Recent findings have deeply changed the current view of coronary heart disease, going beyond the simplistic model of atherosclerosis as a passive process involving cholesterol build-up in the subintimal space of the arteries until their final occlusion and/or thrombosis and instead focusing on the key roles of inflammation and the immune system in plaque formation and destabilization. Chronic inflammation is a typical hallmark of cardiac disease, worsening outcomes irrespective of serum cholesterol levels. Low-grade chronic inflammation correlates with higher incidence of several non-cardiac diseases, including depression, and chronic depression is now listed among the most important cardiovascular risk factors for poor prognosis among patients with myocardial infarction. In this review, we include recent evidence describing the immune and endocrine properties of the heart and their critical roles in acute ischaemic damage and in post-infarct myocardial remodeling. The importance of the central and autonomic regulation of cardiac functions, namely, the neuro-cardiac axis, is extensively explained, highlighting the roles of acute and chronic stress, circadian rhythms, emotions and the social environment in triggering acute cardiac events and worsening heart function and metabolism in chronic cardiovascular diseases. We have also included specific sections related to stress-induced myocardial ischaemia measurements and stress cardiomyopathy. The complex network of reciprocal interconnections between the heart and the main biological systems we have presented in this paper provides a new vision of cardiovascular science based on psychoneuroendocrineimmunology.

ABSTRACT:The use of plant residues for energy purposes is already a reality, yet in order to ensure suitability and recommend a given material as being a good energy generator, it is necessary to characterize the material through chemical analysis and determine its calorifi c value. This research aimed to analyze different residues from plant biomass, characterizing them as potential sources for energy production. For the accomplishment of this study, the following residues were used: wood processing residue (sawdust and planer shavings); coffee bean parchment and coffee plant stem; bean stem and pod; soybean stem and pod; rice husk; corn leaf, stem, straw and cob; and sugar cane straw and bagasse. For residue characterization the following analyses were done: chemical analysis, immediate chemical analysis, calorifi c value and elemental analysis. All procedures were conducted at the Laboratory of Forest Biomass Energy of the Federal University of Lavras. In general, all residues showed potential for energetic use. Rice husk was found to have higher lignin content, which is an interesting attribute as far as energy production is concerned. Its high ash content, however, led to a reduction in calorifi c value and fi xed carbon. The remaining residues were found to have similar energetic characteristics, with corn cob showing greater calorifi c value, followed by coffee plant stem, both also containing higher levels of carbon and fi xed carbon. A high correlation was found of higher calorifi c value with volatile materials, carbon and hydrogen contents.

RESUMO -Foram estudadas madeiras de híbridos de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla, em três idades diferentes, com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento da madeira e do carvão vegetal produzido diante do aumento controlado de temperatura, bem como verificar a influência das características da madeira sobre o carvão vegetal. Foram realizadas análises químicas (extrativos totais, lignina, holocelulose, celulose, cinza e análise elementar) e térmicas (análise termogravimétrica -TG, análise térmica diferencial -DTA e calorimetria 1,67 ºC min -1 e temperatura final de 450 ºC. No carvão vegetal produzido, foram realizadas análise imediata, elementar e térmica. A densidade básica da madeira correlacionou-se positivamente com a relação carbono/ hidrogênio (C/H) e negativamente com os teores de cinza, nitrogênio, oxigênio, enxofre e relação siringil/ guaiacil (S/G). Os teores de cinza, nitrogênio, enxofre e S/G da madeira correlacionaram-se positivamente entre si e negativamente com a variável C/H da madeira. O teor de carbono fixo (TCF), o poder calorífico do carvão vegetal, o teor de carbono elementar e a relação C/H correlacionaram-se positivamente entre si e negativamente com o teor de materiais voláteis (TMV). O teor de lignina correlacionou-se positivamente com o rendimento gravimétrico em carvão (RGC) e negativamente com o TCF.Palavras-chave: Carbonização; Eucalipto; Lignocelulósico. CORRELATIONS BETWEEN THE PROPERTIES OF EUCALYPTUS HYBRIDS WOOD AND CHARCOAL ABSTRACT -Three different ages of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptos urophylla

RESUMO:Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da madeira e do carvão vegetal de algumas espécies de ocorrência do cerrado mineiro visando o uso siderúrgico. Foram utilizadas cinco espécies de madeiras de ocorrência no cerrado procedentes do Estado de Minas Gerais. Na madeira foram avaliadas a densidade básica e os teores de lignina, extrativos totais, holocelulose e cinzas. No carvão vegetal foram avaliados os rendimentos em carvão vegetal e em carbono fixo, os teores de carbono fixo, materiais voláteis e cinzas, o poder calorífico superior e a densidade relativa aparente. Na avaliação do experimento utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Utilizou-se ainda a análise multivariada de componentes principais. As espécies Casearia sylvestris e Luehea divaricata apresentaram os maiores rendimentos gravimétricos em carvão vegetal e em carbono fixo, bem como elevados teores de lignina na madeira. O carvão vegetal da espécie Trema micrantha possui elevado poder calorífico superior, mas a menor densidade relativa aparente. A espécie Guazuma ulmifolia se destacou pelo elevado teor de carbono fixo e grande potencial para uso siderúrgico, juntamente com a espécie Casearia sylvestris. Palavras-chave: carvão vegetal, espécies nativas, qualidade da madeira WOOD QUALITY OF FIVE SPECIES FROM CERRADO FOR PRODUCTION OF CHARCOAL

The piassava fiber, residue of the broom industry, was used as precursor for the preparation of activated carbons (AC). AC were prepared by chemical activation with zinc chloride (AC ZnCl(2)) or phosphoric acid (AC H(3)PO(4)) and by physical activation with carbon dioxide (AC CO(2)) or water vapor (AC H(2)O). These materials were characterized by adsorption/desorption of N(2) to determine the BET areas, elemental analysis (CHN), thermogravimetric analysis (TG, DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The carbons were tested with respect to their adsorption capacity of methylene blue, reactive red, phenol and metallic ions (Cr(+6), Cu(+2) and Zn(+2)). AC ZnCl(2) presented the highest surface area (1190 m(2)g(-1)) and AC H(3)PO(4), the largest pore volume (0.543 cm(3)g(-1)). AC ZnCl(2) was more efficient in the adsorption of methylene blue, Cr(+6) and Cu(+2) ions. AC H(2)O was the better adsorbent for phenol, while AC CO(2) was better for Zn(+2) ions.

RESUMO:Foram estudadas madeiras de híbridos de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla em três diferentes idades. As características das madeiras e dos carvões produzidos, a partir dessas madeiras, bem como influência da madeira nas características dos carvões produzidos foram avaliadas. Foram realizadas análises químicas (extrativos, lignina, cinzas, análise elementar), densidade básica e poder calorífico superior -PCS nas madeiras. O carvão foi produzido em forno tipo mufla, com taxa de aquecimento 1,67 ºC . min -1 e temperatura final de 450 ºC. Para os carvões, foram realizadas análise imediata, análise elementar e rendimento gravimétrico do processo de pirólise. Foi observado um aumento nos valores de densidade, teor de extrativos, teor de carbono e relação C/H da madeira com a maturidade da árvore. Outras características como teor de cinzas e relação S/G tiveram seus valores diminuídos com a idade da árvore. Maior rendimento gravimétrico em carvão e em gases não-condensáveis foram encontrados no material mais maduro. PROPERTIES OF EUCALYPTUS WOOD HYBRIDS AND CHARCOAL AT THREE AGESABSTRACT: In the present studied was investigated hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla in three different ages. Wood and charcoal characteristics as well as the influence of wood characteristics on the charcoals produced were evaluated. Chemical analyzes (extractives, lignin, ash, elemental analysis), basic density and calorific value -PCS were performed for wood. The charcoals were produced in a muffle type furnace with a heating rate of 1.67 °C . min -1 and an end temperature of 450 °C. Volatile material content, ash content, fixed carbon content, elemental analysis and gravimetric yield of the pyrolysis process were performed for the charcoals. An increase in density values , extractives content, carbon content and C/H rate were observed with the maturity of the tree. Other features such as ash content and S/G ratio decreased with the age of the tree. Greater gravimetric yield in charcoal and non-condensable gases were found in more mature materials.

Life expectancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is reduced compared to the general population owing to an increase in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) not fully explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In recent years, interest has been focused on the alterations in lipid metabolism in relation to chronic inflammation as one of the possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis of RA patients. Research regarding this issue has revealed quantitative alterations in lipoproteins during the acute-phase reaction, and has also demonstrated structural alterations in these lipoproteins which affect their functional abilities. Although many alterations in lipid metabolism have been described in this regard, these structural changes associated with inflammation are particularly important in high-density lipoproteins as they affect their cardioprotective functions. In this respect, excessive oxidation in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased lipoprotein(a) with a predominance of smaller apolipoprotein(a) isoforms has also been reported. This article will discuss proinflammatory high-density lipoproteins (piHDL), oxidized LDL and lipoprotein(a). Elevated concentrations of these lipoproteins with marked pro-atherogenic properties have been observed in RA patients, which could help to explain the increased cardiovascular risk of these patients.

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