Abstract Currently, gonadotropin products (follicle stimulating hormone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone, LH) used in animal reproduction are produced by extraction and purification from abattoir-derived pituitary glands. This method, relying on animal-derived materials, carries the potential risk of hormone contamination and pathogen transmission. Additionally, chorionic gonadotropins are extracted from the blood of pregnant mares (equine chorionic gonadotropin; eCG) or the urine of pregnant women (human chorionic gonadotropin; hCG). However, recent advancements have introduced recombinant gonadotropins for assisted animal reproduction therapies. The traditional use of FSH for superovulation has limitations, including labor requirements and variability in superovulation response, affecting the success of in vivo (SOV) and in vitro (OPU/IVEP) embryo production. FSH treatment for superstimulation before OPU can promote the growth of a homogenous follicular population and the recovery of competent oocytes suitable for IVEP procedures. At present, a single injection of a preparation of long-acting bovine recombinant FSH (rFSH) produced similar superovulation responses resulting in the production of good-quality in vivo and in vitro embryos. Furthermore, the treatment with eCG at FTAI protocol has demonstrated its efficacy in promoting follicular growth, ovulation, and P/AI, mainly in heifers and anestrous cows. Currently, treatment with recombinant glycoproteins with eCG-like activity (r-eCG) have shown promising results in increasing follicular growth, ovulation, and P/AI in cows submitted to P4/E2 -based protocols. Bovine somatotropin (bST) is a naturally occurring hormone found in cows. Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), produced through genetic engineering techniques, has shown potential in enhancing reproductive outcomes in ruminants. Treatment with rbST has been found to improve P/IA, increase donor embryo production, and enhance P/ET in recipients. The use of recombinant hormones allows to produce non-animal-derived products, offering several advantages in assisted reproductive technologies for ruminants. This advancement opens up new possibilities for improving reproductive efficiency and success rates in the field of animal reproduction.

Resumo Este artigo busca promover uma reflexão sobre a perspectiva da bioética de proteção e explicitar suas ferramentas, por meio de levantamento bibliográfico ancorado nos marcos teóricos de seus principais idealizadores e da técnica de leitura informativa, que pretende identificar a temática e as principais ideias envolvidas. Para tanto, apresenta-se, inicialmente, a proteção como princípio bioético mediante um aprofundamento na origem, na definição e na análise dos termos “vulnerabilidade”, “suscetibilidade” e “vulneração”. Na sequência, busca-se apresentar as abordagens bioéticas voltadas ao “princípio de proteção”. Por fim, argumenta-se que a bioética de proteção funciona como paradigma para apreensão, análise e resolução de conflitos morais em saúde pública, revelando-se uma abordagem fundamental nesse campo, haja vista seu desafio de lidar com a tensão entre os âmbitos individual e coletivo.

Abstract This article seeks to reflect on the perspective of bioethics of protection and explain its tools, by using a bibliographic survey based on the theorical marks of its main idealizers and the informative reading technique, which seeks to identify the thematic and the main ideas involved. To that end, we first present protection as a bioethical principle by going deeper into the origin, to the definition and the analysis of the terms “vulnerability”, “susceptibility” and “injury”. Then, we seek to present the bioethical approaches regarding the “principle of protection”. Finally, we argue that bioethics of protection works as a paradigm for the apprehension, analysis, and resolution of moral conflicts in public health, revealing itself a fundamental approach in this field, considering its challenge is facing the tension between the individual and the collective spheres.

Resumen Este artículo pretende fomentar la reflexión sobre la perspectiva de la bioética de protección y explicar sus herramientas a partir de una recopilación bibliográfica realizada en los marcos teóricos de sus principales creadores y la técnica de lectura informativa, con el objetivo de identificar la temática y las ideas principales involucradas. Para ello, primero se presenta la protección como un principio bioético a través de un estudio en profundidad del origen, definición y análisis de los términos “vulnerabilidad”, “susceptibilidad” y “vulneración”. Después, se exponen los enfoques bioéticos relativos al “principio de protección”. Y, por último, se argumenta que la bioética de protección funciona como paradigma para aprehender, analizar y resolver los conflictos morales en salud pública, demostrando ser un abordaje fundamental en este campo teniendo en cuenta su desafío de lidiar con la tensión entre lo individual y lo colectivo.

Resumo Fundamento A ecocardiografia tridimensional (ECO 3D) permite a geração de uma curva volume-tempo representativa das alterações no volume ventricular esquerdo (VE) ao longo de todo o ciclo cardíaco. Objetivo O presente estudo tem como objetivo demonstrar as adaptações hemodinâmicas presentes na cardiomiopatia chagásica (CC) por meio das medidas de volume e fluxo obtidas pela curva volume-tempo por ECO 3D. Métodos Vinte pacientes com CC e 15 indivíduos saudáveis foram incluídos prospectivamente em um estudo de desenho transversal. Realizou-se ECO 3D em todos os indivíduos e as curvas volume-tempo do VE foram geradas. O fluxo foi obtido pela primeira derivada da curva volume-tempo por meio do software MATLAB. A significância estatística foi definida com p<0,05. Resultados Embora os pacientes com CC tivessem menor fração de ejeção do VE em comparação com o grupo controle (29,8±7,5 vs. 57,7±6,1, p<0,001), o volume (61,5±25,2 vs. 53,8±21,0, p=0,364) e o fluxo de ejeção máximo durante a sístole (-360,3±147,5 vs. -305,6±126,0, p = 0,231) mostraram-se semelhantes entre os grupos. Da mesma forma, o fluxo máximo na fase de enchimento inicial e durante a contração atrial mostrou-se semelhante entre os grupos. Um aumento na pré-carga expressa pelo volume diastólico final do VE (204,8±79,4 vs. 93,0±32,6), p<0,001) pode manter o fluxo e o volume ejetado semelhantes aos dos controles. Conclusão Com uma ferramenta não invasiva, demonstramos que o aumento no volume diastólico final do VE pode ser o principal mecanismo de adaptação que mantém o fluxo e o volume ejetado no cenário de disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda severa.

Abstract Background Three-dimensional echocardiography (3D ECHO) allows the generation of a volume-time curve representative of changes in the left ventricular (LV) volume throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Objective This study aims to demonstrate the hemodynamic adaptations present in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) by means of the volume and flow measurements obtained by the volume-time curve by 3D ECHO. Methods Twenty patients with CC and 15 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled in a cross-sectional design study. 3D ECHO was performed in all subjects and the volume over time curves of the LV was generated. The flow was obtained by the first derivative of the volume-time curve using the software MATLAB. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results Although CC patients had lower LV ejection fraction compared to the control group (29.8±7.5 vs. 57.7±6.1, p<0.001), stroke volume (61.5±25.2 vs. 53.8±21.0, p=0.364) and maximum ejection flow during systole (-360.3±147.5 vs. -305.6±126.0, p=0.231) were similar between the groups. Likewise, the maximum flow in the early diastolic filling phase and during atrial contraction was similar between groups. An increase in preload expressed by LV end diastolic volume (204.8±79.4 vs. 93.0±32.6), p<0.001) may maintain the flow and stroke volumes similar to the controls. Conclusion Using a non-invasive tool, we demonstrated that an increase in LV end-diastolic volume may be the main adaptation mechanism that maintains the flow and stroke volumes in the setting of severe LV systolic dysfunction.

ABSTRACT Background: The epidemic curve has been obtained based on the 7-day moving average of the events. Although it facilitates the visualization of discrete variables, it does not allow the calculation of the absolute variation rate. Recently, we demonstrated that the polynomial interpolation method can be used to accurately calculate the daily acceleration of cases and deaths due to COVID-19. This study aimed to measure the diversity of epidemic curves and understand the importance of socioeconomic variables in the acceleration, peak cases, and deaths due to COVID-19 in Brazilian states. Methods: Epidemiological data for COVID-19 from federative units in Brazil were obtained from the Ministry of Health’s website from February 25 to July 11, 2020. Socioeconomic data were obtained from the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (https://www.ibge.gov.br/). Using the polynomial interpolation methods, daily cases, deaths and acceleration were calculated. Moreover, the correlation coefficient between the epidemic curve data and socioeconomic data was determined. Results: The combination of daily data and case acceleration determined that Brazilian states were in different stages of the epidemic. Maximum case acceleration, peak of cases, maximum death acceleration, and peak of deaths were associated with the Gini index of the gross domestic product of Brazilian states and population density but did not correlate with the per capita gross domestic product of Brazilian states. Conclusions: Brazilian states showed heterogeneous data curves. Population density and socioeconomic inequality were correlated with a more rapid exponential growth in new cases and deaths.

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the agreement between the most used skinfold thickness equations with multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis in the prediction of body fat levels in children. Method: A cross-sectional study of healthy Brazilian community-dwelling individuals. The anthropometric assessment included height, body mass, arm circumference, and waist circumference. The percentage of body fat was obtained by measuring skinfold thickness equations and using bioimpedance analysis, and skinfold thickness was measured using a scientific skinfold caliper. Bland-Altman plot analysis was used to verify the agreement between the methods. Results: There were 439 children and adolescents evaluated, with a mean age of 11.6 ± 3.7 years. The mean body fat by bioimpedance analysis was 22.8% ± 10.4%, compared to 22.4% ± 8.8% by Slaughter (1), 20.4% ± 9.2% by Slaughter (2), 19.6% ± 4.4% by Goran, and 24.7% ± 10.0% by Huang equations. Bland-Altman plot analysis revealed limits of agreement greater than 8% between the bioimpedance analysis approach and equations, exceeding the clinically acceptable limit predefined a priori. None of the equations had good agreement with bioimpedance analysis. Conclusion: It was concluded that skinfold thickness and bioimpedance analysis should not be used interchangeably in children and adolescents.

Abstract Secondary osteoma cutis is a phenomenon that may occur in several conditions. When it occurs in a melanocytic nevus it is named osteonevus of Nanta, an event considered uncommon and characterized by the presence of bone formation adjacent or interposed with melanocytic cells. There are reports of its occurrence in various melanocytic lesions, being more frequently associated with intradermal nevus. We report a case of osteonevus of Nanta in combined nevus, possibly the first description of this association.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The acceleration of new cases is important for the characterization and comparison of epidemic curves. The objective of this study was to quantify the acceleration of daily confirmed cases and death curves using the polynomial interpolation method. METHODS: Covid-19 epidemic curves from Brazil, Germany, the United States, and Russia were obtained. We calculated the instantaneous acceleration of the curve using the first derivative of the representative polynomial. RESULTS: The acceleration for all curves was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating acceleration into an analysis of the Covid-19 time series may enable a better understanding of the epidemiological situation.

RESUMO Este trabalho pretende contribuir para a reflexão sobre o corpo no desenvolvimento do Estado-Nação entre o século XIX e o início do século XX tendo a metáfora do sangue como como chave heurística e referencial de análise. A escolha desse período se deu por sua importância política, econômica e social para os Estados Modernos. Nestes, os dispositivos biopolíticos e de biopoder, engendrados pelo paradigma da imunização e por intermédio das teorias higienistas e eugenistas misturadas à linguagem de germes e de genes, concorreram para que a noção de fronteira nacional ultrapassasse o limite territorial. Nesse entendimento, o Estado-Nação, visto por meio da metáfora do sangue, pode auxiliar a compreensão dos dispositivos biopolítico-imunitários na sua construção identitária. Tais dispositivos, agindo sobre os corpos, integraram-se à agenda nacionalista de algumas ex-colônias desde sua dimensão geográfica até o âmbito da vida privada. Nesse contexto, os discursos biomédico, científico, político e moral se confundiram, fundamentando um conjunto de comportamentos, crenças e saberes sobre o corpo e o território que cooperaram com seus projetos nacionalistas. Por fim, o objetivo deste artigo foi ilustrar, por meio da metáfora do sangue, que a polissemia do termo ‘sangue’ no discurso dominante do paradigma da imunização do final do século XIX e do início do século XX consolidava os debates sobre cidadania, naturalização e inclusão em países como Austrália, Estados Unidos e Brasil.

ABSTRACT This work intends to contribute to the reflection on the human body position in the development of the nation-state between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with the metaphor of blood as the heuristic and referential analysis key. This period was chosen because of its political, economic and social importance for the Modern States. In these, biopolitical and biopower devices, engendered by the paradigm of immunization and through hygienist and eugenic theories mixed with the language of germs and genes, contributed to the notion of national boundary crossing the territorial limit. In this understanding, the nation state, viewed through the metaphor of blood, can help the understanding of biopolitical-immune devices in their identity construction. Such devices, acting on the human bodies, were integrated into the nationalist agenda of some former colonies from their geographical dimension to the realm of private life. In this context, the biomedical, scientific, political and moral discourses were confused, supporting a set of behaviors, beliefs and knowledge about the human body and territory that cooperated with their nationalist projects. Finally, the aim of this paper was to illustrate, through the blood metaphor, that the polysemy of the term ‘blood’ in the dominant discourse of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century immunization paradigm consolidated the debates on citizenship, naturalization, and inclusion in countries such as Australia, the United States, and Brazil.

RESUMO Este trabalho pretende contribuir para a reflexão sobre o corpo no desenvolvimento do Estado-Nação entre o século XIX e o início do século XX tendo a metáfora do sangue como como chave heurística e referencial de análise. A escolha desse período se deu por sua importância política, econômica e social para os Estados Modernos. Nestes, os dispositivos biopolíticos e de biopoder, engendrados pelo paradigma da imunização e por intermédio das teorias higienistas e eugenistas misturadas à linguagem de germes e de genes, concorreram para que a noção de fronteira nacional ultrapassasse o limite territorial. Nesse entendimento, o Estado-Nação, visto por meio da metáfora do sangue, pode auxiliar a compreensão dos dispositivos biopolítico-imunitários na sua construção identitária. Tais dispositivos, agindo sobre os corpos, integraram-se à agenda nacionalista de algumas ex-colônias desde sua dimensão geográfica até o âmbito da vida privada. Nesse contexto, os discursos biomédico, científico, político e moral se confundiram, fundamentando um conjunto de comportamentos, crenças e saberes sobre o corpo e o território que cooperaram com seus projetos nacionalistas. Por fim, o objetivo deste artigo foi ilustrar, por meio da metáfora do sangue, que a polissemia do termo ‘sangue’ no discurso dominante do paradigma da imunização do final do século XIX e do início do século XX consolidava os debates sobre cidadania, naturalização e inclusão em países como Austrália, Estados Unidos e Brasil.

ABSTRACT This work intends to contribute to the reflection on the human body position in the development of the nation-state between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with the metaphor of blood as the heuristic and referential analysis key. This period was chosen because of its political, economic and social importance for the Modern States. In these, biopolitical and biopower devices, engendered by the paradigm of immunization and through hygienist and eugenic theories mixed with the language of germs and genes, contributed to the notion of national boundary crossing the territorial limit. In this understanding, the nation state, viewed through the metaphor of blood, can help the understanding of biopolitical-immune devices in their identity construction. Such devices, acting on the human bodies, were integrated into the nationalist agenda of some former colonies from their geographical dimension to the realm of private life. In this context, the biomedical, scientific, political and moral discourses were confused, supporting a set of behaviors, beliefs and knowledge about the human body and territory that cooperated with their nationalist projects. Finally, the aim of this paper was to illustrate, through the blood metaphor, that the polysemy of the term ‘blood’ in the dominant discourse of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century immunization paradigm consolidated the debates on citizenship, naturalization, and inclusion in countries such as Australia, the United States, and Brazil.

The AISI 52100 is a tool steel used in industry to produce bearings. After the end of its life cycle, it is remelted or discarded in deposits. The powder metallurgy rises as an alternative to recycle this material without any waste. The steps used to produce the AISI 52100 steel by powder metallurgy included: Machining with speed of 45 rpm, high energy ball milling of the scraps during 30 hours with mass/sphere relation of 1:15 and speed of 400 rpm, uniaxial pressing using 175 MPa and sintering through 30 minutes at 1200ºC. Also, were incorporated 1%, 3% and 5% of alumina particles in the milling process to increase the milling efficiency and mechanical strength after sintering. The results of microstructural and mechanical analysis indicated that the alumina addition during the milling process increased the AISI 52100 steel properties, being 3% the percentage proved as the most efficient among all additions.

The aluminum bronze alloy is part of a class of highly reliable materials due to high mechanical strength and corrosion resistence being used in the aerospace and shipbuilding industry. It's machined to produce parts and after its use cycle, it's discarded, but third process is considered expensive and besides not being correct for environment reasons. Thus, reusing this material through the powder metallurgy (PM) route is considered advantageous. The aluminum bronze chips were submitted to high energy ball milling process with 3% of niobium carbide (NbC) addition. The NbC is a metal-ceramic composite with a ductile-brittle behaviour. It was analyzed the morphology of powders by scanning electron microscopy as well as particle size it was determined. X ray diffraction identified the phases and the influence of milling time in the diffractogram patterns. Results indicates that milling time and NbC addition improves the milling efficiency significantly and being possible to obtain nanoparticles.

Lacaziosis or Jorge Lobo's disease is a fungal, granulomatous, chronic infectious disease caused by Lacazia loboi, which usually affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is characterized by slow evolution and a variety of cutaneous manifestations with the most common clinical expression being nodular keloid lesions that predominate in exposed areas. We report the case of a patient who had an unusual clinical presentation, with a single-plated lesion on the back. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Lacaziosis.

Anormalidades da pupila em pacientes com doença de Hansen, ocorrem mais comumente devido a irite crônica com perda do estroma iriano, miose, diminuição da reação à luz, e dificuldade de dilatação em resposta a colírios anticolinérgicos. Relatamos dois pacientes com doença de Hansen na forma lepromatosa que desenvolveram pupilas tônicas, caracterizadas por midríase, ausência de reação a luz e para perto e hipersensibilidade a fraca concentração de solução colinérgica. O exame revelou irite e atrofia iriana. Em ambos os casos a instilação de pilocarpina 0,1% causou miose nos olhos afetados. A pupila tônica tem sido relatada em muitas condições, mas sua associação com doença de Hansen ainda não havia sido descrita.

Pupil abnormalities in leprosy usually result from chronic iritis with loss of stroma, iris miosis, a sluggish reaction to light, and poor dilation in response to anticholinergic mydriatics. We report two patients with long-standing lepromatous leprosy who developed tonic pupils characterized by mydriasis, absence of reaction to light and hypersensitivity to weak cholinergic solution. Examination revealed iritis and iris atrophy. In both cases, instillation of dilute 0.1% pilocarpine caused miosis in the affected eyes. Tonic pupil occurs in many conditions, but its association with leprosy had not been previously reported.