University of São Paulo

About: University of São Paulo is a education organization based out in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 136513 authors who have published 272320 publications receiving 5127869 citations. The organization is also known as: USP & Universidade de São Paulo.

Elliptic flow of identified hadrons in [formula presented] collisions at [formula presented]

Abstract: The anisotropy parameter (v(2)), the second harmonic of the azimuthal particle distribution, has been measured with the PHENIX detector in Au+Au collisions at roots(NN)=200 GeV for identified and inclusive charged particle production at central rapidities (eta 2 GeV/c, in marked contrast to the predictions of a hydrodynamical model. A quark-coalescence model is also investigated.

International study of temperature,heat and urban mortality: the ‘ISOTHURM’ project

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study describes heat- and cold-related mortality in 12 urban populations in low- and middle-income countries, thereby extending knowledge of how diverse populations, in non-OECD countries, respond to temperature extremes. METHODS: The cities were: Delhi, Monterrey, Mexico City, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Salvador, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Cape Town, Ljubljana, Bucharest and Sofia. For each city, daily mortality was examined in relation to ambient temperature using autoregressive Poisson models (2- to 5-year series) adjusted for season, relative humidity, air pollution, day of week and public holidays. RESULTS: Most cities showed a U-shaped temperature-mortality relationship, with clear evidence of increasing death rates at colder temperatures in all cities except Ljubljana, Salvador and Delhi and with increasing heat in all cities except Chiang Mai and Cape Town. Estimates of the temperature threshold below which cold-related mortality began to increase ranged from 15 degrees C to 29 degrees C; the threshold for heat-related deaths ranged from 16 degrees C to 31 degrees C. Heat thresholds were generally higher in cities with warmer climates, while cold thresholds were unrelated to climate. CONCLUSIONS: Urban populations, in diverse geographic settings, experience increases in mortality due to both high and low temperatures. The effects of heat and cold vary depending on climate and non-climate factors such as the population disease profile and age structure. Although such populations will undergo some adaptation to increasing temperatures, many are likely to have substantial vulnerability to climate change. Additional research is needed to elucidate vulnerability within populations. Language: en

Glutamine and glutamate—their central role in cell metabolism and function

Abstract: Glucose is widely accepted as the primary nutrient for maintenance and promotion of cell function. However, we propose that the 5-carbon amino acids, glutamine and glutamate, should be considered to be equally important for maintenance and promotion of cell function. The functions of glutamine are many and include: substrate for protein synthesis, anabolic precursor for muscle growth, acid-base balance in the kidney, substrate for ureogenesis in the liver, substrate for hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis, an oxidative fuel for intestine and cells of the immune system, inter-organ nitrogen transport, precursor for neurotransmitter synthesis, precursor for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis and precursor for glutathione production. Many of these functions are connected to the formation of glutamate from glutamine. We propose that the unique properties regarding concentration and routes of metabolism of these amino acids allow them to be used for a diverse array of processes related to the specialized function of each of the glutamine utilizing cells. In this review we highlight the specialized aspects of glutamine/glutamate metabolism of different glutamine-utilizing cells and in each case relate key aspects of metabolism to cell function.

Determinant factors of functional status among the elderly

Abstract: OBJETIVO; Investigar a influencia de fatores socioeconomicos e demograficos relativos a saude, bem como os fatores ligados as atividades sociais e a avaliacao subjetiva da saude sobre a capacidade funcional dos idosos. METODOS: Estudo transversal, integrante de estudo multicentrico, em amostra representativa do municipio de Sao Paulo, realizado em 1989. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada atraves da escala de atividades da vida diaria pessoal e instrumental e investigada como variavel dicotomica: ausencia de dependencia - incapacidade/dificuldade em nenhuma das atividades versus presenca de dependencia moderada/grave - incapacidade/dificuldade em 4 ou mais atividades. Analise de regressao logistica multipla foi aplicada aos fatores hierarquicamente agrupados. RESULTADOS: As caracteristicas que se associaram com a dependencia moderada/grave foram analfabetismo, ser aposentado, ser pensionista, ser dona de casa, nao ser proprietario da moradia, ter mais de 65 anos, ter composicao familiar multigeracional, ter sido internado nos ultimos 6 meses, ser "caso" no rastreamento de saude mental, nao visitar amigos, ter problemas de visao, ter historia de derrame, nao visitar parentes e ter avaliacao pessimista da saude ao se comparar com seus pares. CONCLUSOES: As caracteristicas identificadas que se associaram a dependencia moderada/grave sugerem uma complexa rede causal do declinio da capacidade funcional. Pode-se supor, entretanto, que acoes preventivas especificamente voltadas para certos fatores podem propiciar beneficios para o prolongamento do bem estar da populacao idosa.