Cuesta (Brazil)

El desarrollo industrial en palma ha conducido a una mayor generación de residuos, por lo que esto se ha convertido en una problemática ambiental y económica. Por tal motivo, se implementó el método adecuado para la obtención del biocarbón a partir del raquis de palma aceitera. De esta manera, se realizó una investigación descriptiva, no experimental, en tres muestras de raquis homogeneizado de 500 gramos cada una, donde se les determinó: contenido de humedad del raquis, contenido de aceite del raquis, y rendimiento del biocarbón en base a materia seca. Se obtuvo una humedad promedio de 2,58 %, un contenido de aceite de 16,13 % y rendimientos en el biocarbón entre 76,96 y 79,24 %. Así, se evidencia que el método de obtención del biocarbón a partir del raquis de palma es satisfactorio, debido a los altos rendimientos alcanzados; generando mejor disposición de residuos al ofertar el biocarbón como fertilizante.

Reproductive activity in animals is regulated by variations in plasma levels of steroid hormones, which respond to both geophysical and social-environmental cues. Changes in testosterone (T) levels play a crucial role in coordinating the morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations among males, orchestrating gonadal recrudescence and regression in response to seasonal shifts in environmental factors. Although these reproductive neuroendocrine processes have been extensively examined in various bird species, they remain largely unexplored in owls. The Tropical Screech Owl is widely distributed across Central and South America, and it exhibits regional variations in the timing of chick hatching. This study hypothesized that male Tropical Screech Owls (Megascops choliba) exhibit fluctuations in testosterone levels and corresponding seasonal expression of reproductive genes, potentially linked to reproductive activity, including the presence of semen. To investigate this seasonal reproduction, a group of seven adult male owls was monitored for 14 consecutive months under ex-situ conditions. These owls underwent cloacal electrostimulation and subsequent massage to collect semen, as well as blood sampling to measure serum T levels. The expression of aromatase (CYP19A1), androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor (ESR1 and ESR2) genes was also assessed in gonadal and hypothalamic tissues from four reproductively active and four non-reproductive males collected in-situ from a wild population. Serum T levels in males were significantly higher in July and August, coinciding with the presence of sperm. No significant difference was observed in the hypothalamic tissue transcripts of reproductive versus non-reproductive males. However, non-reproductive males exhibited higher expression of AR and ESR1 genes at the gonadal level. These results confirm the reproductive seasonality of M. choliba males during the winter season in São Paulo State.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o desempenho do exame citopatológico no diagnóstico de vaginose bacteriana de mulheres em idade fértil. Método: estudo transversal, retrospectivo, realizado em uma unidade de saúde de um município do interior paulista. Foram inclusas no estudo as informações de 1173 mulheres submetidas à coleta dos exames citopatológico e esfregaço vaginal corado com técnica de Gram (exame padrão referência para diagnóstico de vaginose bacteriana) e análise a partir do score de Nugent, no período de janeiro de 2013 a junho de 2020. Utilizaram-se dados secundários, coletados a partir dos sistemas de informação e controle interno. Resultados: a prevalência de vaginose bacteriana na amostra foi de 31,8%. O grau de concordância entre os dois métodos diagnósticos pelo índice de Kappa foi de 0,54, considerado moderado, com valor<0,001. A Sensibilidade foi de 55,2% e a Especificidade de 94,1%, com Acurácia de 81,7% e Valor Preditivo Positivo de 81,4% e Negativo de 81,8%. Conclusão: o exame citopatológico apresentou concordância com o padrão referência de 0,77, no entanto, não substitui o esfregaço vaginal corado com técnica de Gram, mas pode ser utilizado como método auxiliar para o diagnóstico de vaginose bacteriana.

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess Pap smear performance in bacterial vaginosis diagnosis in women of childbearing age. Method: a cross-sectional, retrospective study carried out in a health unit in a city in the interior of São Paulo. The study included information from 1,173 women who underwent collection of Pap smear and Gram-stained vaginal smears (reference standard test for bacterial vaginosis diagnosis) and analysis based on the Nugent score, from January 2013 to June 2020. Secondary data collected from the information and internal control systems were used. Results: the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the sample was 31.8%. The degree of agreement between the two diagnostic methods by the Kappa index was 0.54, considered moderate, with a value <0.001. Sensitivity was 55.2% and specificity was 94.1%, with accuracy of 81.7% and positive predictive value of 81.4% and negative of 81.8%. Conclusion: Pap smear showed agreement with the reference standard of 0.77, however, does not replace the Gram-stained vaginal smear, but can be used as an auxiliary method for bacterial vaginosis diagnosis.

A Ecologia da Paisagem vem se tornando uma importante ferramenta para a tomada de decisões no ordenamento do território. Nessa ótica, este trabalho analisa a composição e configuração espacial da paisagem do Rio Pitangui, antecedente a formação dos planaltos paranaenses, em sua entrada pela Escarpa Devoniana. As unidades de paisagens (UP) florestais e campestres foram delimitadas e embasaram os cálculos das métricas de paisagem. As UPs foram classificadas de acordo com sua extensão e sua funcionalidade em: trampolins, corredores e fragmentos. Em um total de 8.015 ha, foram identificados 103 fragmentos florestais (11,4% da área) e 82 campestres (49,4%), restando 39,2% de área antropizada por pastagens, cultivos e reflorestamentos. As áreas campestres apresentaram tamanho médio maior e conformação espacial mais regular do que as áreas florestais, menores e mais alongadas. Existem fragmentos campestres extensos numa paisagem com predominância de áreas naturais sobre as antrópicas. As características da paisagem desse segmento são resultados não só da interferência antrópica, mas principalmente da evolução da paisagem frente às flutuações climáticas do Quaternário recente. As áreas naturais desta porção da bacia apresentam condições espaciais favoráveis no que se refere à manutenção da biodiversidade, como extensão e continuidade. Há diferenças no padrão de uso do solo nas áreas estudadas, a porção norte apresenta-se mais antropizada enquanto que na porção sul as áreas naturais estão mais preservadas.

Intravenous alteplase (i.v. t-PA) for ischemic stroke is most effective when given early after stroke onset. The current national treatment initiative, Target:Stroke aims to administer i.v. t-PA within 60 minutes of patient’s arrival to the ED. This goal is challenging for community based primary stroke centers that do not have 24 hours in-house neurologists or radiologists and who are not able to mix alteplase in the ED. In 2010, we conducted a focused review of Stroke Alert Timelines in two community based Primary Stroke Centers in Santa Clara, California. This review led to the hypothesis that door-to-needle times for i.v. alteplase in ischemic stroke could be reduced by improving communication between key responders and by expediting the delivery of i.v. alteplase from pharmacy to the ED. METHODS: In January 2011 we implemented a new Emergency Room protocol for management of patients with acute ischemic stroke ( Fig ) and compared its performance with recent historical data in two community hospital based PSCs. This protocol emphasizes prompt communication between ED physician, on-call neurologist and radiology and expedites the delivery of i.v. alteplase to the ED. FINDINGS: The average door to needle time for patients treated between January 2009 and December 2010 was 89.5 ± 35.7 min (median 77 min). During this period, two patients (3.1%) received the drug within 60 minutes of arrival to the ED. The average door to needle time for patients treated between January 2011 and July 2011, was 70.7 ± 28.9 min, (median 60 min, p < 0.02). During this period, fourteen patients (58.3%) received i.v. t-PA within 60 minutes of arrival to the ED. CONCLUSION: an improved management protocol that optimizes communication between ED physician, neurologist, radiologist and pharmacy and makes alteplase promptly available at bedside, can significantly improve the door to needle time for i.v. alteplase in community hospital based primary stroke centers.