RESUMO Os modos de populações indígenas da América Latina de conceber as relações do ser humano com os demais seres e espécies e o ambiente preservaram visões de mundo, valores e práticas sociais que têm inspirado e sido incorporadas nas discussões atuais sobre noções de bem viver. Neste artigo, reunimos e articulamos noções de bem viver em quatro matrizes principais: a matriz das visões de mundo indígenas; a matriz do pensamento utópico latino-americanista; a matriz estatal; e a matriz socioambiental. Tais matrizes guardam entre si aspectos convergentes, formando um núcleo comum emulador de novas propostas filosóficas, econômicas e políticas, enquanto alternativas ao modelo de vida, trabalho e relação com o ambiente produzido pelo capitalismo neoliberal. artigo principais latinoamericanista latino americanista latino-americanista estatal socioambiental convergentes filosóficas políticas vida neoliberal

ABSTRACT The ways that indigenous populations of Latin America conceive the relations of the human beings with other beings and species and the environment preserved worldviews, values and social practices that have inspired and have been incorporated in the current discussions regarding notions of good living. In this article, we gather and articulate the notions of good living in four main matrices: the matrix of indigenous worldviews; the matrix of the Latin Americanist utopic thought; the state matrix; and the socioenvironmental matrix. Such matrices keep convergent aspects among themselves, forming a common nucleus that emulates new philosophical, economic and political proposals, as alternatives to the model of life, work and relationship with the environment produced by neoliberal capitalism. worldviews article thought themselves philosophical proposals life capitalism

Resumo A agudização grave de colite ulcerosa é uma emergência médica, particularmente difícil de tratar de forma eficaz. O infliximab é uma das opções de tratamento médico de resgate após refractariedade aos corticosteróides, porém a melhor estratégia de indução ainda não está definida. Com este relato de série de casos, os autores pretendem descrever três casos de agudização grave de colite ulcerosa refratária a corticosteróides com diferentes abordagens de indução intensificada/acelerada de infliximab e rever a literatura sobre este tópico. O primeiro caso descreve uma jovem de 18 anos com agudização grave de colite ulcerosa, à apresentação da doença, com rápida progressão para megacólon tóxico, complicada também com anemia, hipoalbuminemia e coagulopatia. Após ausência de resposta a corticosteróides, foi iniciado regime acelerado e intensificado (10 mg/kg) de infliximab, concluído em 11 dias, com resposta clínica e normalização das alterações imagiológicas do cólon. Em segundo lugar, apresentamos um homem de 26 anos com colite ulcerosa esquerda conhecida há 2 anos, sob messalazina, que apresentou uma agudização moderada da doença e iniciou infliximab após resposta parcial e inconsistente aos corticosteróides. Durante o período de indução, apresen-tou desta vez um episódio de agudização grave, o que motivou uma terceira dose precoce e intensificada com boa resposta clínica. Por fim, descrevemos o caso de um homem de 78 anos com proctite ulcerosa há 12 anos apresentando agudização grave de colite ulcerosa, também com extensão proximal da doença. Após resposta insatisfatória a corticosteróides, foi iniciado infliximab em regime de indução acelerada, completado em 13 dias, com a dose padrão, obtendo remissão clínica. Os esquemas de indução de infliximab acelerados ou intensificados têm vindo a tornar-se prática clínica habitual nos casos de agudização grave de colite ulcerosa refratária a corticosteróides. As diretrizes atuais referem a possibilidade deste tipo de estratégias, não indicando qual o regime ideal por falta de evidência sólida. A literatura baseia-se principalmente em estudos retrospetivos, não randomizados, com heterogeneidade de grupos de estudo de acordo com a gravidade da doença e o efeito nas taxas de colectomia, sobretudo a longo prazo, não é claro. Estudos mais fundamentados são necessários sobre esta matéria de modo a que seja possível uma abordagem amplamente mais uniforme.

Abstract Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is an emergent medical condition and particularly challenging to treat efficaciously. Infliximab is one of the medical salvage treatment options after corticosteroid refractoriness, but the best induction strategy is not yet defined. With this case series, the authors intend to describe three corticosteroid-refractory ASUC cases with different intensified/accelerated infliximab induction approaches and review the literature on this topic. The first case describes an 18-year-old girl with ASUC at disease onset with rapid progression to toxic megacolon, complicated also with anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and coagulopathy. After corticosteroid failure, both accelerated and intensified (10 mg/kg) infliximab regimen was completed within 11 days, with solid clinical response and colon imaging normalization. Second, we present a 26-year-old male with left-sided ulcerative colitis known for 2 years, under mesalazine, who developed a moderate flare and was started on infliximab after partial and inconsistent response to corticosteroids. During the induction period, he presented this time an ASUC episode, which motivated an early and intensified third dose with good clinical response. Finally, we describe the case of a 78-year-old man with ulcerative proctitis for 12 years presenting ASUC with proximal disease extension as well. After unsatisfactory response to corticosteroids, infliximab was initiated on an accelerated induction regimen, completed in 13 days, with the standard dose, achieving clinical remission. Accelerated or intensified infliximab induction plans are becoming current clinical practice in corticosteroid-refractory ASUC. Current guidelines refer to the possibility of this type of strategies, not determining the optimal regimen due to lack of solid evidence. Literature is mainly based on retrospective studies, not randomized, with heterogeneous groups according to disease severity, and the effect on colectomy rates, mainly on the long term, is not clear. Additional well-supported studies are needed on this subject in order to seek a more widely uniform approach.

ABSTRACT Toxic levels of aluminum (Al) in the soil can reduce the growth of different grain crops. To understand the effects of Al in soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings Al accumulation and its effect on anatomy, morphology, and metabolism in roots of two soybean genotypes were evaluated: Suprema and A7002. For this, soybean plants were grown in nutrient Clark solution, pH 4.0, without Al (control) and with 100 µM of Al for 72 hours. Both genotypes accumulated Al in the roots, however, Suprema showed a higher Al accumulation than A7002. The latter genotype showed Al accumulated only in the cell walls of the epidermis and root cap, which did not affect root growth. On the other hand, in Suprema, Al accumulated in the cells of the root cap, epidermis, and the nucleus of the ground meristem cells, which resulted in inhibited root growth and structural damage in the root epidermis cells. Al modulated the primary metabolism with increases in the levels of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and malate in the roots of the genotype A7002 and reduced the starch levels in the Suprema genotype. The findings of this study suggest the A7002 genotype seems to be more resistant to Al than Suprema, mainly by the use of two important mechanisms: an increase in malate content and Al immobilization in the external cells of the root.

Abstract The alternative model for the classification of personality disorders presented in the DSM-5 is based on the hypothesis of continuity between normal personality and personality disorders. The main objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between depressive symptomatology and the domains and facets of the PID-5, especially the Depressivity facet. A convenience sample of the general population (N = 453) was used. Participants responded to the PID-5 and the CES-D. In a multiple regression model including all the PID-5 facets, only Depressivity and Anhedonia had a significant individual effect on predicting the CES-D score. Correlation analysis suggested that Depressivity and Anhedonia could be considered as defining the depressive traits of personality disorders and supported the continuity between these disorders and depressive symptomatology. A Taxometric Analysis with the Depressivity facet and CES-D score as indicators supported the dimensional nature of depressivity in a broad sense (depressive traits/ depressive symptomatology).

Resumen El modelo alternativo para la clasificación de los trastornos de la personalidad presentado en el DSM-5 se basa en la hipótesis de continuidad entre la personalidad normal y los trastornos de la personalidad. El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar la relación entre la sintomatología depresiva y los dominios y facetas del PID-5, especialmente la faceta Depresión. Se utilizó una muestra de conveniencia de la población general (N = 453). Los participantes respondieron al PID-5 y a la CES-D. En un modelo de regresión múltiple que incluía todas las facetas de PID-5, solo la Depresión y la Anhedonia tuvieron un efecto individual significativo en la predicción de la puntuación CES-D. El análisis de correlación sugirió que la Depresión y la Anhedonia podrían considerarse como la definición de los rasgos depresivos de los trastornos de la personalidad y apoyó la continuidad entre estos trastornos y la sintomatología depresiva. Un análisis taxométrico con la faceta Depresión y la puntuación CES-D como indicadores respaldó la naturaleza dimensional de la depresión en un sentido amplio (rasgos depresivos / sintomatología depresiva).

Resumo Este trabalho busca realizar reflexões sobre a psicologia, em seu percurso histórico junto às comunidades e povos tradicionais. Nesse encontro, procura examinar quais impasses, necessidades e giros são necessários para o pensar e fazer de outra psicologia, uma que se encontre com outras epistemologias e ontologias enraizadas e ancestralmente vividas na América Latina. Para isso, é imperioso compreender os alicerces de fixação modernos e coloniais em que a psicologia se forjou, enquanto uma ciência racionalista, supostamente abstrata e universal, que expressa em sua prática o exercício das colonialidades do saber e do ser, na colonização da subjetividade. O encontro com os povos tradicionais exige da psicologia uma revisitação a seus fundamentos e um giro de(s)colonial ao encontro das reexistências e resistências dessas comunidades, em seus mais de 522 anos de lutas. Ao se deparar com a realidade de conhecimentos, desafios históricos e perspectivas dos povos tradicionais, é possível afirmar que a psicologia se vê diante da necessidade de redefinir seus marcos epistêmicos e políticos.

Abstract This study reflects on psychology in its historical journey with traditional communities and peoples. In this encounter, it seeks to examine what obstacles, needs, and turns are necessary for thinking and doing another psychology, one that meets other ancestral epistemologies and ontologies rooted in Latin America. Such approach requires us to understand the foundations of modern and colonial fixation upon which psychology was forged, as a rationalist, (supposedly) abstract and universal science that expresses in its practice the exercise of the colonialities of knowledge and being, by colonizing subjectivity. From its encounter with traditional peoples, psychology is called upon to revisit its foundations and do a decolonial turn to meet the re-existences and resistances of traditional peoples, in their more than 522 years of struggle. When confronted with the reality of knowledge, historical challenges and perspectives of traditional peoples, psychology is faced with the need to redefine its epistemic and political frameworks.

Resumen Este trabajo busca reflexionar sobre la psicología en su recorrido histórico con las comunidades y pueblos tradicionales. En ese encuentro, pretende analizar qué impases, necesidades y giros son necesarios para pensar y hacer otra psicología, que se encuentre con otras epistemologías y ontologías arraigadas y ancestralmente vividas en América Latina. Para ello, es necesario comprender los fundamentos modernos y coloniales sobre los cuales se forjó la psicología como ciencia racionalista, supuestamente abstracta y universal, y que expresa en su práctica el ejercicio de las colonialidades del saber y del ser en la colonización de la subjetividad. El encuentro con los pueblos tradicionales requiere de la psicología una revisión de sus fundamentos y un giro de(s)colonial para encontrar las reexistencias y resistencias de estos pueblos en sus más de 522 años de lucha. Frente a la realidad de los saberes, desafíos históricos y perspectivas de los pueblos tradicionales, es posible afirmar que la psicología se encuentra ante la necesidad de redefinir sus marcos epistémicos y políticos.

Abstract Paper aims This work aims to develop a systematized approach for the reduction of medical appointment waiting lists, proposing an optimization decision-making model followed by continuous people engagement towards a systematic approach for waiting list problem-solving. Originality There are several studies related to waiting lists in healthcare contexts, however, the present study presents an innovative approach for waiting list problem-solving by proposing prescriptive decision-making models followed by continuous improvement and people engagement. Research method A research approach with the following phases was developed: system analysis, problem quantification, and development of an optimization model. After these phases, the model was applied, and the results were analysed, as contributions to a systematized model. Main findings The model was applied to the screening waiting list for orthopaedics appointments followed by the fundamental involvement of medical doctors, which made it possible to implement the optimal solution generated by the model, resulting in a reduction of 90% by 56 days in waiting time for the screening process. Implications for theory and practice This model contributes for theory and for practice as a way to deal with different scenarios for waiting list reduction in the upcoming days during and after the pandemic.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, Anodontites trapesialis is a mussel species that occurs spontaneously in fish breeding sites. This species feeds on the remains of cultural treatments of other aquaculture species. The objective of the work is to understand the bromatological composition of mussel A. trapesialis. Individuals were selected to compose three samples of 500 g each of A. trapesialis for chemical composition, with viscera and viscera + shells being evaluated. The species presented 40.42 to 62.76 g of viscera per individual with a moisture content of 5.16% for viscera + shells and 86.5% for viscera. The mussel contains 42.6 and 12.96% crude protein, 3.16 and 1.76 of ether extract, 0.76 and 2.5% of crude fiber for viscera and viscera + shells. The total digestible nutrients were 74.16 and 36.96% for viscera and viscera + shells and 18.43 and 52.83% of mineral material for viscera and viscera + shells. A. trapesialis has relevant characteristics in its chemical composition as high protein content that gives the species potential for the human, animal, and other byproducts production.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia da refratometria obtida através do aparelho photoscreener 2WIN® como método de rastreio de ametropias com indicação de prescrição de óculos pelos critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Oftalmopediatria em crianças assintomáticas, de origem extra-hospitalar, de 6 a 36 meses de idade, e determinar se a cicloplegia influencia a capacidade de rastreio do aparelho. Métodos: Cento e setenta e oito (178) de crianças com idades entre 6 e 36 meses tiveram sua refratometria mensurada pelo método padrão-ouro, a retinoscopia manual sob cicloplegia, e pelo método em teste, o photoscreener 2WIN®, antes e após a cicloplegia. Resultados: O photoscreener 2WIN® é capaz de identificar aqueles pacientes que deveriam receber prescrição de óculos pelos critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Oftalmopediatria com sensibilidade de 100%, especificidade de 93,18% e acurácia de 93,26%, quando comparado a retinoscopia estática. Sob cicloplegia, o 2WIN® mantém sensibilidade de 100%, porém aumenta sua especificidade para 96,59% e a acurácia para 96,63%. Conclusão: O photoscreener 2WIN® se mostrou altamente sensível, específico e acurado para uso como equipamento de triagem daqueles pacientes de 6 a 36 meses que se beneficiariam do uso de óculos pelos critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Oftalmopediatria, com discreto aumento da especificidade e acurácia quando aplicado em pacientes cicloplegiados.

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the sensitivity, specificity e accuracy of the ocular refraction measured by the 2WIN® photoscreener as a screening method to identify children in need of spectacles prescription according to the criteria published by the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology (BSPO) in asymptomatic children, 6 to 36 months old, and determine the impact of cycloplegia in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this method. Methods: One hundred seventy-eight (178) eyes of asymptomatic children between the ages of 6 and 36 months have been submitted to ocular refraction measurements by the gold-standard method, the manual retinoscopy under cycloplegia, and the method been tested, the 2WIN® photoscreening, both before and under cycloplegia. Results: The 2WIN® photoscreener before cycloplegia was able to identify those patients in need of spectacles prescription according to the criteria published by the BSPO with 100% sensitivity, 93.18% specificity and 93.26% accuracy, when compared to the manual retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The 2WIN® photoscreener under cycloplegia maintained a sensitivity of 100%, but increased specificity to 96.59% and accuracy to 96.63%. Conclusion: The 2WIN® photoscreener before cycloplegia showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detection of patients in need of spectacles prescription according to the criteria published by the BSPO in the tested population, with minor increase in specificity and accuracy when the measurements were performed under cycloplegia.

Abstract The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality parameters and the chromatographic, thermogravimetric, and spectroscopic profile of Patauá oil (Oenocarpus bataua). All analyses were performed according to the Recommended Practices of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS). The parameters obtained indicate conservation quality standards in accordance with Brazilian legislation. The fatty acid profile shows a predominance of ω-9, ω-6, and ω-3 fatty acids. The thermogravimetric behavior and differential analysis indicated good stability upon gradual temperature increase and the presence of endothermic and exothermic peaks characteristic of thermal and oxidative decomposition at high temperatures only. The spectroscopic profile evidenced long-chain unsaturated fatty acids confirming the fatty acid profile results. It was found that, in general, the Patauá oil has good nutritional and functional quality and high thermal and oxidative stability; therefore it can be considered as a raw material with potential applications in various industries.

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do pólen apícola sobre o desempenho de codornas Japonesas em postura e sobre a qualidade dos ovos. Foram usadas 160 codornas em delineamento completamente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (0%, 0,5%, 1%, e 1,5% de pólen apícola nas dietas) e cinco repetições. Ao fim do estudo, o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos foram avaliados. Posteriormente, 160 ovos foram mantidos em temperaturas diferentes em delineamento completamente casualizado e arranjo fatorial 4 × 2, com quatro níveis de pólen apícola (citados acima) e duas temperaturas de armazenamento (ambiente e refrigeração) por 14 dias, totalizando oito tratamentos com cinco repetições. Os níveis de pólen apícola não influenciaram (P>0,05) a conversão alimentar, entretanto o consumo diário de ração, a taxa de postura, a massa de ovo e peso e porcentagem de albúmen aumentaram e a porcentagem de gema diminuiu com o aumento do pólen apícola nas dietas. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) da interação temperatura de armazenamento × níveis de pólen apícola sobre a qualidade dos ovos, exceto pela unidade Haugh. A suplementação com pólen apícola resultou em maior peso de ovo e de índices de gema e de albúmen. Ovos refrigerados tinham melhor qualidade interna. A inclusão de pólen apícola nas dietas de codornas Japonesas melhorou o desempenho e a qualidade de ovos frescos e armazenados.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bee pollen (BP) on the performance of laying Japanese quails and egg quality. A total of 60 quails were used in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% BP inclusion in diets) and five replicates. At the end of the study, productive performance and egg quality were evaluated; 160 eggs were maintained at different temperatures based on a completely randomized design and factorial arrangement (4 × 2), with four BP levels (cited above) and two storage temperatures (room temperature and refrigeration) for 14 days, totaling eight treatments with four replicates. BP levels did not influence (P> 0.05) feed conversion; however, daily feed intake, laying rate, egg mass, and weight and percentage of albumen increased. Yolk percentage decreased due to the augmentation of BP in diets. There was no effect (P> 0.05) of interaction of storage temperature × BP levels on egg quality, except with regard to the Haugh unit. BP supplementation resulted in higher egg weight and index of yolk and albumen. Refrigerated eggs had better internal quality than normal eggs. BP inclusion in diets of Japanese quails improved bird performance and the quality of fresh and stored eggs.

Resumo Avaliou-se a agressividade de isolados de Phytophthora cinnamomi em abacateiro e estudou-se o efeito de concentrações de inóculo do patógeno e períodos de inundação do substrato na podridão radicular e no desenvolvimento das plantas. A inoculação de 12 isolados do patógeno foi realizada no colo de mudas de abacateiro, com ou sem ferimento. Apenas 31,3% das plantas inoculadas sem ferimento desenvolveram lesões, comparado a 100% das plantas com ferimento, com diferenças entre os isolados quanto à agressividade. Mudas de abacateiro tiveram o substrato inoculado com 0; 0,1 e 1,0% (m/v) de sementes de trigo colonizadas pelo patógeno por vaso, sendo submetidos a quatro períodos de inundação do substrato em intervalos quinzenais, a saber: 0, 12 e 24 horas. Avaliou-se o número de folhas por planta, o diâmetro do colo, a altura da planta, o índice de área foliar, a severidade visual (%) de raízes doentes, a porcentagem de massa fresca de raízes doentes e a massa seca da parte aérea e das raízes. Tanto a inoculação do patógeno como a inundação do substrato causaram podridão radicular, contudo, a combinação destes dois fatores resultou em um efeito aditivo nos sintomas da doença. Períodos de inundação de 12-24 h após a infestação do substrato com 0,1% (m/v) de inóculo de P. cinnamomi provocaram severidade superior a 50% de podridão radicular, podendo ser recomendados em estudos de patogenicidade e de controle da doença em plantas envasadas de abacateiro.

Abstract The present study evaluated the aggressiveness of Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates and the effect of pathogen inoculum concentration and periods of substrate flooding on root rot and plant development. Twelve pathogen isolates were inoculated on the collar region of avocado seedlings with or without wounding. Only 31.3% of the inoculated plants without wounding developed lesions, compared to 100% of the plants with wounding, while the isolates showed different aggressiveness levels. Avocado seedlings had their substrate inoculated with 0, 0.1% and 1.0% (m/v) wheat seeds colonized by the pathogen per pot, and four periods of 0, 12 and 24 h substrate flooding were produced at fortnightly intervals. The assessed parameters were number of leaves per plant, collar diameter, plant height, leaf area index, visual severity percentage of infected roots, fresh mass (%) of diseased roots and dry mass of shoot and roots. Both pathogen inoculation and substrate flooding caused root rot; however, combination of these two factors produced an additional effect on disease symptoms. Root rot severity was superior to 50% when soilless substrate had 0.1% (m/v) P. cinnamomi inoculum and flooded for 12-24 h after inoculation, conditions that can be recommended for pathogenicity and disease control studies using potted avocado plants.

Introdução: Apesar do crescente número de serviços nacionais a realizar ecoendoscopia digestiva, não existem dados sobre a prática da ecoendoscopia no nosso país. Objetivos: Pretendemos avaliar a prática da ecoendoscopia em Portugal. Métodos: Por e-mail convidámos um elemento de cada dos 26 serviços nacionais de Gastrenterologia que realizam ecoendoscopia a preencher um questionário disponível na plataforma google forms. O questionário esteve disponível via online de setembro de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018 e foi respondido apenas por médicos que realizam ecoendoscopia. Resultados: Obtivemos resposta de 21 dos 26 serviços convidados (80.8%). Em Portugal existe um total de 42 ecoendoscópios. A maioria das unidades possui 1 ecógrafo (81%), 1 ecoendoscópio radial (66.7%), 1 eco endoscópio linear (76.2%), 1 sonda rectal (57.1%) mas não dispõem de mini-sondas (85.7%). 81% dispõem de agulhas de aquisição de core histológico. Em 81% dos serviços existem pelo menos 2 ecoendoscopistas que realizam ecoendoscopia em conjunto em 47.6% dos serviços. Os ecoendoscopistas também realizam ecografia abdominal, ecografia anal e colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica em 71.4, 66.7 e 42.9% respectivamente. Os serviços têm em média 2.4 ± 1.1 períodos de ecoendoscopia/semana realizando em média 4 ± 1.5 ecoendoscopia/período (499.2 ± 416.8 ecoendoscopias/ano). A avaliação de lesões subepiteliais e bilio-pancreática, assim como o estadiamento de neoplasias do tubo digestivo são as indicações mais frequentes para a realização de ecoendoscopia. O número de punções diagnósticas guiadas por ecoendoscopia varia entre 10 e 160/ano. A maioria dos serviços (60%) dispõe de rapid on-site pathological evaluation (ROSE) que é realizada pelo citopatologista na maioria das vezes (66.7%). A carência de funcionários nas unidades de Anatomia Patológica é o principal motivo para a ausência de ROSE. A preparação do material citopatológico é realizada pelo ecoendoscopista em 25% dos serviços. A secagem ao ar (50%) e o formol (50%) são o método de fixação dos esfregaços e o meio de preservação mais usados, respetivamente. A drenagem de pseudocisto pancreático (66.7%), neurólise do plexo celíaco (52.4%) e necrosectomia pancreática (42.9%) são os procedimentos terapêuticos mais disseminados. Conclusões: Este trabalho fornece os primeiros dados sobre a prática de ecoendoscopia digestiva em Portugal. Existe uma grande variabilidade nos exames diagnósticos e terapêuticos.

Background: Despite the increasing number of national departments performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), there are no official data regarding clinical EUS practice in Portugal. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the current practice of EUS in Portugal. Methods: By email, we invited 1 physician of each one of the 26 national Gastroenterology Departments which perform EUS to complete a survey questionnaire available on the Google Forms platform. The online questionnaire was available from September 2017 until February 2018 and was answered only by physicians who perform EUS. Results: A total of 21/26 (80.8%) national Gastroenterology Departments answered the questionnaire. In Portugal, there are 42 echoendoscopes in total; most of the echoendoscopy units have only 1 EUS processor (81%), 1 radial echoendoscope (66.7%), 1 linear echoendoscope (76.2%), 1 anorectal probe (57.1%), but no miniprobes (85.7%). About 81% have histological core acquisition needles. In 81% of the units, there are at least 2 ultrasonographers who perform echoendoscopy together (at least 2 ultrasonographers per EUS) in 47.6% of these departments. The ultrasonographers also performed abdominal ultrasound (US), anal US, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 71.4, 66.7, and 42.9%, respectively. The echoendoscopy units have 2.4 ± 1.1 periods of echoendoscopy per week and 4 ± 1.5 EUS per period (499.2 ± 416.8 EUS per year). Subepithelial lesions and biliopancreatic lesion evaluation as well as gastrointestinal neoplasia staging were the most common EUS indications. The number of FNA (fineneedle aspirations) ranges from 10 to 160/year. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is available in 60% of units and is performed by the cytopathologist (66.7%) in the majority of cases. The main reason for omitting ROSE is the limited pathology staff. Cytopathological material is prepared by the ultrasonographer in 25% of the units. Air drying (50%) and formalin (50%) are most frequently used to fix and preserve smears, respectively. Pancreatic pseudocyst drainage (66.7%), celiac plexus neurolysis (52.4%) and pancreatic necrosectomy (42.9%) are the most widespread therapeutic procedures. Conclusions: This survey provides the first insight into the current status of digestive echoendoscopy in Portugal. There is a great variability in diagnostic and therapeutic echoendoscopy practice.

Butanol has shown potential as an alternative biofuel. It can be obtained through ABE fermentation, which produces 1-butanol, ethanol and acetone. Pervaporation is a potential separation process, since it can be successfully applied to remove trace components such as butanol, which is toxic to the cells. The development of an effective membrane is the limiting factor for this technology. Activated carbon-containing polydimethylsiloxane membranes were prepared by varying the filler content up to 2 wt%. The resulting membranes were characterized for the separation of model solutions with 1-butanol, acetone, ethanol and water by pervaporation. The effects of activated carbon load (0, 1, 2 wt%) and temperature (25, 40, 55ºC) on flux and separation factor were evaluated. The addition of 1 wt% activated carbon increased membrane free volume, changed surface morphology and showed flux of 45 g/m2h, with separation factor for 1-butanol of 370, at 55ºC.