Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular heat shock (HS). For this, 48 animals were treated according to the experimental groups (G1: not exposed to HS and untreated; G2: exposed to HS and untreated; G3: not exposed to HS and treated with GTE; G4: exposed to HS and treated with GTE). Subgroups of rats were euthanized on days 15, 30, and 60 to recover the spermatozoa. The total motility (TM), vigor, spermatic morphology and concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity (ACi) were analyzed. The TM was higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4 on day 30, and higher in G4 on day 60. The overall means of TM and vigor were higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as TM on day 60. For the morphology, G2 and G4 were lower than G1 and G3 on day 15, and G4 was lower than G1 and G3 on day 30. Moreover, in G1 and G3 morphology was higher on days 15 and 30, and in G4 it was lower on day 30, with the overall means being higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as on days 15 and 60 compared to day 30. The overall mean of ACi, on day 30, was lower than on days 15 and 60 for all the groups. Therefore, HS is shown to be widely deleterious to the gametes, and the daily administration of 100 mg/kg green tea extract does not improve the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular HS, although it leads to better recovery of spermatic motility and morphology at 60 days.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the need of seminal plasma removal for short-term cooling of buck semen in soybean lecithin (SL) based extender. Each pool was divided equally, and one half was subjected to centrifugation to remove seminal plasma (SP-), while the other half remained with seminal plasma (SP+). Then, both SP+ and SP- samples were diluted in two SL extenders (extender A = 1% SL; extender B = 2% SL), cooled to 5ºC and stored for 48 hours. The sperm kinetics, evaluated by CASA, and plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosomal integrity (ACI) and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy, were determined within five minutes after reaching 5°C (T0), as well as after 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours of storage. Interactions (seminal plasma vs. extender vs. time;) were observed for all variables assessed. Total and progressive motility and other variables of sperm kinetics decreased after 24 hours of cooling in the SP+ group, and after 48 hours of storage, these same variables were lower in SP+/B compared to SP-/B groups. Furthermore, SP+ reduced PMI (extender B, T48), HMMP (A and B extenders, T48) and ACI (extender A, T0) compared to SP- samples. The interactions between seminal plasma and soybean lecithin phospholipids seemed to occur in a time-dependent manner. It was concluded that the removal of seminal plasma improves the quality of goat semen that was cooled in a soybean lecithin-based extender, especially when using 2% soybean lecithin.

This work analyses the performance of three different population-based metaheuristic approaches applied to Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) learning in qualitative control of processes. Fuzzy cognitive maps permit to include the previous specialist knowledge in the control rule. Particularly, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) are considered for obtaining appropriate weight matrices for learning the FCM. A statistical convergence analysis within 10000 simulations of each algorithm is presented. In order to validate the proposed approach, two industrial control process problems previously described in the literature are considered in this work.

A apresentação clínica da paracoccidioidomicose é espectral. Podem ocorrer cura espontânea, estado de latência ou doença ativa após disseminação hematogênica com vários graus de gravidade. A morfologia e o número de lesões cutâneas irão depender da interação entre fatores próprios da imunidade do hospedeiro, que é específica e individual, e da virulência do fungo. Alguns indivíduos com boa imunidade natural somada a baixa virulência do fungo mantêm por tempo prolongado granulomas bem formados sem microorganismos e sorologia negativa, tornando o diagnóstico um desafio. Entretanto fatores inerentes ao fungo podem modular a resposta imune e modificar o quadro clínico ao longo do tempo. Os autores apresentam um caso sarcoidose símile e discutem os aspectos imunológicos envolvidos.

The clinical presentation of paracoccidioidomycosis is spectral. Spontaneous cure, state of latency or active disease with different levels of severity can occur after the hematogenous dissemination. The morphology and number of skin lesions will depend on the interaction of host immunity, which is specific and individual, and fungus virulence. Some individuals have natural good immunity, which added to the low virulence of the fungus maintain the presence of well-marked granulomas with no microorganism and negative serology for a long time, making the diagnosis a challenge. Factors inherent to the fungus, however, may modulate the immune response and modify the clinical picture over the time. We present a sarcoidosis-like clinical presentation and discuss the immunological factors involved.

FUNDAMENTOS: O uso de nutracêuticos se tornou uma condição frequente na abordagem cutânea do fotoenvelhecimento. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia clínica do uso de um produto nutracêutico a base de licopeno, extrato de acerola, extrato de semente de uva e Complexo BiomarinhoT na pele fotoenvelhecida humana. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 50 mulheres, de 35 a 60 anos de idade, fototipo I a III. Por 120 dias, elas associaram ao uso de fotoprotetor FPS15 a tomada diária do produto nutracêutico em questão. Nos dias 0 (D0), 30 (D30), 60 (D60), 90 (D90) e 120 (D120) elas foram avaliadas, quando sofreram Avaliações Médica e Auto-Avaliação e análises biométricas cutâneas (corneometria, sebumetria e pHmetria) nas peles da região zigomática esquerda e face súpero-medial do braço esquerdos; nos dias 0 (D0), 30 (D30) e 120 (D120) a pele das mesmas regiões foram analisadas do ponto de vista ultrassonográfico. Nos dias 0 (D0) e 120 (D120) biópsias cutâneas foram realizadas nas respectivas áreas das análises instrumentais (para avaliar colágeno e das fibras elásticas). RESULTADOS: Houve melhora do estado geral da pele de todas as voluntárias pelas Avaliações Médica e Voluntária; aumento alterações dos parâmetros cutâneos na hidratação, redução do pH cutâneo, aumento da densidade ultrassonográfica e aumento histológico na densidade colágena e elástica (tanto na face quanto no braço); redução da seborreia somente na face. CONCLUSÕES: O uso diário de um produto nutracêutico a base de licopeno, extrato de acerola, extrato de semente de uva e Complexo BiomarinhoT mostra-se um adjuvante importante na abordagem do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo.

BACKGROUND: The use of nutraceuticals has become frequent in the cutaneous approach to photoaging. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy of a nutraceutical product composed of lycopene, acerola extract, grape seed extract and Biomarine ComplexT in photoaged human skin. METHODS: 50 women, from 35 to 60 years of age, phototypes I to III, were assessed. For 120 days, they associated the nutraceutical product with the use of a sunscreen FPS15. On days 0 (D0), 30 (D30), 60 (D60), 90 (D90) and 120 (D120) they were evaluated and underwent Medical Assessments and Self-Assessment and cutaneous biometric analyses (corneometry, sebumetry and pH-metry) in the skin of the left zygomatic region and the upper medial side region of the left arm; on days 0 (D0), 30 (D30) and 120 (D120) the skin of the same regions was analyzed by ultrasound. On days 0 (D0) and 120 (D120) skin biopsies were performed in the areas where instrumental evaluation was performed (to evaluate collagen and elastic fibers). RESULTS: There was an improvement of the general status of the skin of all volunteers by the Medical and Volunteer Self- Assessments; increased parameters of cutaneous hydration, reduction of pH, increasing of ultrasound density and a histological increment of collagen and elastic fibers (both on the face and arm); there was a reduction of seborrhea (only on the face) CONCLUSIONS: The daily use of a nutraceutical product containing lycopene, acerola extract, grape seed extract and Biomarine ComplexT showed an important adjuvant effect to counteract skin photoaging.

The monitoring and visualization of two-phase flow is of great importance either from technical/practical point of view for process control and supervision or from scientific/theoretical point of view, for the understanding of physical phenomenon. A wire-mesh sensor was applied to experimentally investigate two-phase horizontal pipe flow. Furthermore, some physical flow parameters were extracted based on the raw measured data obtained by the sensor. In this article, first, the work principle of wire-mesh sensors is revised and, second, the methodology of flow parameter extraction is described. A horizontal flow test section comprising of a pipe of 26 mm i.d. 9 m long was employed to generate slug flows under controlled conditions. An 8 × 8 wire-mesh sensor installed at the end of the test section delivers cross-sectional images of void fraction. Based on the raw data, mean void fraction, time series of void fraction and characteristic slug frequency are extracted and analyzed for several experiments with different liquid and gas superficial velocities.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e avaliar o desempenho de um modelo de simulação baseado em sistemas multiagentes para auxiliar a tomada de decisão na alocação de petróleo em complexos portuários. Os diversos elementos do problema são modelados como agentes e negociam por meio de leilões a alocação dos inventários de óleo. Os resultados obtidos são comparados com resultados gerados por modelos de otimização matemática, estes baseados em programação linear inteira mista. Esses modelos são capazes de encontrar soluções ótimas ou próximas da ótima dependendo do tamanho da instância testada. Em problemas com muitos navios e tanques, o modelo baseado em sistema multiagente encontrou soluções em segundos, enquanto os modelos baseados em otimização matemática apresentaram problemas de tempo computacional e falta de memória, não encontrando a solução ótima. Os diversos exemplos aqui apresentados evidenciam a necessidade do modelo de simulação baseado em multiagentes no auxílio a tomada de decisões logísticas de portos

This work presents and evaluates the performance of a simulation model based on multiagent system technology in order to support logistic decisions in a harbor from oil supply chain. The main decisions are concerned to pier allocation, oil discharge, storage tanks management and refinery supply by a pipeline. The real elements as ships, piers, pipelines, and refineries are modeled as agents, and they negotiate by auctions to move oil in this system. The simulation results are compared with results obtained with an optimization mathematical model based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP). Both models are able to find optimal solutions or close to the optimal solution depending on the problem size. In problems with several elements, the multiagent model can find solutions in seconds, while the MILP model presents very high computational time to find the optimal solution. In some situations, the MILP model results in out of memory error. Test scenarios demonstrate the usefulness of the multiagent based simulator in supporting decision taken concerning the logistic in harbors.

A tatuagem é definida como deposição de pigmento intencional ou acidental na pele. Os pigmentos têm sido associados a diversas dermatoses, como a dermatite de contato alérgica, a dermatite liquenoide e as reações fotoinduzidas, granulomatosas, sarcoídeas e pseudolinfomatosas. Enfocam-se os diversos tipos de reações aos pigmentos e a importância de reconhecê-los clinicamente. São relatados dois casos: um de dermatite liquenoide sobre o pigmento vermelho e outro de pseudolinfoma sobre os pigmentos vermelho e lilás e de reação fotoinduzida sobre o amarelo. A remoção geralmente requer múltiplos tratamentos, e a maioria não retira as cores completamente.

Tattoos are defined as the intentional or accidental deposit of pigment into the skin. These pigments have been associated with various dermatoses such as allergic contact dermatitis, lichenoid dermatitis, photoinduced reactions, and granulomatous, sarcoid and pseudolymphomatous reactions. The objective of this report was to describe the various types of reactions to pigments and the importance of recognizing them clinically. Two cases are reported: one of lichenoid dermatitis resulting from a reaction to the red pigment of a tattoo and the other of a pseudolymphoma resulting from a reaction to red and lilac pigments and a photo-induced reaction to a yellow pigment. Removal generally requires multiple forms of treatment, most of which fail to remove the colors completely.

Mulher, 26 anos, com história de lesão eritêmato-escamosa no mamilo esquerdo, há dois anos. Era acompanhada pelo seu ginecologista como eczema crônico em uso de corticoide tópico, sem melhora. Encaminhada ao nosso serviço, realizou-se o diagnóstico de doença de Paget mamária associada ao carcinoma intraductal. Antes da quarta década de vida, a doença de Paget é rara, e, na grande maioria dos casos, está associada ao carcinoma mamário. Essa enfermidade constitui diagnóstico diferencial obrigatório do eczema do mamilo. O diagnóstico tardio, como no caso relatado, implica em pior prognóstico e aumento da morbidade, já que terapêutica mutilante é necessária.

A twenty-six-year-old woman with a two-year history of an erythematous, scaly lesion on the left nipple was being followed up by her gynecologist and treated using a topical corticoid for chronic eczema albeit with no improvement. She was referred to this department where a diagnosis of Paget's disease of the breast associated with a ductal carcinoma in situ was made. Paget's disease is uncommon prior to the fourth decade of life and the great majority of cases are associated with breast carcinomas. Differential diagnosis must be made between this condition and nipple eczema. As shown in the present case report, late diagnosis results in poor prognosis and higher morbidity since mutilating procedures then become necessary.

FUNDAMENTOS: Muitos pacientes relatam melhora da acne com a exposição à luz solar, e vários estudos demonstram que a luz azul é efetiva no tratamento da acne. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a segurança e a eficácia da luz azul (espectro eletromagnético de 407 a 420 nm) no tratamento da acne inflamatória graus II e III, comparada à terapêutica tópica com peróxido de benzoíla a 5%. MÉTODOS: O estudo avaliou 60 pacientes em cinco visitas: uma de seleção, uma com 7, 14 e 28 dias de tratamento e uma última de seguimento, 14 dias após o término do tratamento. Trinta foram randomizados para luz azul (oito sessões, duas vezes por semana), e outros 30, para peróxido de benzoíla a 5%, duas vezes ao dia, diariamente. A avaliação foi por meio da contagem das lesões e fotografias. RESULTADOS: A redução no número médio de lesões foi semelhante com os dois tratamentos, independente do tipo de lesão (p 0,05), porém o tratamento com a luz azul apresentou menos efeitos colaterais. CONCLUSÕES: A luz azul foi um tratamento tão eficaz quanto o peróxido de benzoíla a 5% para o tratamento da acne graus II e III, mas com menos efeitos adversos.

BACKGROUND: Many acne patients improve after exposure to sunlight and there are many reports about the efficacy of blue light phototherapy on acne lesions. OBJECTIVES - The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of blue light treatment versus topical benzoyl peroxide 5% formulation in patients with acne grades II and III. METHODS - Sixty volunteers with facial acne were included and evaluated in 5 visits: the first one for screening, another 3 held on days 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, and the last one after 14 days of the end of treatment. Thirty of them were irradiated with Blue Light (8 times, twice a week) and the other thirty were treated with topical Benzoyl Peroxide 5% formulation, auto-applied twice a day, every day. We assessed the severity of acne by counting the lesions and analyzing the photographs. RESULTS - The improvement achieved by the blue light was the same as the one with benzoyl peroxide, regardless of the type of lesion (p 0.05). Otherwise, the side effects were less frequent in the group treated with blue light. CONCLUSIONS - Blue light irradiation was as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide in acne treatment grades II and III but there were fewer side effects.

Na programação de operações de movimentação de petróleo em complexos portuários contendo navios, píeres, tanques e oleodutos, um modelo de otimização das operações é frequentemente utilizado. Entretanto, devido à complexidade do problema, o tempo computacional é um fator limitante. Neste artigo, estuda-se a aplicação de um modelo de programação linear inteira mista (PLIM) existente na literatura e propõe-se uma etapa de pré-processamento, baseada na teoria das restrições (TOC), com o objetivo de reduzir o tempo computacional. A partir da identificação do gargalo do problema, determinadas restrições são retiradas do modelo numa etapa de pré-processamento. Para verificar a escolha das restrições críticas no pré-processamento, uma análise baseada na noção de preço dual do LP é apresentada. Embora a otimalidade da solução não seja garantida, os resultados mostram uma pequena deterioração da solução em relação à ótima. Porém, com o tempo computacional significativamente reduzido.

In the scheduling of oil transfer operations for harbor plants containing ships, piers, tanks and pipelines, an optimization model is frequently used. However, due to the complexity involved, computational time is a real concern. In this paper, a mixed integer linear programming model (MILP) found in the literature is studied and a preprocessing procedure is proposed. This procedure is based on the Theory of Constraints (TOC), which is used to reduce the model compilation time. Since the problem bottleneck is identified, the corresponding constraints are not considered in the preprocessing step. An analysis based on LP dual price is also carried out to verify actions taken in the preprocessing step. Although optimality cannot be assured, the results obtained show a minor deviation from the optimal solution but with a significant computational time gain.

A eficácia na transferência de derivados de petróleo através de dutos motiva a execução deste trabalho. O objetivo principal é a modelagem do scheduling de um poliduto, isto é, um sistema de dutos que transporta diferentes derivados de petróleo. O poliduto em estudo com 93,5 km de extensão conecta uma refinaria a um terminal portuário. Foi desenvolvido um modelo de otimização baseado na união de Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) e Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP). O modelo utiliza uma abordagem de decomposição do problema, com representação temporal contínua e calcula janelas de tempo (restrições temporais) que devem ser respeitadas. A abordagem híbrida CLP-MILP proporcionou a solução de cenários reais em tempo computacional da ordem de segundos. A resolução computacional do modelo proposto evidenciou novos pontos de operação para o poliduto, proporcionando ganhos operacionais significativos. O modelo implementado configura uma ferramenta de auxílio para tomada de decisões operacionais no cenário estudado.

This work is motivated by the need of optimization in the pipeline-oil distribution scenario. The considered problem involves the short-term scheduling of activities in a specific pipeline. The pipeline is 93.5 km in length, and it connects refinery and harbor tankfarms, conveying different types of commodities (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc). An optimization model was developed to determine the pipeline scheduling with improved efficiency. Such model combines Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) and Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) in an integrated CLP-MILP framework. The proposed model uses decomposition strategies, continuous time representation, and intervals that represent time constraints (time windows). Real cases were solved in a reduced computational time (order of seconds). The computational results have demonstrated that the model is able to define new operational points to the pipeline, providing significant cost saving. Indeed the CLP-MILP model is an efficient tool to aid the operational decision-making within this real-world pipeline scenario.

A necrose gordurosa do subcutâneo do recém-nascido é paniculite rara e auto-limitada, caracterizada por placa eritematosa extensa com nódulos amolecidos no dorso de recém-nascidos a termo ou pós-termo. São fatores desencadeantes de relevância a pré-eclâmpsia materna, asfixia perinatal e hipercalcemia. Relata-se caso de necrose gordurosa do recém-nascido associado a pré-eclâmpsia materna e asfixia perinatal.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is an uncommon self-limited panniculitis characterized by large erythematous patches and soft nodules on the back of full-term or post-term infants. Maternal pre-eclampsia, birth asphyxia and hypercalcemia are relevant triggers. We describe a case of subcutaneous fat necrosis in a newborn related to maternal pre-eclampsia and birth asphyxia.

O adalimumabe é um anticorpo recombinante monoclonal IgG1, completamente humano, que se liga especificamente ao fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-a) e neutraliza sua atividade. Relatamos aqui um caso de erupção liquenóide secundária ao uso de adalimuma-be em uma paciente com artrite reumatóide. O quadro melhorou após a suspensão do adalimumabe, com recidiva à reintrodução do medicamento e nova melhora após a suspensão definitiva deste. Embora a paciente estivesse recebendo, concomitantemente ao adalimumabe, metotrexate, corticosteróides e outras drogas, não houve suspensão ou modificação das medicações, exceto o adalimumabe durante todo o período. A ocorrência de erupção liquenóide com o uso do adalimumabe é um evento não esperado, uma vez que, na imunopatologia do líquen plano, o papel do TNF-a parece ser o de propagador da doença. Desse modo, esperaria-se que drogas anti-TNF-a pudessem ser usadas no tratamento do líquen plano e não que atuassem como indutoras desta condição.

Adalimumab is a recombinant, fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to human TNF-a and neutralizes the activity of this cytokine. We report herein the case of a lichenoid eruption with the use of adalimumab in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The eruption improved after interruption of adalimumab, with recurrence at the reintroduction and improvement again with definitive suspension. Although this patient was receiving concomitant adalimumab with methotrexate, corticosteroids and other drugs, these medications except the adalimumab were not discontinued or modified at any moment during the period. The occurrence of lichenoid eruption with adalimumab is a not expected event since the function of the TNF-a in the immunopathology of lichen planus seems to be as a propagator of disease. This way, we would expect that drugs with anti-TNF-a effect would not act as inductors of lichen planus but could be used in its treatment.

Em instalações industriais, é comum a existência de processos multivariáveis que possuem variáveis com fortes interações entre si, além de não linearidades e de objetivos de controle conflitantes Assim, a sintonia de diversos controladores em plantas industriais complexas constitui um desafio aos engenheiros de processo e operadores. Este artigo aborda o problema de sintonizar n controladores PI/PID (Proporcional, Integral e Derivativo) em processos multivariáveis como um problema de otimização multiobjetivo. Um algoritmo genético multiobjetivo, modificado por uma técnica de nicho e formação de castas, é proposto para resolver o problema. A otimização é realizada em dois níveis. No primeiro, uma função local que agrupa os critérios ITSE (Integral Time Squared Error) e variância mínima é calculada para avaliar separadamente o desempenho de cada malha. Em seguida, uma função de custo global, considerando todas as malhas é usada para calcular um conjunto de soluções (conjunto de parâmetros do controlador PI/PID) para o problema de otimização. A metodologia foi aplicada no controle PI de uma unidade de craqueamento catalítico e o seu desempenho foi comparado ao de um controlador preditivo por matriz dinâmica. Os resultados mostram a aplicabilidade e eficiência da metodologia proposta.

Nonlinear multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processes which are common in industrial plants are characterized by significant interactions and nonlinearities among their variables. Thus, the tuning of several controllers in complex industrial plants is a challenge for process engineers and operators. This paper addresses the problem of simultaneously tuning n proportional-integral-derivative (PI/PID) controllers in a coupled multivariable process as a multi-criteria optimization problem. A multi objective genetic algorithm modified by a niching technique with castes formation is proposed to solve this problem. The optimization is carried out in two levels. In the first level a local function that considers both the integral time squared error (ITSE) and the minimum variance criteria is computed to separately evaluate the performance of each closed loop. Thereafter, a global cost function that considers all the loops is used to compute a set of solutions (a set of PI/PID parameters) to the optimization problem. The proposed system was applied to the control of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, and its performance was compared to dynamic matrix control (DMC). The results show the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.