ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using the noninvasive diagnostic methods transient hepatic elastography (TE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional study including women with confirmed spontaneous subclinical hypothyroidism and an age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control group without thyroid disease or circulating antithyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies. Exclusion criteria were age > 65 years, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) > 10.0 mIUI/L, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, diabetes, or other chronic liver diseases. Liver stiffness was classified according to TE values (in kPa) and ranged from absence of fibrosis (F0) to advanced fibrosis (F3). Hepatic steatosis was classified according to CAP values (in dB/m) and ranged from low-grade (S1) to advanced (S3) steatosis. Results: Of 68 women enrolled, 27 were included in the subclinical hypothyroidism group and 41 in the control group. Advanced steatosis (S3) was more frequent in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (25.9% versus 7.3%, respectively, p = 0.034). Circulating anti-TPO was an independent factor associated with advanced steatosis (odds ratio 9.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3–68.3). In multiple linear regression analysis, TE values (which evaluated fibrosis) correlated negatively with free thyroxine levels. Conclusion: The results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that hepatic steatosis is associated with autoimmune (positive anti-TPO) subclinical hypothyroidism, independently from BMI. However, subclinical hypothyroidism alone does not appear to be associated with a significantly increased risk of hepatic fibrosis. Objective (TE (CAP crosssectional cross sectional BMImatched matched antiTPO anti TPO (anti-TPO antibodies 6 years thyroidstimulating stimulating TSH (TSH 100 10 0 10. mIUIL mIUI L mIUI/L 3 kgm2 kgm kg m2 m kg/m2 diabetes diseases kPa F0 F (F0 F3. F3 . (F3) dB/m dBm dB lowgrade low grade S1 S (S1 S3 (S3 Results enrolled 2 4 25.9% 259 25 9 (25.9 73 7 7.3% respectively 0.034. 0034 0.034 034 0.034) odds 95 5 9.5 1.3–68.3. 13683 1.3–68.3 1 1.3–68.3) analysis which levels Conclusion positive However kg/m (F (F3 (S 25.9 (25. 7.3 003 0.03 03 9. 1368 1.3–68. 25. (25 7. 00 0.0 136 1.3–68 (2 0. 13 1.3–6 ( 1.3– 1.3 1.

Abstract The present research aims to do a numerical study on the behavior of a test embankment reinforced with stone column spacing of 1.85 m in a square grid with an average diameter of 1.0 m and 11.35 m length. The case study investigated the work in a steel company (ThyssenKrupp), located in Santa Cruz, western region of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, where a large-sized ore yard was built for loading and unloading activities. It was built on very soft and compressible clay with support of several equipment installed to monitor the area. These data were compared with plane strain analysis results of vertical displacement, horizontal displacement and excess pore pressure obtained by two finite element programs: PLAXIS and RS² (Rocsience). Results showed that Mohr Coulomb model predicted well vertical displacement comparing with a Cam-Clay model and the instrumentation data. Simulated curves of excess pore pressure and horizontal displacement presented expected peculiarities that are interpreted throughout the article. Numerical analysis of yielding columns demonstrate compatibility between both models.

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease occurring in Latin America that is associated with rural environments and agricultural activities. However, the incidence and prevalence of paracoccidiodomycosis is underestimated because of the lack of compulsory notification. If paracoccidiodomycosis is not diagnosed and treated early and adequately, the endemic fungal infection could result in serious sequelae. While the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis ( P. brasiliensis ) complex has been known to be the causal agent of paracoccidiodomycosis, a new species, Paracoccidioides lutzii ( P. lutzii ), has been reported in Rondônia, where the disease has reached epidemic levels, and in the Central West and Pará. Accurate diagnoses and availability of antigens that are reactive with the patients’ sera remain significant challenges. Therefore, the present guidelines aims to update the first Brazilian consensus on paracoccidioidomycosis by providing evidence-based recommendations for bedside patient management. This consensus summarizes etiological, ecoepidemiological, molecular epidemiological, and immunopathological data, with emphasis on clinical, microbiological, and serological diagnosis and management of clinical forms and sequelae, as well as in patients with comorbidities and immunosuppression. The consensus also includes discussion of outpatient treatments, severe disease forms, disease prevalence among special populations and resource-poor settings, a brief review of prevention and control measures, current challenges and recommendations.

The CTLA-4 protein is expressed in activated T cells and plays an essential role in the immune response through its regulatory effect on T cell activation. Polymorphisms of the CTLA-4 gene have been correlated with autoimmune, neoplastic and infectious illnesses. This work aimed to verify possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CTLA-4, -318C/T in the promoter and +49A/G in exon 1 and paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. For this purpose, 66 chronic form PCM patients and 76 healthy controls had their allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies determined. The genetic admixture structure of the patients and controls was evaluated to eliminate ancestral bias. The comparison of frequencies indicated no significant differences between patients and controls that could link the SNPs to PCM. Groups were admixture matched with no difference observed in population ancestry inference, indicating that the absence of association between CTLA-4 polymorphisms and PCM could not be attributed to ancestral bias. This study showed that there was no association between the CTLA-4 SNPs -318 and +49 and the resistance or susceptibility to PCM.