Advanced megaesophagus (Group III) secondary to vector-borne Chagas disease in a 20-month-old infant

The authors report the case of a female infant with Group III (or Grade III) megaesophagus secondary to vector-borne Chagas disease, resulting in severe malnutrition that reversed after surgery (Heller technique). The infant was then treated with the antiparasitic drug benznidazole, and the infection was cured, as demonstrated serologically and parasitologically. After follow-up of several years without evidence of disease, with satisfactory weight and height development, the patient had her first child at age 23, in whom serological tests for Chagas disease yielded negative results. Thirty years after the initial examination, the patient's electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest radiography remained normal.

Market risk charge of the trading book: a comparison of the Basel II and Basel III

This paper aims to investigate if the market capital charge of the trading book increased in Basel III compared to Basel II. I showed that the capital charge rises by 232% and 182% under the standardized and internal model, respectively. The varying liquidity horizons, the calibration to a stress period, the introduction of credit spread risk, the restrictions on correlations across risk categories and the incremental default charge boost Basel III requirements. Nevertheless, the impact of Expected shortfall at 97.5% is low and long term shocks decrease the charge. The standardized approach presents advantages and disadvantages relative to internal models.

Production and diagnostic application of recombinant domain III of West Nile envelope protein in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with a natural cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Over the last 11 years, WNV has spread throughout the Americas with the imminent risk of its introduction in Brazil. METHODS: Envelope protein domain III of WNV (rDIII) was bacterially expressed and purified. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with WNV rDIII antigen was standardized against mouse immune fluids (MIAFs) of different flavivirus. RESULTS: WNV rDIII reacted strongly with St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) MIAF but not with other flaviviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This antigen may be a potentially useful tool for serologic diagnosis and may contribute in future epidemiological surveillance of WNV infections in Brazil.

Is the Basel III Leverage Ratio countercyclical? A study for Portuguese banks

This work analyses how the leverage ratio behaves through the cycle, vis-��-vis other capital ratios. For a sample of the largest Portuguese banks, the Basel III leverage ratio is indeed countercyclical. This result is relevant from a regulatory perspective, since the introduction of a limit on the leverage ratio will function as a restriction in the banks��� balance sheet size, reducing the economic costs associated with the excessive growth of leverage in periods of economic expansion followed by aggressive deleveraging in the downturn. However, one cannot exclude that restrictions on banks��� leverage incentivize its transference to less regulated intermediaries.

Propaga����o de fendas por fadiga quando sujeitas a carregamentos em Modo I ou Modo III

A propaga����o de fenda sob fadiga pode ser observada em v��rios componentes mec��nicos, que podem ser feitos de chapa fina ou espessa (ou cascas) e, consequentemente, serem sujeitos a estado plano de tens��o ou estado plano de deforma����o, respectivamente. As cargas aplicadas num corpo s��lido que cont��m um entalhe estreito ou uma fenda aguda ir��o induzir uma zona de escoamento limite de material com uma dimens��o que depender�� das propriedades mec��nicas do material, bem como a espessura do corpo, o comprimento de fenda e a intensidade das cargas aplicadas. A propaga����o da fenda pode ent��o ocorrer sob modo I, II, III ou modo misto. Esta tese apresenta as fun����es integrais JI, JII e JIII , que foram correlacionadas com os factores de intensidade de tens��o KI, KII e KIII, para provetes CT espessos e finos. A avalia����o dos valores do Integral-J foi feita para diferentes comprimentos de fenda, ao longo da frente de fenda, usando o M��todo dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), com n��s colapsados e interm��dios deslocados a �� do comprimento da aresta, com o objectivo de simular a singularidade na extremidade da fenda. A interac����o entre os modos de abertura, corte e rasgamento �� tamb��m discutida. Adicionalmente, a propaga����o de fenda sob o modo I e o modo III foi determinada experimentalmente, �� temperatura ambiente, para um a��o inoxid��vel austen��tico Cr-Mn de alta resist��ncia.

Invent��rio de Medos III : Avalia����o das qualidades psicom��tricas em uma amostra portuguesa

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as qualidades psicom��tricas do Fear Survey Schedule-III, em uma amostra portuguesa. Participaram 1.980 sujeitos selecionados por conveni��ncia a partir de uma popula����o adulta normativa. As idades dos participantes estavam compreendidas entre os 18 e os 80 anos (M = 39,5, DP = 8,5), sendo 59% do sexo feminino. As qualidades psicom��tricas da escala foram avaliadas em suas facetas de sensibilidade psicom��trica, validade de construto e confi abilidade. A validade externa de construto foi avaliada com an��lise multigrupos em amostra aleat��ria e independente da amostra de valida����o inicial. O modelo fatorial original proposto apresentou um ajustamento inaceit��vel �� amostra de valida����o. Procedeu-se ao refi namento do modelo de medida em uma parte da amostra, selecionada aleatoriamente. Em conclus��o, o modelo de medida simplifi cado apresentou uma boa qualidade de ajustamento fatorial e foi invariante em uma segunda amostra independente da primeira. Prop��s-se uma nova estrutura hier��rquica, com fator de 2�� ordem designado por ���Medos���, que revelou boas qualidades psicom��tricas (sensibilidade, validade de construto e confi abilidade).

Poor response to azithromycin in cutaneous leishmaniasis leading to a premature interruption of a multicentric phase III clinical trial in Brazil

Introduction Parenteral antimony-based compounds are still the standard of care for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) treatment in many countries, despite their high toxicity. Previous studies showed that oral azithromycin could be an option for CL treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of oral azithromycin (AZ) for CL treatment compared with injectable meglumine antimoniate (MA). Methods This was a randomized, open-label, 2-arm, non-inferiority clinical trial. Treatment-naïve patients with localized CL were treated with MA (15mg/kg/day up to 1,215mg) or AZ (500mg/day) during 20 consecutive days. The primary efficacy end point was a CL cure 90 days after treatment completion. The analysis was performed with intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. After an anticipated interim analysis, the study was interrupted due to the high failure rate in the azithromycin group. Results Twenty-four volunteers were included in each group. The MA group had a higher cure rate than the AZ group with the ITT and PP analyses, which were 54.2% versus 20.8% [relative risk (RR) 1.97; 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) 1.13-3.42] and 72.2% versus 23.8% (RR 3.03; 95%CI 1.34-6.87), respectively. No unexpected adverse events were observed. Conclusions Azithromycin is ineffective for CL treatment and does not seem to have a role in the therapeutic arsenal for CL.

Basel III new capital requirements, impacts and bank behavior

For some years, researchers could not find a clear effect of capital adequacy on the risk profile of banks, as shareholders could increase the riskiness of the assets (qualitative effect), crowding-out the effect of reduced leverage (volume effect). Some shareholders might have the will to increase the riskiness of the assets, but they may lack the power to do so. Considering only ���powerful��� shareholders, definitive conclusions were drawn but with constant ownership profile. In this paper I investigate whether there is a significant change in the type of shareholders in response to regulatory capital shocks and, if so, will the banking system be in the hands of more ���desired��� shareholders. I find that ownership profile responds to a regulatory shock, changing the risk appetite of the ruling power at the bank. I find more banks and the government in the ownership of undercapitalised banks and much less institutional shareholders and free float. I claim that these new shareholders may not the desired ones, given the objective of the regulatory change, as they are associated with a preference for more leverage. One possible explanation for this crowding-out effect is that regulators are trying to contain idiosyncratic risk (more linked to the riskiness of the assets) with a rule that contains systematic risk (capital adequacy). This has a distorting effect on ownership. Another insight can be drawn from the tests: supervisors should be aware of significant ownership movements that cause the crowding-out.

Aspectos biol��gicos de peixes amaz��nicos. III. Anatomia microsc��pica do es��fago, est��mago e cecos pil��ricos de Semaprochilodus insignis (characiformes : Prochilodontidae)

Foi descrita a constitui����o histol��gica do es��fago, est��mago e cecos pil��ricos de Semaprochilodus insignis, um Characiforma de expressiva ocorr��ncia na Amaz��nia central, onde �� usualmente conhecido como "jaraqui escama-grossa". As camadas epitelial e muscular mostraram-se bastante vari��veis de ��rg��o para ��rg��o, e mesmo em diferentes segmentos de um ��nico ��rg��o. O epit��lio do es��fago �� inicialmente estratificado pavimentoso e finalmente simples mucoso. O est��mago comp��e-se de uma por����o descendente, revestida por gl��ndulas g��stricas, e uma ascendente, n��o-glandular. A camada muscular nestes dois ��rg��os sofre substitui����o gradual da estriada para a lisa, bem como a orienta����o dos feixes. Os cecos pil��ricos, pequenos e numerosos, n��o apresentam nem componentes glandulares, nem absortivos. Por fim, �� sugerido um mecanismo geral para a digest��o, considerando o h��bito alimentar dessa esp��cie.

Basel III: The impact of new capital requirements on profitability of Portuguese Banks

This empirical study aims to explore the impact of increased capital ratio requirements, on the ROE of the Portuguese banking sector. The paper employs both a quantitative- and qualitative approach, with the qualitative approach as the main method of research. The method adopted to conduct the qualitative research was semi structured elite interviews with banking executives. Higher capital requirements decrease the ROE of banks in Portugal, but huge impairments charges, macroeconomic factors and increased costs of deposits are clearly the dominant reasons for the reduced levels of ROE the past years. Among the measures taken to increase capital ratios, reduction of RWAs and non-core assets have been the main focus, but the issuance of CoCos is regarded as the most expensive measure due to high interest payments. However, the CoCos will not have any effect on the ROE in the long term. It is difficult to draw any conclusions on the impact of more equity in the balance sheet on the ROE of Portuguese banks, as many banks currently don���t generate enough money to pay back on shareholders�� investments.

Cyperaceae of Tropical America: some new or critical species III

Discussed are the taxonomy of the Scleria arundinacea-latifoliacomplex, S. mitis, and S. myricocarpa, all controversial and widespread taxa in tropical America. Scleria cerradicola is described as new in the section Hymenolytrum and a range extension of a rare species, Scleria neogranatensis, is noted.

Biology of amazonian mosquitoes. III. Esterase isozymes in Anopheles darlingi.

Six esterase isozymes were studied during the development of Anopheles darlingi by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two different substrates, a-naphthylcelate and a-naphthylpropionate. Esterases 5 and 6'were detected in all developmental stages esterases 1 and 2 were more intensively stained if larvae, while esterases 3 and 4 were better visualized in pupae and adults. Strong differences in intensity of some of the isozymes were observed during the pupal stage.Four out of the six isozymes showed variation in the electrophoretic mobility. Esterase-2 was choosed for genetic studies, because was the best stained isozyme in the gels. Two codominant alleles {Est2*S and Est2*F) code for this polymorphic system, with the Est*S frequency equal to 0.521. Phenotypic distribution is in agreement with hardy-Weinberg expectations.

Amazonian Foliicolous Fungi III. A preliminary list of Ascomycotina, mostly Dothideales, sensu lato

This paper records 65 leaf-inhabiting sac fungi collected in Amazonas and Roraima during 1977-78 as part of Projeto Flora Amaz��nica. Lembosia miconiae (Ryan) Farr is a new combination.

Tratamentos pr��-germinativos em sementes de esp��cies florestais da amaz��nia. III .Faveira-arara-tucupi (Parkia decussata Ducke) - LEGUMINOSAE.

No presente trabalho as sementes de Faveira-arara-tucupi (Parkia decussata Ducke) foram submetidas a v��rios tratamentos e estudadas quanto ao poder germinativo, por meio da utiliza����o de ��cido sulf��rico concentrado por (2,5: 5; 10; 20 e 40 minutos), escari-fica����o manual ��gua quente a 8O C durante (10; 20 e 40 minutos) e ��gua a temperatura ambiente durante (12 e 24 horas). Os tratamentos com ��cido sulf��rico por 20 e 40 minutos eescarifica����o manual foram os mais eficientes para aumentar a germina����o. Com base nestes resultados, os autores apontam como a causa prov��vel dos problemas de germina����o das sementes a impermeabilidade do tegumento �� ��gua.

Plantas nativas de uso en medicina popular en el Paraguay. Parte III

La quimioterapia has sido un gran adelanto en Farmacologia, pero las secuelas de las racciones adversas han despertado una tendencia a volver a lo natural, especialmente hacia el reino vegetal, esto nos estimul�� a la orientaci��n de nuestra investigaci��n para iniciar esta labor. En la primera y segunda parte se identificaron un total de 100 especues, la identificaci��n ha comprobado que los ejemplares pertenecen a distintas familias y sus usos para combatir diveresas afecciones. Se indentificaron en esta tercera parte outras 50 especies. Se recopilaron datos sobre el uso de plantas que curar afecciones, luego se procedieron a la herborizaci��n e identificaci��n de las especies, cuyos ejemplares se conservan en el herbario de la Facultad de Ciencias Qu��micas de la Universidad nacional de Asunci��n. La identifica��on bot��nica y la recopilaci��n de sus usos populares, servir��n de base para posteriores investigaciones fitoqu��micas y farmacol��gicas que es nuestro prop��sito.