ABSTRACT Objective Climacterium is associated with elevated leptin levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Conflicting data diverge on whether high leptin levels in climacterium reflect increasing adipose mass or, at least partially, age-related hormonal changes. This study addresses this issue in women from a Brazilian state with a low human development index. Subjects and methods A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 136 women from the state of Maranhão, 52 (38.2%) climacteric and 84 (61.8%) non-climacteric. Biometric, biochemical, hormonal and immunological parameters were analyzed. Results Climacteric women showed a moderately increased waist/hip ratio (0.894 versus 0.834, p < 0.05), sustained body mass index (27.46 versus 28.68, p > 0.05) increased leptin levels (9.59 versus 7.13, p < 0.05) and no evidence of metabolic syndrome. No other parameters were altered. The climacteric cohort didn’t show significant body fat gains but displayed a typical age-related redistribution of adipose tissue. Even so, leptin levels were significantly elevated compared with non-climacteric women. Conclusions Altogether, these data support the hypothesis that leptin is elevated, at least partially, as a function of age and climacterium and is not necessarily correlated with metabolic dysfunction and systemic inflammation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of higher leptin levels on postmenopausal women. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(3):276-81

Os líquidos iônicos (ILs) são sais líquidos a baixas temperaturas, tipicamente com pontos de fusão abaixo de 100 ºC. Nos últimos anos, as propriedades de vários ILs têm sido extensivamente estudadas e, em casos específicos, podem ser considerados como solventes verdes capazes de substituir solventes orgânicos tradicionais. Neste trabalho, ILs derivados de triazol tem sido sintetizados e a solubilidade em diferentes solventes aumenta com a constante dieléctrica dos solventes considerados. Três novos ILs 1,2,3-triazólicos foram utilizados para o pré-tratamento do bagaço de cana. O efeito deste pré-tratamento da biomassa lignocelulósica foi analisado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, mostrando um aumento da superfície de exposição das amostras de bagaço como alterações estruturais na fibra.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts which are liquid at low temperatures, typically with melting points under 100 ºC. In recent years, the properties of many ILs have been extensively studied and have been considered as green solvents capable of replacing traditional organic solvents. Herein, ILs derived from triazole have been synthesized, thus solubility in different solvents increases with the dielectric constant of the considered solvents. Three novel 1,2,3-triazolium-based were used for the pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse. The effect of this pretreatment on lignocellulosic biomass was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, showing an increase in the exposure surface of the bagasse samples as structural changes in the fiber.

A monitorização de ensaios experimentais tem registado desenvolvimentos significativos nos últimos anos mediante o recurso à fotogrametria e ao processamento de imagem. Neste artigo pretende-se demostrar a aplicabilidade prática destas novas técnicas na monitorização de ensaios até à rotura. Neste trabalho é dada especial atenção à curvatura, à rotação plástica e à contribuição do betão entre fendas para o aumento da rigidez à flexão, i.e., o "tension stiffening effect", os quais são fundamentais para caracterizar o comportamento estrutural de vigas de betão armado, tanto em serviço como em estado limite último. Verifica-se que estas novas técnicas permitem monitorizar um número muito elevado de pontos, complementando os métodos tradicionais de monotorização, e possibilitando a determinação de informação impossível de obter através dos métodos tradicionais.

Innovative procedures for monitoring experimental tests using photogrammetry and image processing have been recently proposed. This manuscript aims at providing a practical demonstration of the advantages of using these new techniques in experimental tests up to failure. In this scope, focus is given to the curvature, rotation and to the tension stiffening effect, i.e., the contribution of the concrete between cracks to increase the bending stiffness. These parameters are crucial to describe the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams both in serviceability and in ultimate limit states. These new techniques allow monitoring a high number of points, enhancing the traditional monitoring methods and providing more information which would be impossible to obtain using the traditional methods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Brazil's public health surveillance system (HSS), identifying its core capacities, shortcomings, and limitations in dealing with public health emergencies, within the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). METHODS: In 2008-2009 an evaluative cross-sectional study was conducted using semistructured questionnaires administered to key informants (municipal, state, and national government officials) to assess Brazilian HSS structure (legal framework and resources) and surveillance and response procedures vis-à-vis compliance with the IHR (2005) requirements for management of public health emergencies of national and international concern. Evaluation criteria included the capacity to detect, assess, notify, investigate, intervene, and communicate. Responses were analyzed separately by level of government (municipal health departments, state health departments, and national Ministry of Health). RESULTS: Overall, at all three levels of government, Brazil's HSS has a well-established legal framework (including the essential technical regulations) and the infrastructure, supplies, materials, and mechanisms required for liaison and coordination. However, there are still some weaknesses at the state level, especially in land border areas and small towns. Professionals in the field need to be more familiar with the IHR 2005 Annex 2 decision tool (designed to increase sensitivity and consistency in the notification process). At the state and municipal level, the capacity to detect, assess, and notify is better than the capacity to investigate, intervene, and communicate. Surveillance activities are conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in 40.7% of states and 35.5% of municipalities. There are shortcomings in organizational activities and methods, and in the process of hiring and training personnel. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the core capacities of Brazil's HSS are well established and fulfill most of the requisites listed in the IHR 2005 with respect to both structure and surveillance and response procedures, particularly at the national and state levels.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil, identificando sus capacidades básicas, deficiencias y limitaciones para manejar emergencias de salud pública, dentro del contexto del Reglamento Sanitario Internacional (RSI 2005). MÉTODOS: En el período 2008-2009 se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal de evaluación utilizando cuestionarios semiestructurados administrados a informantes clave (funcionarios del gobierno municipal, estatal y nacional) a fin de evaluar la estructura del sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil (marco jurídico y recursos), y la vigilancia y los procedimientos de respuesta, con relación al cumplimiento de los requisitos del RSI 2005 para el manejo de emergencias de salud pública de importancia nacional e internacional. Los criterios de evaluación incluyeron la capacidad de detectar, evaluar, notificar, investigar, intervenir y comunicar. Las respuestas se analizaron por separado según el nivel gubernamental (departamentos de salud municipales y estatales y ministerio de salud nacional). RESULTADOS: En general, en los tres niveles del gobierno, el sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil tiene un marco jurídico bien establecido (incluidas las reglamentaciones técnicas esenciales) y la infraestructura, los suministros los materiales y los mecanismos requeridos para el enlace y la coordinación. Sin embargo, todavía hay algunos puntos débiles a nivel estatal, especialmente en las zonas fronterizas y los pueblos pequeños. Los profesionales de campo deben conocer más la herramienta de decisión del anexo 2 del RSI 2005 (diseñada para aumentar la sensibilidad y la consistencia del proceso de notificación). En el nivel estatal y municipal, la capacidad para detectar, evaluar y notificar es mejor que la capacidad para investigar, intervenir y comunicar. Las actividades de vigilancia se llevan a cabo 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana, en 40,7% de los estados y 35,5% de los municipios. Existen deficiencias en las actividades de organización y los métodos, y en el proceso de contratación y capacitación del personal. CONCLUSIONES: En general, las capacidades básicas del sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil están bien establecidas y cumplen la mayoría de los requisitos enumerados en el RSI 2005, tanto con respecto a la estructura como a la vigilancia y los procedimientos de respuesta, en particular en los niveles nacional y estatal.

A atividade citotóxica de cinco derivados 1,2,3-triazólicos da nor-²-lapachona e do precursor azidonaftoquinona, foi avaliada contra seis linhagens de células neoplásicas: SF-295 (sistema nervoso central), HCT-8 (cólon), MDAMB-435 (melanoma), HL-60 (leucemia), PC-3 (próstata) e B-16 (melanoma murino). Valores de IC50 entre 0,43 e 9,48 µM foram obtidos. A 3-(4-(1-hidróxicicloexil)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-il)-2,2-dimetilnaftol[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione apresentou-se altamente citotóxica contra MDAMB-435, com IC50 menor do que o encontrado para doxorubicina (controle positivo). Na tentativa de obter correlação entre parâmetros físico-químicos (potencial de redução e clog P) e atividade citotóxica, estudos eletroquímicos foram realizados em tampão acetato, pH 4,5, em eletrodo de carbono vítreo, e valores de log P calculados (clog P). Apesar da ausência de interação estrutural conjugativa entre o sistema quinônico e o anel triazólico, observou-se a influência do anel heterocíclico no comportamento voltamétrico, com deslocamento anódico dos potenciais de redução. Não se verificou correlação entre os parâmetros eletroquímicos (EpIc) e a atividade citotóxica. Por outro lado, a comparação de EpIc com atividades tripanocidas, já descritas, reafirmou a tendência de maior atividade biológica para quinonas mais eletrofílicas (> EpIc). Apesar da ausência de correlação direta, foi possível verificar que clog P influencia a atividade citotóxica: quanto menor a lipofilia (< clog P), menor a citotoxicidade (> IC50).

The cytotoxicities of five nor-²-lapachone-based 1,2,3-triazoles and the precursor azidonaphthoquinone were assayed against six neoplasic cancer cell lines: SF-295 (central nervous system), HCT-8 (colon), MDAMB-435 (melanoma), HL-60 (leukaemia), PC-3 (prostate) and B-16 (murine melanoma). IC50 values ranging from 0.43 to 9.48 µM were obtained. 3-(4-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1yl)-2,2-dimethylnaphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione proved highly cytotoxic to MDAMB-435, with IC50 even lower than the one from doxorubicin (positive control). In an attempt to correlate physicochemical parameters (reduction potentials and calculated log P) with cytotoxic activity, electrochemical studies were conducted in acetate buffer, pH 4.5, using a vitreous carbon electrode and calculated log P values were obtained. Despite the absence of a structural conjugative interaction between the two systems (quinone and triazole), the heterocyclic group was found to influence the voltammetric behaviour, as indicated by anodic shifts in the reduction potentials. No correlation was found between EpIc and cytotoxicity. In contrast, a comparison of EpIc with previously reported trypanocidal activities reconfirmed the trend for higher activity coupled with better quinone electrophilicity (> EpIc).A leading term in the correlation of cytoxicity, despite the absence of a linear correlation, was the calculated log P: the lower the lipophilicity, the lower the cytoxicity (> IC50).

Resumo Com o objetivo de contribuir nas investigações sobre reúso agrícola, avaliou-se o impacto da aplicação de esgoto tratado no metabolismo microbiano de um solo sob pastagem (capim-Bermuda), em Lins/SP. Em um delineamento experimental em blocos, com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições: SI (controle), A100 (água potável e adição de 520 kg ha-1 ano-1 de nitrogênio (N), E0, E33, E66 e E100 (irrigação com esgoto tratado e adição de 0, 172 , 343 e 520 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N), os indicadores qCO2, e Cmic:Corg foram determinados na estação seca (2004) e chuvosa (2005). Valores de qCO2 acima de 2 e valores de Cmic:Corg abaixo de 2% podem ser considerados críticos em termos de qualidade de solo. Os resultados mostraram aumentos de qCO2 ao longo do manejo, na estação seca mas não na chuvosa, indicando ativação metabólica pela umidade somada ao aporte de N. Não houve variação significativa de Cmic:Corg entre os tratamentos, ao longo dos manejos e do tempo, indicando boa resiliência da microbiota ao impacto agrícola.

Abstract The impact of treated wastewater application was evaluated in microbial metabolismo of a soil under pasture (Bermuda grass), in Lins/São Paulo State aiming to contribute to investigations on agricultural reuse. In an experimental design in blocks, with 6 treatments and 4 replicates: SI (control), A100 (drinkable water and addition of 520 kg ha-1 year-1 of nitrogen (N), E0, E33, E66 and E100 (treated wastewater irrigation and addition of 0, 172, 343 and 520 kg ha-1 year-1 of N), the indicators qCO2, and Cmic:Corg were determined in dry (2004) and rainy season (2005). Values of qCO2 above 2 and values of Cmic:Corg below 2% can be considered critical regarding soil quality. The results showed qCO2 increases along the crop management, in dry but not in the rainy season, indicating metabolic activation by moisture added to the N contribution. There was no significant Cmic:Corg variation among the treatments, along crop management and seasons, indicating good microorganisms resistance to agricultural impact.