Resumen: Este estudio evaluó la asociación del peso al nacer, la edad gestacional y el crecimiento intrauterino con la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) a los 22 y 30 años de edad, en las Cohortes de Nacimiento de 1982 y 1993 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. La DMO se midió mediante absorciometría de rayos X de doble emisión (DXA), y la asociación se evaluó mediante ANOVA y regresión lineal múltiple para controlar la confusión por sexo, ingresos familiares al nacer, tabaquismo materno durante el embarazo, escolaridad materna, color de piel materno e índice de masa corporal antes del embarazo. Se comprobó si la grasa corporal en la edad adulta era un mediador de la asociación analizada, utilizando G-computation Formula. Se evaluaron 6.803 participantes de las cohortes 82 y 93, de 30 y 22 años, respectivamente. El peso al nacer se asoció con la DMO en todos los sitios, con la mayor diferencia en el cuello femoral. Los nacidos con un peso inferior a 2.000g tuvieron una media de -0,036g/cm2 (IC95%: -0,064; -0,008) de DMO en el cuello femoral, que aquellos con más de 3.500g. Aquellos con una puntuación z de crecimiento intrauterino de al menos 1,28 desviaciones estándar por debajo de la media presentaron un promedio de -0,013g/cm2 (IC95%: -0,024; -0,002) de DMO en la columna lumbar, con relación a aquellos con un puntaje z superior a la media. El análisis de mediación mostró que la grasa corporal en la edad adulta no medió la asociación. Las condiciones de nacimiento se asociaron con la DMO en la edad adulta, y la identificación temprana de factores relacionados con la pérdida de DMO es esencial debido a la inversión demográfica que ha estado ocurriendo en los países de ingresos medios y bajos.

Abstract: This study assessed the association of birth weight, gestational age, and intrauterine growth with bone mineral density (BMD) at 22 and 30 years of age in the 1982 and 1993 birth cohorts in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the association was assessed using analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression was used to control for confounding factors: sex; household income at birth; maternal smoking during pregnancy; maternal schooling; maternal ethnicity/skin color; and pre-pregnancy body mass index. The study tested whether body fat in adulthood was a mediator of the association analyzed, using the G-computation Formula. A total of 6,803 participants from the 1982 and 1993 cohorts were evaluated at 30 and 22 years of age, respectively. Birth weight was associated with BMD at all sites, with a greater difference at the femoral neck. Individuals born weighing less than 2,000g had on average -0.036g/cm2 (95%CI: -0.064; -0.008) of BMD in the femoral neck than individuals weighing more than 3,500g. Individuals with an intrauterine growth z-score at least 1.28 standard deviation below the mean had an average of -0.013g/cm2 (95%CI: -0.024; -0.002) of BMD in the lumbar spine compared with individuals with an above-average z-score. The mediation analysis showed that body fat in adulthood did not mediate the association. Birth conditions have been associated with BMD in adulthood and the identification of early factors related to bone loss is essential due to the demographic inversion that has been taking place in low- and middle-income countries.

Resumo: Este estudo avaliou a associação do peso ao nascer, idade gestacional e crescimento intrauterino com a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) aos 22 e 30 anos, nas coortes de nascimentos de 1982 e 1993 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A DMO foi medida por absorciometria por raios X com dupla energia (DXA), a associação foi avaliada usando análise de variância e a regressão linear múltipla para o controle de confundimento por: sexo, renda familiar ao nascer, tabagismo materno na gestação, escolaridade materna, cor da pele materna e índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional. Foi testado se a gordura corporal na vida adulta era mediadora da associação analisada, por meio da G-computation Formula. Foram avaliados 6.803 participantes das coortes de 1982 e 1993, aos 30 e 22 anos, respectivamente. O peso ao nascer teve associação com a DMO em todos os sítios, com maior diferença no colo femoral. Os nascidos com menos de 2.000g apresentaram, em média, -0,036g/cm2 (IC95%: -0,064; -0,008) de DMO no colo femoral em comparação àqueles com mais de 3.500g. Aqueles com escore-z de crescimento intrauterino com pelo menos 1,28 desvio padrão abaixo da média apresentaram, em média, -0,013g/cm2 (IC95%: -0,024; -0,002) de DMO na coluna lombar, em relação aos com escore-z acima da média. A análise de mediação mostrou que gordura corporal na idade adulta não mediou a associação. As condições de nascimento foram associadas com a densidade mineral óssea na vida adulta, e a identificação dos fatores precoces relacionados à perda de DMO é essencial devido à inversão demográfica em progresso em países de média e baixa renda.

Resumo: O artigo busca avaliar a relação entre condição socioeconômica ao longo da vida e índice de massa corporal (IMC) aos 22 anos de idade, de acordo com as hipóteses geradas pelos modelos de acúmulo de riscos, período crítico e mobilidade social. Este é um estudo prospectivo de base populacional, na coorte de nascimentos de 1993 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os modelos de acúmulo de riscos, período crítico e mobilidade social foram testados em relação a um model saturado, e comparados através de um teste F parcial. Após escolher o melhor modelo, a análise de regressão linear foi realizada para determinar os coeficientes de regressão, brutos e ajustados, da associação entre a condição socioeconômica ao longo da vida e o IMC aos 22 anos. A amostra consistia em 3.292 indivíduos (53,3% mulheres). Foram identificados efeitos de dose-resposta em homens e mulheres, embora os efeitos fossem opostos. Entre os homens, um aumento na pontuação baixa no modelo de acúmulo de condição socioeconômica levou a um IMC médio mais baixo aos 22 anos de idade; enquanto isso, nas mulheres, um aumento na pontuação baixa no modelo de acúmulo de condição socioeconômica levou a um aumento no IMC aos 22 anos de idade.

Abstract: This article aims to assess the relationship between an individual’s socioeconomic status over their life-course and their body mass index (BMI) at 22 years of age, according to the hypotheses generated by risk accumulation, critical period, and social mobility models. This was a population-based prospective study based on the Pelotas (Brazil) 1993 birth cohort. The risk accumulation, critical period, and social mobility models were tested in relation to a saturated model and compared with a partial F-test. After the best model was chosen, linear regression was carried out to determine the crude and adjusted regression coefficients of the association between socioeconomic status over the life-course and BMI at 22 years of age. The sample was comprised of 3,292 individuals (53.3% women). We found dose-response effect for both men and women, although the results were opposite. Among men, a lower score in socioeconomic status accumulation model led to a lower BMI average at 22 years of age; whereas among women, a lower score in socioeconomic status accumulation model caused an increase in BMI at 22 years of age.

Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar la relación entre el estatus socioeconómico a lo largo del ciclo vital y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) con 22 años de edad, según las hipótesis generadas por riesgo de acumulación, período crítico y modelos de movilidad social. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo de base poblacional con la cohorte de nacimiento de 1993 en Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Se probaron tanto el riesgo de acumulación, como el período crítico y modelos de movilidad social, en relación con un modelo saturado y comparado mediante un F-test parcial. Tras haber elegido el mejor modelo, se llevó a cabo una regresión lineal para determinar los coeficientes de asociación crudos y ajustados entre estatus socioeconómico, a lo largo del ciclo vital, e IMC a los 22 años de edad. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 3.292 individuos (53,3% mujeres). Se encontraron efectos dosis-respuesta para ambos hombres y mujeres, a pesar de que los efectos fueron opuestos. Entre hombres, el aumento en la puntación del modelo de acumulación en el estatus socioeconómico bajo condujo a un promedio más bajo de IMC a los 22 años de edad, mientras que, entre mujeres, el aumento en la puntuación del modelo de acumulación en el estatus socioeconómico bajo provocó un incremento en el IMC a los 22 años de edad.

Resumo: O artigo busca avaliar a relação entre condição socioeconômica ao longo da vida e índice de massa corporal (IMC) aos 22 anos de idade, de acordo com as hipóteses geradas pelos modelos de acúmulo de riscos, período crítico e mobilidade social. Este é um estudo prospectivo de base populacional, na coorte de nascimentos de 1993 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os modelos de acúmulo de riscos, período crítico e mobilidade social foram testados em relação a um model saturado, e comparados através de um teste F parcial. Após escolher o melhor modelo, a análise de regressão linear foi realizada para determinar os coeficientes de regressão, brutos e ajustados, da associação entre a condição socioeconômica ao longo da vida e o IMC aos 22 anos. A amostra consistia em 3.292 indivíduos (53,3% mulheres). Foram identificados efeitos de dose-resposta em homens e mulheres, embora os efeitos fossem opostos. Entre os homens, um aumento na pontuação baixa no modelo de acúmulo de condição socioeconômica levou a um IMC médio mais baixo aos 22 anos de idade; enquanto isso, nas mulheres, um aumento na pontuação baixa no modelo de acúmulo de condição socioeconômica levou a um aumento no IMC aos 22 anos de idade.

Abstract: This article aims to assess the relationship between an individual’s socioeconomic status over their life-course and their body mass index (BMI) at 22 years of age, according to the hypotheses generated by risk accumulation, critical period, and social mobility models. This was a population-based prospective study based on the Pelotas (Brazil) 1993 birth cohort. The risk accumulation, critical period, and social mobility models were tested in relation to a saturated model and compared with a partial F-test. After the best model was chosen, linear regression was carried out to determine the crude and adjusted regression coefficients of the association between socioeconomic status over the life-course and BMI at 22 years of age. The sample was comprised of 3,292 individuals (53.3% women). We found dose-response effect for both men and women, although the results were opposite. Among men, a lower score in socioeconomic status accumulation model led to a lower BMI average at 22 years of age; whereas among women, a lower score in socioeconomic status accumulation model caused an increase in BMI at 22 years of age.

Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar la relación entre el estatus socioeconómico a lo largo del ciclo vital y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) con 22 años de edad, según las hipótesis generadas por riesgo de acumulación, período crítico y modelos de movilidad social. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo de base poblacional con la cohorte de nacimiento de 1993 en Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Se probaron tanto el riesgo de acumulación, como el período crítico y modelos de movilidad social, en relación con un modelo saturado y comparado mediante un F-test parcial. Tras haber elegido el mejor modelo, se llevó a cabo una regresión lineal para determinar los coeficientes de asociación crudos y ajustados entre estatus socioeconómico, a lo largo del ciclo vital, e IMC a los 22 años de edad. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 3.292 individuos (53,3% mujeres). Se encontraron efectos dosis-respuesta para ambos hombres y mujeres, a pesar de que los efectos fueron opuestos. Entre hombres, el aumento en la puntación del modelo de acumulación en el estatus socioeconómico bajo condujo a un promedio más bajo de IMC a los 22 años de edad, mientras que, entre mujeres, el aumento en la puntuación del modelo de acumulación en el estatus socioeconómico bajo provocó un incremento en el IMC a los 22 años de edad.

RESUMO As denominações atribuídas à libélula, – inseto de corpo comprido e fino, com quatro asas transparentes, que voa e bate a traseira na água – Questão 85 do QSL do Atlas Linguístico do Brasil, representam exemplarmente o complexo sistema variacional do léxico do português brasileiro (PB), refletindo fatos da sócio-história de cada região e, até mesmo, de cada localidade e de cada indivíduo. As variantes registradas no ALiB, publicado em 2014, com os dados das capitais, sugerem que a denominação do inseto é, em geral, de base metafórica, motivada pelo seu aspecto físico, som, movimentos e, igualmente, por associações mentais/analogias com outros semelhantes, resultando, na maioria dos casos, em signos transparentes. A fim de ratificar ou, talvez, retificar os resultados das capitais, analisamos, neste trabalho, os dados coletados no interior do país junto a 900 informantes, perfazendo o total de 225 localidades. Com o apoio desse corpus, norteadas pelos princípios teórico-metodológicos da Lexicografia e da Semântica, objetivamos: (i) verificar a dicionarização das formas obtidas; (ii) descrever as variantes quanto aos aspectos morfológicos; e (iii) analisar essas denominações sob a ótica da semântica motivacional.

ABSTRACT The names attributed to the libélula (dragonfly) – long, thin body insect, with four transparent wings, which flies and hits the rear in the water –, Question 85 of the semantic-lexical questionnaire (QSL in Portuguese) of the Linguistic Atlas of Brazil, exemplify the complex variational system of the lexicon of Brazilian Portuguese (BP), reflecting facts from the socio-history of each region and, even, each location and each individual. The variants registered in ALiB, in the state capitals, suggest that the insect’s name is, in general, of metaphorical basis, motivated by its physical aspect, sound, movements and, equally, through mental associations/analogies with similar ones, resulting, in most cases, in transparent signs. In order to ratify or, perhaps, rectify the results of the capitals, in this work, we analyzed the data collected through the country’s hinterlands from 900 informants, totaling 225 locations. With the support of this corpus, guided by the theoretical and methodological principles of Lexicography and Semantics, we aim to: (i) verify the dictionary entries of the forms obtained; (ii) describe the variants in terms of morphological aspects; and (iii) analyze these denominations from the perspective of motivational semantics.

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine the number of macrophages and apoptotic cells and perform annexin-A1 detection in patients with leishmaniasis. METHODS Patients with Leishmania infection were admitted to Júlio Müller University Hospital. RESULTS The number of apoptotic cells was higher in the exudative granulomatous reaction. The exudative cellular reaction displayed higher levels of annexin-A1 detection in macrophages and apoptotic cells. The correlation between annexin-A1 detection in apoptotic cells and macrophages was observed in exudative necrotic reaction and exudative necrotic-granulomatous reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the relevance of annexin-A1 in the regulation of apoptosis and phagocytosis in leishmaniasis.

Resumo O artigo objetiva analisar as contribuições da contação de histórias para a saúde mental no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19. Trata-se de uma pesquisa-intervenção que posiciona o recurso das histórias como uma tecnologia leve em saúde, comprometida em reduzir distâncias, criar pontes entre as pessoas através do investimento na produção de vínculos e acolhimento. A contação de histórias articula literatura e psicologia, faz parte da caixa de ferramentas necessárias para a ativação de forças psíquicas expressivas dos afetos no cenário atual. O banco de dados da pesquisa pode ser designado como banco de histórias que passam por um processo de curadoria, sendo essa uma metodologia fundamental para o encadeamento de temas abordados nas histórias e a postagem das mesmas no Instagram do projeto. As histórias videogravadas foram analisadas a partir dos núcleos semânticos contexto-afeto-texto, com destaque para os conteúdos de memória e morte; e práticas de mutualidade em cuidado. A reação dos/as seguidores/as do Instagram expressam mensagens afetuosas aos/as contadores/as.

Abstract This article aims to analyze the contributions of the storytelling to mental health in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is an intervention-research that places this story device as light health technology. It is committed to reduce distances, create bridges between people through investment in bonding and welcoming. Storytelling articulates literature and psychology, and is part of the toolbox that is necessary for the activation of expressive psychic forces of affections in the current scenario. The research database can be designated as a bank of stories that undergo a curatorial process, which is a fundamental methodology for linking topics covered in the stories and posting them on the project's Instagram. The videotaped stories were analyzed from mutual-care practices and the context-affection-text semantic nuclei, with emphasis on the contents of memory and death. The reactions of Instagram followers express affectionate messages to the storytellers.

Resumen El artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las contribuciones de la narración a la salud mental en el contexto de la pandemia Covid-19. Se trata de una investigación-intervención que posiciona el recurso de las historias como una tecnología ligera en salud, comprometida con la reducción de distancias, creando puentes entre las personas a través de la inversión en la producción de vínculos y la acogida. La narración de cuenteros articula la literatura y la psicología, es parte de la caja de herramientas necesarias para la activación de las fuerzas psíquicas expresivas de los afectos en el escenario actual. La base de datos de investigación puede designarse como un banco de historias que se someten a un proceso curatorial, que es una metodología fundamental para vincular los temas tratados en las historias y publicarlos en el Instagram del proyecto. Se analizaron relatos videograbados a partir de los núcleos semánticos contexto-afecto-texto; con énfasis en los contenidos de la memoria y la muerte; y prácticas de cuidado mutuo en el cuidado. La reacción de los/las seguidores/as de Instagram expresan mensajes afectuosos a los/las cuenteros/as.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and transmission occurs through the bite of sandflies. It is an infectious disease, which affects skin and mucosa. The aim was to quantify the macrophages M1 and M2 and the annexin A1 expression in the skin lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: Skin biopsies from patients (n = 50) were analyzed and classified according to the lesion type as: exudative cellular reaction, exudative granulomatous reaction, exudative necrotic reaction, exudative necrotic-granulomatous reaction. Using the immunofluorescence technique, macrophages were identified by CD163 marker, differentiated by anti-MHCII and anti-CD206 antibodies, and annexin A1 expression was determined by arbitrary unit (a.u.) densitometry. RESULTS: In M1 macrophages, a greater expression of this protein was observed in the exudative cellular reaction type lesions (136.3 ± 2.6 a.u., assuming mean and standard derivation) when compared to the expression in the lesions of exudative granulomatous reaction, exudative necrotic reaction and exudative necrotic-granulomatous reaction patients (108.0 ± 2.3, 121.6 ± 3.2 and 124.7 ± 2.4 a.u., respectively). Regarding M2 macrophages, it was observed that patients with exudative cellular reaction lesion also had a higher expression of this protein (128.8 ± 2.6 a.u.), when compared to the expression in the lesions of exudative granulomatous reaction, exudative necrotic reaction and exudative necrotic-granulomatous reaction patients (105.6 ± 2, 113.9 ± 2.8, 114.3 ± 2.1 a.u., respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that annexin A1 is assisting macrophages in the phagocytosis process of patients with exudative cellular reaction lesion type.

RESUMO O fungo Corynespora cassiicola, agente causal da mancha-alvo na soja, apresenta baixa esporulação em meios de cultura artificiais, o que dificulta a produção de esporos em condições de laboratório. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a esporulação e o crescimento micelial radial de 21 isolados de C. cassiicola, obtidos de folhas de soja coletadas nas principais regiões produtoras do Brasil e submetidos a diferentes regimes de iluminação e estresse. Os isolados foram submetidos a três regimes de iluminação: luz contínua, 12 h/12 h de luz-escuro e escuro contínuo e duas condições de estresse mecânico: raspagem superficial da colônia ou ausência de estresse. A produção de esporos dos isolados foi quantificada utilizando um hemacitômetro, enquanto o crescimento micelial radial foi realizado pela média de dois diâmetros perpendiculares da colônia. A esporulação e o crescimento micelial radial sob diferentes regimes de iluminação e estresse, apresentaram comportamentos específicos para cada isolado. Não foi observada correlação significativa entre o crescimento micelial e a produção de esporos.

ABSTRACT The fungus Corynespora cassiicola, the causal agent of soybean target spot, presents low sporulation in artificial culture media, which makes difficult the production of spores under laboratory conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sporulation and the mycelium radial growth of 21 C. cassiicola isolates obtained from soybean leaves collected from the main soybean growing regions in Brazil and subjected to different light and stress regimes. The isolates were subjected to three light regimes: continuous light, 12 h / 12 h light-dark and continuous dark, and two mechanical stress conditions: superficial scraping of the colony or absence of stress. The spore production of isolates was quantified by using a hemacytometer, while the radial mycelium growth was determined based on the average of two perpendicular diameters of the colony. Sporulation and mycelium radial growth under different light and stress regimes presented specific behaviors for each isolate. There was no significant correlation between mycelial growth and spore production.

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION:The aim of this study was quantify annexin A1 expression in macrophages and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) + and cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8)+ T cells from the skin of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (n=55) and correlate with histopathological aspects.METHODS:Infecting species were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and expression of annexin A1 was analyzed by immunofluorescence.RESULTS:All patients (n = 55) were infected with Leishmania braziliensis . Annexin A1 was expressed more abundantly in CD163 + macrophages in infected skin (p < 0.0001) than in uninfected skin. In addition, macrophages in necrotic exudative reaction lesions expressed annexin A1 at higher levels than those observed in granulomatous (p < 0.01) and cellular lesions p < 0.05). This difference might be due to the need to clear both parasites and necrotic tissue from necrotic lesions. CD4 + cells in cellular lesions expressed annexin A1 more abundantly than did those in necrotic (p < 0.05) and granulomatous lesions (p < 0.01). Expression in CD8 + T cells followed the same trend. These differences might be due to the pervasiveness of lymphohistiocytic and plasmacytic infiltrate in cellular lesions.CONCLUSIONS:Annexin A1 is differentially expressed in CD163 + macrophages and T cells depending on the histopathological features of Leishmania -infected skin, which might affect cell activation.

Introduction This research aimed to identify and quantify potentially pathogenic Vibrio from different cultivations of bivalve shellfish in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and water regions in the South Bay, as well as correlate the incidence of these microorganisms with the physicochemical parameters of marine waters. Methods Between October 2008 and March 2009, 60 oyster and seawater samples were collected from six regions of bivalve mollusk cultivation, and these samples were submitted for Vibrio counts. Results Twenty-nine (48.3%) oyster samples were revealed to be contaminated with one or more Vibrio species. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus counts in the samples ranged from < 0.5 log10 Most Probable Number (MPN) g–1 to 2.3 log10 MPN g–1 oyster and from < 0.5 log10 MPN g–1 to 2.1 log10 MPN g–1 oyster, respectively. Of the 60 seawater samples analyzed, 44 (73.3%) showed signs of contamination with one or more vibrio species. The counts of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in the samples ranged from < 0.3 log10 MPN·100mL–1 to 1.7 log10MPN·100mL–1 seawater and from < 0.3 log10 MPN·100mL–1 to 2.0 log10 MPN·100mL–1 seawater, respectively. A positive correlation between V. vulnificus counts and the seawater temperature as well as a negative correlation between the V. parahaemolyticus counts and salinity were observed. Conclusions The results suggest the need to implement strategies to prevent vibrio diseases from being transmitted by the consumption of contaminated bivalve shellfish.

The development of alternative microbiological techniques is driven by the necessity to meet the current needs to deliver rapid results in the manufacturing process of foods, but it is important that these methods be evaluated for each application. The objective of the present study was to assess the PetrifilmTM EB and the TEMPO® EB systems with ISO 21528-2:2004 for the count of Enterobacteriaceae in pasteurized and UHT milk samples. We analyzed the microflora of 141 pasteurized milk samples, 15 samples of artificially contaminated pasteurized milk and 15 samples of artificially contaminated UHT milk. Investigation of the method PetrifilmTM EB and ISO 21528:2 regression analysis showed a high correlation in the samples, r = 0.90 for the microflora of pasteurized milk, r = 0.98 for artificially contaminated pasteurized milk and r = 0.99 for the artificially contaminated UHT milk. In evaluating the system TEMPO EB ® method and ISO 21528:2 correlation was also significant in the analyzed samples, with r = 0.86 for the microflora of pasteurized milk, r = 0.96 for artificially contaminated pasteurized milk and r = 0.99 for artificially contaminated UHT milk. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three methods conducted to analyze artificially contaminated pasteurized and UHT milk at three inoculum levels. In conclusion, the PetrifilmTM EB system and the TEMPO® EB system may be an alternative to the ISO 21528-2:2004 for the Enterobacteriaceae assay for milk as because of the ease-of-operation and the time reduction achieved for conducting the microbiological assay using these systems.

A threshold photoelectron spectrometer applied to the study of atomic and molecular threshold photoionization processes is described. The spectrometer has been used in conjunction with a toroidal grating monochromator at the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (LNLS), Brazil. It can be tuned to accept threshold electrons (< 20 meV) and work with a power resolution of 716 (~18 meV at 12 eV) with a high signal/noise ratio. The performance of this apparatus and some characteristics of the TGM (Toroidal Grating Monochromator) beam line of LNLS are described and discussed by means of argon, O2 and N2 threshold photoelectron spectra.