In its broadest interpretation, the smart grid vision sees the future of power industry transformed by the introduction of intelligent two-way communications, ubiquitous metering and measurement. This enables much fin...In its broadest interpretation, the smart grid vision sees the future of power industry transformed by the introduction of intelligent two-way communications, ubiquitous metering and measurement. This enables much finer control of energy flows and the integration and efficient use of renewable forms of energy, energy efficiency methodologies and technologies, as well as many other advanced technologies, techniques and processes that wouldn’t have been practicable until present. The smart grid vision also enables the creation of more reliable, more robust and more secure power supply infrastructure, and helps optimize the enormous investments required to build and operate the physical infrastructure required. The smart grid promises to revolutionize the electric power business that has been in place for the past 75 years. This work discusses the efficiency, targeted at the consumer units of electricity, with a view to sustainability and potential for technological innovation. The issue is addressed from two perspectives: the systems for generation and power distribution, and the design of a building “smart energy”. Because of the novelty of the subject in our country, the concepts presented and treated throughout this work come from material obtained at events and specialized sites on electric power system in Brazil and worldwide, being accompanied by information and data from NIPE’s building at University of Campinas’s campus case study in which it exemplifies the applicability of the techniques and recommended technologies.展开更多
Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs are renowned for their intricate pore networks and vuggy nature,posing significant challenges in modeling and simulating fluid flow within these carbonate reservoirs.Despite possessing ex...Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs are renowned for their intricate pore networks and vuggy nature,posing significant challenges in modeling and simulating fluid flow within these carbonate reservoirs.Despite possessing excellent petrophysical properties,such as high porosity and permeability,these reservoirs typically exhibit a notably low recovery factor,sometimes falling below 10%.Previous research has indicated that various enhanced oil recovery(EOR)methods,such as water alternating gas(WAG),can substantially augment the recovery factor in pre-salt reservoirs,resulting in improvements of up to 20%.Nevertheless,the fluid flow mechanism within Brazilian carbonate reservoirs,characterized by complex pore geometry,remains unclear.Our study examines the behavior of fluid flow in a similar heterogeneous porous material,utilizing a plug sample obtained from a vugular segment of a Brazilian stromatolite outcrop,known to share analogies with certain pre-salt reservoirs.We conducted single-phase and multi-phase core flooding experiments,complemented by medical-CT scanning,to generate flow streamlines and evaluate the efficiency of water flooding.Subsequently,micro-CT scanning of the core sample was performed,and two cross-sections from horizontal and vertical plates were constructed.These cross-sections were then employed as geometries in a numerical simulator,enabling us to investigate the impact of pore geometry on fluid flow.Analysis of the pore-scale modeling and experimental data unveiled that the presence of dead-end pores and vugs results in a significant portion of the fluid remaining stagnant within these regions.Consequently,the injected fluid exhibits channeling-like behavior,leading to rapid breakthrough and low areal swept efficiency.Additionally,the numerical simulation results demonstrated that,irrespective of the size of the dead-end regions,the pressure variation within the dead-end vugs and pores is negligible.Despite the stromatolite's favorable petrophysical properties,including relatively high porosity and permeability,as well as the presence of interconnected large vugs,the recovery factor during water flooding remained low due to early breakthrough.These findings align with field data obtained from pre-salt reservoirs,providing an explanation for the observed low recovery factor during water flooding in such reservoirs.展开更多
Background:Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)technology has allowed for the measurement of cerebral and skeletal muscle oxygenation simultaneously during exercise.Since this technology has been growing and is now succes...Background:Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)technology has allowed for the measurement of cerebral and skeletal muscle oxygenation simultaneously during exercise.Since this technology has been growing and is now successfully used in laboratory and sports settings,this systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence and enhance an integrative understanding of bloodflow adjustments and oxygen(O_(2))changes(i.e.,the balance between O_(2) delivery and O_(2) consumption)within the cerebral and muscle systems during exercise.Methods:A systematic review was conducted using PubMed,Embase,Scopus,and Web of Science databases to search for relevant studies that simultaneously investigated cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes using the near-infrared spectroscopy system during exercise.This review considered manuscripts written in English and available before February 9,2023.Each step of screening involved evaluation by 2 inde-pendent authors,with disagreements resolved by a third author.The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Results:Twenty studies were included,of which 80%had good methodological quality,and involved 290 young or middle-aged adults.Different types of exercises were used to assess cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes,such as cycling(n=11),treadmill(n=1),knee extension(n=5),isometric contraction of biceps brachii(n=3),and duet swim routines(n=1).The cerebral hemodynamics anal-ysis was focused on the frontal cortex(n=20),while in the muscle,the analysis involved vastus lateralis(n=18),gastrocnemius(n=3),biceps brachii(n=5),deltoid(n=1),and intercostal muscle(n=1).Overall,muscle deoxygenation increases during exercise,reaching a plateau in voluntary exhaustion,while in the brain,oxyhemoglobin concentration increases with exercise intensity,reaching a plateau or declining at the exhaustion point.Conclusion:Muscle and cerebral oxygenation respond differently to exercise,with muscle increasing O_(2) utilization and cerebral tissue increasing O_(2) delivery during exercise.However,at the exhaustion point,both muscle and cerebral oxygenation become compromised.This is characterized by a reduction in bloodflow and a decrease in O_(2) extraction in the muscle,while in the brain,oxygenation reaches a plateau or decline,potentially resulting in motor failure during exercise.展开更多
This study investigates the impact of pore network characteristics on fluid flow through complex and heterogeneous porous media,providing insights into the factors affecting fluid propagation in such systems.Specifica...This study investigates the impact of pore network characteristics on fluid flow through complex and heterogeneous porous media,providing insights into the factors affecting fluid propagation in such systems.Specifically,high-resolution or micro X-ray computed tomography(CT)imaging techniques were utilized to examine outcrop stromatolite samples of the Lagoa Salgada,considered flow analogous to the Brazilian Pre-salt carbonate reservoirs.The petrophysical results comprised two distinct stromatolite depositional facies,the columnar and the fine-grained facies.By generating pore network model(PNM),the study quantified the relationship between key features of the porous system,including pore and throat radius,throat length,coordination number,shape factor,and pore volume.The study found that the less dense pore network of the columnar sample is typically characterized by larger pores and wider and longer throats but with a weaker connection of throats to pores.Both facies exhibited less variability in the radius of the pores and throats in comparison to throat length.Additionally,a series of core flooding experiments coupled with medical CT scanning was designed and conducted in the plug samples to assess flow propagation and saturation fields.The study revealed that the heterogeneity and presence of disconnected or dead-end pores significantly impacted the flow patterns and saturation.Two-phase flow patterns and oil saturation distribution reveal a preferential and heterogeneous displacement that mainly swept displaced fluid in some regions of plugs and bypassed it in others.The relation between saturation profiles,porosity profiles,and the number of fluid flow patterns for the samples was evident.Only for the columnar plug sample was the enhancement in recovery factor after shifting to lower salinity water injection(SB)observed.展开更多
Bladder cancer(BC)is the 10th most common cancer worldwide,with about 0.5 million reported new cases and about 0.2 million deaths per year.In this scoping review,we summarize the current evidence regarding the clinica...Bladder cancer(BC)is the 10th most common cancer worldwide,with about 0.5 million reported new cases and about 0.2 million deaths per year.In this scoping review,we summarize the current evidence regarding the clinical implications of single-cell sequencing for bladder cancer based on PRISMA guidelines.We searched PubMed,CENTRAL,Embase,and supplemented with manual searches through the Scopus,and Web of Science for published studies until February 2023.We included original studies that used at least one single-cell technology to study bladder cancer.Forty-one publications were included in the review.Twenty-nine studies showed that this technology can identify cell subtypes in the tumor microenvironment that may predict prognosis or response to immune checkpoint inhibition therapy.Two studies were able to diagnose BC by identifying neoplastic cells through single-cell sequencing urine samples.The remaining studies were mainly a preclinical exploration of tumor microenvironment at single cell level.Single-cell sequencing technology can discriminate heterogeneity in bladder tumor cells and determine the key molecular properties that can lead to the discovery of novel perspectives on cancer management.This nascent tool can advance the early diagnosis,prognosis judgment,and targeted therapy of bladder cancer.展开更多
In the Acknowledgments Section,please replace“Shell oil”for“TotalEnergies”.The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.For the sake of clarity(“Shell oil”should be removed and in boldblack“...In the Acknowledgments Section,please replace“Shell oil”for“TotalEnergies”.The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.For the sake of clarity(“Shell oil”should be removed and in boldblack“TotalEnergies”inserted),this section should say:The authors would like to thank Moura Batteries for the financial support.展开更多
Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emer...Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emergency care of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and to determine whether there is any difference in the provision of such services as a function of the victim’s age. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the care received by female children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a capital city, comparing the treatment given to girls under 15 with that given to adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age. The data were extracted from the State Department of Health database between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2016. Results: Children under 15 were much less likely to receive prophylaxis against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B, with the number of adolescent girls treated adequately corresponding to between twice and almost three times the number of children treated prophylactically. Only 10% of girls under 15 received emergency contraception. Conclusion: The lack of standard care established by the Ministry of Health highlights the need for urgent debates both locally and probably throughout the country, as the situation may be similar in other regions of the country.展开更多
Railway infrastructure relies on the dynamic interaction between wheels and rails;thus,assessing wheel wear is a critical aspect of maintenance and safety.This paper focuses on the wheel-rail wear indicator T-gamma(T...Railway infrastructure relies on the dynamic interaction between wheels and rails;thus,assessing wheel wear is a critical aspect of maintenance and safety.This paper focuses on the wheel-rail wear indicator T-gamma(Tγ).Amidst its use,it becomes apparent that Tγ,while valuable,fails to provide a comprehensive reflection of the actual material removal and actual contact format,which means that using only Tγas a target for optimization of profiles is not ideal.In this work,three different freight wagons are evaluated:a meter-gauge and a broad-gauge heavy haul vehicles from South American railways,and a standard-gauge freight vehicle operated in Europe,with different axle loads and dissimilar new wheel/rail profiles.These vehicles are subjected to comprehensive multibody simulations on various tracks.The simulations aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between different wear indicators:Tγ,wear index,material removal,and maximum wear depth,under diverse curves,non-compensated lateral accelerations(A_(nc)),and speeds.Some findings showed a correlation of 0.96 between Tγand wear depth and 0.82 between wear index and material removed for the outer wheel.From the results,the Tγis better than the wear index to be used when analyzing wear depth while the wear index is more suited to foresee the material lost.The results also show the low influence of A_(nc)on wear index and Tγ.By considering these factors together,the study aims to improve the understanding of wheel-rail wear by selecting the best wear analysis approaches based on the effectiveness of each parameter.展开更多
Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in...Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.展开更多
In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease...In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease”.The authors emphasized the role of diet,especially the interaction with genetics,in promoting the inflam-matory process in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients,focusing on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and the influence of microRNAs.In this editorial,we explore the interaction between genetics,gut microbiota,and diet,in an only way.Furthermore,we provided dietary recommendations for patients with IBD.The Western diet,characterized by a low fiber content and deficiency the micronutrients,impacts short-chain fatty acids production and may be related to the pathogenesis of IBD.On the other hand,the consumption of the Mediter-ranean diet and dietary fibers are associated with reduced risk of IBD flares,particularly in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.According to the dietary guidance from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IOIBD),the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the consumption of saturated,trans,dairy fat,additives,processed foods rich in maltodextrins,and artificial sweeteners containing sucralose or saccharine is recommended to CD patients.For patients with ulcerative colitis,the IOIBD recommends the increased intake of natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and follows the same restrictive recommendations aimed at CD patients,with the possible inclusion of red meats.In conclusion,IBD is a complex and hetero-geneous disease,and future studies are needed to elucidate the influence of epigenetics on diet and microbiota in IBD patients.展开更多
The investigation aims to understand how external forces influence tectonic plate movement, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our emphasis was on calculating perigee forces at various moon-Earth distances. O...The investigation aims to understand how external forces influence tectonic plate movement, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our emphasis was on calculating perigee forces at various moon-Earth distances. Our initial concern is the fluctuating perigee distance between the Moon and Earth. Later, we will cover Earth’s mass fluctuations caused by crustal inhomogeneity. Gravitational force depends on distance and Earth’s mass variations. Wobbling’s Earth and translation around Sun are additional factors. Tidal variations from the Moon trigger subduction zone earthquakes. Volcanoes in the Ring of Fire are influenced by plate movement on fractures and faults.展开更多
Currently, urban areas are the largest segment of the world’s population, and they can reach up to 80% of it in some countries. Understanding green areas is of paramount importance to also understand the population’...Currently, urban areas are the largest segment of the world’s population, and they can reach up to 80% of it in some countries. Understanding green areas is of paramount importance to also understand the population’s mental health and well-being, as well as to achieve ecological understanding and its impact on urban infrastructure. Thus, the aim of the present study is to carry out a survey on both urban afforestation structure and on its social impact on a Brazilian municipality. It also sought to understand the damages caused by these species to urban infrastructure in comparison to data collected in 2009, to assess forest coverage in this municipality and tree planting underutilized capacity. Accordingly, all the streets in this municipality’s urban area, the botanical data of each tree and its damage to the city’s infrastructure and phytosanitary conditions were surveyed (from 1 to 5). Data were compared to those from the 2009 census, and social issues were analyzed. In total, 5044 individuals belonging to 189 species were recorded. The most often found species were Lagerstroemia indica and Murraya paniculata. Out of the total number of trees, 458 trees scored at least one score “5” in one of the criteria, and this number represents 8.9% of the total of the trees. L. indica was the species accounting for the highest rates of phytosanitary and infrastructure issues. Data comparison evidenced that urban tree canopy lost 25% of its vegetation between the two measurements taken herein, but the number of species has increased. When it comes to damages, many trees started showing phytosanitary issues or damage to urban infrastructure.展开更多
This investigation aims to study the El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in these three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. Warm and cold events relate to the Spring/Summer seasons. This paper...This investigation aims to study the El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in these three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. Warm and cold events relate to the Spring/Summer seasons. This paper will search for connections between the ENSO events and climate anomalies worldwide. There is some speculation that those events would be necessary for the climate anomalies observed worldwide. After analyzing the data from the reports to the ENSO, it shows almost periodicity from 1950-2023. We emphasized the occurrence of El Niño two years, when it was most prominent, and the climate anomalies (following NOAA maps), 2015 and 2023. The results indicated that the observed climate anomalies couldn’t be linked to the abnormal events observed. The worldwide temperatures in those years enhanced mostly in 2023. It shows an abnormal behavior compared with all the years scrutinized and analyzed since the records began. Therefore, there must be unknown factors beyond ENSO that rule the worldwide temperatures and the climate anomalies observed.展开更多
The first part of this investigation analyzes the deep earthquake occurrences in Nazca subducting under South America. The depth taken is to get information about possible influences from the unknown materials and for...The first part of this investigation analyzes the deep earthquake occurrences in Nazca subducting under South America. The depth taken is to get information about possible influences from the unknown materials and formations under the crust. The results revealed the presence of malleable material, which is unbreakable and, therefore, unable to trigger earthquakes. The structure of those elements is diamagnetic, attracting ionized particles from the Van Allen belt region in the ionosphere. The charged particles travel towards Earth’s surface, enhanced during the geomagnetic storms. The South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) found that the deformation suffered by the anomaly moving from South Africa to South America is, possibly due to a bulge of unknown flexible material buried underneath the oceanic and continental crust. The continental part is strengthening in weakness because the background also has a high amount of diamagnetic material in this region, and it would not happen over the Atlantic Ocean, where part of the deformation is placed.展开更多
Although thousands of DNA damaging events occur in each cell every day,efficient DNA repair pathways have evolved to counteract them. The DNA repair machinery plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability by avoid...Although thousands of DNA damaging events occur in each cell every day,efficient DNA repair pathways have evolved to counteract them. The DNA repair machinery plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability by avoiding the maintenance of mutations. The DNA repair enzymes continuously monitor the chromosomes to correct any damage that is caused by exogenous and endogenous mutagens. If DNA damage in proliferating cells is not repaired because of an inadequate expression of DNA repair genes,it might increase the risk of cancer. In addition to mutations,which can be either inherited or somatically acquired,epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes has been associated with carcinogenesis. Gastric cancer represents the second highest cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The disease develops from the accumulation of several genetic and epigenetic changes during the lifetime. Among the risk factors,Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is considered the main driving factor to gastric cancer development. Thus,in this review,we summarize the current knowledge of the role of H. pylori infection on the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair machinery in gastric carcinogenesis.展开更多
AIM: To determine cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequency in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis by serology, histological revision (searching for cytomegalic cells), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a...AIM: To determine cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequency in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis by serology, histological revision (searching for cytomegalic cells), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to verify the relationships among these methods.METHODS: The study comprised 101 non-consecutive infants submitted for hepatic biopsy between March 1982 and December 2005. Serological results were obtained from the patient's f iles and the other methods were performed on paraffin-embedded liver samples from hepatic biopsies. The following statistical measures were calculated: frequency, sensibility, specif ic positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy.RESULTS: The frequencies of positive results were as follows: serology, 7/64 (11%); histological revision, 0/84; immunohistochemistry, 1/44 (2%), and PCR, 6/77 (8%). Only one patient had positive immunohistochemical fi ndings and a positive PCR. The following statistical measures were calculated between PCR and serology: sensitivity, 33.3%; specificity, 88.89%; positive predictive value, 28.57%; negative predictive value, 90.91%; and accuracy, 82.35%. CONCLUSION: The frequency of positive CMV varied among the tests. Serology presented the highest positive frequency. When compared to PCR, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of serology were low.展开更多
Tissue engineering is an emerging field of science that focuses on creating suitable conditions for the regeneration of tissues. The basic components for tissue engineering involve an interactive triad of scaffolds, s...Tissue engineering is an emerging field of science that focuses on creating suitable conditions for the regeneration of tissues. The basic components for tissue engineering involve an interactive triad of scaffolds, signaling molecules, and cells. In this context,stem cells(SCs) present the characteristics of selfrenewal and differentiation capacity, which make them promising candidates for tissue engineering. Although they present some common markers, such as cluster of differentiation(CD)105, CD146 and STRO-1, SCs derived from various tissues have different patterns in relation to proliferation, clonogenicity, and differentiation abilities in vitro and in vivo. Tooth-derived tissues have been proposed as an accessible source to obtain SCs with limited morbidity, and various tooth-derived SCs(TDSCs) have been isolated and characterized, such as dental pulp SCs, SCs from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament SCs, dental follicle progenitor cells, SCs from apical papilla, and periodontal ligament of deciduous teeth SCs. However, heterogeneity among these populations has been observed, and the best method to select the most appropriate TDSCs for regeneration approaches has not yet been established. The objective of this review is to outline the current knowledge concerning the various types of TDSCs, and discuss the perspectives for their use in regenerative approaches.展开更多
AIM To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation during the development of an experimental model of colitis associated colon cancer(CAC). METHODS C57 BL/6 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of azoxym...AIM To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation during the development of an experimental model of colitis associated colon cancer(CAC). METHODS C57 BL/6 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane(10 mg/kg), followed by three cycles of sodium dextran sulphate diluted in water(5% w/v). Probiotic group received daily a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacil us rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Microbiota composition was assessed by 16 Sr RNA Illumina Hi Seq sequencing. Colon samples were collected for histological analysis. Tumor cytokines was assessed by Real Time-PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction); and serum cytokines by Multiplex assay. All tests were two-sided. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Graphs were generated and statistical analysis performed using the software Graph Pad Prism 5.0. The project was approved by the institutional review board committee. RESULTS At day 60 after azoxymethane injection, the mean number of tumours in the probiotic group was 40% lower than that in the control group, and the probiotic group exhibited tumours of smaller size(< 2 mm)(P < 0.05). There was no difference in richness and diversity between groups. However, there was a significant difference in beta diversity in the multidimensional scaling analysis. The abundance of the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Allobaculum, Clostridium XI and Clostridium XVⅢ increased in the probiotic group(P < 0.05). The microbial change was accompanied by reduced colitis, demonstrated by a 46% reduction in the colon inflammatory index; reduced expression of the serum chemokines RANTES and Eotaxin; decreased p-IKK and TNF-α and increased IL-10 expression in the colon. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a potential chemopreventive effect of probiotic on CAC. Probiotic supplementation changes microbiota structure and regulates the inflammatory response, reducing colitis and preventing CAC.展开更多
Despite advances in therapy, hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection remains an important global health issue. It is estimated that a significant part of the world population is chronically infected with the virus, and many ...Despite advances in therapy, hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection remains an important global health issue. It is estimated that a significant part of the world population is chronically infected with the virus, and many of those affected may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. The virus shows considerable variability, a characteristic that directly interferes with disease treatment. The response to treatment varies according to HCV genotype and subtype. The continuous generation of variants(quasispecies) allows the virus to escape control by antivirals. Historically, the combination of ribavirin and interferon therapy has represented the only treatment option for the disease. Currently, several new treatment options are emerging and are available to a large part of the affected population. In addition, the search for new substances with antiviral activity against HCV continues, promising future improvements in treatment. Researchers should consider the mutation capacity of the virus and the other variables that affect treatment success.展开更多
AIM: To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation.METHODS: Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 ...AIM: To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation.METHODS: Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 made up the intervention group. The control group consisted of 18 men and 5 women, body mass index(BMI) 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD) 18.2 ± 6.1. The intervention group consisted of 11 men and 3 women, BMI 28.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and MELD 18 ± 4.5. The presence or absence of ascites was identified in the first patient evaluation and after three months. We evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure, spirometry, root mean square(RMS) of diaphragm and rectus abdominis, and the quality of life. The exercises were performed daily by patients at home for three months and were supervised at distance monthly. The manual consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, diaphragmatic isometric exercise, Threshold IMT®, lifting upper limbs with a bat and strengthening the abdomen. RESULTS: There was significant difference(P = 0.01) between the first(initial) and the third month(final) MIP in the control group and in the intervention group, but there was no difference(P = 0.45) between the groups.The RMS of the diaphragm was lower(P = 0.001) and the functional capacity was higher(P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared to the control. The general health and mental health domains received higher scores after three months in the control group(P = 0.01) and the intervention group(P = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. The comparison between the presence of initial ascites with the presence of ascites was performed after three months in the control group(P = 0.083) and intervention group(P = 0.31). There was no significant difference, in relation to the presence of ascites after three months between groups(P = 0.21). In the intervention group, patients with ascites at the end of the time period had decreased scores on the social aspects SF-36 domain(P = 0.023) compared to those who had no ascites. CONCLUSION: The proposed exercises provide an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength and improve functional capacity, consequently bettering the quality of life of liver disease patients.展开更多
文摘In its broadest interpretation, the smart grid vision sees the future of power industry transformed by the introduction of intelligent two-way communications, ubiquitous metering and measurement. This enables much finer control of energy flows and the integration and efficient use of renewable forms of energy, energy efficiency methodologies and technologies, as well as many other advanced technologies, techniques and processes that wouldn’t have been practicable until present. The smart grid vision also enables the creation of more reliable, more robust and more secure power supply infrastructure, and helps optimize the enormous investments required to build and operate the physical infrastructure required. The smart grid promises to revolutionize the electric power business that has been in place for the past 75 years. This work discusses the efficiency, targeted at the consumer units of electricity, with a view to sustainability and potential for technological innovation. The issue is addressed from two perspectives: the systems for generation and power distribution, and the design of a building “smart energy”. Because of the novelty of the subject in our country, the concepts presented and treated throughout this work come from material obtained at events and specialized sites on electric power system in Brazil and worldwide, being accompanied by information and data from NIPE’s building at University of Campinas’s campus case study in which it exemplifies the applicability of the techniques and recommended technologies.
基金the support of EPIC-Energy Production Innovation Center,hosted by the University of Campinas(UNICAMP)sponsored by FAPESP-Sao Paulo Research Foundation(2017/15736e3 process).
文摘Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs are renowned for their intricate pore networks and vuggy nature,posing significant challenges in modeling and simulating fluid flow within these carbonate reservoirs.Despite possessing excellent petrophysical properties,such as high porosity and permeability,these reservoirs typically exhibit a notably low recovery factor,sometimes falling below 10%.Previous research has indicated that various enhanced oil recovery(EOR)methods,such as water alternating gas(WAG),can substantially augment the recovery factor in pre-salt reservoirs,resulting in improvements of up to 20%.Nevertheless,the fluid flow mechanism within Brazilian carbonate reservoirs,characterized by complex pore geometry,remains unclear.Our study examines the behavior of fluid flow in a similar heterogeneous porous material,utilizing a plug sample obtained from a vugular segment of a Brazilian stromatolite outcrop,known to share analogies with certain pre-salt reservoirs.We conducted single-phase and multi-phase core flooding experiments,complemented by medical-CT scanning,to generate flow streamlines and evaluate the efficiency of water flooding.Subsequently,micro-CT scanning of the core sample was performed,and two cross-sections from horizontal and vertical plates were constructed.These cross-sections were then employed as geometries in a numerical simulator,enabling us to investigate the impact of pore geometry on fluid flow.Analysis of the pore-scale modeling and experimental data unveiled that the presence of dead-end pores and vugs results in a significant portion of the fluid remaining stagnant within these regions.Consequently,the injected fluid exhibits channeling-like behavior,leading to rapid breakthrough and low areal swept efficiency.Additionally,the numerical simulation results demonstrated that,irrespective of the size of the dead-end regions,the pressure variation within the dead-end vugs and pores is negligible.Despite the stromatolite's favorable petrophysical properties,including relatively high porosity and permeability,as well as the presence of interconnected large vugs,the recovery factor during water flooding remained low due to early breakthrough.These findings align with field data obtained from pre-salt reservoirs,providing an explanation for the observed low recovery factor during water flooding in such reservoirs.
基金supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP)(Grant Numbers 20/11946-6,18/05821-6,17/10201-4,09/08535-5,19/20894-2,and 19/10666-2)the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq)(Grant Numbers 164937/2020-0,309832/2021-7,308117/2018-2,307718/2018-2,and 409521/2021-3)+1 种基金the Pro-Reitoria de Pesquisa(PROPe)of Sao Paulo State University(UNESP)the IDOR/Pioneer Science Initiative(www.pioneerscience.org).
文摘Background:Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)technology has allowed for the measurement of cerebral and skeletal muscle oxygenation simultaneously during exercise.Since this technology has been growing and is now successfully used in laboratory and sports settings,this systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence and enhance an integrative understanding of bloodflow adjustments and oxygen(O_(2))changes(i.e.,the balance between O_(2) delivery and O_(2) consumption)within the cerebral and muscle systems during exercise.Methods:A systematic review was conducted using PubMed,Embase,Scopus,and Web of Science databases to search for relevant studies that simultaneously investigated cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes using the near-infrared spectroscopy system during exercise.This review considered manuscripts written in English and available before February 9,2023.Each step of screening involved evaluation by 2 inde-pendent authors,with disagreements resolved by a third author.The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Results:Twenty studies were included,of which 80%had good methodological quality,and involved 290 young or middle-aged adults.Different types of exercises were used to assess cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes,such as cycling(n=11),treadmill(n=1),knee extension(n=5),isometric contraction of biceps brachii(n=3),and duet swim routines(n=1).The cerebral hemodynamics anal-ysis was focused on the frontal cortex(n=20),while in the muscle,the analysis involved vastus lateralis(n=18),gastrocnemius(n=3),biceps brachii(n=5),deltoid(n=1),and intercostal muscle(n=1).Overall,muscle deoxygenation increases during exercise,reaching a plateau in voluntary exhaustion,while in the brain,oxyhemoglobin concentration increases with exercise intensity,reaching a plateau or declining at the exhaustion point.Conclusion:Muscle and cerebral oxygenation respond differently to exercise,with muscle increasing O_(2) utilization and cerebral tissue increasing O_(2) delivery during exercise.However,at the exhaustion point,both muscle and cerebral oxygenation become compromised.This is characterized by a reduction in bloodflow and a decrease in O_(2) extraction in the muscle,while in the brain,oxygenation reaches a plateau or decline,potentially resulting in motor failure during exercise.
基金the support of EPIC—Energy Production Innovation Center,hosted by the University of Campinas(UNICAMP)sponsored by FAPESP—Sao Paulo Research Foundation(2017/15736—3 process)+2 种基金the support and funding from Equinor Brazil and the support of ANP(Brazil's National Oil,Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency)through the R&D levy regulationthe Center of Energy and Petroleum Studies(CEPETRO)the School of Mechanical Engineering(FEM)。
文摘This study investigates the impact of pore network characteristics on fluid flow through complex and heterogeneous porous media,providing insights into the factors affecting fluid propagation in such systems.Specifically,high-resolution or micro X-ray computed tomography(CT)imaging techniques were utilized to examine outcrop stromatolite samples of the Lagoa Salgada,considered flow analogous to the Brazilian Pre-salt carbonate reservoirs.The petrophysical results comprised two distinct stromatolite depositional facies,the columnar and the fine-grained facies.By generating pore network model(PNM),the study quantified the relationship between key features of the porous system,including pore and throat radius,throat length,coordination number,shape factor,and pore volume.The study found that the less dense pore network of the columnar sample is typically characterized by larger pores and wider and longer throats but with a weaker connection of throats to pores.Both facies exhibited less variability in the radius of the pores and throats in comparison to throat length.Additionally,a series of core flooding experiments coupled with medical CT scanning was designed and conducted in the plug samples to assess flow propagation and saturation fields.The study revealed that the heterogeneity and presence of disconnected or dead-end pores significantly impacted the flow patterns and saturation.Two-phase flow patterns and oil saturation distribution reveal a preferential and heterogeneous displacement that mainly swept displaced fluid in some regions of plugs and bypassed it in others.The relation between saturation profiles,porosity profiles,and the number of fluid flow patterns for the samples was evident.Only for the columnar plug sample was the enhancement in recovery factor after shifting to lower salinity water injection(SB)observed.
文摘Bladder cancer(BC)is the 10th most common cancer worldwide,with about 0.5 million reported new cases and about 0.2 million deaths per year.In this scoping review,we summarize the current evidence regarding the clinical implications of single-cell sequencing for bladder cancer based on PRISMA guidelines.We searched PubMed,CENTRAL,Embase,and supplemented with manual searches through the Scopus,and Web of Science for published studies until February 2023.We included original studies that used at least one single-cell technology to study bladder cancer.Forty-one publications were included in the review.Twenty-nine studies showed that this technology can identify cell subtypes in the tumor microenvironment that may predict prognosis or response to immune checkpoint inhibition therapy.Two studies were able to diagnose BC by identifying neoplastic cells through single-cell sequencing urine samples.The remaining studies were mainly a preclinical exploration of tumor microenvironment at single cell level.Single-cell sequencing technology can discriminate heterogeneity in bladder tumor cells and determine the key molecular properties that can lead to the discovery of novel perspectives on cancer management.This nascent tool can advance the early diagnosis,prognosis judgment,and targeted therapy of bladder cancer.
文摘In the Acknowledgments Section,please replace“Shell oil”for“TotalEnergies”.The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.For the sake of clarity(“Shell oil”should be removed and in boldblack“TotalEnergies”inserted),this section should say:The authors would like to thank Moura Batteries for the financial support.
文摘Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emergency care of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and to determine whether there is any difference in the provision of such services as a function of the victim’s age. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the care received by female children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a capital city, comparing the treatment given to girls under 15 with that given to adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age. The data were extracted from the State Department of Health database between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2016. Results: Children under 15 were much less likely to receive prophylaxis against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B, with the number of adolescent girls treated adequately corresponding to between twice and almost three times the number of children treated prophylactically. Only 10% of girls under 15 received emergency contraception. Conclusion: The lack of standard care established by the Ministry of Health highlights the need for urgent debates both locally and probably throughout the country, as the situation may be similar in other regions of the country.
基金funding this study and technical support,and also to CNPQ(Grant Number 315304/2018-9)CAPES(Grant Number 88887.892546/2023-00),which funded partially this project.
文摘Railway infrastructure relies on the dynamic interaction between wheels and rails;thus,assessing wheel wear is a critical aspect of maintenance and safety.This paper focuses on the wheel-rail wear indicator T-gamma(Tγ).Amidst its use,it becomes apparent that Tγ,while valuable,fails to provide a comprehensive reflection of the actual material removal and actual contact format,which means that using only Tγas a target for optimization of profiles is not ideal.In this work,three different freight wagons are evaluated:a meter-gauge and a broad-gauge heavy haul vehicles from South American railways,and a standard-gauge freight vehicle operated in Europe,with different axle loads and dissimilar new wheel/rail profiles.These vehicles are subjected to comprehensive multibody simulations on various tracks.The simulations aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between different wear indicators:Tγ,wear index,material removal,and maximum wear depth,under diverse curves,non-compensated lateral accelerations(A_(nc)),and speeds.Some findings showed a correlation of 0.96 between Tγand wear depth and 0.82 between wear index and material removed for the outer wheel.From the results,the Tγis better than the wear index to be used when analyzing wear depth while the wear index is more suited to foresee the material lost.The results also show the low influence of A_(nc)on wear index and Tγ.By considering these factors together,the study aims to improve the understanding of wheel-rail wear by selecting the best wear analysis approaches based on the effectiveness of each parameter.
文摘Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.
文摘In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease”.The authors emphasized the role of diet,especially the interaction with genetics,in promoting the inflam-matory process in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients,focusing on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and the influence of microRNAs.In this editorial,we explore the interaction between genetics,gut microbiota,and diet,in an only way.Furthermore,we provided dietary recommendations for patients with IBD.The Western diet,characterized by a low fiber content and deficiency the micronutrients,impacts short-chain fatty acids production and may be related to the pathogenesis of IBD.On the other hand,the consumption of the Mediter-ranean diet and dietary fibers are associated with reduced risk of IBD flares,particularly in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.According to the dietary guidance from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IOIBD),the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the consumption of saturated,trans,dairy fat,additives,processed foods rich in maltodextrins,and artificial sweeteners containing sucralose or saccharine is recommended to CD patients.For patients with ulcerative colitis,the IOIBD recommends the increased intake of natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and follows the same restrictive recommendations aimed at CD patients,with the possible inclusion of red meats.In conclusion,IBD is a complex and hetero-geneous disease,and future studies are needed to elucidate the influence of epigenetics on diet and microbiota in IBD patients.
文摘The investigation aims to understand how external forces influence tectonic plate movement, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our emphasis was on calculating perigee forces at various moon-Earth distances. Our initial concern is the fluctuating perigee distance between the Moon and Earth. Later, we will cover Earth’s mass fluctuations caused by crustal inhomogeneity. Gravitational force depends on distance and Earth’s mass variations. Wobbling’s Earth and translation around Sun are additional factors. Tidal variations from the Moon trigger subduction zone earthquakes. Volcanoes in the Ring of Fire are influenced by plate movement on fractures and faults.
文摘Currently, urban areas are the largest segment of the world’s population, and they can reach up to 80% of it in some countries. Understanding green areas is of paramount importance to also understand the population’s mental health and well-being, as well as to achieve ecological understanding and its impact on urban infrastructure. Thus, the aim of the present study is to carry out a survey on both urban afforestation structure and on its social impact on a Brazilian municipality. It also sought to understand the damages caused by these species to urban infrastructure in comparison to data collected in 2009, to assess forest coverage in this municipality and tree planting underutilized capacity. Accordingly, all the streets in this municipality’s urban area, the botanical data of each tree and its damage to the city’s infrastructure and phytosanitary conditions were surveyed (from 1 to 5). Data were compared to those from the 2009 census, and social issues were analyzed. In total, 5044 individuals belonging to 189 species were recorded. The most often found species were Lagerstroemia indica and Murraya paniculata. Out of the total number of trees, 458 trees scored at least one score “5” in one of the criteria, and this number represents 8.9% of the total of the trees. L. indica was the species accounting for the highest rates of phytosanitary and infrastructure issues. Data comparison evidenced that urban tree canopy lost 25% of its vegetation between the two measurements taken herein, but the number of species has increased. When it comes to damages, many trees started showing phytosanitary issues or damage to urban infrastructure.
文摘This investigation aims to study the El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in these three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. Warm and cold events relate to the Spring/Summer seasons. This paper will search for connections between the ENSO events and climate anomalies worldwide. There is some speculation that those events would be necessary for the climate anomalies observed worldwide. After analyzing the data from the reports to the ENSO, it shows almost periodicity from 1950-2023. We emphasized the occurrence of El Niño two years, when it was most prominent, and the climate anomalies (following NOAA maps), 2015 and 2023. The results indicated that the observed climate anomalies couldn’t be linked to the abnormal events observed. The worldwide temperatures in those years enhanced mostly in 2023. It shows an abnormal behavior compared with all the years scrutinized and analyzed since the records began. Therefore, there must be unknown factors beyond ENSO that rule the worldwide temperatures and the climate anomalies observed.
文摘The first part of this investigation analyzes the deep earthquake occurrences in Nazca subducting under South America. The depth taken is to get information about possible influences from the unknown materials and formations under the crust. The results revealed the presence of malleable material, which is unbreakable and, therefore, unable to trigger earthquakes. The structure of those elements is diamagnetic, attracting ionized particles from the Van Allen belt region in the ionosphere. The charged particles travel towards Earth’s surface, enhanced during the geomagnetic storms. The South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) found that the deformation suffered by the anomaly moving from South Africa to South America is, possibly due to a bulge of unknown flexible material buried underneath the oceanic and continental crust. The continental part is strengthening in weakness because the background also has a high amount of diamagnetic material in this region, and it would not happen over the Atlantic Ocean, where part of the deformation is placed.
文摘Although thousands of DNA damaging events occur in each cell every day,efficient DNA repair pathways have evolved to counteract them. The DNA repair machinery plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability by avoiding the maintenance of mutations. The DNA repair enzymes continuously monitor the chromosomes to correct any damage that is caused by exogenous and endogenous mutagens. If DNA damage in proliferating cells is not repaired because of an inadequate expression of DNA repair genes,it might increase the risk of cancer. In addition to mutations,which can be either inherited or somatically acquired,epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes has been associated with carcinogenesis. Gastric cancer represents the second highest cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The disease develops from the accumulation of several genetic and epigenetic changes during the lifetime. Among the risk factors,Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is considered the main driving factor to gastric cancer development. Thus,in this review,we summarize the current knowledge of the role of H. pylori infection on the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair machinery in gastric carcinogenesis.
基金Supported by The State of So Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp)and the Coordination for Higher Level Graduates Improvement (Capes)
文摘AIM: To determine cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequency in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis by serology, histological revision (searching for cytomegalic cells), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to verify the relationships among these methods.METHODS: The study comprised 101 non-consecutive infants submitted for hepatic biopsy between March 1982 and December 2005. Serological results were obtained from the patient's f iles and the other methods were performed on paraffin-embedded liver samples from hepatic biopsies. The following statistical measures were calculated: frequency, sensibility, specif ic positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy.RESULTS: The frequencies of positive results were as follows: serology, 7/64 (11%); histological revision, 0/84; immunohistochemistry, 1/44 (2%), and PCR, 6/77 (8%). Only one patient had positive immunohistochemical fi ndings and a positive PCR. The following statistical measures were calculated between PCR and serology: sensitivity, 33.3%; specificity, 88.89%; positive predictive value, 28.57%; negative predictive value, 90.91%; and accuracy, 82.35%. CONCLUSION: The frequency of positive CMV varied among the tests. Serology presented the highest positive frequency. When compared to PCR, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of serology were low.
基金Supported by The CAPES Foundation,Ministry of Education of Brazil(Saito MT)
文摘Tissue engineering is an emerging field of science that focuses on creating suitable conditions for the regeneration of tissues. The basic components for tissue engineering involve an interactive triad of scaffolds, signaling molecules, and cells. In this context,stem cells(SCs) present the characteristics of selfrenewal and differentiation capacity, which make them promising candidates for tissue engineering. Although they present some common markers, such as cluster of differentiation(CD)105, CD146 and STRO-1, SCs derived from various tissues have different patterns in relation to proliferation, clonogenicity, and differentiation abilities in vitro and in vivo. Tooth-derived tissues have been proposed as an accessible source to obtain SCs with limited morbidity, and various tooth-derived SCs(TDSCs) have been isolated and characterized, such as dental pulp SCs, SCs from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament SCs, dental follicle progenitor cells, SCs from apical papilla, and periodontal ligament of deciduous teeth SCs. However, heterogeneity among these populations has been observed, and the best method to select the most appropriate TDSCs for regeneration approaches has not yet been established. The objective of this review is to outline the current knowledge concerning the various types of TDSCs, and discuss the perspectives for their use in regenerative approaches.
基金Supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP,Brazil,No.07607-8/2013)National Research Council(CNPq,No.150127/2016-2,No.306821/2010-9)
文摘AIM To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation during the development of an experimental model of colitis associated colon cancer(CAC). METHODS C57 BL/6 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane(10 mg/kg), followed by three cycles of sodium dextran sulphate diluted in water(5% w/v). Probiotic group received daily a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacil us rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Microbiota composition was assessed by 16 Sr RNA Illumina Hi Seq sequencing. Colon samples were collected for histological analysis. Tumor cytokines was assessed by Real Time-PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction); and serum cytokines by Multiplex assay. All tests were two-sided. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Graphs were generated and statistical analysis performed using the software Graph Pad Prism 5.0. The project was approved by the institutional review board committee. RESULTS At day 60 after azoxymethane injection, the mean number of tumours in the probiotic group was 40% lower than that in the control group, and the probiotic group exhibited tumours of smaller size(< 2 mm)(P < 0.05). There was no difference in richness and diversity between groups. However, there was a significant difference in beta diversity in the multidimensional scaling analysis. The abundance of the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Allobaculum, Clostridium XI and Clostridium XVⅢ increased in the probiotic group(P < 0.05). The microbial change was accompanied by reduced colitis, demonstrated by a 46% reduction in the colon inflammatory index; reduced expression of the serum chemokines RANTES and Eotaxin; decreased p-IKK and TNF-α and increased IL-10 expression in the colon. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a potential chemopreventive effect of probiotic on CAC. Probiotic supplementation changes microbiota structure and regulates the inflammatory response, reducing colitis and preventing CAC.
文摘Despite advances in therapy, hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection remains an important global health issue. It is estimated that a significant part of the world population is chronically infected with the virus, and many of those affected may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. The virus shows considerable variability, a characteristic that directly interferes with disease treatment. The response to treatment varies according to HCV genotype and subtype. The continuous generation of variants(quasispecies) allows the virus to escape control by antivirals. Historically, the combination of ribavirin and interferon therapy has represented the only treatment option for the disease. Currently, several new treatment options are emerging and are available to a large part of the affected population. In addition, the search for new substances with antiviral activity against HCV continues, promising future improvements in treatment. Researchers should consider the mutation capacity of the virus and the other variables that affect treatment success.
文摘AIM: To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation.METHODS: Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 made up the intervention group. The control group consisted of 18 men and 5 women, body mass index(BMI) 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD) 18.2 ± 6.1. The intervention group consisted of 11 men and 3 women, BMI 28.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and MELD 18 ± 4.5. The presence or absence of ascites was identified in the first patient evaluation and after three months. We evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure, spirometry, root mean square(RMS) of diaphragm and rectus abdominis, and the quality of life. The exercises were performed daily by patients at home for three months and were supervised at distance monthly. The manual consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, diaphragmatic isometric exercise, Threshold IMT®, lifting upper limbs with a bat and strengthening the abdomen. RESULTS: There was significant difference(P = 0.01) between the first(initial) and the third month(final) MIP in the control group and in the intervention group, but there was no difference(P = 0.45) between the groups.The RMS of the diaphragm was lower(P = 0.001) and the functional capacity was higher(P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared to the control. The general health and mental health domains received higher scores after three months in the control group(P = 0.01) and the intervention group(P = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. The comparison between the presence of initial ascites with the presence of ascites was performed after three months in the control group(P = 0.083) and intervention group(P = 0.31). There was no significant difference, in relation to the presence of ascites after three months between groups(P = 0.21). In the intervention group, patients with ascites at the end of the time period had decreased scores on the social aspects SF-36 domain(P = 0.023) compared to those who had no ascites. CONCLUSION: The proposed exercises provide an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength and improve functional capacity, consequently bettering the quality of life of liver disease patients.