects of cyane-carvone (CC), a synthetic substance prepared from natural a monoterpene, carvone, against pilocarpine- (PILO), pentylenetetrazole- (PTZ) and picrotoxine (PTX)-induced seizures in mice after acute treatment with repeated oral doses (CC 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) for 14 days. CC in all doses tested showed increase in latency to first seizure, decrease in percentages of seizuring animals as well as reduction percentages of dead animals (p<0.05) in PILO, PTZ and PTX groups when compared with vehicle. However, these effects were not reversed by flumazenil, benzodiazepine (BZD) antagonist used to investigate the CC action mechanism. Our results suggest that acute treatment with CC at the doses tested can exert anticonvulsant effects in PILO, PTZ and PTX epilepsy models. In addition, our data suggest that CC could act in an allosteric site of GABAA, which would be different from the site in which BDZ acts, since flumazenil was not able to reverse any of CC effects on the modulation of seizure parameters related with epilepsy models investigated. New studies should be conducted to investigate CC effects in other neurotransmitter systems. Nevertheless, our study reinforces the hypothesis that CC could be used, after further research, as a new pharmaceutical formulation and a promising alternative for epilepsy treatment, since it showed anticonvulsant effects.

Estudos agronômicos, genéticos, morfoanatômicos, fitoquímicos, toxicológicos e farmacológicos de Bellis perennis L. (margarida) / Estudios agronómicos, genéticos, morfoanatómicos, fitoquímicos, toxicológicos y farmacológicos de Bellis perennis L. (margarita) / Agronomic, genetic, morphoanatomic, phytochemical, toxicological and pharmacological studies of Bellis perennis L. (daisy)

Introdução: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae) é conhecida popularmente como margarida, margarita, margarida-vulgar, margarida-menor ou margarida-comum. É uma herbácea perene, amplamente distribuída em toda a Europa e Norte da África. Objetivo: realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre aspectos agronômicos, genéticos, morfoanatômicos, químicos, toxicológicos e farmacológicos desta espécie. Métodos: realizada uma revisão dos artigos completos originais e de revisão disponíveis na literatura, por meio de busca de artigos nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol, compreendidos entre os anos de 1962 e 2011 nas seguintes bases de dados: Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Science Direct, Scielo e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem on-line. Foram utilizados, para busca dos artigos, os seguintes descritores: Bellis perennis, B. perennis, Asteraceae, estudos botânicos, estudos químicos, estudos toxicológicos e atividades farmacológicas. Além disso, foram incluídos os resultados experimentais dos estudos de toxicidade aguda em camundongos tratados com extrato etanólico das flores de B. perennis. Resultados: sua ampla utilização como planta medicinal e devido à ausência de informações sistematizadas sobre sua toxicidade e ações farmacológicas justificam a importância dessa revisão, uma vez que já foram isolados vários constituintes químicos. Em virtude dessas propriedades terapêuticas ainda não serem bem compreendidas, e devido à sua importância na fitoterapia, novos estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos devem ser conduzidos. Conclusão: apesar do seu amplo uso, a literatura não fornece detalhes sobre as suas propriedades toxicológicas e farmacológicas, demonstrando a uma necessidade de novas pesquisas científicas.

Introducción: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae) es popularmente conocida como margarita. Es una hierba perenne, de amplia distribución en toda Europa y el norte de África. Objetivos: realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre los aspectos agronómicos, genéticos, morfológicos y anatómicos, químicos, toxicológicos y farmacológicos de esta especie. Métodos: se llevó a cabo una revisión de los artículos completos originales, así como de la literatura disponible en portugués, inglés o español, entre 1962 y 2011, en las bases de datos siguientes: LILACS, Science Direct, Scielo y Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem on-line. Se utilizó para buscar artículos, los descriptores siguientes: Bellis perennis, Bellis perennis, Asteraceae, estudios botánicos, químicos, estudios toxicológicos y actividades farmacológicas. Adicionalmente, se incluyeron los resultados de los estudios experimentales de toxicidad aguda en ratones, tratados con el extracto de etanol de flores de Bellis perennis. Resultados: su amplio uso como planta medicinal y por causa de la falta de información sistemática sobre su toxicidad y acciones farmacológicas, se justifica la importancia de esta opinión, porque ya se han aislado varios componentes químicos. Como estas propiedades terapéuticas aún no se comprenden bien, y por su importancia en fitoterapia, nuevos estudios fitoquímicos y farmacológicos deben realizarse. Conclusión: a pesar de su uso generalizado, la literatura no proporciona detalles acerca de sus propiedades toxicológicas y farmacológicas, lo que demuestra la necesidad de la investigación científica.

Introduction: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as daisy, is a perennial herb of wide distribution throughout Europe and the north of Africa. Objectives: conduct a bibliographic review about the agronomic, genetic, morphological and anatomic, chemical, toxicological and pharmacological characteristics of this species. Methods: a review was carried out of full-text original papers, as well as materials published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 1962 and 2011 in the following databases: LILACS, Science Direct, Scielo and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System on-line. The search terms used were Bellis perennis, B. perennis, Asteraceae, botanical studies, chemical studies, toxicological studies and pharmacological activities. We also included the results of experimental studies on acute toxicity in mice treated with ethanolic extract of flowers of Bellis perennis. Results: its wide use as a medicinal plant and the scarcity of systematic information about its toxicity and pharmacological actions, justify the relevance of this review, since several chemical components have already been isolated. Given the fact that these therapeutic properties are still not well understood, and in view of their importance for phytotherapy, it is recommended that further phytochemical and pharmacological studies be carried out. Conclusion: despite the widespread use of this plant, the bibliography on the topic does not offer details about its toxicological and pharmacological properties. Hence the need for further scientific research.