Resumo Fundamento O tecido adiposo epicárdico (TAE) é aumentado em comorbidades comuns na insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Dessa forma, o TAE teria o potencial de mediar efeitos que levam à deterioração da função cardíaca. Objetivos Esta metanálise tem o objetivo de investigar se a quantidade de TAE em todos os tipos de IC e cada tipo de IC são significativamente diferentes dos pacientes de controle. Métodos Esta metanálise seguiu as diretrizes da Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (Metanálise de estudos observacionais em epidemiologia). A pesquisa foi realizada nos bancos de dados MEDLINE, Embase e Lilacs até novembro de 2020. Dois autores realizaram a triagem, a extração de dados e a avaliação de qualidade. Um p-valor <0,05 foi definido como estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Foram incluídos oito estudos observacionais, compreendendo 1248 pacientes no total, dos quais 574 eram de controle, 415 tinham IC com fração de ejeção reduzida (ICFER) e 259 tinham IC com fração de ejeção de faixa média ou preservada (ICFEfm ou ICFEP). A quantidade de TAE não era diferente entre todos os tipos de IC e o grupo de controle (DMP = -0,66, IC 95%: -1,54 a 0,23, p =0,14) . Analisando cada fenótipo de IC separadamente, pacientes com ICFER tinham TAE reduzido em comparação aos pacientes de controle (DMP = 1,27, IC 95%: - 1,87 a -0,67, p <0,0001), enquanto os pacientes com ICFEfm ou ICFEP tiveram TAE aumentado em comparação aos pacientes de controle (DMP = 1,24, IC 95%: 0,99 a 1,50, p <0,0001). Conclusão A quantidade de TAE não era significativamente diferente entre todos os tipos de IC e o grupo de controle. Em pacientes com ICFER o volume de TAE era reduzido, enquanto em pacientes com ICFEP e ICFEfm, a quantidade de TAE era significativamente aumentada. Número de registro PROSPERO: CRD42019134441.

Abstract Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increased in comorbidities common in heart failure (HF). In this sense, EAT could potentially mediate effects that lead to an impaired cardiac function. Objectives This meta-analysis aims to investigate if the amount of EAT in all-types of HF and each HF phenotype is significantly different from control patients. Methods This meta-analysis followed the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The search was performed in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Lilacs databases until November 2020. Two authors performed screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A p-value <0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results Eight observational studies were included, comprehending 1,248 patients in total, from which 574 were controls, 415 had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and 259 had HF with mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF or HFpEF). The amount of EAT was not different between all types of HF and the control group (SMD = -0.66, 95% CI: -1.54 to 0.23, p =0.14). Analyzing each HF phenotype separately, patients with HFrEF had a reduced EAT when compared to the controls (SMD= -1.27, 95% CI: - 1.87 to -0.67, p <0.0001), while patients with HFmrEF or HFpEF showed an increased EAT when compared to controls (SMD= 1.24, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.50, p <0.0001). Conclusion The amount of EAT was not significantly different between all types of HF and the control group. In patients with HFrEF, the EAT volume was reduced, whereas in HFpEF and HFmrEF, the amount of EAT was significantly increased. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019134441.

Resumo A técnica de resfriamento evaporativo direto (RED) tem sido aplicada como alternativa ao condicionamento de ar por compressão para ambientes internos. O processo de RED consiste na redução da temperatura do ar pela evaporação da água. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o comportamento da temperatura, da umidade do ar e do consumo de água em uma célula-teste com uso de um equipamento eletromecânico de RED e comparar com as variações em uma célula de controle, sem qualquer sistema ativo de resfriamento. O consumo de água foi aferido de acordo com determinadas faixas de temperatura e umidade do ar externo. Os resultados mostraram que o período mais quente e mais seco do ar externo coincide com o momento em que o resfriador evaporativo atinge o ápice de seu desempenho, registrando 6,69 ºC de diferença entre as temperaturas interna e externa. No entanto, em períodos de clima quente e úmido, a diferença foi de apenas 1,74 ºC. O consumo máximo de água registrado ao longo do experimento foi de 3,35 l/h, considerando a temperatura do ar externo na faixa de 30ºC e a umidade relativa do ar a 60%. O estudo experimental fornece informações cruciais para a melhor adaptação do RED às edificações.

Abstract The technique of direct evaporative cooling (DEC) has been applied as an alternative to air conditioning by compression for indoor environments. The DEC process consists of reducing air temperature by evaporating water. The aim of this study was to identify the behavior of temperature, air humidity and water consumption in a test cell using a DEC electromechanical equipment and to compare it with variations in a control test cell, without any active cooling system. Water consumption was measured according to certain temperature and humidity ranges of outside air. The results showed that the warmest and driest period of the external air coincides with the moment when the evaporative cooler reaches the peak of its performance, registering 6.69 ºC of difference between the internal and external temperatures. However, in periods of warm and humid weather, the difference was only 1.74 ºC. The maximum water consumption recorded during the experiment was 3.35 l / h, considering the temperature of the outside air in the range of 30ºC and the relative humidity at 60%. The experimental study provides crucial information for the best adaptation of DEC to buildings.

PURPOSE: To update the gross and sonographic anatomy and propose landmarks to perform ultrasound-guided (US-guided) axillary brachial plexus block (BPB) in rabbits. METHODS: Forty New Zeeland's rabbit (NZR) cadavers were dissected and the nerves were trimmed, identified, measured, and photographed. Additionally, in twenty NZRs, sonographic images of brachial plexus (BP) were performed through a simple-resolution ultrasound device. The US-guided block was achieved through a minimum volume of lidocaine necessary to surround the BP roots. The effectiveness of the brachial plexus block was assessed on sensitivity and motor functions. RESULTS: The BP resulted from connections between the ventral branches of the last four cervical spinal nerves and the first thoracic spinal nerve. In the axillary sonoanatomy, the BP appeared as an agglomerate of small, round hypoechoic structures surrounded by a thin hyperechoic ring. The amount of time and the minimum volume required to perform was 4.3 ± 2.3 min and 0.8 ± 0.3ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The gross and sonographic anatomy of the BP showed uncommon morphological variations. Moreover, from sonographic landmarks, we showed complete reproducibility of the axillary US-guided brachial plexus block with simple resolution equipment and small volume of anesthetics required.

The design and implementation of a device for obtaining the coordinates of the sun at any time during the day, it means, a solar tracker of type two axis by luminous point is developed in this paper. This tracker consists of two main blocks: the controller board and the mechanical part. The design is based on the use of photoresistences, microcontrollers and stepper motors. The prototype is used on investigations about solar energy developed at the GERA (Grupo de Energía Renovable Aplicada) of Universidad de Oriente, particularly in photovoltaic panels and water heaters. An experimental test was conducted in the laboratories and at the site of the group and it was found that the solar tracker is functioning properly, meeting the desired expectations.

En este trabajo se realizó el diseño e implementación de un dispositivo encargado de obtener las coordenadas del Sol en cualquier momento del día, es decir, un seguidor solar a dos ejes por punto luminoso. Este seguidor consta de dos bloques principales: la tarjeta controladora y la parte mecánica. Su diseño se basó en el uso de fotorresistencias, microcontroladores y motores de pasos, el mismo posee altas prestaciones y bajo costo. El prototipo construido es utilizado en las investigaciones de aprovechamiento de la energía solar que se realizan en el Grupo de Energía Renovable Aplicadas (GERA) de la Universidad de Oriente, particularmente en los paneles fotovoltaicos y los calentadores de agua. Se realizó una prueba experimental en los laboratorios y en el polígono de dicho grupo y se comprobó que el seguidor solar funciona adecuadamente, cumpliendo con las expectativas deseadas.