The relationship between the distribution of HBcAg in liver cells and the pathological manifestations of the liver in 429 HBeAg-positive chronic HBV-infected individuals

Background:The natural history of chronic HBV infection is typically characterized by four stages:the immune tolerance period,the immune clearance period,the immune control period,and the immune escape period.These stages are associated with the distribution of HBcAg in liver cells;however,this relationship remains a topic of broad debate within the field of liver disease.To objectively and quantitatively measure the intracellular distribution of HBcAg,this paper aims to design a method referred to as the“layered evaluation method”and to examine its validation.Methods:The distribution of HBcAg in liver cells is assessed using Image Pro Plus image processing software,along with calculations of cytoplasmic and nuclear positive staining rates.Results:The findings indicate that the highest proportion of patients exhibited a positive cytoplasmic expression rate ranging from 0-2.5%.More than 40% of the total sample was categorized within the 0-2.5% positive nuclear expression range.The HBcAg cytoplasmic positive staining rates were classified into five levels:a cytoplasmic HBcAg positive staining rate of less than 0.05% is designated as level 0,indicating negative expression;a staining rate between 0.05% and 5% is classified as level 1;a rate from 5% to less than 10% is classified as level 2;a rate from 10% to less than 20% is classified as level 3;and a nuclear positivity rate exceeding 20% is classified as level 4.Conclusion:The inflammatory activity grade in these patients was positively correlated with the cytoplasmic distribution of HBcAg.Furthermore,the nuclear distribution rate of HBcAg was significantly higher in the G3 group compared to the other groups.

Pathological Manifestations on Concrete Bridges at Recife＇s Metropolitan Area

Bridges are structures being used to cross rivers, lakes or any other obstacles which involve water. These instruments are commonly used in cities like Recife, which consists of several islands. However, it is common in this city to observe the fast deterioration of these structures that have been built for decades and are subjected to structural recoveries only when they present a possible imminent collapse. The maintenance of these constructions, often used as tourist spots, is essential because of the economic importance, while these structures are responsible for transporting people and cargo, and also play a key role in the city＇s roads. This paper aims to present and assess the conservation status of these bridges through the study of possible pathologies found at Princesa Isabel Bridge, Government Agamenon Bridge, Ponte Giratória Bridge and Paulo Guerra Bridge. The methodology for its inspection will be prescribed by ABNT NBR-9452/86, which provides for ＂Surveys of Concrete Bridges/Viaducts＂. After analysis, it was found that most bridges problems were caused by the presence of moisture that accumulates in bridges due to the absence or malfunction of drainage systems.

Analysis of the Influence of New Usages on the State of Conservation of Historical Buildings through Microclimate Characterization

Recycling is an alternative for preserving historical heritage buildings. Through such process, buildings are occupied by new usages that assure they are not abandoned. However, conservation issues, like pathological manifestations by filamentous fungi, are common even in buildings receiving new uses. Thus, it is extremely important to know the microclimate behavior of these buildings and analyze if there are usages that favor the appearance of filamentous fungi or not. This study aims to verify if new usages modify the microclimate in historical buildings and if such possible change favors the appearance of pathological manifestations by filamentous fimgi in some specific use. To achieve the results, three buildings that have gone through recycling processes were chosen in the city of Pelotas, in Southernmost Brazil. The city possesses a large number of buildings with historical value and its climate conditions are propitious for appearance of filamentous fungi. For 12 months, microclimate was monitored, the environments modus operandi was characterized and there was a survey on the pathological manifestations by filamentous fungi in the three buildings with two different uses： administration offices and exhibition rooms. Conclusion was that usages that allow natural ventilation and lighting favor conservation, which is what happens in the ones used as administration offices. Besides that, it was noticed that the construction system also influences, since buildings with a high cellar that is being used did not present filamentous fungi, which also shows the influence of ascending humidity on the appearance of such pathological manifestations.

Analysis of a Concrete Structure that Was Exposed to Fires in the Metropolitan Region of Recife

In large cities, news about fires in buildings are powered by problems such as old wiring and no maintenance. Accidents with chemicals and human error, which when added to the different characteristics of each fire and structures can generate the factors causing these disasters. The gradual rise in temperature causes a different effect in mortar and concrete parts, verifying the change in coloring provided to loss of mechanical strength and surface crumbling, cracking and disintegration of the structure itself. This paper presents a case study in which a building that is located in the metropolitan region of Recife was exposed to a fire situation. The metropolitan region of Recife is composed of several old buildings that by virtue of their age may have delayed construction methods, and may expose the fragility of the concrete used in its construction on a fire situation. The concrete structures are recognized by the good resistance to fire because of the thermal characteristics of the material, however, the temperature rise in the concrete elements in characteristic causes a reduction in strength and modulus of elasticity of the material, the loss in stiffness leading to polyphase degradation of reinforced concrete, structural parts can lead to ruin, but when properly sized and executed, the concrete can serve as a proactive agent to be exposed to high temperatures, as the same may be subjected to high temperatures accidentally or they may be part of their normal work.