Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar parâmetros de processamento a laser para deposição de revestimentos de Stellite 6 livres de descontinuidades e com geometria adequada sobre ...aço inoxidável austenítico. Revestimentos foram depositados com uma fonte de laser de diodo, equipada com um cabeçote coaxial contínuo, utilizando diferentes potências do feixe e velocidades de varredura. A geometria (largura, altura, ondulação e diluição) dos revestimentos foi medida por meio de análise da secção transversal. Esses dados obtidos foram utilizados para a modelagem do processo (superfície de resposta) e para estimar parâmetros otimizados (função desejabilidade), que foram posteriormente verificados experimentalmente. A microestrutura dos revestimentos depositados com os parâmetros otimizados foi caracterizada por microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. A seleção adequada dos parâmetros resultou em revestimentos com bom acabamento, livre de descontinuidades superficiais e baixa diluição. Os resultados mostram que a potência do laser teve efeito significativo sobre a diluição, enquanto a velocidade influenciou na altura da camada depositada. A microestrutura resultante do revestimento é composta por dendritas ricas em cobalto e a região interdendrítica com carbonetos de cromo. Os resultados de dureza estão de acordo com o previsto na literatura.
Abstract: The present work aimed to determine laser processing parameters for deposition of defect-free Stellite 6 coatings and with suitable geometry on austenitic stainless steel. Coatings were deposited with a diode laser source, equipped with a continuous coaxial head, using different beam powers and scanning speeds. The geometry (width, height, undulation and dilution) of the coatings was measured by analyzing the cross section. These obtained data were used to model the process (response surface) and to estimate optimized parameters (function desirability), which were later verified experimentally. The microstructure of the coatings deposited with the optimized parameters was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The proper selection of parameters resulted in coatings with good surface finish, free of superficial defects and low dilution. The results show that the laser power had a significant effect on the dilution, while the speed influenced the height of the deposited layer. The microstructure resulting from the coating is composed of dendrites rich in cobalt and interdendritic region with chromium carbides. The hardness results are in line with the predicted in the literature.
Proposal techniques that reduce financial costs in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases are welcome. This work uses some machine learning techniques to classify whether or not cases of ...canine visceral leishmaniasis are present by physical examinations. For validation of the method, four machine learning models were chosen: K-nearest neighbor, Naïve Bayes, support vector machine and logistic regression models. The tests were performed on three hundred and forty dogs, using eighteen characteristics of the animal and the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) serological test as validation. Logistic regression achieved the best metrics: Accuracy of 75%, sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 67%, a positive likelihood ratio of 2.53 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.23, showing a positive relationship in the evaluation between the true positives and rejecting the cases of false negatives.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•More than 90% (144/159) of inmates aged >60 were infected with SARS-CoV-2.•Only 2 hospitalisations occurred and no COVID-19 related deaths.•Key actions included periodic health monitoring, active ...case finding and early care.
To assess SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and health outcomes among inmates over 60 years during a COVID-19 outbreak in a major penitentiary complex in the Federal District, Brazil.
A mass test campaign was performed on May 13, 2020, using antibody-detection rapid tests for asymptomatic inmates and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing for those who were symptomatic. Those with negative results were retested on June 16. Inmates were interviewed to characterise background health conditions and the presence of symptoms.
A total of 159 inmates were evaluated. In the first mass testing, 79.9% (127/159) of inmates had been infected, of whom 53.5% (68/127) reported symptoms. In the second testing round, 17 new cases were identified, increasing the total to 90.6% (144/159) of inmates with a positive result. Comorbidities were present in 67.3% of inmates; 2 hospitalisations and no COVID-related deaths were recorded.
More than 90% of inmates aged >60 years were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the outbreak. Periodic health monitoring, active case finding and early care for symptomatic patients contributed to positive post-infection outcomes. Such measures must be considered essential for the surveillance of COVID-19 in environments with limited capacity to promote social distance, such as penitentiary institutions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The TimeFISH database provides the first public time‐series dataset on reef fish assemblages in the southwestern Atlantic (SWA), comprising 15 years of data (2007–2022) based on standardized ...Underwater Visual Censuses (UVCs). The rocky reefs covered by our dataset are influenced by pronounced seasonal cycles of ocean temperatures with warm tropical waters from the Brazil Current in the summer (~27°C) and colder waters from the La Plata River Plume discharge and upwelling from the South Atlantic Central Water in the winter (~18°C). These oceanographic conditions characterize this area as the southernmost tropical–subtropical climatic transition zone in the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, reef fish assemblages are comprised of both tropical and subtropical species. All records included in TimeFISH were collected using UVCs, a nondestructive method that allows the estimation of fish species richness, abundance, and body size distributions. UVCs were performed through 40 m2 belt transects by scuba diving in nine locations along the southern Brazilian coast (25–29°S). Four of these locations lie within the boundaries of the no‐entry Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, where fishing and recreational activities are forbidden, and the remaining locations are unprotected from these activities. During each belt transect, a diver swam at a constant depth above and parallel to the reef, identifying fish species, counting the number of individuals, and estimating the total body length (Lt in cm) of all detected individuals. All fish individuals in the water column (up to 2 m above the substratum) and at the bottom were targeted. In total, 202,965 individuals belonging to 163 reef fish species and 53 families were recorded across 1857 UVCs. All survey campaigns were funded by either public or mixed capital (private–public) sources, including seven grants from the Brazilian federal and Santa Catarina state governments. Part of the data has already been used in multiple MS.c. and Ph.D. theses and scientific articles. TimeFISH represents an important contribution for future studies aiming to examine temporal and spatial variations of reef fish assemblages in transition zones. No copyright restrictions apply to the use of this data set, other than citing this publication.
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Climate change threatens freshwater fish by severely modifying water quality and hydrological dynamics, hence altering the species distribution. We assessed the climate change effects on the ...geographical distribution of
Salminus brasiliensis
, a keystone species of economic interest in the La Plata River basin. Using ecological niche models, we estimated the species range in the present time and assessed the range shift phenomena through climatically suitable areas in the future. We also quantified the predictive uncertainty from niche models, atmosphere–ocean general circulation models, and carbon emission scenarios. Our predictions indicated a great range contraction of
S. brasiliensis
in the future. The south-central portion of the basin should retain the climate refuge function for the species at 2050. Nonetheless, the segregation of this climate refuge in two smaller parts was predicted at the end of the century. Our study also revealed that the greatest source of uncertainty in forecasts of species range shifts arises from using alternative niche algorithms in modeling process. Our results contribute to more effective measures for conservation of
S. brasiliensis
, thus helping to ensure the ecosystem processes and socioeconomic activities in the basin dependent on this species.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The emergence of functional ecology has changed the focus of ecological research from investigating patterns of species diversity to understanding how species traits relate to specific ecological ...processes generating these patterns. Traits, ecological patterns and processes can be shared and driven by species from distantly related taxonomic groups.
Crossing the boundaries among distantly related taxonomic groups is still a challenge and a critical knowledge frontier in functional ecology. A cross‐taxa approach, merging trait data across distantly related taxonomic groups, could fill this gap. In this context, functionally analogous traits, that is traits that may have distinct ontogenetic origins yet represent similar processes, comprise an important recent advance in functional ecology. However, which taxa and traits (be them analogous or not) have been used in research with multiple taxa, and whether (and how) these data have been combined, still needs to be elucidated.
We reviewed articles published in the last 75 years to investigate the use of traits in functional research involving multiple taxa. Our search returned 1006 articles, and a subset of 96 was filtered for data extraction. Studies covered a total of 134 taxa and 491 different traits; they were predominantly observational, and focussed on community ecology and ecosystem monitoring.
Our review showed that current knowledge in this field relies on a limited number of response variables, particularly taxonomic diversity (e.g. species richness and abundance within functional groups). Also, the field relies on a limited number of taxa (e.g. plants, birds and mammals) and trait types (diet, size, habitat and dispersal). Two‐thirds of the articles (n = 72) used functionally analogous traits, and one‐third of them (n = 32) employed a cross‐taxa approach.
We mapped the limitations of current research in functional ecology involving multiple taxa, presented ecological questions to a functional cross‐taxa research and showed directions to pushing the limits of this research field. Our review aimed to encourage researchers in the field of functional ecology to move beyond single taxa and traits, and to integrate more branches and dimensions of the Tree of Life in their research.
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
7.
18F-FDG PET/CT as a prognostic factor in penile cancer Salazar, André; Júnior, Eduardo Paulino; Salles, Paulo Guilherme O. ...
European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging,
1/4, Volume:
46, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Purpose
Penile cancer (PC) is a rare neoplasm with an aggressive behavior and variable prognosis. Lymph node (LN) involvement and pathological features of the primary lesion have been proven to be ...the most important survival factors. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose labelled with fluorine-18 (
18
F-FDG PET/CT) provides information on tumor staging and works as a prognostic factor, with promising results in other carcinomas. The aim of the present study is to evaluate PET/CT as a prognostic factor in PC.
Methods
Fifty-five patients (mean age 56.6 y) diagnosed with penile squamous cell carcinoma were prospectively evaluated from 2012 to 2014. All subjects underwent
18
F-FDG PET/CT before treatment and were regularly followed after surgery.
Results
Out of the 53 patients selected, 17 (32.1%) had localized disease (cT1–2) and 24 (45.3%) had palpable nodes (cN+). Partial penile amputation was performed in 38 patients (71.7%) and inguinal lymphadenectomy (LND) in 30 (56.6%). From the LND group, 16 (53.3%) presented with positive neoplastic cells (pN+). Patients with more aggressive disease had a significantly (
p
= 0.019) higher
18
F-FDG tumor uptake (pSUV
max
), while inguinal LN uptake (nSUV
max
) was able to recognize metastatic LN (
p
= 0.039). Some pathological prognostic features, when presented, have shown significant changes in pSUV
max
values. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed and specific cutoff values of pSUV
max
were evaluated to determine sensitivity and specificity. Regarding regional LNs, PET/CT presented a 76.2% accuracy in cN+ patients. After a 39-month follow up, pSUV
max
of 16.6 (
p
= 0.0001) and nSUV
max
of 6.5 (
p
= 0.019) were established as the ideal values to predict cancer-specific survival. The multivariate analysis confirmed nSUV
max
as a predictor for LN metastasis (
p
= 0.043) and pSUV
max
as a mean to estimate survival rate (
p
= 0.05).
Conclusion
This study showed promising results on the use of
18
F-FDG PET/CT as a prognostic tool for PC, using specific cutoff values of pSUV
max
and nSUV
max
.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
At the Pampa Biome, grazing, like others disturbances, affects fauna and flora, creating heterogeneity in the environment. Little is known about how the diversity and richness of arthropods change ...during this impact. To improve the knowledge of how spider diversity is affected by grazing, experiments were realized at Pampa. The hypothesis is that abundance of spider will be different when comparing grazed and ungrazed areas. A paired block, with two areas of one hectare each, was established in three areas in the Environmental Protection Area of Ibirapuitã (APA Ibirapuitã), state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. One of these hectares was closed with fences, excluding the catle grazing, in August of 2012. Samplings were realized in November of 2011, 2012 and 2013 using Pitfall traps filled with formol 4% and disposed in an “X” format in each area. For statistical analyses, T test, ANOSIM, ANOVA and Rarefaction were performed. A total of 1,315 spiders were captured, comprising 77 species or morphospecies belonging to 20 families. The family most abundant was Lycosidae followed by Hahniidae, Linyphiidae and Theridiidae. Linyphiidae was the richest family with 14 species or morphospecies identified. All spiders, adults and juveniles, only adults in species and morphospecies, and most abundant species were used as models for statistics. These models revealed no significant difference between grazed and ungrazed areas after three and 15 months of cattle exclusion.
RESUMO. No Pampa, o pastejo, como outros distúrbios, afeta a fauna e a flora, proporcionando uma maior heterogeneidade no ambiente. Pouco se sabe como a diversidade e a riqueza de artrópodes muda durante este impacto. Para aprimorar o conhecimento de como a diversidade de aranhas é afetada pelo pastejo, experimentos foram realizados no Pampa. A hipótese é que a abundância de aranhas será diferente quando áreas pastejadas e sem pastejo são comparadas. Um bloco de duas parcelas, cada uma com um hectare, foi estabelecido em três fazendas na APA (Área de Proteção Ambiental) do Ibirapuitã, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Um destes hectares foi fechado com cercas, excluindo o pastejo do gado, em agosto de 2012. As amostragens foram realizadas em novembro de 2011, 2012 e 2013 usando armadilhas de queda preenchidas com formol 4% e dispostas em formato de “X” em cada hectare. Foram utilizados para análise estatística Teste T, ANOSIM, ANOVA e Rarefação. Um total de 1.315 aranhas foi amostrado, compreendendo 77 espécies ou morfoespécies de 20 familias. A família mais abundante foi Lycosidae, seguida de Hahniidae, Linyphiidae e Theridiidae. Linyphiidae foi a família mais rica, com 14 espécies ou morfoespécies identificadas. A soma das abundâncias de aranhas jovens e adultas, a abundância de apenas aranhas adultas e a abundância total somente das espécies mais abundantes foram utilizadas como modelos estatísticos. Estes modelos não revelaram diferença significativa entre áreas com e sem pastejo mesmo após três ou 15 meses de exclusão do gado.
Prostate development and function are regulated by androgens. Epithelial cell apoptosis in response to androgen deprivation is caspase‐9‐dependent and peaks at Day 3 after castration. However, ...isolated epithelial cells survive in the absence of androgens. Znf142 showed an on‐off expression pattern in intraepithelial CD68‐positive macrophages, with the on‐phase at Day 3 after castration. Rats treated with gadolinium chloride to deplete macrophages showed a significant drop in apoptosis, suggesting a causal relationship between macrophages and epithelial cell apoptosis. Intraepithelial M1‐polarization was also limited to Day 3, and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) knockout mice showed significantly less apoptosis than wild‐type controls. The epithelial cells showed focal DNA double‐strand breaks (DSB), 8‐oxoguanine, and protein tyrosine‐nitrosylation, fingerprints of exposure to peroxinitrite. Cultured epithelial cells induced M1‐polarization and showed focal DSB and underwent apoptosis. The same phenomena were reproduced in LNCaP cells cocultured with Raw 264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, the M1
142‐macrophage (named after Znf142) attack causes activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in epithelial cells after castration.
Prostate epithelial cell apoptosis is not cell autonomous. M1‐polarized macrophages cause intense oxidative stress, which in turn activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Soluble factors produced by epithelial cells cultured in the absence of androgens differentiate macrophage precursors into M1, which actively chase the epithelial cells.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Androgen deprivation results in massive apoptosis in the prostate gland. Macrophages are actively engaged in phagocytosing epithelial cell corpses. However, it is unknown whether ...microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (LC3)‐associated phagocytosis (LAP) is involved and contribute to prevent inflammation.
Methods
Flow cytometry, RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to characterize the macrophage subpopulation residing in the epithelial layer of the rat ventral prostate (VP) after castration. Stereology was employed to determine variations in the number of ED1 and ED2. Mice were treated with either chloroquine or L‐asparagine to block autophagy.
Results
M1 (iNOS‐positive) and M2 macrophages (MRC1+ and ARG1+) were not found in the epithelium at day 5 after castration. The percentage of CD68+ (ED1) and CD163+(ED2) phenotypes increased after castration but only CD68+ cells were present in the epithelium. RT‐PCR showed increased content of the autophagy markers Bcl1 and LC3 after castration. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed the presence of LC3+ and ATG5+ cells in the epithelium. Double immunohistochemistry showed these cells to be CD68+/LC3+, compatible with the LAP phenotype. LC3+ cells accumulate significantly after castration. Chloroquine and L‐asparagine administration caused inflammation of the glands at day 5 after castration.
Conclusions
CD68+ macrophages phagocytose apoptotic cell corpses and activate the LAP pathway, thereby contributing to the preservation of a non‐inflammed microenvironment. Marked inflammation was detected when autophagy blockers were administered to castrated animals.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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