FeCo@hydrochar nanocomposites as efficient peroxymonosulfate activator for organic pollutant degradation.

Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) are renowned for their exceptional capacity to degrade refractory organic pollutants due to their wide applicability, cost-effectiveness, and swift mineralization and oxidation rates. The primary sources of radicals in AOPs are persulfate (PS) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) ions, sparking significant interest in their mechanistic and catalytic aspects. To develop a novel nanocatalyst for SR-AOPs, particularly for PMS activation, we synthesized carbon-coated FeCo nanoparticles (NPs) using solvothermal methods based on the polyol approach. Various synthesis conditions were investigated, and the NPs were thoroughly characterized regarding their structure, morphology, magnetic properties, and catalytic efficiency. The FeCo phase was primarily obtained at [OH-] / [Metal] = 26 and [Fe] / [Co] = 2 ratios. Moreover, as the [Fe]/[Co] ratio increased, the degree of xylose carbonization to form a carbon coating (hydrochar) on the NPs also increased. The NPs exhibited a spherical morphology with agglomerates of varying sizes. Vibrating-sample magnetometer analysis (VSM) indicated that a higher proportion of iron resulted in NPs with higher saturation magnetization (up to 167.8 emu g-1), attributed to a larger proportion of FeCo bcc phase in the nanocomposite. The best catalytic conditions for degrading 100 ppm Rhodamine B (RhB) included 0.05 g L-1 of NPs, 2 mM PMS, pH 7.0, and a 20-min reaction at 25 °C. Notably, singlet oxygen was the predominant specie formed in the experiments in the SR-AOP, followed by sulfate and hydroxyl radicals. The catalyst could be reused for up to five cycles, retaining over 98% RhB degradation, albeit with increased metal leaching. Even in the first use, dissolved Fe and Co concentrations were 0.8 ± 0.3 and 4.0 ± 0.5 mg L-1, respectively. The FeCo catalyst proved to be effective in dye degradation and offers the potential for further refinement to minimize Co2+ leaching.

29Si Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier-Transform Infrared, and Monte Carlo Study of Synthetic Tetrasilicic Magnesium Mica Solid Solutions.

The parallel 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared study of synthetic micas made it possible to compare structural features of the tetrasilicic magnesium mica K(Mg2.5□0.5) Si4O10(OH)2 (TMM) and their K(Mg3)(Si3.5Mg0.5)O10(OH)2 (TMMA) and K(Mg3)(Si3.5Be0.5)O10(OH)2 (TMMB) derivatives. In the TMM mica, SiO4 tetrahedra are elongated in the plane ab and shortened along the c* direction with respect to those of the phlogopite (Phl) K(Mg3)(Si3Al)O10(OH)2. The substitution of Si4+ by R2+ (Mg2+ or Be2+) produces, besides the 29Si MAS NMR signal of Si (3Si) at -91.2 ppm, new components at -84.4 or -87.5 ppm that correspond to Si (2Si1Mg) or Si(2Si1Be) environments. Tetrahedral cation distributions in TMM/TMMA, TMM/TMMB solid solutions are investigated with respect to the TMM/Phl series by means of NMR and Monte Carlo simulations, concluding that divalent Mg2+ and Be2+ are further dispersed than trivalent Al3+ cations in tetrahedral sheets of micas. In three analyzed series, cation distributions display features between those of the homogeneous dispersion of charges of phlogopites and the maximum dispersion of charges of TMM derivatives. In three series, the location of charge deficits that compensate K+ cations changes from octahedral in TMM to tetrahedral sheets in phlogopite and TMMA and TMMB derivatives.

Degradation of xanthene-based dyes by photoactivated persulfate: experimental and computational studies.

Dyes are naked-eye detectable even at low concentration levels and can cause environmental damage when released into aquatic effluents; therefore, methods for removing the residual color from the aquatic media are always a current issue. In this paper, degradation of three xanthene dyes, Rhodamine B, Eosin Y, and Sodium Fluorescein, using photoactivated persulfate was evaluated at pH 3.0 and 11.0. The dyes' degradation followed a pseudo-first-order reaction. Although the solution is completely decolorized in 40 min at pH 3.0, achieving 75% mineralization requires a longer reaction time of 180 min. Furthermore, GC-MS analyses indicate that degradation products are mainly low-molecular weight acids, CO2 and H2O. Experiments carried out in dark and under UV irradiation showed substantial contribution of radical (SO4•- and HO•) and non-radical pathways to dye degradation in both pH. Additionally, to get more insights into the degradation pathways, HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of the dyes were calculated by DFT using MPW1PW91/MidiXo level of theory and, in general, the lower the bandgap, the faster the degradation. Fukui functions revealed that the preferential sites to radical attack were the xanthene or the benzoate portion depending on the pH, wherein attack to the xanthene ring provided better kinetic and mineralization results.

CURB-65 and Long-Term Mortality of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study on Hospitalized Patients.

Background Community-acquired pneumonia remains a significant factor in global mortality. Several clinical scoring models are used for predicting pneumonia severity and mortality, aiding in the clinical decision relative to the therapeutic approach, including the CURB-65 score. However, currently, no models exist to identify high-risk patients relative to long-term prognosis when recent evidence reveals a significantly higher mortality rate in the first year after community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) hospitalization. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of the CURB-65 scoring model in our population and examine its potential to predict prognosis and subsequent mortality 6 months after hospitalization. Other potential factors influencing mortality during and after hospitalization were characterized: patient demographics, nosocomial infections, readmissions, and identified pathogens. Study design We conducted a retrospective observational study, enrolling 130 patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP in the department of internal medicine of Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira between January and December of 2018. Consultation of electronic medical records was used to calculate the CURB-65 score on admission at the first hospitalization by CAP, categorizing patients into five risk groups. Mortality and readmission were evaluated after 30, 90, and 180 days. Key results High-risk patients (CURB>2) accounted for 96.9% of our study population. Inpatient mortality of 13%, increasing to 21.5% after six months, was similar to previous studies and was correlated to the CURB-65 score on admission. A microbiologic agent was identified in 37% of cases, with 53% isolates of Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae. Conclusions Identifying high-risk patients is important for more individualized healthcare and management. The CURB-65 score, only validated for a short-term (30 days) prediction, demonstrates a potential to also predict mortality and rehospitalization in the six-month period after hospitalization, as supported by our findings and previous studies.

Intervenções de enfermagem frente a complicações apresentadas por pacientes hemodialíticos: uma revisão integrativa / Nursing interventions in the face of complications presented by hemodialytic patients: an integrative review / Intervenciones de enfermeros ante complicaciones presentadas por pacientes hemodiálicos: una revisión integrativa

Objetivo: Identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura acerca das intervenções de enfermagem frente aos cuidados diante das complicações inerentes ao tratamento hemodialítico. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura através de buscas nas bases de dados PubMed; BVS e Scopus, em abril de 2023. Estabeleceu-se a pergunta norteadora: "Quais são as evidências disponíveis na literatura acerca das intervenções de enfermagem frente a complicações apresentadas por pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise?". Foram excluídos protocolos de revisão sistemática ou meta análise e estudos incompletos, que não fazem referências ao objetivo da pesquisa. Resultados: Na busca foram selecionados 09 estudos para essa revisão, que atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade. Foi evidenciado na literatura que a implementação de medidas preventivas específicas durante o processo de HD pode reduzir significativamente a incidência de complicações em pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento. Quanto as complicações mais frequentes em pacientes em tratamento, são elas: náuseas, cefaleia, hipotensão, cãibras, coagulação e infecções. Evidencia-se que a identificação e gerenciamento precoce dessas complicações podem melhorar os resultados clínicos e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Os cuidados de enfermagem como monitorização frequente dos sinais vitais, higienização adequada, administração correta de fármacos, orientações voltadas para o autocuidado, além de medidas inovadoras são importantes para garantir a segurança do paciente durante tratamento. É necessário o conhecimento dos profissionais sobre as complicações associadas à HD para que assim estejam aptos a intervir da maneira correta. Considerações finais: Os estudos mostraram que é imprescindível que os profissionais de saúde envolvidos na assistência, especialmente enfermeiros, estejam aptos para intervir em possíveis complicações durante a terapia, a fim de minimizar os impactos à saúde do paciente.

Objective: To identify the evidence available in the literature about nursing interventions in the face of complications inherent to hemodialysis treatment. Methodology: This is an integrative review of the literature through searches in the PubMed databases; VHL and Scopus in April 2023. The guiding question was established: "What is the evidence available in the literature about nursing interventions in the face of complications presented by patients submitted to hemodialysis?" Systematic review protocols or meta-analysis and incomplete studies were excluded, which do not make reference to the purpose of the research. Results: In the search, 09 studies were selected for this review, which met the eligibility criteria. It was evidenced in the literature that the implementation of specific preventive measures during the HD process can significantly reduce the incidence of complications in patients undergoing this procedure. The most common complications in patients undergoing treatment are: nausea, headache, hypotension, cramps, clotting, and infections. Evidence shows that early identification and management of these complications can improve clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. Nursing care such as frequent monitoring of vital signs, proper hygiene, correct drug administration, self-care guidelines, and innovative measures are important to ensure patient safety during treatment. Professionals need to be aware of the complications associated with HD so that they are able to intervene in the right way. Final considerations: Studies have shown that it is essential that healthcare professionals involved in care, especially nurses, are able to intervene in possible complications during therapy in order to minimize the impacts on patient health.

Propósito: identificar la evidencia disponible en la literatura sobre intervenciones de enfermería frente a la atención ante complicaciones inherentes al tratamiento hemodiáltico. Metodología: Se trata de una revisión integral de la literatura a través de búsquedas en bases de datos de PubMed; BVS y Scopus en abril de 2023. Se planteó la siguiente pregunta: "¿Cuál es la evidencia disponible en la literatura sobre intervenciones de enfermería frente a complicaciones presentadas por pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis?". Se excluyeron los protocolos de revisión sistemática o metaanálisis y los estudios incompletos, que no hacen referencia al objetivo de la investigación. Resultados: En la búsqueda se seleccionaron 09 estudios para esta revisión, que cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad. Se ha demostrado en la literatura que la aplicación de medidas preventivas específicas durante el proceso de HD puede reducir significativamente la incidencia de complicaciones en los pacientes sometidos a este procedimiento. Las complicaciones más frecuentes en los pacientes tratados son náuseas, cefalea, hipotensión, calambres, coagulación e infecciones. Es evidente que la identificación y manejo tempranos de estas complicaciones pueden mejorar los resultados clínicos y la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La atención de enfermería, como la vigilancia frecuente de los signos vitales, la higiene adecuada, la administración adecuada de medicamentos, la orientación sobre el autocuidado y las medidas innovadoras son importantes para garantizar la seguridad de los pacientes durante el tratamiento. Los profesionales deben ser conscientes de las complicaciones asociadas a la HD para que puedan intervenir de la manera correcta. Consideraciones finales: los estudios han demostrado que es esencial que los profesionales de la salud involucrados en la atención, especialmente las enfermeras, puedan intervenir en posibles complicaciones durante el tratamiento para minimizar el impacto en la salud del paciente.

Low Dimensional Chaotic Attractors in Daily Hospital Occupancy from COVID-19 in the USA and Canada

Epidemiological application of chaos theory methods have uncovered the existence of chaotic markers in SARS-CoV-2s epidemiological data, including low dimensional attractors with positive Lyapunov exponents, and evidence markers of a dynamics that is close to the onset of chaos for different regions. We expand on these previous works, performing a comparative study of United States of America (USA) and Canadas COVID-19 daily hospital occupancy cases, applying a combination of chaos theory, machine learning and topological data analysis methods. Both countries show markers of low dimensional chaos for the COVID-19 hospitalization data, with a high predictability for adaptive artificial intelligence systems exploiting the recurrence structure of these attractors, with more than 95% R2 scores for up to 42 days ahead prediction. The evidence is favorable to the USAs hospitalizations being closer to the onset of chaos and more predictable than Canada, the reasons for this higher predictability are accounted for by using topological data analysis methods.

Low Dimensional Chaotic Attractors in SARS-CoV-2's Regional Epidemiological Data

BackgroundRecent studies applying chaos theory methods have found the existence of chaotic markers in SARS-CoV-2s epidemiological data, evidence that has implications on the prediction, modeling and epidemiological analysis of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic with implications for healthcare management. Aim and MethodsWe study the aggregate data for the new cases per million and the new deaths per million from COVID-19 in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and Oceania, applying chaos theorys empirical methods including embedding dimension estimation, Lyapunov spectra estimation, spectral analysis and state-of-the-art topological data analysis methods combining persistent homology, recurrence analysis and machine learning with the aim of characterizing the nature of the dynamics and its predictability. ResultsThe results show that for all regions except Oceania there is evidence of low dimensional noisy chaotic attractors that are near the onset of chaos, with a recurrence structure that can be used by adaptive artificial intelligence solutions equipped with nearest neighbors machine learning modules to predict with a very high performance the future values of the two target series for each region. The persistent homology analysis uncovers a division into two groups, the first group comprised of Africa and Asia and the second of Europe, North and South America. For Oceania, we found evidence of the occurrence of a bifurcation which we characterize in detail applying a combination of machine learning and topological analysis methods, we find that the bifurcation in the region is related to the emergence of new variants.

Q Fever Spondylodiscitis: A Rare Manifestation of a Challenging Disease.

Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever, which is found worldwide and can be acute or chronic. This case report describes a 72-year-old man whose bilateral lower limb pain revealed a paravertebral abscess at L2-L3 due to Q fever spondylodiscitis. Surgical drainage of the abscess was performed and medical treatment is ongoing. Q fever is endemic in Portugal and transmitted by inhalation of aerosols containing spores from infected animals (cattle, goats and sheep) or by ingesting cottage cheese or unpasteurized milk. It has an incubation period of 2-3 weeks and 60% of patients are asymptomatic with only 2% needing hospitalization. Primary infection can manifest in any organ and most cases are self-limiting (self-limited febrile illness, atypical pneumonia or acute hepatitis). Less than 1% of cases evolve to chronic disease, presenting as osteomyelitis or endocarditis. Chronic disease poses a diagnostic challenge and spondylodiscitis has an insidious evolution. Diagnosis requires microbiological and clinical confirmation. Serological and polymerase chain reaction tests are used for diagnosis. Acute disease is usually treated with doxycycline for 3 weeks to avoid evolution to chronic disease. Chronic disease requires 18-24 months of doxycycline with hydroxychloroquine. Acute disease can recur so follow-up is essential as chronic Q fever can result in morbidity and mortality. In Portugal Q fever is a notifiable disease due to the epidemiological risk. LEARNING POINTS: Coxiella burnetii spondylodiscitis is rare so clinicians should be aware of it.The diagnosis of Q fever is challenging, especially chronic disease that presents with endocarditis, osteomyelitis or spondylodiscitis.Spondylodiscitis treatment is particularly challenging and may need neurosurgical intervention.

Redox cycling of copper mediated by hydrazine: efficient catalyst systems for oxidative degradation of rhodamine B.

Catalytic processes based on Fenton-like reactions on the degradation of organic pollutants have been improved by accelerating the redox cycling of metal ions. This work presents, at first, the results obtained for the heterogeneous degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) in presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrazine (N2H4) as redox cycle accelerator. Atomic absorption spectroscopy showed small amounts of Cu2+ are leached from ferrite highlighting the influence of the homogeneous catalysis in the whole process. The data obtained for the homogeneous process using Cu2+ in solution containing both N2H4 and H2O2 indicated such system is highly efficient mineralizing 73% of RhB within only 10 min of reaction and having H2O and CO2 as major products. Using tert-butyl alcohol as radical scavenger, it was confirmed hydroxyl radical (HO•) is the active oxidant species regarding the RhB degradation. The homogeneous catalyst was applied to a real sample of textile effluent spiked with RhB and showed reasonable efficiency, although lower than that obtained for the standard solutions of RhB. This result was assigned to the interference of salts in the medium that react with HO• thus acting as radical scavenger.

Bacterial growth and recovery on hospital biometric devices: effect of two types of disinfectants.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of bacterial contamination on biometric identification devices in a public hospital; identify the species of bacteria implicated in the contamination and assess bacterial recovery after the use of 2 types of disinfectants: alcohol 70% and isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. DESIGN: Before and after trial. SETTING: Public hospital, tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: All existing biometric identification devices in the hospital (n = 20). METHODS: Collection of 2 microbiological samples from the fingerprint reading surface of biometric devices immediately before and after applying the solution with alcohol 70% and in separate time periods with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. RESULTS: It have been identified 21 different bacterial species in a total of 78 samples, mostly Staphylococcus epidermidis (32 samples) and S aureus (7 samples). S epidermidis was eliminated in 61.5% of the samples after disinfecting with alcohol 70% and in 92.3% of the samples disinfected with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. S aureus was eliminated in 33.3% and 100% of the samples, respectively. We found no bacterial growth in 10% of the devices after disinfection with 70% alcohol and in 78.9% of devices after disinfection with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. We also found that there was a decrease in the frequency of species isolated after using both disinfection solutions, although isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine appeared to be more effective. CONCLUSIONS: The biometric identification devices used in this hospital seem to be safe regardless of the products used for its cleaning. The majority of the bacteria found are commensal skin microorganisms. We did not find pathogenic bacteria for immunocompetent individuals, in particular methicillin-resistant S aureus.

Comparing Decision Tree-Based Ensemble Machine Learning Models for COVID-19 Death Probability Profiling

We compare the performance of major decision tree-based ensemble machine learning models on the task of COVID-19 death probability prediction, conditional on three risk factors: age group, sex and underlying comorbidity or disease, using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s COVID-19 case surveillance dataset. To evaluate the impact of the three risk factors on COVID-19 death probability, we extract and analyze the conditional probability profile produced by the best performer. The results show the presence of an exponential rise in death probability from COVID-19 with the age group, with males exhibiting a higher exponential growth rate than females, an effect that is stronger when an underlying comorbidity or disease is present, which also acts as an accelerator of COVID-19 death probability rise for both male and female subjects. The results are discussed in connection to healthcare and epidemiological concerns and in the degree to which they reinforce findings coming from other studies on COVID-19.

[Recommendations for the use of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema at IMSS]. / Recomendaciones para el uso de ranibizumab en edema macular diabético en el IMSS.

Diabetic macular edema can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy. It represents the main cause of vision loss in diabetes type I and II with a prevalence of 3-10% in diabetic patients of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Our aim is to elaborate treatment guidelines and provide recommendations for the use of intravitreal ranibizumab for diabetic medical edema at IMSS. Nine retina specialists and 10 ophthalmologists from IMSS high specialty medical units gathered to discuss the bibliographic evidence for the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab for this disease, in order to create consensus on its use in the institution. Intravitreal ranibizumab injection should be used on patients presenting diffuse or cystic diabetic macular edema who have strict metabolic control and visual acuity between 20/30 and 20/200 ETDRS, as well as structural features, such as inferior foveal limit of 280 µm and ischemic areas no larger than 50% of the central foveal area. Treatment regime should consist of a loading charge of three monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg, followed by monthly follow-ups and treatment as needed according to anatomic and functional criteria. This consensus decision-making process on the criteria to treat and re-treat patients with this drug will result in better health outcomes than those currently observed among patients with diabetic macular edema at IMSS.

El edema macular diabético se presenta en cualquier etapa de la retinopatía diabética y representa la principal causa de pérdida de visión en las diabetes tipo I y II, con una prevalencia que va del 3 al 10% en pacientes diabéticos del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). El objetivo de este trabajo es elaborar una guía de tratamiento y recomendaciones para el uso de ranibizumab intravítreo en pacientes con edema macular diabético en el IMSS. Se llevó a cabo una reunión de expertos (9 retinólogos y 10 oftalmólogos) de las unidades médicas de alta especialidad del IMSS para realizar una revisión crítica de la eficacia y seguridad del ranibizumab para esta enfermedad y llegar a un consenso sobre el uso de este antiangiogénico en la institución. Las inyecciones de ranibizumab intravítreo se aplicarían a pacientes con edema macular diabético del tipo difuso o quístico, con un control metabólico estricto, agudeza visual en un rango de 20/30 a 20/200 ETDRS y criterios estructurales, como el límite foveal inferior a 280 µm y zonas isquémicas de no más del 50% de la zona central foveal. El esquema de tratamiento consistiría en una dosis de carga de tres inyecciones mensuales de ranibizumab de 0.5 mg y posteriormente seguimiento mensual y tratamiento por razón necesaria según criterios anatómicos y funcionales. El consenso sobre los criterios de tratamiento y retratamiento con este medicamento garantizará mejores resultados clínicos en pacientes con edema macular diabético en el IMSS.

Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration by agroforestry systems in southeastern Brazil.

Agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems can increase carbon sequestration, offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce the carbon footprint generated by animal production. The objective of this study was to estimate GHG emissions, the tree and grass aboveground biomass production and carbon storage in different agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems in southeastern Brazil. The number of trees required to offset these emissions were also estimated. The GHG emissions were calculated based on pre-farm (e.g. agrochemical production, storage, and transportation), and on-farm activities (e.g. fertilization and machinery operation). Aboveground tree grass biomass and carbon storage in all systems was estimated with allometric equations. GHG emissions from the agroforestry systems ranged from 2.81 to 7.98 t CO2e ha-1. Carbon storage in the aboveground trees and grass biomass were 54.6, 11.4, 25.7 and 5.9 t C ha-1, and 3.3, 3.6, 3.8 and 3.3 t C ha-1 for systems 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The number of trees necessary to offset the emissions ranged from 17 to 44 trees ha-1, which was lower than the total planted in the systems. Agroforestry systems sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and can help the GHG emission-reduction policy of the Brazilian government.

Evaluación de la respuesta glucemica post-ingesta de la hoja de coca (Erythroxylum coca) en personas sin antecedente patológico metabólico / Evaluation of the glycemic response post-intake coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca) in people without metabolic pathologic background

Considerando la veracidad de los beneficios de la hoja de Coca (Erythroxylum coca), este estudio tiene por objetivo evaluar la respuesta glucémica post ingesta de hoja de coca en personas sin previa patología metabólica. La metodología empleada es experimental, tipo ensayo clínico de campo. De una población de 345 personas de la Escuela Militar de Sargentos del Ejército de la ciudad de Cochabamba - Bolivia, se seleccionaron a 90 personas, de sexo masculino entre 18 a 25 años, sin antecedentes personales patológicos, con índices antropométricos normales y glucemia en ayunas de 60 a 100 mg/dl . La muestra se dividió en un grupo control, un grupo post-ingesta de mate de 5 gr. de hoja de coca y otro grupo post-masticación de 5 gr. de hoja de coca, durante una prueba de tolerancia oral a la glucosa, evaluada por la toma glucemia capilar en ayunas y dos horas postprandial. Se analizaron: el promedio, desviación estándar y prueba t student. Los resultados más relevantes fueron: Glucemia postprandial del grupo control 100,4 (± 11,9) mg/dl y (p=2,129), en el grupo de mate de coca 81,8 (±7,5) mg/dl y (p=0,003), y en el grupo de masticación de hoja de coca 82,07 (± 8,8) mg/dl y (p=0,082). Se concluye que la hoja de coca (Erythroxylum coca) reduce la glucemia postprandial en este grupo, siendo estadísticamente significativa en las dos formas de consumo mate y masticación en comparación que el grupo control.

Considering the veracity of the benefits of coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca), this study aims to evaluate the glycemicresponse post ingestion of coca leaf in people without metabolic pathologic background. It was used an experimental field trial type study. In a population of 345 people from the Military Academy Army of Sergeants in Cochabamba - Bolivia, 90 male people of 18 to 25 years old were selected with no medical history, normal anthropometric measures normal glucose on of 60 to 100 mg/dl.The sample was divided in a control group post-intake mate of 5 gr. coca and a post-chewing group 5 gr. coca leaf during an oral glucose tolerance test assessed by fasting capillary blood glucose two hours postprandial. It has been analyzed the mean, standard deviation and test student t. Most important result was: In the control group a postprandial glycemic of 100.4 (± 1 1.9) mg / dl (p = 2.129), the coca tea group was 81.8 (± 7.5) mg / dl (p = 0.003), group the chewing coca leaf was 82.07 (± 8.8) mg / dl (p = 0.082). It was been concluded that Coca (Erythroxylon coca) reduces postprandial glycemic in people without metabolic pathologic background, and it's statistically significant in the two ways of cultural consumption in the compering groups.

Equação de biomassa e estoque de carbono do pinhão manso, no município de Viçosa, MG / Biomass equation and carbon stock of jatropha crop, in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estimar equações de biomassa e o estoque de carbono da cultura do Pinhão Manso (Jatrophacurcas L.). A área estudada localiza-se no município de Viçosa, MG. O plantio foi realizado em espaçamento 3,5x3,0m, em 4,64ha. Para quantificação da biomassa, foi utilizado o método direto e destrutivo, aplicado às árvores-amostra, que foram selecionadas de acordo com as medidas da altura, do diâmetro das copas e do número de ramos. A determinação da biomassa de cada árvore foi obtida pelo método da proporcionalidade. Os modelos testados foram adaptados de Spurr e de Schumacher & Hall, para biomassa aérea e biomassa total (biomassa aérea mais biomassa de raízes pivotantes). O estoque de carbono foi estimado através da multiplicação da biomassa seca pelo teor de carbono da matéria seca, que foi obtido pelo método da calcinação em mufla. A estimativa do CO2 equivalente estocado foi obtida pela multiplicação do estoque de carbono pelo fator 44/12. A equação que obteve melhor ajuste e que foi utilizada para determinação do estoque de carbono deste estudo foi a de Spurr, com os dados de biomassa total, B=0,7601*(DC2*H)0,8949, em que B = biomassa (kg); DC = diâmetro de copa (m); e H = altura (m). O estoque de carbono encontrado da cultura, no quarto ano, foi de 6,79MgC ha-1, correspondendo a 24,89Mg CO2(eq) ha-1. Os resultados mostram que o pinhão-manso é ambientalmente viável para elaboração de projetos MDL de florestamento/reflorestamento ou em projetos de carbono para mercados voluntários, agregando renda ao produtor rural e melhorando a atratividade financeira da cultura.

This study had the objectives to estimate equations of biomass and carbon stock of Jatropha (Jatrophacurcas L.). The area of this study is located in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, planting carried out in 3.5x3.0m spacing at 4.64ha. To biomass quantification, we used the direct destructive method, applied to trees, which were selected according to the measurements of height, canopy diameter and number of branches. The tree biomass determination was obtained by the proportionality method. The adapted models were from Spurr and Schumacher & Hall, for biomass and total biomass (aboveground biomass more taproots biomass). The carbon stock was estimated multiplying the biomass by the carbon content of dry matter, which was obtained by calcination in a muffle. The estimate of the equivalent CO2 stored was obtained by multiplying the carbon stock by a factor 44/12. The equation with better model and who was used for carbon stock determination was to Spurr, using total biomass data, B=0.7601*(CD2*H)0.8949, where B = biomass (kg); CD = canopy diameter (m); e H = height (m). The carbon stock of culture, founded to the fourth year, was 6.79MgC ha-1, corresponding to 24.89MgCO2(eq) ha-1. The results shows that Jatropha is environmentally viable for development of CDM afforestation / reforestation projects or carbon projects to voluntary markets, adding income to farmers and improving the financial attractiveness of the crop.

Ética e deontologia profissionais do professor universitário / Professional deontology and ethics of the university teacher

O objetivo do artigo e fazer uma reflexão e discussão sobre a ética e deontologia profissional do professor universitário e o papel da universidade na realidade angolana. A Universidade é posta como espaço privilegiado para o confronto de ideias, de troca de conhecimentos e experiências, de convivência e de contradições em busca de soluções dos diferentes problemas sociais. Neste contexto, a missão do professor é transmitir o conhecimento científico, como também valores e experiências culturais, e cumprir com as normas e princípios éticos e deontológicos na sua actividade e nas suas relações interpessoais. O professor universitário tem a árdua missão de formar agentes a fim de garantir a identificação recíproca entre a identidade cultural do povo e a universidade. Neste sentido, na construção de uma universidade séria e responsável, deve-se combater as tendências à violação do sigilo profissional e a simples luta por um diploma, cabendo esta responsabilidade a todos os envolvidos no contexto da universidade. Só com autonomia de pensamento e independência de ação a universidade vai cumprir o seu papel social.(AU)

This article is aimed at reflecting and discussing university teacher’s deontology and ethics as well as the role of university in the Angolan reality. The university is established as a privileged environment for opposing ideas, sharing of knowledge and experiences, interacting and contradictions, seeking solutions to a variety of social problems. In this context, university teachers’ mission is to provide students with scientific knowledge, cultural values and experiences. It is also part of their mission to act in accordance with ethical and deontological rules and principles both in their professional and private lives. The university teacher has the arduous task of educating people in order to engender common identification between the university and people’s culture. Thus, for the construction of a responsible and trustworthy university, the violation of professional secrecy and the mere struggle to obtain a diploma are trends with which one and all participating in a university context should responsibly disagree. Only the freedom to think and act will make university accomplish its mission in society.(AU)

Alogenosis Iatrogénica, el Gran Peligro de los Biopolímeros / Iatrogenic Allogenosis, the Big Danger of the Biopolymers

La importancia que se le da a la estética en el siglo XXI ha llevado a la creación y uso de diversas sustancias de relleno en diferentes presentaciones. Esta revisión hace énfasis en las sustancias inyectables, conocidas también con el nombre de biopolímeros. Los resultados de la aplicación de los biopolímeros son, a veces, catastróficos y aún no existe la experiencia suficiente para realizar el tratamiento adecuado y definitivo, esto sin mencionar que, en algunos casos, podría llevar a la muerte del paciente. En esta revisión también mencionamos la alternativa de otras sustancias de relleno más seguras para el paciente.

The importance given to esthetics in the twentieth century has lead to the creation and use of various filler substances in different presentations. This review emphasizes in the injectable substances, al so known by the name of biopolymers. The biopolymers application results are, sometimes, catastrophic and there's not experience enough yet to make the proper and final treatment, not to mention that in some cases it could lead to the patient's death. In this review we also mention other alternative and safer fillers for the patient.

Alteraciones en la enzimología de la producción de aldosterona / Alterations in the enzymology of aldosterone production

El último paso para la producción de aldosterona (11-desoxicorticosterona a aldosterona) en mitocondrias de zona glomerulosa de adrenal de rata es catalizado por la enzima CYP11B2. CYP11B1, en zona fasciculata, transforma 11-desoxicorticosterona en corticosterona o 18-hidroxi-11-desoxicorticosterona. CYO11B1 y CYP11B2 tienen alta homología y sus genes se hallan en tándem en el cromosoma 8q22. Mutaciones en el gen de CYP11B2 y recombinaciones genéticas entre éste y el gen de CYP11B1 serían las responsables de las alteraciones en la enzimología de la producción de aldosterona, dando una nueva denominación y explicación a las deficiencias anteriormente conocidas como de CMOI y CMOII

Alteraciones en la enzimología de la producción de aldosterona / Alterations in the enzymology of aldosterone production

El último paso para la producción de aldosterona (11-desoxicorticosterona a aldosterona) en mitocondrias de zona glomerulosa de adrenal de rata es catalizado por la enzima CYP11B2. CYP11B1, en zona fasciculata, transforma 11-desoxicorticosterona en corticosterona o 18-hidroxi-11-desoxicorticosterona. CYO11B1 y CYP11B2 tienen alta homología y sus genes se hallan en tándem en el cromosoma 8q22. Mutaciones en el gen de CYP11B2 y recombinaciones genéticas entre éste y el gen de CYP11B1 serían las responsables de las alteraciones en la enzimología de la producción de aldosterona, dando una nueva denominación y explicación a las deficiencias anteriormente conocidas como de CMOI y CMOII (AU)