Polícia Judiciária

We have developed a high-throughput platform to detect the presence of HIV-1 and SIV-specific ADCC-mediating antibody responses. The assay is based on the hydrolysis of a cell-permeable fluorogenic peptide substrate containing a sequence recognized by the serine protease, Granzyme B (GzB). GzB is delivered into target cells by cytotoxic effector cells as a result of antigen (Ag)-specific Ab-Fcγ receptor interactions. Within the target cells, effector cell-derived GzB hydrolyzes the substrate, generating a fluorescent signal that allows individual target cells that have received a lethal hit to be identified by flow cytometry. Results are reported as the percentage of target cells with GzB activity (%GzB). Freshly isolated or cryopreserved PBMC and/or NK cells can be used as effector cells. CEM.NKR cells expressing the CCR5 co-receptor are used as a target cells following: (i) coating with recombinant envelope glycoprotein, (ii) infection with infectious molecular clones expressing the Env antigens of primary and lab adapted viruses, or (iii) chronic infection with a variant of HIV-1/IIIB, termed A1953. In addition, primary CD4(+) T cells infected with HIV-1 in vitro can also be used as targets. The assay is highly reproducible with a coefficient of variation of less than 25%. Target and effector cell populations, in the absence of serum/plasma, were used to calculate background (8.6 ± 2.3%). We determined that an initial dilution of 1:50 and 1:100 is required for testing of human and non-human primate samples, respectively. This assay allows for rapid quantification of HIV-1 or SIV-specific ADCC-mediating antibodies that develop in response to vaccination, or in the natural course of infection, thus providing researchers with a new methodology for investigating the role of ADCC-mediating antibodies as correlates of control or prevention of HIV-1 and SIV infection.

O artigo busca discutir relações entre "violência" e "gênero" a partir de situações envolvendo formas de "luta por justiça" e expressão da dor por familiares de pessoas mortas pela polícia militar no Rio de Janeiro. Acompanhando situações diversas em que tais familiares, agrupados em redes de apoio e de organização política, buscam a condenação judicial dos policiais que mataram seus filhos, irmãos ou sobrinhos, procuramos refletir sobre o trabalho social de construção da "violência" e ilegitimidade desses assassinatos como inextricavelmente ligados às gramáticas de gênero e, em especial, ao protagonismo simbólico das "mães".

Nosema ceranae has been suggested to be replacing Nosema apis in some populations of Apis mellifera honeybees. However, this replacement from one to the other is not supported when studying the distribution and prevalence of both microsporidia in professional apiaries in Spanish territories (transverse study), their seasonal pattern in experimental hives with co-infection or their prevalence at individual level (either in worker bees or drones). Nevertheless, N.ceranae has shown to present a higher prevalence at all the studied levels that could indicate any advantage for its development over N.apis or that it is more adapted to Spanish conditions. Also, both microsporidia show a different pattern of preference for its development according to the prevalence in the different Spanish bioclimatic belts studied. Finally, the fact that all analyses were carried out using an Internal PCR Control (IPC) newly developed guarantees the confidence of the data extracted from the PCR analyses. This IPC provides a useful tool for laboratory detection of honeybee pathogens.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) mediates the first step in Na+ reabsorption in epithelial cells such as kidney, colon, and airways and may consist of four homologous subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Predominantly, the alpha-subunit is expressed in these epithelia, and it usually forms functional channels with the beta- and gamma-subunits. The delta-subunit was first found in human brain and kidney, but the expression was also detected in human cell lines of lung, pancreatic, and colonic origin. When co-expressed with beta and gamma accessory subunits in heterologous systems, the two known isoforms of the delta-ENaC subunit (delta1 and delta2) can build amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. In the present study we demonstrate the expression and function of the delta-subunit in human nasal epithelium (HNE). We cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNA of the delta-ENaC subunit and were able to show that in nasal tissue at least isoform 1 is expressed. Furthermore, we performed Western blot analyses and compared the cell surface expression of the delta-subunit with the classically expressed alpha-subunit by using immunofluorescence experiments. Thereby, we could show that the quantity of both subunits is almost similar. In addition, we show the functional expression of the delta-ENaC subunit with measurements in modified Ussing chambers, and demonstrate that in HNE a large portion of the Na+ transport is mediated by the delta-ENaC subunit. Therefore, we suppose that the delta-subunit may possess an important regulatory function and might interact with other ENaC subunits or members of the DEG/ENaC family in the human respiratory epithelium.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of aggression in head and neck regions suffered by women who are victims of gender violence, and to analyze the variation in the number of cases before and after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law. Methods: A survey was conducted on the records of examinations of personal injury made in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Vitória, in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. The study included women victims of bodily injury, referred as a result of domestic, family or conjugal violence, aged between 11 and 80. Results: The number of cases analyzed in this study exhibited an oscillation during the years studied. The results reveal that female victims are, in most cases, young, aged between 20 and 30, single and do not work outside the home. The victim’s husband or partner was the main offender, mostly using parts of the body, like the hands and feet, as the means of aggression. The most frequent craniofacial injuries were ecchymosis and abrasions, more often in orbital, cervical and frontal regions. Conclusions: The characteristics related to violence against women obtained through this study are of great importance and should be highlighted and publicized, to encourage implementation of public policies and practical actions of acceptance and recognition of such violence, including the insertion of the Forensic Dentist on the staff of experts in all Institutes of Forensic Medicine in the country.

Patients with pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [PDAC]) can develop abdominal pain that can be debilitating. Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is a chemical ablation of the celiac plexus that can be used to treat pain caused by pancreatic malignancy. It can be performed by an anterior or posterior approach, and also can be done percutaneously or under guidance of transabdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, intra-operatively or most recently under linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance (EUS-CPN). EUS is well-suited for identification of the celiac plexus due to the close proximity of the gastric wall to the origin of the celiac artery. EUS-CPN is now widely practiced, and different EUS approaches have been developed in order to improve the efficacy of this technique. Our objective is to review the use of EUS-CPN in PDAC, including a description of different techniques, review of its efficacy, predictors of pain response, and describe its limitations and safety, as well as new developments.

Checkpoint blockade therapy has shown significant therapeutic benefits and resulted in durable responses in patients with various tumors. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that 4-29% of all patients with cancers with various histologies may suffer from tumor flare following such therapy. This novel tumor response pattern, termed hyperprogression, is a potentially deleterious side effect of checkpoint blockade therapy that accelerates disease progression in a subset of patients. In this review, we describe possible immune checkpoint blockade biomarkers and the epidemiology, different definitions, and predictors of hyperprogression based on the research findings and further present the available evidence supporting pathophysiological hypotheses that might explain hyperprogression during checkpoint blockade therapy. We also compare hyperprogression and pseudoprogression. Finally, we discuss areas requiring further study.

A Medicina Veterinária Legal é uma área em crescimento devido à demanda da sociedade na coibição dos crimes contra a fauna. No Brasil, pouco se conhece acerca da magnitude deste problema. Assim, o presente estudo propôs-se a realizar um levantamento de casos em dois órgãos distintos que lidam com esta modalidade de crime em sua rotina de atendimento: o Serviço de Necropsia do Departamento de Patologia da FMVZ/USP e o Núcleo de Análise Instrumental do Instituto de Criminalística de São Paulo (NAI/IC). Este levantamento possibilitou a visualização do perfil quantitativo e qualitativo dos casos atendidos de maus tratos praticados contra cães e gatos, no período de 2003 a 2007. Constatou-se inicialmente que o número absoluto de casos de maus tratos em cães é maior que em gatos, porém, o confronto desses números absolutos com o tamanho da respectiva população atendida pelo Serviço de Necropsia da FMVZ/USP, revelou que os gatos são animais de eleição para as práticas de maus tratos. Constatou-se ainda que o sexo do animal não é fator relevante nessa eleição, mas a idade sim. Isso pode ser devido ao fato de animais de tenra idade serem mais indefesos que animais adultos. O tipo de maus tratos mais comumente praticado, tanto em cães como em gatos, é a intoxicação intencional e, os agentes tóxicos mais utilizados nestes casos são os carbamatos. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a ampla utilização dos carbamatos decorre da facilidade com que podem ser adquiridos no comércio e fornecidos aos animais.

Este artículo pretende contribuir a superar algunas de las potenciales limitaciones del enfoque dominante de la justicia transicional. De un lado, propone enfrentar las tensiones entre justicia distributiva y correctiva en las reparaciones de violaciones graves y masivas a los derechos humanos mediante la idea de reparaciones transformadoras. Se trata de tomar en serio el ideal de reparación integral pero teniendo en cuenta las características de los contextos transicionales, en especial en sociedades con desigualdades profundas y pobreza extendida, que implican tensiones fuertes entre la justicia correctiva y la justicia distributiva. De otro lado, intenta contribuir a superar los riesgos que surgen del desconocimiento de las voces de las víctimas. Para esto, propone recuperar los enfoques de justicia transicional “desde abajo” que pretenden valorizar las perspectivas de las víctimas en sus contextos particulares y de acuerdo con las realidades derivadas de las atrocidades ocurridas. En este punto, la tesis es que la justicia transicional debe ser muy sensible a los requerimientos de justicia distributiva y de participación de las comunidades victimizadas.

O artigo trata de questões da saúde do servidor público nos aspectos relacionados à perícia médica, à assistência e à promoção da saúde. Discute-se a saúde do servidor como um problema da área de gestão de pessoas e fazem-se considerações sobre o papel e a gestão da perícia médica realizada nos órgãos públicos, responsável por avaliar nexo entre patologia e capacidade laboral para fins de admissão, licença médica, aposentadoria por invalidez, readaptação funcional, acidente e doenças relacionadas ao trabalho. Ressalta-se a importância da relação entre os serviços de perícia, a assistência médica e a promoção à saúde. Apresenta-se, por fim, a experiência de saúde do trabalhador público realizada na Prefeitura do Município de São Paulo, que trabalhou com os projetos de humanização, agilização e transparência da atividade pericial, de descentralização de atividades e processos, de formação e capacitação em saúde do trabalhador e de implementação de atividades de promoção à saúde.Palavras-chave: saúde do servidor público, promoção à saúde, perícia médica, gestão pública.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was tested for all of the relevant issues in forensic examinations of commercial inks, including classification of pen inks on one paper type and on different paper types, determination of the deposition order of layered inks, and analysis of signatures and toners on one questioned document. The scope of this work was to determine the potential of a single LIBS setup that is compatible with portable instruments for different types of ink analysis, rather than building a very large database for inks and papers. We identified up to seven metals characteristic for the examined inks, which allowed to fully discriminate all eight black inks on one type of printing paper. When the inks were tested on ten different papers, the correct classification rates for some of them were reduced for reasons thoroughly studied and explained. The replicated tests on three crossing points, each one involving a pair of blue or black inks, were successful in five cases out of six. In the test simulating documents of forensic interest (questioned documents), LIBS was able to correctly identify the differences in three inks used for signatures on one of the three pages and the use of different printing inks on each page of the document.

The electrochemical quantification of NBOMes and their correlates in seized blotting paper is presented.

Las inversiones en actividades de ciencia, tecnología e innovación son indicadores de desarrollo y competitividad para los países. La presente investigación pretende describir y analizar las inversiones en actividades de ciencia, tecnología e innovación realizadas por Colombia y Ecuador entre 2010 y 2014, años marcados por la bonanza petrolera. Para ello se realizó una metodología de corte cuantitativa y exploratoria, por medio de una revisión documental y sistemática de informes oficiales, Durante el periodo estudiado se realizaron inversiones en maestría y doctorado para la formación de personal, especialmente en Ecuador, mientras que en Colombia la producción bibliográfica fue en aumento. Por otro lado, en Colombia solo se registraron un total de 806 patentes, frente a 2709 registradas del vecino país. Sin embargo, a Colombia se le concedieron un total de 2674 patentes en diseños industriales, mientras que, a Ecuador, solo le fueron concedidos 764. Asimismo, se identificó que la inversión privada en las actividades de ciencia, tecnología e innovación aún es baja y que se pueden fortalecer también las inversiones provenientes de otros sectores. Estos estudios ayudan a visibilizar los enfoques de las inversiones realizadas, y representan una oportunidad para observar cómo los países han concentrado sus esfuerzos hacia la generación de nuevo conocimiento. Se hacen necesarios estudios de impacto para evaluar cómo estas inversiones han apoyado a los países a ser más competitivos y a crear nuevos modelos económicos.

A caracterização da paisagem da microbacia com o uso do sensoriamento remoto é essencial para o planejamento e conservação dos recursos naturais. Assim, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho realizar o levantamento das características da paisagem da microbacia do rio Jabuti e gerar dados para o desenvolvimento agropecuário sustentável. Os estudos geométricos, topográficos, hidrográficos e da dinâmica da cobertura vegetal foram realizados com o uso dos softwares QGIS, Google Earth e TrackMaker Free, imagens altimétricas (satélite ALOS) e de cobertura do solo (satélites Landsat 5 e Landsat 8), e análise da literatura. A área da microbacia é de 15,72 km2, perímetro de 20,06 km, formato alongado. Com base nas características geométricas a microbacia apresentou de baixa a média suscetibilidade a enchentes. A altitude foi de 266 a 349 m, o relevo predominantemente é suave ondulado (46,37%), seguido de ondulado (34,67%) e plano (15,39%), 89,44% da área apresentou baixo risco para propagação de incêndios e enquadrou-se como apta a extremamente apta a mecanização agrícola. A rede de drenagem é de 36,07 km com padrão dendrítico de 4ª ordem, densidades de nascentes média, densidade de drenagem alta, coeficiente de manutenção de 435,8 m2 m-1, canal principal muito reto e tempo de concentração baixo. A microbacia apresenta alto potencial para o desenvolvimento de atividades agropecuárias e de piscicultura, porém há a necessidade de adoção de práticas conservacionistas e estudos detalhados do ecossistema aquático. Sugere-se estudos para recuperação da vegetação nativa, principalmente em áreas de reserva legal.

The spatial distribution of small mammals in relation to distance from forest edges, before and after fire, was studied in Atlantic Forest fragments in Brazil. None of nine species was captured exclusively on either edges or forest interior. Before the fire only the rodents Akodon cursor and Oecomys con-color were captured more often at the edge than randomly expected. After the fire only A. cursor remained associated with edges; it had increased in number and penetrated farther than before into the forest fragments. The marsupial Micoureus demerarae became more restricted to the forest interior than randomly expected. These results suggest that small mammal species tolerant to habitat changes induced by edge effects and fire have better chances to survive in forest fragments.

The emergence of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) is challenging for forensic laboratories, as well as the ability to develop and validate methods for a rapid and unambiguous monitoring of these compounds. Thereupon, the aim of this work was to establish a methodology for the identification and quantification of four synthetic cathinones already seized in Portugal [4-chloroethcathinone (4-CEC), α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), 4-chloro-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-PVP) and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)] in whole blood samples, using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analytes were extracted from blood by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and derivatized with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) with 5% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). For all analytes, linearity was observed from 25 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99. The limits of detection (LOD) were 5 ng/mL for α-PVP, 4-Cl-PVP and MDPV and 25 ng/mL for 4-CEC. The method was selective, precise and accurate, and the extraction efficiency was higher than 85% for all analytes. The target cathinones were stable under different stock conditions, being MDPV the most stable and 4-CEC the least stable compound. The validated analytical method was then applied to real samples that previously tested positive for amphetamines, but no positive samples were found for the cathinones under study. The present method describes for the first time the quantification of 4-CEC and 4-Cl-PVP in whole blood samples by GC-MS, allowing their accurate determination in forensic situations where the compounds are involved.

The unprecedented geopolitical shift resulting from Brexit reflects deep socio-economic fault lines within and beyond the UK. In many ways foreshadowing the US presidential election of Donald Trump, Brexit brought to the surface and gave a public voice to socio-economic divisions that were deeply embedded, sometimes illogical, but until now had either been ignored or hushed out of ‘respectable’ public debate. This Discussion Forum emanates from a spontaneous seminar organized 2 days after the Brexit vote on June 25, 2016 as part of the SASE conference held in University of California–Berkeley and followed by an open call for papers by Socio-Economic Review. The papers here draw attention to the origins of the Brexit vote in deep-seated socio-economic divisions (O’Reilly), widening differences in economic performance across sectors and regions of the UK (Froud, Sukhdev and Williams) and the growth of poor quality jobs (Warhurst). Meanwhile, the political dynamics of the Brexit vote were also shaped by the fractured nature of UK business elites (Morgan), divisions between locals and cosmopolitans (Grey) and creative but muddled actions of elites that arguably generated consequences they themselves failed to fully anticipate (Wood and Wright). From the perspective of Europe, Brexit reflects a history of dysfunctional economic policy in Europe that prioritized market competition in ways that neglected and ultimately undermined solidarity (Boyer). Here, Brexit reflects a political strategy to both renationalize and recommodify solidarity in the face of fears over migration, and which are likely to have major consequences for social solidarity in Europe more generally (Frerichs and Sankari). However, Brexit is unlikely to provide a durable social and political solution to the wider tensions between globalization and democracy, which also affect all countries throughout Europe (Rona-Tas). Ultimately, the Brexit vote underlines social divisions that combine class inequalities with regional ones, not just in Britain but throughout Europe (Le Gal<a><ac>e</ac><ac>`</ac></a>s).

The aim of this research is to investigate China’s urban green total factor productivity (TFP) under the background of progressing urbanization and intensifying environmental pollution, and found out its main influencing factors. In this paper, green TFP of 285 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2012 was estimated through Malmquist productivity index. Results showed that the annual growth of green TFP in main cities in China is 3.5% and the overall growth declines gradually. Viewed from decomposition of green TFP, technical progress is the main contributor of green TFP growth. Furthermore, the northern coastal region has achieved the highest annual growth of green TFP (4.5%) and the northwest region achieved the lowest growth of green TFP (1.24%), indicating the great regional differences of green TFP and economic growth quality in China. According to analysis on influencing factors of green TFP in main cities, it has been concluded that per-capita urban road area, number of Internet users, proportion of fiscal expenditures, environmental regulation level and technical input are significantly positively correlated with green TFP, while industrial structure and foreign direct investment (FDI) are significantly negatively correlated. Finally, policy suggestions to improve urban green TFP in China were proposed.

Synthetic cathinones constitute the second largest groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS), which are especially popular among adolescents and young adults. Due to their potential toxicity, the recreational use of these NPS constitute a serious worldwide public health problem. However, their fast appearance in the market renders the continuous updating of NPS information highly challenging for forensic authorities. The unavailability of pharmacokinetic data for emerging NPS is critical for forensic and clinical verifications. With the ultimate goal of having a proactive approach towards the NPS issue, high resolution mass spectrometry was used in the current work to assess preliminary pharmacokinetic data for 8 selected cathinones: 4 reported substances ( 4-CIC , 3-CMC , 4-CMC and 4-MEAP ) and 4 previously unreported ones ( 3-CIC , 4-MDMB , 4-MNEB and 4-MDMP ) for which the emergence on the NSP market is expected to be eminent, were also included in this study. Based on the calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters, half-life and intrinsic clearance, 4-CMC and 4-MDMB are low and high clearance compounds, respectively, and all the remaining cathinones included in this study are intermediate clearance compounds. This fact anticipates the key role of metabolites as suitable biomarkers to extend detection windows beyond those provided by the parent cathinones. Reduction of the keto group and hydroxylation on the alkyl chains were the common metabolic pathways identified for all cathinones. However, the relative importance of these metabolic transformations is dependent on the cathinone substituents. The glucuronic acid conjugation to metabolites stemming for keto group reduction constituted the sole Phase II transformation identified. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first metabolite profiling of the already reported synthetic cathinones 4-CIC , 3-CMC and 4-CMC . Noteworthy is the fact that 3-CMC accounts for almost a quarter of the quantity of powders seized during 2020. The analytical methods developed, and the metabolites characterized, are now available to be included in routine screening methods to attest the consumption of the 8 cathinones studied.

The analysis of the effectiveness of Ecuador's criminal law and security policies highlights both advances and persistent challenges in the fight against crime. Legislative reforms between 2021 and 2023 focused on increasing penalties for violent crimes, implementing stricter laws against organized crime, and aligning legislation with international standards. Although these measures have shown positive results, such as a reduction in robberies and kidnappings in certain areas, the perception of insecurity among the population remains high. Police training and professionalization have improved their competence, but the lack of coordination between government and judicial entities limits the effectiveness of security policies. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as economic inequality, insufficient education and prevention programs, and the normalization of violence, also play a crucial role in perpetuating crime. Prison overcrowding, lack of rehabilitation and reintegration programs, and corruption in the judicial system are additional challenges. The adoption of modern technologies offers opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the criminal justice system but requires careful implementation and protection of privacy rights.