SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize teleconsultations in neurology executed by Regula+Brasil project in Recife, a capital city in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: A descriptive study carried out by four private hospitals, in a partnership with the Ministry of Health in Brazil. Teleconsultation was performed preferably in the video modality. Conditions eligible for teleconsultation were headache, epilepsy, and cerebrovascular disorders. Period of analysis was May to September 2020. RESULTS: A total of 243 teleconsultations were analyzed, of which 76.95% was a first appointment. In 48.97% of cases, the teleconsultation represented the first opportunity for the patient to be consulted with the specialist. Among cases of first appointment, 20.16% were further referred to a face-to-face consultation and 21.81% could be redirected to primary health care. Headache disorders were the most predominant clinical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation and development of telemedicine by Regula+Brasil during the COVID-19 pandemic represented an opportunity to assess the value of having teleconsultations added along the line of care from primary care to a medical specialty, promoting the coordination of care across different levels of complexity of care in the health system and improving access to specialized care.

Resumo Existem lacunas em nosso conhecimento sobre a biologia de peixes importantes no consumo em países tropicais. A pesca em pequena escala é difícil de estudar e regulamentar, especialmente em países sem monitoramento sistemático de espécies. Em Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro) observamos 490 indivíduos de badejo (Mycteropeca acutirostris), nas pescarias, em 2013-2014 e 2018-2020. O kg médio dos badejos pescados foi de 1,36kg (n=466 indivíduos). Observou-se um padrão decrescente de capturas para o badejo. Portanto, considerando que a tecnologia pesqueira e o número de pescadores permaneceram os mesmos, a aparente diminuição do badejo necessita ser investigada mais detalhadamente. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem informações sobre a reprodução do badejo, com maior época de desova na primavera (setembro-dezembro) e desova adicional durante o mês de abril, no sudeste do Brasil. Análises genéticas sobre amostras de 96 badejos obtidos ao longo da costa do Brasil foram conduzidas. A informação genética obtida para as espécies permitiu-nos determinar a proximidade genética relativa de M. acutirostris e Mycteroperca bonaci e obter informações úteis para a aquicultura e conservação. Os objetivos deste estudo são: a) obter dados sobre a atividade pesqueira (desembarque de capturas) de badejo (Comb grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris) em Copacabana, Posto 6; b) verificar o período reprodutivo dos badejos capturados nas pescarias, ao longo do ano; c) desenvolver um grande número de marcadores SNPs, que podem ser úteis para estudos de populações de garoupa (Mycteroperca e Epinephelus); d) obter dados sobre o preço do badejo. Existem muitas lacunas no conhecimento sobre M. acutirostris; este estudo pretende adicionar dados sobre biologia e ecologia do badejo e ajudar a subsidiar objetivos de conservação.

Abstract There are gaps in our knowledge of important fish consumed by people in tropical countries. Small-scale fisheries are difficult to regulate, especially in countries with no species monitoring. At Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro), we observed 490 individuals of badejo (Comb grouper) (Mycteropeca acutirostris in 2013-2014 and in 2018-2020. The average catch was 1.36 kg (n=466 individuals). A pattern of decreasing catches was observed for Comb grouper. Therefore, provided that the fishing gear and the number of fish have remained the same, the apparent decrease in Comb grouper needs to be further investigated. The results provide information about the major spawning season, around spring (September-December) with additional spawning during April. Genetic analyses in samples from 96 grouper obtained along the coast of Brazil were conducted. The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci obtained for grouper species enabled us to determine the relative genetic proximity of M. acutirostris and Mycteroperca bonaci, information that can be useful for aquaculture and conservation. The objectives of this study were: a) to obtain data about the fishing activity (catch landings) of Comb groupers at Copacabana, Posto 6; b) to verify the reproductive period of Comb grouper, throughout the year, through the catches from the fishery; c) to develop a large numbers of SNP markers, which can be useful to studies about grouper populations (Mycteroperca and Epinephelus); and, d) to obtain data on the price of the Comb grouper. This study contributes data on the fishery and on the biology and ecology of groupers, and further contributes to conservation efforts.

Abstract Background and objective. Surgical treatment of breast cancer causes deforming sequelae that have a negative impact on patients. Breast reconstruction constitutes the culminating stage of this treatment. At the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR) of La Habana, Cuba, this procedure has been performed more frequently; therefore, we proposed to characterize breast reconstruction in this institution. Methods. An ambispective study was carried out in the Reconstructive Surgery Service of the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Cuba from 2013 to 2017, with the aim of characterizing breast reconstruction. The research included 192 patients. Demographic and onco-reconstructive variables were collected. Results. An average of 38.4 surgeries were performed annually with an average age of 45.3 years. A Madden mastectomy was performed in 56.6% and 34.4% were reconstructed with tissue-sparing techniques. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was diagnosed in 183 women, 38% presented stage II cancer. Immediate reconstruction predominated in 55.5% of the surgeries, tissue expansion was used in 48.4% and in 77.6% there were no complications. Stage III cancer presented a statistically significant odds ratio (OR) of 3.04 for postoperative complications. Conclusions. Breast reconstruction behaved similarly to previous studies at INOR, however, there was an increase in immediate reconstruction with breast-conserving and skin-sparing techniques, and an increase in reconstructed patients over 50 years of age. There were few complications and no risk factors for recurrence and death were identified.

Resumen Introducción y objetivo. El tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de mama ocasiona secuelas deformantes que repercuten negativamente en las pacientes. La reconstrucción mamaria es la etapa culminante de este tratamiento. En el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (INOR) de La Habana, Cuba, se viene realizando con mayor frecuencia este proceder; por lo que nos propusimos caracterizar la reconstrucción mamaria en dicha institución. Material y método. Estudio ambispectivo en el Servicio de Cirugía Reconstructiva del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología de Cuba entre 2013 y 2017. La investigación incluyó 192 pacientes de las que recogimos variables demográficas y oncorreconstructivas. Resultados. Se realizaron una media de 38.4 cirugías anuales con un promedio de edad de las pacientes de 45.3 años. El 56.6% presentó mastectomía de Madden y el 34.4% se reconstruyó con técnicas ahorradoras de tejidos. El carcinoma ductal infiltrante se diagnosticó en 183 mujeres, el 38% presentó un cáncer en estadio II. La reconstrucción inmediata predominó en el 55.5% de las cirugías, en el 48.4% se utilizó la expansión tisular y en el 77.6% no se presentaron complicaciones. El cáncer en estadio III presentó una odds ratio (OR) estadísticamente significativa de 3.04 para las complicaciones posquirúrgicas. Conclusiones. La reconstrucción mamaria en el periodo estudiado se comportó de forma similar a estudios anteriores en el INOR; sin embargo, evidenciamos un aumento de la reconstrucción inmediata con técnicas conservadoras de mama y ahorradoras de piel y un incremento de las pacientes reconstruidas mayores de 50 años. Se presentaron pocas complicaciones y no identificamos factores de riesgo para la recidiva y el fallecimiento. Las pacientes con cáncer en estadio III presentaron un incremento de las complicaciones posquirúrgicas de la reconstrucción mamaria.

Abstract It is well known that in general relativity theory two spacetimes whose metrics are related by a coordinate transformation are physically equivalent. However, given two line elements, it is virtually impossible to implement the most general coordinate transformation in order to check the equivalence of the spacetimes. In this paper we present the so-called Cartan-Karlhede algorithm, which provides a finite sequence of steps to decide whether or not two metrics are equivalent. The point of this note is to illustrate the method through several simple examples, so that the reader can learn the fundamentals and details of the algorithm in practice.

Resumo Fundamento: O coeficiente de Gini é um instrumento estatístico geralmente usado por economistas para quantificar a desigualdade de renda. No entanto, ele pode ser aplicado a qualquer tipo de dados com distribuição desigual, incluindo a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC). Objetivos: Avaliar a aplicação do coeficiente de Gini para medir a desigualdade na densidade espectral de potência de intervalos RR, e usar esta aplicação como um indicador psicofisiológico do estresse mental. Métodos: Treze indivíduos saudáveis (19 ± 1,5 anos) participaram deste estudo, e seus intervalos RR foram obtidos por eletrocardiograma durante repouso (cinco minutos) e durante estresse mental (desafio aritmético; cinco minutos). Esses intervalos RR foram utilizados para obter as estimativas de densidades espectrais de potência (PSD). Os limites para as bandas PSD foram definidos de 0,15 a 0,40 Hz para banda de alta frequência (HF), de 0,04 a 0,15 Hz para banda de baixa frequência (LF), de 0,04 a 0,085 Hz para a primeira sub-banda de baixa frequência (LF1) e de 0,085 a 0,15 Hz para a segunda sub-banda de baixa frequência (LF2). O coeficiente de Gini espectral (SpG) foi proposto para medir a desigualdade na distribuição de potência dos intervalos RR em cada uma das bandas de VFC mencionadas acima. O SpG de cada banda foi comparado com seu respectivo índice tradicional de VFC durante as condições de repouso e de estresse mental. Todas as diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas para p < 0,05. Resultados: Houve uma diminuição significativa no poder de FC (p=0,046), bem como aumentos significativos na frequência cardíaca (p = 0,004), potência da LF (p = 0,033), potência da LF2 (p = 0,019) e LF/HF (p = 0,002) durante estresse mental. Houve também um aumento significativo de SpG(LF) (p = 0,009) e SpG(LF2) (p = 0,033) durante estresse mental. O coeficiente de variação mostrou que o SpG tem mais homogeneidade em comparação com o índice tradicional de VFC durante o estresse mental. Conclusões: Este estudo piloto sugeriu que a desigualdade espectral da VFC analisada pelo coeficiente de Gini parece ser um indicador psicofisiológico independente e homogêneo de estresse mental. Além disso, FC, LF/HF, SpG(LF) da VFC são possivelmente indicadores importantes, confiáveis e válidos de estresse mental.

Abstract Background: The Gini coefficient is a statistical tool generally used by economists to quantify income inequality. However, it can be applied to any kind of data with unequal distribution, including heart rate variability (HRV). Objectives: To assess the application of the Gini coefficient to measure inequality in power spectral density of RR intervals, and to use this application as a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress. Methods: Thirteen healthy subjects (19 ± 1.5 years) participated in this study, and their RR intervals were obtained by electrocardiogram during rest (five minutes) and during mental stress (arithmetic challenge; five minutes). These RR intervals were used to obtain the estimates of power spectral densities (PSD). The limits for the PSD bands were defined from 0.15 to 0.40 Hz for high frequency band (HF), from 0.04 to 0.15 Hz for low frequency band (LF), from 0.04 to 0.085 Hz for first low frequency sub-band (LF1) and from 0.085 to 0.15 Hz for second low frequency sub-band (LF2). The spectral Gini coefficient (SpG) was proposed to measure the inequality in the power distribution of the RR intervals in each of above-mentioned HRV bands. SpG from each band was compared with its respective traditional index of HRV during the conditions of rest and mental stress. All the differences were considered statistically significant for p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant decrease in HF power (p = 0.046), as well as significant increases in heart rate (p = 0.004), LF power (p = 0.033), LF2 power (p = 0.019) and LF/HF (p = 0.002) during mental stress. There was also a significant increase in SpG(LF) (p = 0.009) and SpG(LF2) (p = 0.033) during mental stress. Coefficient of variation showed SpG has more homogeneity compared to the traditional index of HRV during mental stress. Conclusions: This pilot study suggested that spectral inequality of Heart Rate Variability analyzed using the Gini coefficient seems to be an independent and homogeneous psychophysiological indicator of mental stress. Also, HR, LF/HF, SpG(LF) of HRV are possibly important, reliable and valid indicators of mental stress.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aesthetic result of breast reconstruction depends on several factors that are difficult to evaluate. The application of lipotransference offers alternatives to achieve better aesthetic results and greater patient satisfaction. Objective: To introduce the lipotransference technique in the Cuban National Institute of Oncology Methods: A descriptive, prospective, longitudinal-section study was carried out in 10 patients who underwent lipotransfer technique for breast reconstruction due to cancer, who underwent surgery at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR), in the period between November 2016 and November 2018. Results: The technique was applied with better aesthetic results in reconstructed patients with tissue expansion. Tissue availability was improved and the damage from radiation therapy was cushioned. The amount of fat infiltrated was up to 400 ml, which favored improving the quality of the tissues and the contour of the reconstructed breast. Thus obtaining better symmetry. Conclusions: The application of this complementary technique allows obtaining better aesthetic results and this better symmetry in patients reconstructed for breast cancer.

RESUMEN Introducción: El resultado estético de la reconstrucción mamaria depende de varios factores difíciles de evaluar, la aplicación de la lipotransferencia ofrece alternativas para lograr mejores resultados estéticos y mayor satisfacción de las pacientes. Objetivo: Introducir la técnica de lipotransferencia en el instituto nacional de oncología de Cuba Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, de corte longitudinal, en 10 pacientes a las que se les practicó técnica de lipotransferencia para reconstrucción mamaria por cáncer, que fueron operadas en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (INOR), en el período comprendido entre noviembre de 2016 y noviembre de 2018. Resultados: La técnica fue aplicada con mejores resultados estéticos en pacientes reconstruidas con expansión tisular. Se logró mejorar la disponibilidad de tejidos y amortiguar los daños de la radioterapia. La cantidad de grasa infiltrada fue hasta 400 ml, lo que propició mejorar la calidad de los tejidos y el contorno de la mama reconstruida. Obteniéndose con ello mejor simetría. Conclusiones: La aplicación de esta técnica complementaria, permite obtener mejores resultados estéticos y de esta mejor simetría en pacientes reconstruidas por cáncer de mama.

RESUMO Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) é parasitoide de ovos de lepidópteros praga no milho, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), no Brasil. Produtos químicos usados na agricultura podem ser tóxicos para este agente de controle biológico. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a longevidade, parasitismo e emergência de T. pretiosum em ovos da traça da farinha, Anagasta kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) tratados com soluções herbicidas com os ingredientes ativos (grupo químico) atrazina (triazinas), dicloreto de paraquate (bipiridílio) e nicosulfuron (sulfonilureia). Água destilada pura foi usada como controle negativo e a solução de um produto com λ-cialotrina + tiametoxam (piretróide + neonicotinóide, respectivamente) foi usada como controle positivo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e 10 repetições. Ovos de A. kuehniella foram armazenados por dois períodos após tratamento, 24 e 48 horas. Esses ovos foram submetidos ao parasitismo por dois períodos de submissão, 24 e 48 horas. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente e classificados de acordo com a International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC). Atrazina e nicosulfuron reduziram a longevidade das fêmeas de T. pretiosum. Nicosulfuron e a combinação λ-cialotrina + tiametoxam reduziram o parasitismo e a emergência deste inimigo natural. O herbicida à base de dicloreto de paraquate foi o menos tóxico e, por isto, representa uma opção em potencial para o controle de plantas daninhas com baixa toxicidade ao parasitóide T. pretiosum.

ABSTRACT Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an egg parasitoid of lepidopteran pests in corn, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), in Brazil. Chemical products used in agriculture can be toxic to this biocontrol agent. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the longevity, parasitism and emergence of T. pretiosum parasitizing Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), eggs treated with herbicide solutions with the active ingredients (chemical group) atrazine (triazines), paraquat dichloride (bipyridylium) and nicosulfuron (sulfonylurea). Pure distilled water was used as a negative control, and a solution of a product with λ-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam (pyrethroid + neonicotinoid, respectively) was used as the positive control. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments and 10 replicates. Anagasta kuehniella eggs were stored for two periods after treatment, 24 and 48 hours. These eggs were subjected to parasitism for two subjecting periods, 24 and 48 hours. The results were analysed statistically and classified according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC). Atrazine and nicosulfuron reduced the longevity of T. pretiosum females. Nicosulfuron and the combination λ-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam reduced the parasitism and emergence of this natural enemy. The paraquat dichloride-based herbicide was the least toxic and therefore represents a potential option for controlling weeds with low toxicity to the T. pretiosum parasitoid.

Dr. Joaquín María Álvarez González is recognized as a symbol of the old Marianao, a prototype of the family doctor. It is one of the top figures of Marianao of the first half of the 20th century. A review of 18 bibliographies was carried out with the objective of describing the importance of Dr. Joaquín María Álvarez González in the history of Marianao. Dr. Álvarez was a compendium of generosity, detachment and wisdom that consecrated him as a figure of superior relieves in the public activities of Marianao. For his transcendental work as a doctor in the Marianao municipality, a bust was erected to perpetuate his figure in marble.

El Dr. Joaquín María Álvarez González es reconocido como un símbolo del viejo Marianao, un prototipo del médico de familia. Constituye una de las figuras cimeras de Marianao de la primera mitad del siglo XX. Se realizó una revisión de 18 bibliografías con el objetivo de describir la trascendencia del Dr. Joaquín María Álvarez González en la historia de Marianao. El Dr. Álvarez fue compendio de generosidad, desprendimiento y sabiduría que lo consagró como una figura de superiores relieves en las actividades públicas de Marianao. Por su trascendental labor como médico en el municipio Marianao, se erigió un busto, para perpetuar en mármol su figura.

Background: the congenital malformations constitute the first cause of infantile death in developed countries, as well as the second cause of death in Cuba, in younger children of an elderly year. Objective: characterizing the live birth newborns with congenital malformations at Marianao municipality during the year 2011. Methods: descriptive, cross-section study of 30- live birth with congenital malformations at Marianao municipality in Havana, during the year 2011. Some of analyzed variables were: sex, affected system, congenital malformation, type of malformation, severity, birth weight, gestational age, prenatal diagnosis, family history of congenital malformation, maternal age, among others. Results: the masculine sex was the more affected, with 18 cases that represented the 60 %. The Polydactyl was the malformation further frequent, with 23.3 %, followed by the pre-aural appendix, with 10 %. The 20 % was born pre-term and only in the 10 % of the cases was obtained a positive result in the tests of prenatal diagnosis. Conclusions: the live birth with MC were characterized to be males with isolated MC and less severe, full term, normopeso, without family history of the aforementioned affection and with a negative prenatal diagnosis. The majority of mothers belonged to 20-35’s age group years, they suffered from hypertension and during pregnancy, the principal diseases that they presented were the sepsis and anemia.

Fundamento: las malformaciones congénitas constituyen la primera causa de muerte infantil en los países desarrollados, así como la segunda causa de muerte en Cuba, en niños menores de un año de edad. Objetivo: caracterizar a los recién nacidos vivos con malformaciones congénitas en el municipio Marianao durante el año 2011. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, de 30 recién nacidos vivos con malformaciones congénitas en el municipio Marianao, La Habana, durante el año 2011. Algunas de las variables analizadas, fueron: sexo, sistema afectado, malformación congénita, tipo de malformación, severidad, peso al nacer, edad gestacional, diagnóstico prenatal, antecedentes familiares de malformación congénita, edad materna, entre otras. Resultados: el sexo masculino fue el más afectado, con 18 casos que representaron el 60 % del total. La polidactilia fue la malformación más frecuente, con 23,3 %, seguida por el apéndice preauricular, con 10 %. El 20 % nació pretérmino y solamente en el 10 % de los casos se obtuvo un resultado positivo en exámenes de diagnóstico prenatal. Conclusión: los recién nacidos vivos con MC se caracterizaron por ser varones con MC aisladas y de menor severidad, a término, normopeso, sin antecedentes familiares de dicha afección y con un diagnóstico prenatal negativo. La mayoría de las madres pertenecían al grupo de edades de 20-35 años, padecían hipertensión arterial y durante el embarazo, las principales enfermedades que presentaron fueron las sepsis y la anemia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of season, natural photoperiod, and room temperature at the housing facility on boar semen characteristics in Uruguay (34º66'S; 56º29'W). For this purpose, 117 ejaculates, obtained from eight adult males collected through 12 consecutive months, were assessed for sperm viability, DNA integrity, abnormalities (total, primary, and secondary), ejaculate volume, and sperm concentration. Viability, total and primary abnormalities, volume, and sperm concentration were affected by season. Sperm viability, volume, and sperm concentration were affected by natural photoperiod. In general, autumn and the decreasing photoperiod had a negative impact on most of the semen characteristics, except for volume. Housing temperature did not affect semen characteristics. In boars living in temperate climates, semen quality is negatively affected during autumn and is related to photoperiod changes; however, the effects of temperature changes in housingdo not affect these seminal characteristics. In this scenario, seasonal differences in semen quality may have a negative effect on sow fertilization. Consequently, semen quality control especially during autumn is imperative for the best boar selection to be used for insemination purposes. Seasonal differences in semen quality may have a negative effect on sow reproductive performance. This issue will be addressed in a future investigation.

A platina e os metais do grupo da platina (MGP) possuem importantes aplicações em catálise. Os catalisadores automotivos geralmente possuem platina, paládio e ródio, que são úteis na conversão dos gases nocivos produzidos durante a queima do combustível, em gases menos prejudiciais ao meio ambiente. A demanda pela platina e metais do seu grupo, aliada à sua escassez na crosta terrestre e altos valores de mercado, tornam a sua reciclagem fundamental. Neste contexto, uma vez que não existe uma formulação padronizada para a sua fabricação, a caracterização dos catalisadores automotivos é uma etapa primordial para a seleção adequada da rota de reciclagem a ser adotada. Via de regra, os catalisadores monolíticos virgens usados na indústria automotiva possuem em torno de 1,89 g/kg de platina, 0,29 g/kg de paládio, além de 0,10 g/kg de ródio, metais preciosos de altíssimo valor agregado. Neste trabalho foram caracterizadas duas amostras de catalisadores automotivos, uma virgem e outra proveniente de um catalisador usado. A microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura com sistema de microanálise por dispersão de energia, difração e fluorescência de raios-X, além de TG-DTA foram as técnicas analíticas empregadas neste trabalho. Foi observado que os catalisadores são constituídos por uma estrutura na forma de colmeia, constituída de cordierita (Mg2Al4Si5O18), recoberta com uma camada de alumina impregnada com os metais do grupo da platina. No catalisador virgem, detectou-se por fluorescência de raios-X, cerca de 0,99 g/kg de platina, enquanto que no catalisador usado o teor de platina foi de 0,44 g/kg. Na amostra do catalisador exaurido nota-se a deposição de material carbonoso sobre a camada de alumina, além da presença de trincas, que podem levar a perdas dos metais preciosos e queda de atividade do catalisador.

Platinum and platinum group metals (PGM) have important applications in catalysis. Automotive catalysts usually present platinum, palladium and rhodium. These metals play an important role in the conversion of toxic gases from fuel burn in gases less hazardous to the environment. The need for platinum and PGM allied to their scarcity in earth crust and elevated prices turn their recycling paramount. The automotive characterization is an important step for the selection of the proper recycling route, once there is no standard formulation for the manufacture of such catalysts. The virgin monolithic catalysts used by the automotive industry usually present around 1.89 g/kg of platinum, 0.29 g/kg of palladium besides 0.10 g/kg of rhodium, all high valued precious metals. In this paper two automobile catalyst samples were characterized: a virgin one, provided by Umicore - Brazil and an used one, bought in the market. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction and fluorescence and termogravimetry coupled with differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) were analytical techniques employed throughout this work. It was observed that the catalysts present a cordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18) honeycomb structure covered with a PGM impregnated alumina layer. In the virgin catalyst around 0.99 g/kg of platinum was detected, while in the used one the platinum grade was 0.44 g/kg. In the used catalyst sample the presence of cracks and the deposition of carbonaceous matter onto the alumina layer were observed, which can lead to lose of activity of the catalyst.