Abstract In recent years, the almond tree has been recognized as an opportunity culture, due to its expansion, especially in the Alentejo, where intensive production based on the use of new cultivars and rootstocks, and new techniques of training and pruning, has positioned the almond culture in a prominent position in the nuts and dried fruits sector. Although the almond tree is currently the most widely planted culture and has experienced significant technological development, the challenges raised by the need to attain high levels of productivity are considerable, in order to make the production models based on intensification profitable. One of these challenges is related to the adaptation of new cultivars with different growing habits to be trained in narrow forms suitable for mechanised pruning and harvesting. In this perspective, the objective of this work is to compare the development of almond cultivars ‘Soleta’ and ‘Lauranne’ grafted onto ‘Rootpac 20’ and planted in a super-intensive system, when trained in a central axis, three-axis palmette and hedge systems. The trunk section area as a means of evaluating the vigour of each one of the trees sampled, together with the amount of the wood suppressed with pruning and the orchard productivity were evaluated, as well as the quality of the almonds produced throughout the five years of the trial. The results obtained indicate that the vigour of trees was affected by the training systems. However, the weight of the wood removed during summer and winter pruning was higher in axis system, especially in the ‘Lauranne’ cultivar. The quantitative evaluation of the production showed that this cultivar in palmette training system produced more than in hedge or in axis systems, while in ‘Soleta’ trees the accumulated production was higher in the axis system. In terms of quality parameters, training system did not affect the biometric parameters of fruits, with the exception of the kernel yield of the ‘Soleta’ almonds. The results suggest that the training system affects the productive behavior of the almond trees under super-intensive model, which varies with the cultivar.

Resumo Nos últimos anos, a amendoeira é reconhecida como uma cultura de oportunidade, face à expansão que tem tido, sobretudo no Alentejo, onde a produção intensiva assente na utilização de novas cultivares e porta-enxertos, e novas técnicas de condução e de poda, posicionou a amêndoa num lugar de destaque na fileira dos frutos secos. Apesar da amendoeira ser, na atualidade, a cultura mais plantada, e contar com um importante desenvolvimento tecnológico, são grandes os desafios colocados pela necessidade de se atingir elevados níveis de produtividade para rentabilizar os modelos produtivos baseados na intensificação do amendoal. Um desses desafios está relacionado com a adaptação das novas cultivares de hábitos vegetativos distintos à condução em formas planas e estreitas aptas à mecanização da poda e colheita. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é comparar o desenvolvimento das amendoeiras ’Soleta’ e ‘Lauranne’ enxertadas em ‘Rootpac 20’ e plantadas em sistema superintensivo, quando conduzidas em eixo central revestido, palmeta de três eixos e sebe. A área seccional do tronco como meio de se avaliar o vigor de cada uma das árvores amostradas, juntamente com a quantidade de madeira suprimida na poda e as produções unitárias, bem como a qualidade da amêndoa produzida foram os parâmetros observados ao longo de cinco anos de ensaio. Os resultados obtidos revelam que o vigor das árvores foi afetado pela forma de condução, bem como o peso da madeira retirada durante as operações de poda (verão e inverno), que foi superior na condução em eixo, especialmente da cultivar ‘Lauranne’. A avaliação quantitativa da produção mostrou que esta cultivar quando conduzida em palmeta produzia mais do que em sebe ou eixo, já na ‘Soleta’ a produção acumulada foi superior na condução em eixo. Em termos qualitativos, a forma de condução não afetou os parâmetros biométricos dos frutos, à exceção do rendimento em miolo das amêndoas ‘Soleta’. Os resultados evidenciam a influência da condução no comportamento produtivo das árvores em regime superintensivo, que é variável consoante a cultivar.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between self-reported race/color and ancestry in Brazilian patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This was an observational, transversal, epidemiological study, evaluating race and ancestry in 1,127 patients with breast cancer. For genetic ancestry, a 46-AIM-INDEL panel was used. The ancestral profile was evaluated with the Structure v.2.3.3 software. Descriptive statistics were performed. To assess differences between race and ancestry, an analysis of variance with Bonferoni adjustment was used. RESULTS: The race distribution was 77.7% white, 17.6% brown, 4.1% black, 0.4% yellow, and 0.3% cafuse. The African ancestry proportion was significantly (p<0.001) more evident in black [0.63±0.21 (0.17–0.96)], followed by brown [0.25±0.16 (0.02–0.70)], and less frequent in white skin color. The European ancestry proportion was significantly (p<0.001) higher in white [0.72±0.17 (0.02–0.97)], followed by brown [0.57±0.19 (0.12–0.92)], yellow [0.27±0.31 (0.12–0.620], and black [0.24±0.19 (0.02–0.72)]. The Asiatic ancestry proportion is significantly (p<0.001) higher in yellow [0.48±0.51 (0.04–0.93)]. The Amerindian ancestry proportion frequency was the least frequent in all groups, and cafuse patients did not express differences between all race groups. The brown race group presented differences in African and European ancestry. CONCLUSION: Although we found many similarities between white European ancestry, black African ancestry, and yellow Asian ancestry, there is great miscegenation between patients. Although they can be labeled as having one race, they do present many ancestral genes that would allow their inclusion in another race group.

ABSTRACT Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis which mortality can reach 50%. The usual treatment involves suspension of the technique, medical treatment, and surgical enterolysis. We report the case of a 36-year-old female who undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis without complications for 10 years. She presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain and a diagnosis of peritonitis was assumed. The patient developed a systemic inflammatory response, and her abdominal computer tomography (CT) scan showed multiple parietal calcifications. After multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics, an undetermined febrile syndrome persisted, and parenteral nutrition was started. An EPS diagnosis was established and treatment with tamoxifen was proposed. Exploratory laparoscopy was decided, and the intraoperative findings were consistent with EPS. The patient was submitted to extensive enterolysis. A clinical improvement led to a discharge after 60 days of hospitalization. After more than 30 months with tamoxifen, she remains on hemodialysis and doing well. There are no randomized controlled trials to guide EPS management and the following procedures are more difficult to decide, who makes these reports important to the reflection. We describe a case of successful treatment of EPS, with a very severe presentation. The management with enterolysis and tamoxifen contributed decisively to this outcome.

Resumo Nos últimos anos assistiu-se a uma transformação no modelo de cultivo da amendoeira influenciada pela valorização do fruto, o desenvolvimento de novos porta-enxertos e cultivares autoférteis e a introdução do regadio. Apesar do Alentejo não ter tradição na produção de amêndoa, o regadio levou a apostar-se na intensificação da cultura, com diferentes sistemas de condução. Todavia, o desafio é grande perante a falta de experiência e elevada estrutura de encargos associadas ao modelo superintensivo. Nesta perspetiva, o objetivo deste trabalho é comparar o desenvolvimento das amendoeiras ’Soleta’ e ‘Lauranne’ enxertadas em ‘Rootpac 20’ e plantadas em sistema superintensivo (5(1,5 m), quando conduzidas em eixo vertical, palmeta de três eixos e sebe. Avaliou-se a área de secção do tronco, a quantidade de lenha de poda e as produtividades, bem como a qualidade da amêndoa obtida. Embora os resultados sejam preliminares, as ‘Lauranne’ conduzidas em eixo foram as que cresceram mais e das quais foi retirada maior quantidade de lenha de poda. As ’Soleta’ tendem a produzir mais em eixo do que em sebe, já as ‘Lauranne’ foram mais produtivas quando conduzidas em palmeta. A forma de condução não afetou a qualidade comercial da amêndoa. Os resultados sugerem que a condução das árvores afeta o seu comportamento produtivo em regime superintensivo, que varia com a cultivar.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a transformation in the almond tree cultivation influenced by the increase in the almond consumption, the novel rootstocks and self-fertile cultivars and the introduction of irrigation. Despite the fact that the Alentejo region has no tradition in the almonds production, irrigation has led to invest in the culture intensification with different training systems. However, the challenge is great given the lack of experience and the high structural costs associated with the high-density systems. In this perspective, the objective of this work is to compare the development of almond cultivars 'Soleta' and 'Lauranne' grafted onto the 'Rootpac 20' rootstock and planted at 5(1.5 m planting distance, in central axis, three-axis and hedge training systems. The trunk section area, the amount of wood suppressed with pruning and the orchard's productivity were evaluated, as well as, almond quality. Although the results are preliminary, the 'Lauranne' trees in axis training system grew more and larger amount of wood pruning was removed. The 'Soleta' plants tend to be more productive in axis than in hedge system, while 'Lauranne' trees yielded more in the three-axis system. The training system did not affect the commercial quality of the almond produced. The results suggest that the training system affects the productive behaviour of the almond trees under high-density models, which varies with the cultivar.

Abstract Hotspot mutations (c.-124bp G > A and c.-146bp G > A) in the promoter region of the TERT gene have been recently described in several types of solid tumors, including glioma, bladder, thyroid, liver and skin neoplasms. However, knowledge with respect to colorectal precursor lesions and cancer is scarce. In the present study we aimed to determine the frequency of hotspot TERT promoter mutations in 145 Brazilian patients, including 103 subjects with precursor lesions and 42 with colorectal carcinomas, and we associated the presence of such mutations with the patients clinical-pathological features. The mutation analysis was conclusive in 123 cases, and none of the precursor and colorectal carcinoma cases showed TERT promoter mutations. We conclude that TERT mutations are not a driving factor in colorectal carcinogenesis.

O angiomiolipoma é um tumor benigno, constituído por adipócitos, células de músculo liso e vasos sanguíneos. Sua associação com a gravidez é rara e está relacionada com um aumento de complicações, nomeadamente rotura com hemorragia retroperitoneal maciça. O follow-up é controverso em razão do escasso número de casos descritos, no entanto as prioridades são: diagnóstico atempado nas situações urgentes e, sempre que possível, tratamento conservador. O tipo de parto não é consensual e deve ser individualizado caso a caso. Relatamos um caso de uma grávida com 18 semanas de gestação que recorreu ao serviço de urgência por lombalgia direita aguda, sem outros sintomas relevantes. Diagnosticou-se ecograficamente rotura de angiomiolipoma renal e, em decorrência da estabilidade hemodinâmica do quadro, procedeu-se ao tratamento conservador com monitorização imagiológica e clínica. Às 35 semanas de gestação, realizou-se uma cesariana eletiva que decorreu sem complicações maternas ou fetais.

Renal angiomyolipoma is a benign tumor, composed of adipocytes, smooth muscle cells and blood vessels. The association with pregnancy is rare and related with an increased risk of complications, including rupture with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage. The follow-up is controversial because of the lack of known cases, but the priorities are: timely diagnosis in urgent cases and a conservative treatment when possible. The mode of delivery is not consensual and should be individualized to each case. We report a case of a pregnant woman with 18 weeks of gestation admitted in the emergency room with an acute right low back pain with no other symptoms. The diagnosis of rupture of renal angiomyolipoma was established by ultrasound and, due to hemodinamically stability, conservative treatment with imaging and clinical monitoring was chosen. At 35 weeks of gestation, it was performed elective cesarean section without complications for both mother and fetus.

As obras públicas são uma actividade de relevo no desenvolvimento económico e social. As grandes empresas do sector actuam em vários mercados, dado que, normalmente, os mercados domésticos são exíguos para rendibilizar os activos destes agentes económicos. A internacionalização pode seguir diferentes estratégias e formas de abordagem dos mercados externos. A América Latina é um mercado interessante nesta temática. A análise das maiores empresas internacionais que ali operam, à luz dos modelos de internacionalização conhecidos, permite verificar que a proximidade geográfica e cultural, bem como o potencial económico e geoestratégico, são variáveis relevantes na decisão do processo de internacionalização. A criação de redes é igualmente importante, associada a questões de relacionamento entre as diversas partes interessadas no processo, embora a ligação entre essas partes interessadas não seja facilmente detectável em muitas situações.

Public Works are a relevant activity for economic and social development. The largest companies in this sector operate in several markets, because domestic markets are, usually, too small in order to achieve interesting return levels, which match with the level of investment in assets. Internationalization can use different strategies and different foreign markets approaches. Latin America is an interesting market to study, concerning this theme. The analysis of largest companies that are working there, considering the well known models of internationalization, allows us to conclude that geographic and cultural proximity are relevant variables supporting the internationalization process decision. Also economic potential and strategic geographic situation are important variables concerning the same set of decisions. Networks creation is also important and, sometimes, the relations between stakeholders of the internationalization process are the most important parameter supporting the market approach, but those relations are often difficult to discover.