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Introduction: tuberculosis (TB) is a frequent complication in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blockers. It occurs upon the reactivation of a latent infection or the progression of a recent infection.Objective: to learn about the incidence of TB in a population receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blockers, to analyze the presentation of this condition and to conduct a latent infection research prior to the initiation of therapy.Method: retrospective cohort study. Patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blockers between 2010 and 2016 were included in the study. Data were obtained from the IT systems of the National Resources Fund and the National Tuberculosis Program. The incidence of TB was calculated and the cases developing TB were described.Results: 991 treatments were included for 980 patients in total. 9 cases of TB were reported. Global incidence was 419.9 (IC 95% 191.9-591.2) out of 100,000 people per year. Cases of TB were only seen in patients treated with adalimumab. Screening for LTBI upon initiation of the drug was heterogeneous and the disseminated forms of TB prevailed (6/9) over isolated pulmonary affectation (3/9). In all cases anti- TNFa was suspended when TB was diagnosed, and it was not reinitiated.Conclusions: the incidence of TB in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blockers was 16.5 times greater than in the general population. Disseminated forms of TB prevailed, and some cases occurred in individuals who had received LTBI therapy prior to the initiation of the drug, suggesting the risk persists as long as there is exposure to the drug.

The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines during inflammatory processes has been associated with preterm birth (PTB) and fetal injury in humans and mice. We previously demonstrated that exposition to an enriched environment (EE), defined as a noninvasive and biological significant stimulus of the sensory pathway combined with voluntary physical activity, prevented PTB and perinatal death induced by the systemic administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. This work aimed to analyze whether EE modulates the immune response to the inflammatory process induced by LPS in peripheral blood and the amniotic fluid (AF). We observed that EE modulated maternal white blood cell count and its response to LPS. Furthermore, we found higher levels of IL-10 and a higher percentage of B cells in AF from EE exposed mothers compared to controls. Albeit LPS significantly increased IL-6 levels in AF from both groups, it was 3.6 times higher in control environment (CE) exposed group when compared to EE. Similarly, levels of IL-22 were significantly increased by LPS in both groups, but it was 6.7 times higher in EE group. Interestingly, levels of PGE2 in AF were only increased in the EE-LPS treated group, and a positive correlation between IL-22 and PGE2 levels was observed. During lactation, EE prevented LPS-induced delay in physical landmarks analyzed to assess offspring development. Our results suggest that EE modulates the immune response to systemic LPS-administration protecting the offspring. We propose that an EE-like protocol could be designed for pregnant women aiming at preventing the sequelae present in premature children.

Jurisdiction specialization is a topic of interest in the administration the justice system. Pros and cons have been vastly discussed, but few papers discuss the pratical details connected to the application of this policy. In this study, we discuss the creation of business courts in the County of São Paulo Brazil, and introduce innovating data analysis methodologies for solving pratical problems. In São Paulo, new courts, specialized or not, must follow two main criteria. New courts must have a minimum number of lawsuits per year and must have some estimate of the future worka load. In the performed analyses, we found evidence that a business lawsuit requires almost twice the amount of effort of a common lawsuit. By correcting the volume of lawsuits, based on a matter-treatment model, we arrived at the conclusion that two business courts can handle the existing demand adequately. Also, we were able to develop a robust methodology to verify if and how business courts should be created.

Maternal overnutrition negatively impacts the offspring's health leading to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases or metabolic syndrome in adulthood. What we eat affects the endocannabinoid system (eCS) activity, which in turn modulates lipogenesis and fatty acids utilization in hepatic, muscle, and adipose tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the transgenerational effect of maternal obesity on cannabinoid receptor 1 knock-out (CB1 KO) animals in combination with a postnatal obesogenic diet on the development of metabolic disturbances on their offspring. CB1 KO mice were fed a control diet (CD) or a high-fat diet (HFD; 33% more energy from fat) for 3 months. Offspring born to control and obese mothers were also fed with CD or HFD. We observed that pups born to an HFD-fed mother presented higher postnatal weight, lower hepatic fatty acid amide hydrolase activity, and increased blood cholesterol levels when compared to the offspring born to CD-fed mothers. When female mice born to HFD-fed CB1 KO mothers were exposed to an HFD, they gained more weight, presented elevated blood cholesterol levels, and more abdominal adipose tissue accumulation than control-fed adult offspring. The eCS is involved in several reproductive physiological processes. Interestingly, we showed that CB1 KO mice in gestational day 15 presented resistance to LPS-induced deleterious effects on pregnancy outcome, which was overcome when these mice were obese. Our results suggest that an HFD in CB1 receptor-deficient mice contributes to a "nutritional programming" of the offspring resulting in increased susceptibility to metabolic challenges both perinatally and during adulthood.

PURPOSE Trastuzumab has shown an overall survival (OS) benefit in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer (BC), in both the adjuvant and the metastatic setting. We assessed the effectiveness of trastuzumab in patients treated in daily practice according to national treatment coverage protocols and compared our results with those reported by randomized clinical trials. These coverage protocols included patient selection criteria similar to those of those clinical trials and were developed by the Uruguayan National Resource Fund (FNR), the agency that has funded these prescriptions for more than a decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included all patients with HER2-positive BC treated with trastuzumab under FNR coverage approved between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2016. The source of data was the FNR database, and primary outcome was OS, analyzed through Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1,944 women were included: 1,085 women (55.8%) were postmenopausal and 1,240 (63.7%) had HER2 and hormone receptor–positive BC. Trastuzumab was administered as adjuvant therapy to 1,233 patients (63.5%), of whom 154 also received it as a neoadjuvant treatment. Three hundred nineteen patients (16.4%) received trastuzumab for advanced disease. Five-year OS in the adjuvant setting was 86.4% (95% CI, 84.0% to 88.7%). The median survival of patients with advanced BC was 25.1 months (95% CI, 10.1 to 42.5 months). CONCLUSION Our survival results are not inferior to those reported in clinical trials, in both adjuvant and advanced settings. Importantly, these results support the relevance and the feasibility of treating patients in routine practice, following coverage protocols based on patient selection criteria and methods supported by positive clinical trials. In addition, these results favor quality and appropriate access to BC treatment in our country.

This study aims at comparing the pathological complete response rate of women submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in the world with the community from Hospital do Câncer do Mato Grosso, to verify which histological subtypes have higher chances of reaching the pathological complete response. Therefore, we will analyze the medical records of the patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Besides the initial clinical staging from I to III between 2014 to 209. The criteria in RECIST 1.1 were used (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) to define pathological complete response for the breast and the axilla. We concluded that the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is mostly seen in patients with negative hormone receptors and positive HER2, and they have higher chances of reaching pathological complete response. In the triple negative subtype, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the objective of reaching pCR is, until this moment, the best strategy for higher survival rates in these patients, according to data from the global literature.

Mucosal ulcerations are an oral complication that can often affect kidney transplant patients, mostly due to the effect of immunosuppression. It has been frequently reported drug-induced ulceration or lymphoproliferative disorders with buccal manifestations however, some unusual disorders should also be considered, such as fungal infections, viruses, as well as opportunistic infection by other microorganisms. Determining the etiology and differential diagnose from other causes of mouth ulcers is very important for the adequate treatment of said lesion. Dental health of patients should also be taken into the account prior to the transplant surgery, since periodontal pockets are the main niche of microbial reservoir. Moreover, mixed with oral microbiota, parasites such as Trichomonas spp. can be found in the dental plaque of patients with periodontal disease. Particularly, Trichomonas spp. are anaerobic motile-flagellated protozoa that can both induce tissue damage and exacerbate preexistent injuries in vaginal and oral mucosa. Parasitic infection in the oral cavity has not been well studied and it is thought to be underreported. In the present study we report the first case in literature of presence of Trichomonas spp. as a potential etiological factor of the oral ulcerations of a kidney transplanted patient that remitted after antibiotic treatment. Fil: Dmytrenko, Ganna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Tana, Lorena. Instituto de Transplante de Alta Complejidad; Argentina Fil: Cachau, María Victoria. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina Fil: Bravo, Martín. Instituto Argentino de Transplante de Alta Complejidad; Argentina Fil: Gonzalez, Silvina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina Fil: Correa, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Fernández Solari, José Javier. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina Fil: de Laurentiis, Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina

We analyze the main factors influencing the attractiveness of public-private partnerships (PPP) applied to Brazil. Considering the Brazilian regulatory framework, the risks involved in a railroad PPP in Brazil are quantified and the attractiveness of this investment is evaluated through Monte Carlo simulations. Results suggest that Capex and regulatory risks are the main obstacles to PPP projects in Brazil. In addition, measures have been proposed to be implemented by the government to improve the return of these enterprises. New attractiveness analyses confirm a reduction in venture risk with the proposed measures.

Maternal obesity has been shown to impact the offspring health during childhood and adult life. This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal obesity combined with postnatal exposure to an obesogenic diet could induce metabolic alterations in offspring. Female CD1 mice were fed a control diet (CD, 11.1% of energy from fat) or with a high-fat diet (HFD, 44.3% of energy from fat) for 3 months. After weaning, pups born from control and obese mothers were fed with CD or HFD for 3 months. Both mothers and offspring were weighted weekly and several blood metabolic parameters levels were evaluated. Here, we present evidence that the offspring from mothers exposed to a HFD showed increased acetylation levels of histone 3 on lysine 9 (H3K9) in the liver at postnatal Day 1, whereas the levels of acetylation of H4K16, dimethylation of H3K27, and trimethylation of H3K9 showed no change. We also observed a higher perinatal weight and increased blood cholesterol levels when compared to the offspring on postnatal Day 1 born from CD-fed mothers. When mice born from obese mothers were fed with HFD, we observed that they gained more weight, presented higher blood cholesterol levels, and abdominal adipose tissue than mice born to the same mothers but fed with CD. Collectively, our results point toward maternal obesity and HFD consumption as a risk factor for epigenetic changes in the liver of the offspring, higher perinatal weight, increased weight gain, and altered blood cholesterol levels.

Agricultural producers grapple with low farm yields and declining ecosystem services within their landscapes. In several instances, agricultural production systems may be considered largely unsustainable in socioeconomic and ecological (resource conservation and use and impact on nature) terms. Novel technological and management options that can serve as vehicles to promote the provision of multiple benefits, including the improvement of smallholder livelihoods, are needed. We call for a paradigm shift to allow designing and implementing agricultural systems that are not only efficient (serving as a means to promote development based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste) but can also be considered synergistic (symbiotic relationship between socio-ecological systems) by simultaneously contributing to major objectives of economic, ecological, and social (equity) improvement of agro-ecosystems. These transformations require strategic approaches that are supported by participatory system-level research, experimentation, and innovation. Using data from several studies, we here provide evidence for technological and management options that could be optimized, promoted, and adopted to enable agricultural systems to be efficient, effective, and, indeed, sustainable. Specifically, we present results from a study conducted in Colombia, which demonstrated that, in rice systems, improved water management practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) reduce methane emissions (~70%). We also show how women can play a key role in AWD adoption. For livestock systems, we present in vitro evidence showing that the use of alternative feed options such as cassava leaves contributes to livestock feed supplementation and could represent a cost-effective approach for reducing enteric methane emissions (22% to 55%). We argue that to design and benefit from sustainable agricultural systems, there is a need for better targeting of interventions that are co-designed, co-evaluated, and co-promoted, with farmers as allies of transformational change (as done in the climate-smart villages), not as recipients of external knowledge. Moreover, for inclusive sustainability that harnesses existing knowledge and influences decision-making processes across scales, there is a need for constant, efficient, effective, and real trans-disciplinary communication and collaboration.

Preterm birth is a major contributor to early and delayed physical and cognitive impairment. Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that maternal infections are a significant and preventable cause of preterm birth. Recently, melatonin has been suggested to exert neuroprotective effects in several models of brain injury. Here, we sought to investigate whether the administration of melatonin is able to prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fetal brain damage in a model of LPS-induced preterm labor. For this purpose, 15-day pregnant BALB/c mice received intraperitoneally 2 doses of LPS or vehicle: the first one at 10:00 hours (0.26 mg/kg) and the second at 13:00 hours (0.52 mg/kg). On day 14 of pregnancy, a group of mice was subcutaneously implanted with a pellet of 25 mg melatonin. This experimental protocol resulted in 100% of preterm birth and pup death in the LPS group and a 50% of term birth and pup survival in the melatonin + LPS group. In the absence of melatonin, fetuses from LPS-treated mothers showed histological signs of brain damage, microglial/macrophage activation, and higher levels of IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and neuronal NOS mRNAs as well as increased histone acetyltransferase activity and histone H3 hyperacetylation. In contrast, antenatal administration of melatonin prevented LPS-induced fetal brain damage. Moreover, when behavioral traits were analyzed in the offspring from control, melatonin, and melatonin + LPS, no significant differences were found, suggesting that melatonin prevented LPS-induced long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. Collectively, our results suggest that melatonin could be a new therapeutic tool to prevent fetal brain damage and its long-term consequences induced by maternal inflammation. Fil: Domínguez Rubio, Ana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Correa, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Aisemberg, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Dorfman, Damián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Bariani, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Rosenstein, Ruth Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Zorrilla Zubilete, María Aurelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina Fil: Franchi, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina

This study aims to present how distribution centers implementation in organization is able to provide a competitive advantage over its competitors. The qualitative research was based on multiple case studies. Thus, these cases were focused on lubricants segment national distribution company. It was intended to introduce improvements recognizing distribution centers (DCs) importance as competitive advantage. DC Macaé-RJ and Piracicaba-SP were chosen to represent this scenario. Therefore, as results it was found increased sales and operating leverage of results within the market in which it operates.

The burgeoning demand for rice in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) exceeds supply, resulting in a rice deficit. To overcome this challenge, rice production should be increased, albeit sustainably. However, since rice production is associated with increases in the atmospheric concentration of two greenhouse gases (GHGs), namely methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), the challenge is on ensuring that production increases are not associated with an increase in GHG emissions and thus do not cause an increase in GHG emission intensities. Based on current understanding of drivers of CH4 and N2O production, we provide here insights on the potential climate change mitigation benefits of management and technological options (i.e., seeding, tillage, irrigation, residue management) pursued in the LAC region. Studies conducted in the LAC region show intermittent irrigation or alternate wetting and drying of rice fields to reduce CH4 emissions by 25–70% without increasing N2O emissions. Results on yield changes associated with intermittent irrigation remain inconclusive. Compared to conventional tillage, no-tillage and anticipated tillage (i.e., fall tillage) cause a 21% and 25% reduction in CH4 emissions, respectively. From existing literature, it was unambiguous that the mitigation potential of most management strategies pursued in the LAC region need to be quantified while acknowledging country-specific conditions. While breeding high yielding and low emitting rice varieties may represent the most promising and possibly sustainable approach for achieving GHG emission reductions without demanding major changes in on-farm management practices, this is rather idealistic. We contend that a more realistic approach for realizing low GHG emitting rice production systems is to focus on increasing rice yields, for obvious food security reasons, which, while not reducing absolute emissions, should translate to a reduction in GHG emission intensities. Moreover, there is need to explore creative ways of incentivizing the adoption of promising combinations of management and technological options EEA Corrientes Fil: Chirinda, Ngonidzashe. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Arenas, Laura. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Katto, María. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Loaiza, Sandra. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Correa, Fernando. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Isthitani, Manabu. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia Fil: Loboguerrero, Ana María. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia. Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS); Colombia Fil: Martínez-Barón, Deissy. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT); Colombia. Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS); Colombia Fil: Graterol, Eduardo. Fondo Latinoamericano para Arroz de Riego (FLAR); Colombia Fil: Jaramillo, Santiago. Fondo Latinoamericano para Arroz de Riego (FLAR); Colombia Fil: Torres, Carlos Felipe. Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM); Colombia Fil: Arango, Miguel. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (CORPOICA); Colombia Fil: Guzmán, Myriam. Federación Nacional de Arroceros (FEDEARROZ); Colombia Fil: Avila, Ivan. Federación Nacional de Arroceros (FEDEARROZ); Colombia Fil: Hube, Sara. Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA); Chile Fil: Kurtz, Ditmar Bernardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Corrientes; Argentina Fil: Zorrilla, Gonzalo. National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA); Uruguay Fil: Terra, Jose. National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA); Uruguay Fil: Irisarri, Pilar. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Agricultura. Department of Plant Biology; Uruguay Fil: Tarlera, Silvana. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Química y Ciencia. Department of Biosciences; Uruguay Fil: LaHue, Gabriel. University of California, Davis. Land, Air and Water Resources. Department Plant Sciences; Estados Unidos Fil: Scivittaro, Walkyria Bueno. Embrapa Clima Temperado (CPACT); Brasil Fil: Noguera, Aldo. Paraguay. Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG); Paraguay Fil: Bayer, Cimelio. Universidad Federal de Río Grande del Sur. Department of Soil Science; Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique for clinical characterization of corneal biomechanics using non-invasive dynamic imaging. METHODS: Corneal deformation response during non contact tonometry (NCT) is monitored by ultra-high-speed (UHS) photography. The Oculus Corvis ST (Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) has a UHS Scheimpflug camera, taking over 4,300 frames per second and of a single 8mm horizontal slit, for monitoring corneal deformation response to NCT. The metered collimated air pulse or puff has a symmetrical configuration and fixed maximal internal pump pressure of 25 kPa. The bidirectional movement of the cornea in response to the air puff is monitored. RESULTS: Measurement time is 30ms, with 140 frames acquired. Advanced algorithms for edge detection of the front and back corneal contours are applied for every frame. IOP is calculated based on the first applanation moment. Deformation amplitude (DA) is determined as the highest displacement of the apex in the highest concavity (HC) moment. Applanation length (AL) and corneal velocity (CVel) are recorded during ingoing and outgoing phases. CONCLUSION: Corneal deformation can be monitored during non contact tonometry. The parameters generated provide clinical in vivo characterization of corneal biomechanical properties in two dimensions, which is relevant for different applications in Ophthalmology. OBJETIVO: Descrever uma nova técnica para caracterização clínica das propriedades biomecânicas da córnea, usando sistema de imagem dinâmica não invasivo. MÉTODOS: A resposta de deformação da córnea é monitorada durante tonometria de não contato com fotografia de Scheimpflug de altíssima velocidade. O Oculus Corvis ST (Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) apresenta uma câmera UHS Scheimpflug que adquire mais que 4.300 fotos por segundo com cobertura de 8mm horizontais para monitorar a resposta de deformação durante a tonometria de não contato por sopro de ar. O pulso de ar é muito bem controlado, apresentando uma configuração simétrica em sua pressão, com máxima pressão da bomba fixa de 25 kPa. O movimento bidirecional da córnea em resposta ao jato de ar é monitorado. RESULTADOS: A medida dura 30ms, com 140 fotos adquiridas. Algorítmos avançados identificam os limites anterior e posterior da córnea em cada imagem. A pressão intraocular (PIO) é calculada com base no primeiro momento de aplanação. A amplitude de deformação é determinada pelo maior deslocamento do ápice, durante o momento de maior concavidade. A extensão da aplanação e velocidade da córnea são medidos nas fases de entrada e saída. CONCLUSÃO: A deformação da córnea durante a tonometria de sopro por pulso de ar pode ser monitorada em detalhe com sistema de fotografia de altíssima velocidade. Os parâmetros gerados possibilitam caracterização clínica das propriedades biomecâmicas da córnea em duas dimensões. Tais achados têm relavância para diversas áreas da Oftalmologia.

Miscarriage caused by Gram-negative bacteria infecting the female genital tract is one of the most common complications of human pregnancy. Intraperitoneal administration of LPS to 7-days pregnant mice induces embryo resorption after 24 h. Here, we show that LPS induced apoptosis on uterine explants from 7-days pregnant mice and that CB1 receptor was involved in this effect. On the other hand, heparin has been widely used for the prevention of pregnancy loss in women with frequent miscarriage with or without thrombophilia. Besides its anticoagulant properties, heparin exerts anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Here, we sought to investigate whether the administration of heparin prevented LPS-induced apoptosis in uterine explants from 7-days pregnant mice. We found that heparin enhanced cell survival in LPS-treated uterine explants and that this effect was mediated by increasing uterine FAAH activity. Taken together, our results point towards a novel mechanism involved in the protective effects of heparin.

Companies involved in water and forest resource extraction in Colombia are obliged to compensate for any resulting impacts stemming from their activities, as agreed with the environmental authorities. Compensation usually relates to reforestation or the development of public service infrastructure. However, these initiatives should be more relevant to the local community and ensure that the protection of biodiversity is efficiently undertaken and optimized to support the greatest number of benefits to fauna and flora and the provision of ecosystem services. This paper shows how a partnership between Mansarovar Energy Colombia Ltd., a heavy oil extraction company, and the national and local environmental authorities, resulted in the establishment of buffer zones to support the conservation of the Regional Natural Park "Serranía de las Quinchas". In total one thousand hectares were added to the already existing 21,000 ha that legally constitute the park. This synergy led to a greater impact within the local community, compared to when each entity worked separately.

Stainless steel Type 444 is an excellent material for use in the manufacture of bipolar plates. It is comparable to austenitic stainless steel Type 316 in its corrosion resistance but has the advantage of being half less expensive. The coatings that had the best performance were chromium carbide and gold. Corrosion resistance of ferritic stainless steels 439 and 441, with a Ni-Cr and NiCrAlY coatings, were evaluated under simulated cathodic PEMFC environment. The corrosion current density of the coatings is higher than the US Department of Energy target value and they are not a feasible option to be used in bipolar plates for fuel cell applications. A possible explanation of the inadequate corrosion resistance is the segregation of the elements. The XRD and SEM measurements indicate that the corrosion mechanisms are different for NiCr and NiCrAlY. We have concluded that it is technically possible to produce bipolar plates in Mexico.

Genital tract infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria induce miscarriage and are one of the most common complications of human pregnancy. LPS administration to 7-day pregnant mice induces embryo resorption after 24h, with nitric oxide playing a fundamental role in this process. We have previously shown that progesterone exerts protective effects on the embryo by modulating the inflammatory reaction triggered by LPS. Here we sought to investigate whether the in vivo administration of progesterone modulated the LPS-induced nitric oxide production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant and non-pregnant mice. We found that progesterone downregulated LPS-induced nitric oxide production by a progesterone receptor-independent mechanism. Moreover, our results suggest a possible participation of glucocorticoid receptors in at least some of the anti-inflammatory effects of progesterone. Fil: Wolfson, Manuel Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina Fil: Schander, Julieta Aylen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina Fil: Bariani, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina Fil: Correa, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina Fil: Franchi, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina

The purpose of this study is to determine the demographic and clinical profile of patients with muscle-skeletal chronic pain and treated at the three levels of health public services. One hundred and fifty patients were evaluated, being divided in three groups according to the clinical setting of origin: Basic Unit of Health (BUH), City Specialty Clinic (CSC) and University Clinic (UC).It was observed a strong female predominance in the three groups.(BUH - 74%; CSC - 66%; UC - 80%). The observed age distribution showed that most of the patients from BUH were above 60 years old (50%) and most patients of the other two units were between 41 and 60 years old. In relation to joint distribution, most part of patients at the BHU presented with involvement of less than 4 joints (60%) and at the UC more than 4 joints (60%). At the CSC, most of the complains were localized at the vertebral spine. Unspecific diagnoses were reported more often at the BUH (40%) than at the CSC (20%) and UC (16%). There were less discontinuation of treatment at the UC in relation to the BUH and CSC. At the BHU 28% of patients reported continuous treatment in comparison to 74% of the CSC and 92% at UC. At worsening of pain, most patients of BHU used self-medication, while at the CSC and UC patients followed medical prescription. It was concluded that the secondary and tertiary levels of health institutions (CSC, UC) are able to treat pain patients with diseases of higher complexity.

Rice breeding has made important contributions to Latin America. More than 400 cultivars were released from 1975 to 2012, which helped to raise total production to >27 million tonnes obtained from 5.7 million hectares (average for 2010-2012). Rice production provides ?US$8.8 billion for thousands of farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The result of higher yields in the irrigated sector was to triple rice production in LAC while area did not grow, thus preserving more fragile environments. Several estimates on genetic gains for grain yield have been carried out in LAC. In temperate irrigated rice, the estimates are around 1.5-2.6% per year. In the tropical irrigated, it is ?1% and in the upland rice the estimate is ?1.4% per year. Different breeding strategies, including pedigree, modified bulk, recurrent selection methods, anther culture, interspecific crosses, composite populations, quantitative trait loci (QTL) introgression, and recombinant inbred lines, accompanied by shuttle breeding schemes, direct seeding, and evaluation/selection in hot spots for main diseases are being used by CIAT and NARES in the region. In this process, methods for screening for diseases and other stresses were established. Networking has been a cornerstone for success and several networks such as INGER, FLAR, and HIAAL were created. Looking forward, as farmers' yields are approaching the genetic yield potential exhibited by current cultivars, as a result of improved agronomic management, a new breakthrough is needed in terms of more productive cultivars. To achieve this goal, a strategy is needed that includes strong pipelines focused on specific environments and markets; better product profiling; integration between discovery, development, and delivery; and new breeding strategies using cuttingedge technologies and new breeding methods to accelerate genetic gains. (Resume d'auteur)

International audience; Based on a formal modeling of analogical proportions, a new type of classifier has started to be investigated in the last past years. With such classifiers, there is no standard statistical counting or distance evaluation. Despite their differences with classical approaches, such as naive Bayesian, k-NN, or even SVM classifiers, the analogy-based classifiers appear to be quite successful. Even if this success may not come as a complete surprise, since one may imagine that a general regularity or conformity principle is still at work (as in the other classifiers), no formal explanation had been provided until now. In this research note, we lay bare the way analogy-based classifiers implement this core principle, highlighting the fact that they mainly relate changes in feature values to changes in classes.

Rice blast disease (Pyricularia grisea) is the most important rice production constraint in Latin America. One strategy to improve the durability of blast resistance is to pyramid resistance genes. To do this, we have conducted extensive studies on the genetic structure of blast pathogen populations in Colombia and Latin America; determined composition, distribution and frequency of the avirulences that underlie race variation; identified and incorporated resistance gene combinations into commercial rice cultivars using genetic markers; and continuously evaluated and selected breeding lines under high disease pressure and pathogen diversity. Rice differentials with known blast resistance genes have been used to study avirulence gene composition and frequency in the blast pathogen and to identify relevant resistance genes. The combination of the blast resistance genes (Pi-1, Pi-2, Pi-33) for which their corresponding avirulence genes are highly conserved in blast pathogen populations in Colombia has proven to confer stable blast resistance after several years of testing under high blast pressure in the field and greenhouse inoculations. Additional pathogen characterization of spontaneous mutations of the blast pathogen allowed the identification of the blast resistance genes Pi-b, Pi-9 and Pi-ta 2, which will be needed for protecting rice cultivars from potential future changes in the avirulence/virulence genes in the blast pathogen population. Microsatellite markers highly linked to these blast resistance genes have been found from public databases facilitating the introgression and pyramiding of each of these six blast resistance genes into Latin American rice cultivars and elite lines derived from rice breeding programs aiming at developing rice cultivars with durable blast resistance.

Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains a few errors. Figure 2 in the original publication, qSTH-2 and qSTH-8 is quite displaced, and the arrow for qSTH-8 is not shown. The corrected figure is shown in this erratum. Moreover, the third author, Hesham Agrama, has added another affiliation. His additional affiliation is: Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences Sultan Qaboos University P.O. Box 34, Alkhoud 123, Oman.

There is a growing amount of evidence suggesting that cannabinoids may be neuroprotective in central nervous system inflammatory conditions. Advances in the understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of the cannabinoid system have potentiated the interest in cannabinoids as potential therapeutic targets. Here our aim was to update the actions of cannabinoids on immune system and glial cells and their implications on multiple sclerosis. We also show our results on the modulation of cytokines of the IL-12 family by cannabinoids in macrophages and brain microglia. We used murine primary cultures of macrophage and microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide/IFN-γ and Theiler’s virus to study the effects of cannabinoids on the regulation of IL-12 and IL-23 mRNA and protein IL-12p40, evaluated by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Cannabinoids negatively regulate the production of these cytokines by microglial cells in part due to the activation of CB2 receptors. The effects of cannabinoids on cytokine brain work and on the regulation of neuroinflammatory processes may affect chronic inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

O Objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar um resolvedor distribuído para o problema de satisfabilidade em lógica proposicional (SAT) que pudesse ser executado em uma grade de computadores. Foi analisada a influência que o número de máquinas utilizadas pela grade para resolver diversas instâncias do SAT exerce sobre o desempenho do resolvedor implementado O Objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar um resolvedor distribuído para o problema de satisfabilidade em lógica proposicional (SAT) que pudesse ser executado em uma grade de computadores. Foi analisada a influência que o número de máquinas utilizadas pela grade para resolver diversas instâncias do SAT exerce sobre o desempenho do resolvedor implementado

We herein report new records of Parides burchellanus (Westwood, 1872) in southwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in areas of the upper São Francisco and Araguari river systems, including the buffer zone of the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra. Until recently, the only known colonies of P. burchellanus were located in the municipalities of Brumadinho, in Minas Gerais state, and Planaltina, in the Distrito Federal, some 640 km apart from each other. The implications of these new records to the conservation status of this species are discussed.

[EN]Introduction. The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands and the enzymatic elements involved in their synthesis and breakdown. Aim. To report on currently held knowledge about the functioning of the system as a modulator of the neuroinflammatory processes associated with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Development. Cannabinoids are synthesised and released on demand and their production increases in times of neuroinflammation and neural damage. In this context then, their actions in the microglial cells and in the astrocytes are characterised by a lowered expression of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, cannabinoids can play a role as neuroprotectors by means of different types of mechanisms and, in experimental models of multiple sclerosis, they slow down the symptoms, reduce inflammation and can favour remyelination. Conclusions. The clinical use of cannabinoids or pharmacological agents that affect the endogenous cannabinoid system during inflammation of the central nervous system and in multiple sclerosis is currently under consideration and subject to debate. Detailed analysis of the results obtained over the past decade has made it possible to establish the existence of several mechanisms of action of cannabinoids in pathologies affecting the central nervous system that are accompanied by chronic inflammation. Likewise, they also clearly show that the cannabinoid system is an interesting proposal as a new therapeutic tool., [ES]Introducción. El sistema endocannabinoide está constituido por los receptores cannabinoides, los ligandos endógenos y los elementos enzimáticos implicados en su síntesis y degradación. Objetivo. Describir el estado actual de conocimiento sobre la función del sistema como modulador de los procesos neuroinflamatorios asociados con enfermedades crónicas como la esclerosis múltiple. Desarrollo. Los cannabinoides se sintetizan y se liberan en demanda y su producción aumenta en situaciones de neuroinflamación y de daño neural. En este contexto, sus acciones en la microglía y en los astrocitos se caracterizan por una disminución en la expresión de mediadores inflamatorios y de citocinas proinflamatorias. Además, los cannabinoides pueden ejercer acciones neuroprotectoras a través de diferentes tipos de mecanismos y en modelos experimentales de esclerosis múltiple atenúan la sintomatología, disminuyen la inflamación y pueden favorecer la remielinización. Conclusiones. El uso clínico de cannabinoides o agentes farmacológicos que inciden en el sistema endógeno cannabinoide durante la inflamación del sistema nervioso central y en la esclerosis múltiple está actualmente sometido a consideración y debate. El análisis detallado de los resultados obtenidos en la última década ha permitido establecer que son múltiples los mecanismos de actuación de los cannabinoides en patologías del sistema nervioso central que cursan con inflamación crónica y ponen de manifiesto el interés del sistema cannabinoide como nueva herramienta terapéutica., Grupo de Neuroinmunología. Instituto Cajal. Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Madrid. b Grupo de Neuroinflamación. Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Toledo. c Departamento de Química Orgánica. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Madrid, España.

BACKGROUND: Stress affects surgeons both during training and during professional activity. OBJECTIVE: To compare stress levels affecting surgical residents during the simulated initial assessment and management in the Advanced Trauma Life Support practical exam vs initial assessment and management of trauma patients in the emergency room. METHOD: Eighteen surgical residents were evaluated under basal conditions, during the Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation, and during emergency room initial care. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, and diastolic arterial pressure were measured. The Student t test was used to test for differences between means, with statistical significance declared when P < .05. RESULTS: Heart rate and systolic arterial pressure were increased at the beginning and at the end of Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation and emergency room initial care. diastolic arterial pressure was only increased at the end of the Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation. Comparing values obtained during the Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation with those obtained during emergency room initial care, heart rate and systolic arterial pressure were significantly higher during the Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation both at the beginning and end of the test events. However, diastolic arterial pressure was only significantly higher for Advanced Trauma Life Support simulation compared emergency room at the end of the procedures. These results suggest that the simulation in the practical exam portion of the Advanced Trauma Life Support course is more stressful for the resident surgeon than is the actual initial assessment and care of trauma patients in an emergency room. OBJETIVO: Comparar os níveis de stress que afetam os residentes de cirurgia durante a avaliação inicial simulada nos cursos Advanced Trauma Life Support versus a avaliação do trauma do paciente na sala de emergência. MÉTODO: Dezoito residentes em cirurgia foram avaliados em condições basais no curso de Advanced Trauma Life Support e na sala de emergência. Foram medidas a freqüência cardíaca, pressões arterial sistólica e diastólica. ESTATÍSTICAS: Teste t do Estudante. Significantemente p

Light is a key stimulus for biological function, controlling movement, gene expression, development, circadian clocks, and many other activities across virtually every form of life. This regulation is achieved by families of photosensory receptor proteins, each of which converts light of different wavelengths into biochemical signals that can control biological function. This conversion is well understood for photosensors sensitive to visible light (wavelengths λ = 400 to 700 nm), but far less is known about photoreception outside this range. On page 1492 of this issue, Christie et al. ( 1 ) elucidate the mechanism by which plant receptors detect light in the middle of the ultraviolet (UV) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Mechanic intestinal obstruction, caused by the passage of biliary calculus from vesicle to intestine, through fistulization, although not frequent, deserve study due to the morbi-mortality rates. Incidence in elder people explains the association with chronic degenerative diseases, increasing complexity in terms of therapy decision. Literature discusses the need and opportunity for the one or two-phase surgical attack of the cholecystenteric fistule, in front of the resolution on the obstructive urgency and makes reference to Gallstone Ileus as an exception for strong intestinal obstruction. The more frequent intestinal obstruction observed is when it occurs a Gallstone Ileus impacting in terms of ileocecal valve. The authors submit a Gallstone Ileus manifestation as causing strong intestinal obstruction, discussing aspects regarding diagnostic and treatment. OBJETIVO: Os autores apresentam caso de íleo biliar como causa de obstrução mecânica alta, discutindo aspectos referentes ao diagnóstico e tratamento. DISCUSSÃO E RESULTADOS : A obstrução intestinal mecânica causada pela passagem de cálculo da vesícula biliar para a luz intestinal através de fistulização, apesar de infreqüente, merece estudo pela morbi-mortalidade que apresenta. A incidência em faixas etárias mais avançadas explica a associação com doenças crônico-degenerativas, aumentando a complexidade da decisão terapêutica. A literatura discute a necessidade e a oportunidade da abordagem cirúrgica da fístula colecisto-entérica em um ou dois tempos diante da resolução da urgência obstrutiva e faz referência do íleo biliar sendo a causa de obstrução intestinal alta como exceção. A obstrução intestinal verificada com maior freqüência ocorre quando da impactação do cálculo biliar a nível da válvula íleo-cecal.

Gallstone ileus, a mechanical intestinal obstruction caused by the passage of a gallstone into the intestinal lumen through a fistula, although not common, deserves to more carefully studied due to its morbidity and mortality. Its incidence among older-age groups explains its association with chronic and degenerative diseases, which increase the complexity of the treatment choice.The need and appropriateness of a surgical approach to a cholecystenteric fistula to solve the obstructive emergency, in a one or two stage procedure, has been discussed in the literature. It has also been reported that gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of upper intestinal obstruction. Intestinal obstruction is seen more frequently after a gallstone impacts at the ileocecal valve. The authors report a case of gallstone ileus as a cause of upper intestinal obstruction and discuss its diagnosis and treatment.

Corporate sustainability increasing requires sustainable supply chain management. This concept has been successfully applied in Colombia, where Mansarovar Energy operates, but had not involved the hydrocarbon sector. Mansarovar saw an opportunity for the adoption of a sustainable supply chain model and in 2015 adapted one to meet their specific needs. The resulting Web+, where Mansarovar acted as the anchor company, is still in its pilot stage but results have been encouraging. The model was designed as a voluntary partnership to promote sustainability within supplier and contractor activities that are part of Mansarovar's supply chain with the support of a certified training/enabler organisation. Ten participants were involved and the seven successfully proposed sustainability projects are estimated to save $117,000 per annum due to the resulting reduction in energy, waste and agro-chemicals consumption and other social or organizational co-benefits. This indicates that sustainable practices are all the more important when oil price drops and are integral to hydrocarbon sector profitability in both the short and long term.