Lendo Mitos, Fábulas, Contos - fios metafóricos da história da humanidade

A história da humanidade é contada por fios metafóricos: mitos, fábulas, contos de fada. Cada uma dessas narrativas enfoca partes dessa história e significa a realidade sob prismas diferentes: compondo sentidos, norteando ações, justificando diferentes trajetórias de vida. O trabalho com esses gêneros é explicitado em livros, sala de aula e projetos.

Environmental isolation, biochemical identification, and antifungal drug susceptibility of Cryptococcus species

Introduction The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has increased in recent years and is considered an important public health problem. Among systemic and opportunistic mycoses, cryptococcosis is distinguished by its clinical importance due to the increased risk of infection in individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Methods To determine the occurrence of pathogenic Cryptococcus in pigeon excrement in the City of Araraquara, samples were collected from nine environments, including state and municipal schools, abandoned buildings, parks, and a hospital. The isolates were identified using classical tests, and susceptibility testing for the antifungal drugs (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B) independently was also performed. After collection, the excrement samples were plated on Niger agar and incubated at room temperature. Results A total of 87 bird dropping samples were collected, and 66.6% were positive for the genus Cryptococcus. The following species were identified: Cryptococcus neoformans (17.2%), Cryptococcus gattii (5.2%), Cryptococcus ater (3.5%), Cryptococcus laurentti (1.7%), and Cryptococcus luteolus (1.7%). A total of 70.7% of the isolates were not identified to the species level and are referred to as Cryptococcus spp. throughout the manuscript. Conclusions Although none of the isolates demonstrated resistance to antifungal drugs, the identification of infested areas, the proper control of birds, and the disinfection of these environments are essential for the epidemiological control of cryptococcosis.

Proposal to utilize simplified Swensen protocol in diagnosis of isolated pulmonary nodule

Background: The problem of diagnosing whether a solitary pulmonary nodule is benign or malignant is even greater in developing countries due to a higher prevalence of infectious diseases. These infections generate a large number of patients who are generally asymptomatic and with a pulmonary nodule that cannot be accurately defined as having benign or malignant etiology.Purpose: To verify the percentages of benign versus malignant non-calcified nodules, the length of time after contrast agent injection is spiral computed tomography (CT) most sensitive and specific, and whether three postcontrast phases are necessary.Material and Methods: We studied 23 patients with solitary pulmonary nodules identified on chest radiographs or CT. Spiral scans were obtained with Swensen protocol, but at 3, 4, and 5 min after contrast injection onset. Nodules were classified as benign or malignant by histopathological examination or by an absence or presence of growth after 2 years of follow-up CT.Results: Of the 23 patients studied, 18 (78.2%) showed a final diagnosis of benign and five (21.7%) malignant nodules. Despite the small sample size, we obtained results similar to those of Swensen et al., with 80.0% sensitivity, 55.5% specificity, and 60.8% accuracy. Four minutes gave the greatest mean enhancement in both malignant and benign lesions.Conclusion: Small non-calcified benign nodules were much more frequent than malignant nodules. The best time for dynamic contrast-enhanced CT density analysis was 4 min postcontrast. As well as saving time and money, this simplified Swensen protocol with only precontrast and 4 min postcontrast phases also reduces patient exposure to ionizing radiation.

Determinação de Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn em águas marinhas oriundas da Bacia Potiguar utilizando a técnica de difusão em filmes finos por gradiente de concentração (DGT)

The DGT technique has been used to determine and better understand the dynamics and bioavailability of metals in the sea near to marine outfalls. In this work, the DGT was assessed for the determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni in marine water samples from Potiguar Basin in its conventional aspect (binding agent, Chelex-100 and diffusive agent: Diffusive polyacrylamide gel (D) and restrictive (R)) and determination of Pb and Cd through its alternative aspect (binding agent: Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in agarose gels and diffusive agent: 3MM Chromatography Paper). The deployment curves for long periods of immersion in the sample, showed a good linear correlation for the conventional aspect to Zn (D: R²=0.9586, R: R²=0.9444), Ni (D: R²=0.9789, R: R²=0.9286) and Cu (D: R²=0.764, R: R²=0.8143), and alternative to Pb (R²=0.9228) and Cd (R²=0.9673). The results of the organic and inorganic composition analysis in conventional aspect, showed that for every element there is no significant fraction of organic compounds in the sample. In addition, considering the alternative aspect, the comparison of obtained and expected masses suggests that some of the Pb is not labile and that the main retention mechanism of Pb for S. Cerevisiae occurs through ion exchange

Lisina e metionina+cistina digestíveis sobre o desempenho, rendimento, qualidade e morfometria do músculo peitoral (Pectoralis major) de frangos de corte

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Mating system variation and assortative mating of sympatric bromeliads (Pitcairnia spp.) endemic to neotropical inselbergs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a possible role for vitamin D in disease status and bone health

Purpose: In juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JoSLE), evidence for the association between vitamin D status, lupus activity, and bone health is very limited and not conclusive. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess in JoSLE patients the possible relevance of vitamin D deficiency in disease and bone parameters. Methods: Fifty-seven JoSLE patients were initially compared to 37 age, race and body mass index (BMI) -matched healthy controls. The serum concentration of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was determined by radioimmunoassay. Patients with 25OHD deficiency (acurrency sign20 ng/mL) were compared to those with levels > 20 ng/mL. Disease activity was evaluated by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (BC) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: 25OHD levels were similar in patients and controls (21.44 +/- 7.91 vs 22.54 +/- 8.25 ng/mL, p = 0.519), regardless of supplementation (65% of patients and none in controls). Thirty-one patients with 25OHD deficiency (acurrency sign20 ng/mL) were further compared to the 26 JoSLE patients with levels > 20 ng/mL. These two groups were well-balanced regarding vitamin D confounding variables: age (p = 0.100), ethnicity (p = 1.000), BMI (p = 0.911), season (p = 0.502), frequency of vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.587), creatinine (p = 0.751), renal involvement (p = 0.597), fat mass (p = 0.764), lean mass (p = 0.549), previous/current use of glucocorticoids(GC) (p = 1.0), immunosuppressors (p = 0.765), and mean current daily dose of GC (p = 0.345). Patients with vitamin D deficiency had higher SLEDAI (3.35 +/- 4.35 vs 1.00 +/- 2.48, p = 0.018), lower C4 levels (12.79 +/- 6.78 vs 18.38 +/- 12.24 mg/dL, p = 0.038), lower spine BMD (0.798 +/- 0.148 vs 0.880 +/- 0.127 g/cm2, p = 0.037) and whole body BMD (0.962 +/- 0.109 vs 1.027 +/- 0.098 g/cm2, p = 0.024). Conclusion: JoSLE vitamin D deficiency, in spite of conventional vitamin D supplementation, affects bone and disease activity status independent of therapy and fat mass reinforcing the recommendation to achieve adequate levels. Lupus (2012) 21, 1335-1342.

Nonoriented Electrical Steels

The physical origins of the magnetic properties of nonoriented electrical steels; its relations to microstructural features like grain size, nonmetallic inclusions, dislocation density distribution, crystallographic texture, and residual stresses; and its processing by cold rolling and annealing are overviewed, using quantitative relations whenever available.

Supracerebellar transtentorial approach-resection of the tentorium instead of an opening-to provide broad exposure of the mediobasal temporal lobe: anatomical aspects and surgical applications Clinical article

Object. The aim of this study was to describe the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe and the supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach performed not with an opening, but with the resection of the tentorium, as an alternative route for the neurosurgical management of vascular and tumoral lesions arising from this region. Methods. Cadaveric specimens were used to illustrate the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal region of the temporal lobe. Demographic aspects, characteristics of lesions, clinical presentation, surgical results, follow-up findings, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed for patients referred to receive the SCTT approach with tentorial resection. Results. Ten patients (83%) were female and 2 (17%) were male. Their ages ranged from 6 to 59 years (mean 34.5 +/- 15.8 years). All lesions (3 posterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 3 arteriovenous malformations, 3 cavernous malformations, and 3 tumors) were completely excluded or resected. After a mean follow-up period of 143 months (range 10-240 months), the mean postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.9. Conclusions. Knowledge of the surgical anatomy provides improvement for microsurgical approaches. The evolution from a small opening to a resection of the tentorium absolutely changed the exposure of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe. The SCTT approach with tentorial resection is an excellent alternative route to the posterior part of mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe, and it was enough to achieve the best neurosurgical management of tumoral and vascular lesions located in this area. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2011.12.JNS111256)

SnO2 nanocrystals synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method: towards a relationship between structural and optical properties

The exploration of novel synthetic methodologies that control both size and shape of functional nanostructure opens new avenues for the functional application of nanomaterials. Here, we report a new and versatile approach to synthesize SnO2 nanocrystals (rutile-type structure) using microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Broad peaks in the X-ray diffraction spectra indicate the nanosized nature of the samples which were indexed as a pure cassiterite tetragonal phase. Chemically and physically adsorbed water was estimated by TGA data and FT-Raman spectra to account for a new broad peak around 560 cm(-1) which is related to defective surface modes. In addition, the spherical-like morphology and low dispersed distribution size around 3-5 nm were investigated by HR-TEM and FE-SEM microscopies. Room temperature PL emission presents two broad bands at 438 and 764 nm, indicating the existence of different recombination centers. When the size of the nanospheres decreases, the relative intensity of 513 nm emission increases and the 393 nm one decreases. UV-Visible spectra show substantial changes in the optical absorbance of crystalline SnO2 nanoparticles while the existence of a small tail points out the presence of localized levels inside the forbidden band gap and supplies the necessary condition for the PL emission.

Eruption sequestrum - case report and histopathological findings

Eruption sequestrum is an uncommon disturbance in eruption and consists of small fragments of calcified tissue overlying the crowns of erupting permanent molar teeth, especially at the time of eruption of the mandibular first molars. This paper reports a case of unilateral eruption sequestrum in a 7-year-old Brazilian boy and describes its histopathological findings. A white small fragment, 0.5 cm in diameter, with hard consistency, irregular shape and located on the occlusal surface of the erupting mandibular left first molar was excised. Microscopic examination revealed large trabeculae with empty lacunae and a minimal amount of existing spongy bone consisting of acute inflammatory cells (neutrophils). Signs of necrosis were found on the periphery. The histological analysis was consistent with non-vital bone and the diagnosis of eruption sequestrum was established. Clinical and radiographic follow-up visits scheduled at short intervals and then every 6 months revealed normal postoperative conditions.

Population ageing, longevity and migration: an overlapping generations approach

The silent demographic revolution characterizing the main industrialized countries is an unavoidable factor which has major economic, social, cultural and psychological implications. This thesis studies the main consequences of population ageing and the connections with the phenomenon of migration, The theoretical analysis is developed using Overlapping Generations Models (OLG). The thesis is divided in the following four chapters: 1) “A Model for Determining Consumption and Social Assistance Demand in Uncertainty Conditions”, focuses on the relation between demographic impact and social insurance and proposes the institution of a non selfsufficiency fund for the elderly. 2) "Population Ageing, Longevity and Health", analyzes the effects of health investment on intertemporal individual behaviour and capital accumulation. 3) "Population Ageing and the Nursing Flow", studies the consequences of migration in the nursing sector. 4) "Quality of Multiculturalism and Minorities' Assimilation", focuses on the problem of assimilation and integration of minorities.