Paulista registry of glomerulonephritis: 5-year data report

Background. The Paulista Registry of Glomerulopathies was created in May 1999 and comprises several centres of São Paulo, the most populous Brazilian State, that concentrates people from all regions of the country who look for health care.Methods. This report includes data from 2086 patients from Brazil submitted to renal biopsy due to the presumed diagnosis of glomerular diseases, registered prospectively since May 1999 until January 2005. Data were collected by the integrants of the 11 centres involved, utilizing a standardized questionnaire.Results. The mean age of the patients was 34.5 +/- 14.6 years. Primary glomerular diseases were more frequent in males (55.1%) than in females; on the other hand, secondary glomerular diseases were more frequent in females (71.8%). The most common clinical presentation was nephrotic syndrome and the frequency of hypertension, at this time, was 55.5%. There was a predominance of indication of biopsies in the third, fourth and fifth decades of life. The most common primary glomerular diseases were focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (29.7%), followed by membranous nephropathy (20.7%), IgA nephropathy (17.8%), minimal change disease (9.1%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (7%), crescentic glomerulonephritis (4.1%), advanced chronic glomerulopathy (4%), non-IgA mesangial glomerulonephritis (3.8%), diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (2.5%), focal segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis (1%) and others (0.3%). The most frequent secondary glomerular disease was lupus nephritis, corresponding to 66.2% of the cases, followed by post-infectious glomerulonephritis (12.5%), diabetic nephropathy (6.2%), diseases associated to paraproteinaemia (4.9%), hereditary diseases (4.6%), vasculitis (3.2%), malignancies (0.9.%), secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (0.6%) and others (0.9%).Conclusion. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most frequent primary glomerular disease, followed by membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy. Lupus nephritis predominated over all the other secondary glomerular diseases.

Growth of Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum in Different Peats and Change of Peat Properties during Cultivation

Marketable chrysanthemums were produced in several different peat types. Only the plants in one of the dredged frozen black peats and one of the milled white peats had a significant lower shoot dry weight than those in one of the sod and milled white peats, respectively. As the N-contents of the fertilized peats show neither deficiency nor excess in nutrient supply, possibly they are not the reason for the differences in shoot dry weight. The air capacity, which is extremely low in both dredged frozen black peats and dropped further during the cultivation period due to decomposition, also cannot explain the differences in shoot dry weight sufficiently (R-2=0.44*; n=12). A close linear negative correlation (R-2=0.77**; n=12) was found between the CAT (VDLUFA) soluble Fe and the shoot dry weight. Therefore, the Fe-contents might be a quality factor of peat to be used as a growing medium.

Growth of Chrysanthemum grandiflorum in different peats and change of peat properties during cultivation

Marketable chrysanthemums were produced in several different peat types. Only the plants in one of the dredged frozen black peats and one of the milled white peats had a significant lower shoot dry weight than those in one of the sod and milled white peats, respectively. As the N-contents of the fertilized peats show neither deficiency nor excess in nutrient supply, possibly they are not the reason for the differences in shoot dry weight. The air capacity, which is extremely low in both dredged frozen black peats and dropped further during the cultivation period due to decomposition, also cannot explain the differences in shoot dry weight sufficiently (R2=0.44*; n=12). A close linear negative correlation (R2=0.77** n=12) was found between the CAT (VDLUFA) soluble Fe and the shoot dry weight. Therefore, the Fecontents might be a quality factor of peat to be used as a growing medium.

Application of landsat images for quantifying the energy balance under conditions of land use changes in the semi-arid region of Brazil

In the Nilo Coelho irrigation scheme, Brazil, the natural vegetation has been replaced by irrigated agriculture, bringing importance for the quantification of the effects on the energy exchanges between the mixed vegetated surfaces and the lower atmosphere. Landsat satellite images and agro-meteorological stations from 1992 to 2011 were used together, for modelling these exchanges. Surface albedo (α0), NDVI and surface temperature (T0) were the basic remote sensing retrieving parameters necessary to calculate the latent heat flux (λE) and the surface resistance to evapotranspiration (rs) on a large scale. The daily net radiation (Rn) was obtained from α0, air temperature (Ta) and short-wave transmissivity (τsw) throughout the slob equation, allowing the quantification of the daily sensible heat flux (H) by residual in the energy balance equation. With a threshold value for rs, it was possible to separate the energy fluxes from crops and natural vegetation. The averaged fractions of Rn partitioned as H and λE, were in average 39 and 67%, respectively. It was observed an increase of the energy used for the evapotranspiration process inside irrigated areas from 51% in 1992 to 80% in 2011, with the ratio λE/Rn presenting an increase of 3 % per year. The tools and models applied in the current research, can subsidize the monitoring of the coupled climate and land use changes effects in irrigation perimeters, being valuable when aiming the sustainability of the irrigated agriculture in the future, avoiding conflicts among different water users. © 2012 SPIE.

Product mix: The approach of throughput per day

Defining product mix is very important for organisations because it determines how productive resources are allocated among various operations. However, it is often defined subjectively. The methods commonly used for this definition are Integer Linear Programming and heuristics based in Theory of Constraints, which use maximum throughput as a performance measure. Although this measure provides maximum throughput to specific problem, it does not consider aspects of time, as days, utilised to make the throughput. Taking this into account, the aim of this paper is to present a throughput per day approach to define product mix, as well as to propose a constructive heuristic to help in this process. The results show that the proposed heuristic obtained satisfactory approximation when compared to the optimum values obtained by enumeration. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

The Genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vectorhuman and vectorparasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible at www.labinfo.lncc.br/index.php/anopheles- darlingi. © 2013 The Author(s).

Anaerobic digestion of stillage to produce bioenergy in the sugarcane-to-ethanol industry

Stillage is the main wastewater from ethanol production, containing a high chemical oxygen demand in addition to acidic and corrosive characteristics. Though stillage may be used as a soil fertilizer, its land application may be considered problematic due its high polluting potential. Anaerobic digestion represents an effective alternative treatment to reduce the pollution load of stillage. In addition, the methane gas produced within the process may be converted to energy, which can be directly applied to the treatment plant. The objective of this paper was to investigate the energetic potential of anaerobic digestion applied to stillage in the sugarcane ethanol industry. An overall analysis of the results indicates energy recovery capacity (ERC) values for methane ranging from 3.5% to 10%, respectively, for sugarcane juice and molasses. The processes employed to obtain the fermentable broth, as well as the distillation step, represent the main limiting factors to the energetic potential feasibility. Considering financial aspects the annual savings could reach up to US$ 30 million due to anaerobic digestion of stillage in relatively large-scale distilleries (365,000 m3 of ethanol per year). The best scenarios were verified for the association between anaerobic digestion of stillage and combustion of bagasse. In this case, the fossil fuels consumption in distilleries could be fully ceased, such the ERC of methane could reach values ranging from 140% to 890%. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Aspectos da patogenia e análise da variabilidade da glicoproteína S do Coronavirus dos Perus isolado no Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Accumulation of a complex of pigments in sorghum mesocotyls in response to wounding

Sorghum mesocotyls upon mechanical injury with an abrasive (carborundum) or inoculation with the fungi Helminthosporium carbonum (non-pathogen) or Colletotrichum graminicola (pathogen) accumulate a methanol-soluble pigment complex with an absorption maximum around 480-490 nm. Spectral and thin-layer chromatographic analyses showed that the complexes which accumulated either in response to wounding or inoculation are similar. Thus, it is suggested that the accumulation of the pigmented phytoalexins in sorghum mesocotyls is a non-specific response of the tissues towards mechanical injury or fungal infection.

Can repair increase the longevity of composite resins? Results of a 10-year clinical trial

The aim of this double-blind clinical trial was to assess the longevity of repairs to localized clinical defects in composite resin restorations that were initially planned to be treated with a restoration replacement. Methods Twenty-eight patients aged 18–80 years old with 50 composite resin restorations (CR) were recruited. The restorations with localized, marginal, anatomical deficiencies and/or secondary caries adjacent to CR that were “clinically judged” to be suitable for repair or replacement according to the USPHS criteria were randomly assigned to Repair (n = 25) or Replacement (n = 25) groups, and the quality of the restorations was scored according to the modified USPHS criteria. The restorations were blind and two examiners scored them at baseline (Cohen Kappa agreement score 0.74) and at ten years (Cohen Kappa agreement score 0.87) restorations. Wilcoxon tests were performed for comparisons within the same group (95% CI), and Friedman tests were utilized for multiple comparisons between the different years within each group. Results Over the decade, the two groups behaved similarly on the parameters of marginal adaptation (MA) (p > 0.05), secondary caries (SC) (p > 0.05), anatomy (A) (p < 0.05), and colour (C) (p > 0.05). Conclusions Given that the MA, SC, A and C parameters behaved similarly in both groups, the repair of composite resins should be elected when clinically indicated, because it is a minimally invasive treatment that can consistently increase the longevity of restorations. Clinical significance The repair of defective composite resins as an alternative treatment to increase their longevity proved to be a safe and effective treatment in the long term.

Longitudinal results of a 10-year clinical trial of repair of amalgam restorations

The aim of this prospective, blind, and randomized clinical trial was to assess the effectiveness of repair of localized clinical defects in amalgam restorations that were initially scheduled for replacement. A cohort of 20 patients with 40 (Class I and Class II) amalgam restorations that presented one or more clinical features that deviated from the ideal (Bravo or Charlie) according to US Public Health Service criteria, were randomly assigned to either the repair or the replacement group—A: repair, n = 19; and B: replacement, n = 21. Two examiners who had calibration expertise evaluated the restorations at baseline and 10 years after according to seven parameters: marginal occlusal adaptation, anatomic form, surface roughness, marginal staining, contact, secondary caries, and luster. After 10 years, 30 restorations (75%) were evaluated (Group A: n = 17; Group B: n = 13). Repaired and replaced amalgam restorations showed similar survival outcomes regarding marginal defects and secondary caries in patients with low and medium caries risk, and most of the restorations were considered clinically acceptable after 10 years. Repair treatment increased the potential for tooth longevity, using a minimally interventional procedure. All restorations trend to downgrade over time.

Sealing composite with defective margins, good care or over treatment? results of a 10-year clinical trial

Purpose: The objective of this study was to clinically evaluate sealed composite restorations after 10 years and compare their behavior with respect to controls. Methods and Materials: The cohort consisted of 20 patients aged 18 to 80 years with 80 composite restorations. All participants in the sealing and no-treatment groups presented with clinical features for the marginal adaptation that deviated from the ideal and were rated Bravo (United States Public Health Service criteria). Composites with Alfa values for the marginal adaptation were used as the positive control. Results: The marginal adaptation behavior was similar between the sealing and control (+) groups, with a high frequency of Bravo values in the 10th year (80% and 51%, respectively). Most of the no-treatment (-) group maintained the Bravo values (91%) for 10 years, although some restorations (9%) progressed to Charlie values. The anatomy parameter differed significantly between the first and 10th years, with deterioration in all three groups (p,0.05). The secondary caries parameter had a similar behavior in the three groups (p.0.05). Conclusions: Sealing the margins of the composite resin restorations had no significant effect compared with the control groups, under the conditions of this study. Sealing the restorations substantially improved the marginal staining and marginal adaptation parameters, although by the tenth year they were similar to the group without intervention.

Lifespan and reproductive dynamics of the commercially important sea bob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Penaeoidea): synthesis of a 5-year study

Population parameters of the shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) (sex ratio, length-frequency distributions (carapace length, CL), growth, lifespan, size of sexual maturity, spawning and recruitment) were analyzed in a long-term study from January 1998 through June 2003. The data on these parameters were collected and analyzed to test the hypothesis that the main period of juvenile recruitment in the bay coincides with the period of fishery closures currently designated by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. Monthly collections were conducted along the southeastern Brazilian coast, using a shrimp fishing boat with “double-rig” nets sampling at stations up to 40 m depth. Sex ratios were female-biased only in zones with high reproductive activity such as in stations deeper than 15 m (χ2 test, p<0.05). The mean size of males and females was 15.3 ± 3.1 mm CL and 16.2 ± 4.7 mm CL, respectively, with size at sexual maturity estimates (CL50) of 14.8 mm for males and 15.5 mm for females. Mean growth curves provided estimates of CL∞ = 29.31 mm, k = 0.009/day, t0=−0.25 and CL∞ = 35.33 mm, k = 0.006/day, t0=−0.23 for males and females, respectively, and average lifespans of 1.35 for males and 2.12 years for females. Recruitment and abundances of reproductive females were highly correlated with the environmental factors such as higher water temperature and finer-grained bottom sediment (canonical correlation, r=0.63, p<0.001). The reproductive peaks in February-April 1998, March-May 1999 and February-May 2002 were followed by recruitment peaks in May-July 1998, July-September 1999 and April-June 2002, respectively. Thus, the proposed period of fisheries closure (March to May) does not coincide with the main recruitment periods observed for X. kroyeri.

Lifespan and reproductive dynamics of the commercially important sea bob shrimp xiphopenaeus kroyeri (penaeoidea): synthesis of a 5-year study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of biodegradable detergents in the accumulation of lipofuscin (age pigment) in gill and liver of two neotropical fish species

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)