Virtual Water Flows of Brazil’s International Trade

The study aims to measure virtual water flows in Brazil’s international trade. The methodology is based on the input-output matrix, and the database used was the Eora Global Supply Chain Database. The results showed that Brazil exported 230.8 billion m3 of virtual water per year, representing approximately 34.7% of the water footprint of the national production system in 2015. Virtual water imports totaled 111.6 billion m3 with a positive balance (net exports) of 119.2 billion m3. The country is a net exporter of this resource except for trade relations with South America and Africa, regions with negative balances of −36 billion m3 and 3 billion m3, respectively. The main destinations for virtual water exports from Brazil are Europe, with 41% of the total exported, followed by Asia and North America, with values close to 20%. The fact that Brazil is a net exporter of water makes sustainable use of the resource important, as the diversity of climate, soil, and water availability at a regional level is a challenge, which makes it essential to increase the efficiency of the use and management of water resources.

ChatGPT and exercise prescription:Human vs.machine or human plus machine?

The power of artificial intelligence(AI)to create stories,music,art,and other creative projects has been demonstrated and criticized over recent decades in media,mainly because of the idea that AI will replace human jobs.Most recently,in November 2022,reactions to Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer(ChatGPT)release for public use reverberated in news and social media headlines,while its users exceeded100 million in just a few weeks.ChatGPT is a natural language processing program created by AI non-profit OpenAI Inc.

Effects of quantitative feed restriction and sex on carcass traits,meat quality and meat lipid profile of Morada Nova lambs

Background: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed restriction(FR) and sex on the quantitative and qualitative carcass traits of Morada Nova lambs. Thirty-five animals with an initial body weight of 14.5 ± 0.89 kg and age of 120 d were used in a completely randomized study with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme consisting of three sexes(11 entire males, 12 castrated males and 12 females) and three levels of feeding(ad libitum – AL and 30% and 60% FR).Results: Entire males presented greater hot and cold carcass weights(P < 0.05), followed by castrated males and females. However, the hot carcass yield was higher for females and castrated males than for entire males. Luminosity values were influenced(P < 0.05) by sex, with entire males presenting higher values than castrated males and females.Females showed higher(P < 0.05) concentrations of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid in the meat of the longissimus thoracis muscle. The meat of animals submitted to AL intake and 30% FR showed similar(P > 0.05) concentrations, and the concentrations of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid were higher(P < 0.05) than those of animals with 60% FR. The meat of females had a higher ω6/ω3 ratio and lower h/H ratio, and females had greater levels of feeding. The meat of animals on the 60% FR diet had a greater ω6/ω3 ratio, lower h/H ratio and lower concentration of desirable fatty acids in addition to a greater atherogenicity index(AI) and thrombogenicity index(TI).Conclusion: Lambs of different sexes had carcasses with different quantitative traits without total influence on the chemical and physical meat characteristics. The lipid profile of the meat was less favorable to consumer health when the animals were female or submitted to 60% feed restriction.

Neonatal Death Rates: Lack of Equal Access to Hospital Obstetric Service and Intensive Therapy

Aim: To identify the association between access to obstetric and neonatal hospital service and neonatal death rates. Method: Quantitative and retrospective research retrieved from Declaration of Live Newly-born Children;Declaration of Death;Investigation Chart on Municipal Child Mortality, between 2000 and 2009, at the Nucleus of Information on Mortality Rates. The population studied comprised 537 neonatal deaths and mothers with residence in the municipality, and investigated by the work team of the Committee for the Investigation of Mother-Child Deaths. Data were analyzed in Epi Info 2002? computer program and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences? was used. Chi-square Test and Fischer’s Exact Test were applied at p < 0.05. Results: 63.7% of 537 neonates were born in hospitals with maternities and neonatal intensive therapy unit;60.7% weighed ≤1.500 grams;76.7% had a pregnancy age of ≤36 weeks;73% died of asphyxia in the 1st minute and 73.5% died during the perinatal period. Throughout the ten years of analysis, access to hospital obstetric service without NITU reduced death rate from 25% in 2000 to 6.8% in 2009. There was a significant statistical association between place of delivery and maternal socio-demographic variables (maternal age bracket p = 0.028;schooling p = 0.000;family income p = 0.000);occupation p = 0.000) and neonatal variables (race/skin color p = 0.007;type of delivery p = 0.000;weight at birth p = 0.000;pregnancy age p = 0.000 and Apgar Score 1st minute p = 0.000 and Apgar Score 5th minute p = 0.007). Conclusion: Although the municipal government provides obstetric services and specialized neonatal care, this right is not extensive to all;gaps at different levels in mother-child care should be identified to reduce neonatal deaths.

Methodology of the Tetrazolium Test for Evaluating Physiological Quality in Pitaya (<i>Hylocereus undatus</i>) Seeds

The germination test is routinely used for evaluating physiological quality of seeds, but it has not been satisfactory, since it requires relatively long periods to obtain results. In this sense, there is the possibility to resort to vigor tests, although the absence of standardized methodologies has hindered your applicability and reproducibility. The goal of the present study was to establish a methodology for the tetrazolium test that is effective for evaluating physiological quality in pitaya seeds. So, we used five seed batches obtained from mature fruits of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), harvested in the years of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The experimental design was the completely randomized design, with four replicates of 50 seeds. The tetrazolium test was conducted in a 5 × 4 × 3 factorial plot, corresponding to five batches of pitaya seeds (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012), four concentrations of the tetrazolium solution (0.075%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) and three immersion periods (2, 3, and 4 h). In addition, the germination test for the seed batches was carried out and the analyzed variables were: percentage of germination (PG), germination speed index (GSI) and mean germination time (MGT). Data were submitted to ANOVA and means were compared by the Scott-Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). Tetrazolium test conducted at a solution concentration of 0.5% and an immersion period of 3 h proved to be efficient for evaluating physiological quality of pitaya seeds, in order to stratify the seed batches into more viability levels compared to the germination test.

Repeatability of Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Wheat

This study aimed to detect genotypic differences in the resistance to sprouting of wheat grains, evaluate the effectiveness of different methods for inducing sprouting and identify, using repeatability estimates, the minimum number of spikes necessary for the adequate evaluation of the percentage of grain sprouting in the spike in order to assist in the selection of superior genotypes in breeding programs. Spikes from four wheat cultivars (Frontana, IPR Catuara, Quartzo and BRS 220) were evaluated using three methods for inducing grain sprouting in the spike (water immersion, rainfall simulation and germination chamber). To determine the most efficient method, repeatability coefficients were estimated through analysis of variance, principal components analysis and structural analysis based on correlation and covariance matrices. The induction of sprouting by immersion in water was the most effective method for indicating genotypic differences and may be used in breeding programs for this purpose. The repeatability method based on the components of covariance was more efficient. A minimum of 11 spikes is required to make a high-reliability estimate of the percentage of sprouted grains in the spike.

Paclobutrazol on <i>In Vitro</i>Growth and Development of <i>Zygopetalum crinitum</i>Orchid, and on Seedling Acclimatization

In vitro cultivation is a technique that allows the production of great amount of plants. However, significant losses may occur during the acclimatization period (ex vitro stage). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of paclobutrazol, in the Murashige and Skoog culture medium, on growth, development, and survival of Zygopetalum crinitum plants. The experimental design (both in vitro and ex vitro) was completely randomized with four treatments: three paclobutrazol concentrations (0.5;1.0;and 1.5 mg L-1 active ingredient) and the control (without PBZ). Morphological changes promoted by the paclobutrazol application were observed in the seedlings;however, it did not result in higher seedling survival rates of the Zygopetalum crinitum orchid.

Animal Models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strain Differences

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts, images etc.) and compulsions (repetitive, stereotyped and perseverant acts). Animal models of OCD are specifically devoted to simulating compulsive features of the disorder. In OCD, compulsive behaviors are recognized as repetitive and maladaptive and symptoms relief can be experienced due to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Many animal models of OCD are provided with some degree of validity. Genetically based differences in behavior in animal models of OCD are of great value, given that human OCD is reported to involve genetic factors. Some animal models of OCD were already used in studies for the evaluation of strain differences. These works were explored in the present review.

Regional odontodysplasia: Account of clinical case in permanent teeth

The regional odontodysplasia, also referred as odontogenic dysplasia, is a rare condition which has been described as an alteration of the dental development affecting the mineralized structures of both the permanent and deciduous teeth, and it has been associated with retardation in the eruption of the affected teeth, gum edema, hydrocephalus and Epidermal Nevus Syndrome. The etiology is still unknown, however, some hypotheses have been suggested about their origin. About its incidence, this disease is more frequent in the anterior segment of the maxilla and usually unilateral. Epidemiologically this disease shows no predilection for any racial group, being more frequent in the first and second decade of life and predominantly in females. Clinically the Odontodysplasia Regional is characterized as an hypoplasia of enamel and dentin in teeth badly formed with size alteration and form coloration varying of the yellow to chestnut;the presence of smooth and extremely friable dentine, tooth mobility and defective mineralization increases the possibilities of the pulp exposure and a tendency to develop abscesses. Radio-graphically has the appearance of ghosts tooth with a bizarre morphology;reduction of the normal radiopacity decrease of the thickness of the dentine and enamel structures. They generally present with open apexes;shortened or absent roots;diffuse calcification in the inside of the pulp. Histopathologically it presents with accented reduction of the amount of dentin, presence of great interglobular dentine areas and irregular standard of the dentine canals. Enamel is usually thin, hypoplasic and hypocalcified. The pulp presents atrophic areas, fibrose and hyalinization and the cement does not have marked structural alterations. The treatment of the Regional odontodysplasia has been the reason of many quarrels. This present essay aims to review the literature and report a clinical case.

Chimney Height, a Determining Factor in the Dispersion of Pollutants and Their Concentration

This work proposes a way of modelling two-dimensional complex meshes using elliptic equations, which the computational grid coincides with the problem geometry, making computational processing more suitable. A multiblock technique was used in order to achieve a better representation of the problem domain. In this way, numerical simulations of the movement and dispersion of pollutant emissions in the atmosphere are presented in the generated domains, using the Navier-Stokes pollutant transport equations. The curvilinear coordinates and the finite difference method are used for the discretization. The model was verified in two tests. In the first test, three cases were proposed, with geometries containing a chimney followed by an obstacle, using different chimney heights, and the obstacle height was fixed. The test aims to verify the vortices appearance, in the blocks, to obtain agreement with as presented in the literature. In the second test, the geometry is described by a chimney and an obstacle that represents one of the mountains in the valley. The performed tests made possible to verify that the height of the chimney can be considered a determining factor to describe the dispersion of pollutants, as well as their concentration in the proximity of industrial areas.

Antimicrobial Resistance in <i>Enterococcus</i>sp Isolated from Soft Cheese in Southern Brazil

The aim of this research was to study the incidence of antibiotic resistance in 56 Enterococcus strains isolated from dairy products. The identification of enterococci was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers to E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus, and antibiotic resistance was tested by the disk diffusion method. The most prevalent species was E. faecium with a rate of 58.33%, followed by 27.77% E. faecalis, 11.11% E. casseliflavus and 2.7% E. gallinarum. Distribution of resistance was found in different species. All isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, imipenem and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. In addition, isolates resistant to tetracyclin, nalidixic acid, amikacin, erythromycin, vancomycin and cephalothin were detected. A total of 66.6% of E. faecium and 58.3% of E. faecalis strain were resistant to multiple drugs. The van(A) gene was detected in 100% of vancomycin resistant enterococci. Considering the results of our study, dairy enterococci can be considered a potential source for dissemination of antibiotic resistances.

Influence of Glass Fiber wt% and Silanization on Mechanical Flexural Strength of Reinforced Acrylics

The aim is to evaluate the flexural strength of acrylic resin bars depending on the addiction of glass fibers with or without previous 3-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (silane) application. Short fibers (3 mm) were treated and added to an acrylic resin powder, being further mixed with acrylic liquid to create bars (25 × 2 × 2 mm) of 11 experimental groups (N = 10), according to the interaction of experimental factors: weight % of glass fibers: (0.5;1;3;4;6 and 7) and silane application (with silane (S) or without silane (N)). Flexural strength and scanning microscopy evaluation were performed (SEM). Data (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey (α = 5%). A significant difference between groups was observed (p = 0.001): S7%(128.85 ± 35.76)a, S6% (119.31 ± 11.97)ab, S4% (116.98 ± 25.23)ab, N4% (107.85 ± 24.88)abc, S1% (96.29 ± 20.65)bc, S0.5% (89.29 ± 7.33)cd, S3% (89.0 ± 11.27)cd, N3% (86.79 ± 17.63)cd, N1% (85.43 ± 16.44)cd, Control (73.29 ± 25.0)de, N0.5% (59.58 ± 19.46)e. For N groups, it was not possible to include more than 4%wt fibers. SEM showed better fiber-resin interaction for S groups, and fractures around fibers on N groups. Previous silane application enables the addiction of greater quantity of glass fibers and better interaction with the acrylic resin resulting in higher flexural strength. Without silane, fibers seem to act as initial crack points due to poor interaction.

Stem cells and pain

ain can be defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience caused by either actual or potential tissue damage or even resemble that unpleasant experience.For years,science has sought to find treatment alternatives,with minimal side effects,to relieve pain.However,the currently available pharmacological options on the market show significant adverse events.Therefore,the search for a safer and highly efficient analgesic treatment has become a priority.Stem cells(SCs)are non-specialized cells with a high capacity for replication,self-renewal,and a wide range of differentiation possibilities.In this review,we provide evidence that the immune and neuromodulatory properties of SCs can be a valuable tool in the search for ideal treatment strategies for different types of pain.With the advantage of multiple administration routes and dosages,therapies based on SCs for pain relief have demonstrated meaningful results with few downsides.Nonetheless,there are still more questions than answers when it comes to the mechanisms and pathways of pain targeted by SCs.Thus,this is an evolving field that merits further investigation towards the development of SCbased analgesic therapies,and this review will approach all of these aspects.

Exercise-induced oxidative stress:Friend or foe?

The first report demonstrating that prolonged endurance exercise promotes oxidative stress in humans was published more than 4 decades ago.Since this discovery,many ensuing investigations have corroborated the fact that muscular exercise increases the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and results in oxidative stress in numerous tissues including blood and skeletal muscles.Although several tissues may contribute to exercise-induced ROS production,it is predicted that muscular contractions stimulate ROS production in active muscle fibers and that skeletal muscle is a primary source of ROS production during exercise.This contraction-induced ROS generation is associated with(1)oxidant damage in several tissues(e.g.,increased protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation),(2)accelerated muscle fatigue,and(3)activation of biochemical signaling pathways that contribute to exercise-induced adaptation in the contracting muscle fibers.While our understanding of exercise and oxidative stress has advanced rapidly during the last decades,questions remain about whether exercise-induced increases in ROS production are beneficial or harmful to health.This review addresses this issue by discussing the site(s)of oxidant production during exercise and detailing the health consequences of exercise-induced ROS production.

Elevated homocysteine levels in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy: A meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the association between the levels of homocysteine(Hcy), folate, vitamin B12 in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients who were treated with antiretroviral therapy(ART) or not treated with ART.METHODS: The Pub Med and Scielo databases were searched. Eligible studies regarding plasma Hcy level in HIV-infected patients were firstly identified. After careful analysis by two independent researches, the identified articles were included in the review according to two outcomes(1) Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 blood concentration in HIV-infected subjects vs health controls and;(2) Hcy blood concentration in HIV-infected subjects under ART vs not treated with ART. RevM an(version 5.2) was employed for data synthesis.RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included in outcome 1(1649 participants, 932 cases and 717 controls). Outcome 1 meta-analysis demonstrated higher plasma Hcy(2.05 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.10 to 4.00, P < 0.01) and decreased plasma folate concentrations(-2.74 ng/m L; 95%CI:-5.18 to-0.29, P < 0.01) in HIV-infected patients compared to healthy controls. No changes in vitamin B12 plasma concentration were observed between groups. All studies included in the outcome 2 meta-analysis(1167 participants; 404 HIVinfected exposed to ART and 757 HIV-infected non-ART patients) demonstrated higher mean Hcy concentration in subjects HIV-infected under ART compared to nonART HIV subjects(4.13 μmol/L; 95%CI: 1.34 to 6.92, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that the levels of Hcy and folate, but not vitamin B12, were associated with HIV infection. In addition, Hcy levels were higher in HIV-infected patients who were under ART compared to HIV-infected patients who were not exposed to ART. Our results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia should be included among the several important metabolic disturbances that are associated with ART in patients with HIV infection.

Local Cutaneous Effects Associated with Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Gel Dressing in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients

Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) often requires a central venous catheter (CVC) for quick and safe vascular access. Currently, new technologies are available to protect the catheter insertion site, such as chlorhexidine-impregnated gel dressings (CIGD). Objectives: To evaluate local cutaneous effects associated with CIGD in patients undergoing HSCT. Methods: In this cross-sectional, prospective study, we evaluated 25 HSCT patients who had a CVC inserted. Patients were visited daily to monitor the CIGD changing procedures and evaluate abnormalities of the underlying skin after dressing removal. Findings: Local erythema was the most frequently detected abnormality, although usually transient and considered secondary to the mechanical trauma of dressing removal. The most severe lesions, consisting of areas of skin loss, erythematous plaques and/or vesicles were classified as skin irritation and presented in 11 (44%) of the 25 patients. An association test showed that skin irritation was more frequent in patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT (p = 0.03). Skin irritation was most frequently observed in areas of contact with the non-woven polyester adhesive tape (n = 22;88%), which made up the adhesive margins of the dressing. The CIGD was discontinued in 6 (54%) of the 11 patients who presented severe skin injuries. Conclusion: In this study, we detected that skin irritation was more frequent in patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. The most common skin manifestation was skin loss.

Reduced paraoxonase 1 activities may explain the comorbidities between temporal lobe epilepsy and depression,anxiety and psychosis

BACKGROUND Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE)is the most common focal epilepsy subtype in adults and is frequently accompanied by depression,anxiety and psychosis.Aberrations in total paraoxonase 1(PON1)status may occur in TLE and these psychiatric conditions.AIM To examine PON1 status,namely Q192R PON1 genotypes and PON1 enzymatic activities,in TLE.METHODS We recruited 40 normal controls and 104 TLE patients,27 without comorbidities and 77 with comorbidities including mood disorders(n=25),anxiety disorders(n=27)and psychosis(n=25).RESULTS Four-(chloromethyl)phenyl acetate hydrolysis(CMPAase)and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in TLE and mesial temporal sclerosis(MTS)with and without psychiatric comorbidities than those in normal controls.The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CMPAase were 0.893(0.037)for TLE and 0.895(±0.037)for MTS.Partial least squares path analysis showed that there were specific indirect effects of PON1 genotype on TLE severity(P<0.0001)and psychopathology(P<0.0001),which were both mediated by lowered CMPAase activity,while arylesterase activity was not significant.The severity of TLE was significantly associated with psychopathology scores.Furthermore,PON1 CMPAase activity was inversely associated with Mini Mental State Examination score.CONCLUSION The severity of TLE and comorbidities are to a large extent explained by reduced PON1 enzyme activities and by effects of the Q192R genotype,which are mediated by reduced CMPAase activity.Total PON1 status plays a key role in the pathophysiology of TLE,MTS and psychiatric comorbidities by increasing the risk of oxidative toxicity.PON1 enzyme activities are new drug targets in TLE to treat seizure frequency and psychiatric comorbidities.

Study on Zymomonas Mobilis Growth and Its Relationship with Glutaminase Production by Using Statistical Tools

Glutaminase is used industrially to enhance flavor and aroma and to enrich foodstuffs nutritionally. It also has potential for pharmaceutical application as anti-leukemia agent. The bacteria of Zymomonas mobilis has been studied for ethanol production, however, there is no study regarding glutaminase production. The aim of the present study was to establish the influencing factors for the growth of Z mobilis and its relationship with glutaminase production using statistical tools. Analysis of variance in blocks was carried out in a complete block design and the Tukey test demonstrated the importance of the components of the culture medium, absence of agitation and fermentation time. Minimum culture medium was used in the optimization varying the glucose concentrations （10, 30, and 50 g/L）, glutamine （0, 0.5 and 1g/L） and culture time （18, 24 and 30 hours）. Maximum production was obtained at 8.86 U/L glutaminase. Optimized conditions were used in the growth kinetics, where typical exponential growth was observed. Glutaminase production was shown to be related to biomass production.

Gastric Leiomyosarcoma Associated with Hypoglycemia in Dog—A Case Report

Neoplasms of the digestive system are uncommon in dogs, and may be of epithelial, neuroendocrine, hematopoietic and mesenchymal origin. The leiomyosarcoma is a tumor of mesenchymal origin of smooth, malignant, slow-growing muscles. Paraneoplastic syndromes can affect different systems, being the most commonly found: hypercalcemia, hypoglycemia, cachexia and anemia. There are rare cases of mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs that result in hypoglycaemia with clinical signs. The objective of this study is to report a case of gastric leiomyosarcoma associated with clinical hypoglycemia. The patient had neurological signs such as ataxia and seizures associated with hypoglycemia, which did not recur after surgical excision of the tumor. The definitive diagnosis was based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the tumor.