Evaluation of Different Levels of Addition of Souari Nut Peel (Caryocar brasiliense) on the Quality of the Mombasa Grass Silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of souari nut peel on the fermentative characteristics and chemical composition of the Mombasa grass silage.A completely randomized design with five levels of addition(0%,5%,10%,15%and 20%in natural matter basis)of souari nut peel with three replicates was applied in the study.The silos were opened at 55 d after starting the ensiling process.The data were analyzed by means of linear/quadratic regression analysis,according to the best fit of the data and the probability values to 5%,using the Statistical Analysis System(SAS,2002).There were a linear decreasing effect on the neutral detergent fiber(NDF),ash and increasing values for the effluent in the silage.Quadratic effect was observed for crude protein(CP),lignin and pH.For the other factors dry matter(DM),acid detergent fiber(ADF)and gases there was no influence on the addition of souari nut peel.The 15%addition level of souari nut peel increased CP content,decreased NDF and pH,which was recommended to improve the fermentation profile of Mombasa grass silage.

Morphological Patterns of a Hymenopteran Gall on the Leaflets of Caryocar brasiliense Camb.(Caryocaraceae)

Anatomical studies in the leaflet globoid galls of Caryocar brasiliense, the “pequi”, aimed to answer how oviposition and the feeding behavior of the galling herbivores altered the morphogenical patterns of the host plant. C. brasiliense globoid gall was 1.28 ± 0.20 mm × 0.90 ± 0.25 mm, with hairy surface;it is sessile and projected to the abaxial surface. Young galls were red while the mature ones were green. Preferentially, they were formed next to leaf margin and possessed one larval chamber containing a single galling specimen. Gall epidermis was uniseriate, with thicker cuticle and more hairy. In some spots, epidermis was substituted by periderm, which indicated the expression of a character usually absent in the leaf laminas. Morphological and anatomical features of these gall morphotype, such as its position in leaf lamina, the fact of being truly closed galls, with typical nutritive tissue involved by sclerenchyma, made them next to the pattern proposed for galls induced by some Hymenoptera.

Influence of Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Phase Angle Values of People Living with HIV/AIDS with Lipodystrophy Secondary to Antiretroviral Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The measurement of phase angles is an important monitoring parameter and supplementation with omega-3 could promote benefits by modulating the electrical potential of membranes and increasing body cell mass. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the phase angle of people living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: In this study, 63 individuals of all genders who were undergoing outpatient follow-up and showed lipodystrophy due to highly active antiretroviral therapy were analyzed. Our sample consisted of two groups, one that received supplementation containing 2550 mg of omega-3/day (1080 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 720 mg of docosahexaenoic acid) for three months (n = 32) and another that underwent nutrition guidance (n = 31). Phase angle and body cell mass were assessed for both groups and compared at the beginning of research (T0) and after our intervention (T1) for each group separately. Results: Phase angle averaged 6.45° ± 1.06 SD. The comparison between T0 and T1 showed a significant increase in phase angle and body cell mass, whereas the guidance group showed a decrease in body cell mass at T1 in relation to T0, with a significant p-value. Variance in phase angle between moments showed significant values between T0 and T1 in the supplementation group for all genders. Conclusion: Omega-3 positively modulated patients phase angle and body cell mass, but we emphasize the need for other studies that can solidify knowledge about supplementation dosage and intervention time.

Gravity Fault Subsidence and Beach Ridges Progradation in Quinta-Cassino (RS) Coastal Plain, Brazil

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have being applied to investigate very near-surface stratification of sedimentary units in coastal plains and to define their depositional conditions. This paper presents, however, low-frequency GPR survey to investigate fault-related depositional systems at greater depths. The Quinta-Cassino area in the Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (RGSCP, Brazil) shows a wide strandplain that is made off by very long, continuous, and linear geomorphic features (beach ridges). This strandplain extends for ~70 km southward. The beach ridges show low-angle truncations against the Quinta escarpment, and also truncations in the strandplain. The traditional approach points that RGSCP was developed by juxtaposition of four lagoons/barrier systems as consequence of sea level changes;previous model assumes that no deformational episode occurred in RGSCP. The geophysical and geological surveys carried out in this area showed the existence of listric fault controlling the beach ridges in the escarpments and hanging-wall blocks. The radargrams could distinguish Pleistocene basement unit anticlockwise rotation, thickening of beach ridges radarfacies close to listric normal faults, and horst structures. These deformational features indicate that the extensional zone of a large-scale gravity-driven structure controlled the mechanical subsidence, the Holocene sedimentation and its stratigraphic and geomorphic features in the Quinta-Cassino area to build up an asymmetric delta. The results point to a new approach in dealing with RGSCP Holocene evolution.

Gravity-Driven Listric Growth Fault and Sedimentation in the Lagoa do Peixe, Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain, Brazil

High frequency, high resolution GPR surveys are successfully applied to investigate near-surface stratification architecture of sedimentary units in coastal plains and to define their depositional conditions. However, low frequency GPR surveys to investigate fault-related depositional systems at greater depths are scarce. This survey was designed investigate a > 100 km long linear escarpment that controls the northwest margin of the Lagoa do Peixe, an important lagoon in Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (RGSCP, Brazil). The traditional approach points that RGSCP was developed by juxtaposition of four lagoons/barrier systems as consequence of sea level changes;no deformational structure is admitted to exist before. The low frequency GPR (50 MHz, RTA antenna) and geological surveys carried out in the RGSCP showed the existence of a large, gravity-driven listric growth fault controlling the Lagoa do Peixe escarpment and hangingwall sedimentation. The radargrams in four subareas along the Lagoa do Peixe Growth Fault could be interpreted following the seismic expression of rift-related depositional systems. The radargrams enabled to distinguish three main lagoonal deposition radarfacies. The lower lagoonal radarfacies is a convex upward unit, thicker close to growth fault;the radarfacies geometry indicates that fault displacement rate surpasses the sedimentation rate, and its upper stratum is aged ~3500 l4C years BP. The second lagoonal radarfacies is a triangular wedge restricted to the lagoon depocenter, whose geometry indicates that fault displacement and the sedimentation rates kept pace. The upper lagoonal radarfacies is being deposited since 1060 ± 70 l4C years BP, under sedimentation rate higher than fault displacement rate. The results indicate that low frequency GPR surveys can help in investigating fault-related depositional systems in coastal zones. They also point to a new approach in dealing with RGSCP stratigraphy.

海上凝析气田开采闪蒸机理研究及控制策略

海上凝析气田开采工艺中,伴随流程工况变化,凝析油闪蒸问题多次出现,造成凝析油产量降低,放空气大量增加。以荔湾气田处理工艺为例,系统阐述了凝析油闪蒸的机理,明确轻组分富集和饱和蒸汽压力差导致闪蒸加剧,提出控制流程压降抑制轻组分闪蒸的总体生产策略。并围绕凝析油处理单元压力节点控制进行措施优化,有效降低凝析油闪蒸气量超14000 m^(3)/d,产生良好经济和环保效益。

Impact Containment Barriers with Geotextile Tubes

Recently, tragic tailings dam collapses in Brazil have caused deaths and major destruction and the need to develop technologies capable of preventing damage to people and the environment. Brazilian tailings dams are in a situation of uncertainty due to new legislation that even requires decommissioning, an activity that involves many problems and where the risk of failure is the main one. An impact containment structure downstream of these dams can be effective and geotextile tubes, in a new approach, have emerged as an option with advantages in terms of execution, costs and safety. The technology is versatile and can bring many benefits such as the reuse of tailings or filling with low-energy or reused materials. In this research, geotextile tubes were tested as free containment barriers, experiencing impacts in reduced models. The safety factor for the stability of the structure was constructed using an equation which is the ratio between the self-weight of the barrier structure and its coefficient of static friction and the impact pressure, where the data showed an adequate correlation which suggests the viability of mitigating risks.

Gut-microbiome-brain axis:the crosstalk between the vagus nerve,alpha-synuclein and the brain in Parkinson's disease

This critical review of the literature shows that there is a close link between the microbiome,the gut,and the brain in Parkinson's disease.The vagus nerve,the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system,is involved in the regulation of immune response,digestion,heart rate,and control of mood.It can detect microbiota metabolites through its afferents,transferring this gut information to the central nervous system.Preclinical and clinical studies have shown the important role played by the gut microbiome and gut-related factors in disease development and progression,as well as treatment responses.These findings suggest that the gut microbiome may be a valuable target for new therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease.More studies are needed to better understand the underlying biology and how this axis can be modulated for the patient's benefit.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis without cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is an emerging major cause of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),up to 50%of patients with HCC had no clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis.It is currently challenging to propose general recommendations for screening patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis,and each patient should be evaluated on a caseby-case basis based on the profile of specific risk factors identified.For HCC screening in NAFLD,a valid precision-based screening is needed.Currently,when evaluating this population of patients,the use of non-invasive methods can guide the selection of those who should undergo a screening and surveillance program.Hence,the objective of the present study is to review the epidemiology,the pathophysiology,the histopathological aspects,the current recommendations,and novel perspectives in the surveillance of non-cirrhotic NAFLD-related HCC.

Updates in the Diagnosis of Gestational Trophoblast Disease

GTD (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease) is a pathology that encompasses benign and malignant clinical forms, affects women of childbearing age, has a variable incidence and is more frequent in developing or underdeveloped countries, colliding with the economic barrier. The frequent absence of clear protocols and guidelines for the correct diagnosis of the pathology results in inadequate classification, imprecise treatment and failed post-therapeutic observation, increasing the risk of relapses, morbidity and mortality. The present study aims to point out updated national and international practice protocols of diagnosis of GTD, through an integrative review. Seven articles were selected and it was observed that the main international reference centers are agreed with the management suggested by the IFGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), being the conduct in the Hydatidiform Mole (HM): evacuation by suction and curettage under ultrasound guidance, followed by hCG monitoring every 1 - 2 weeks until normalized (usually one month for Partial Hydatidiform Mole six months for Complete Hydatidiform Mole and one year for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia). Unfortunately, regarding the diagnosis of MH, the guidelines of some countries show the absence or difficulty of access to the karyotype test and ploid p57 or pelvic ultrasound accompanying the uterine curettage, contrary to what is proposed by the IFGO guideline. Establishing and complying with consistent guidelines can improve patient care, with early diagnosis of the pathology and its complications, reducing the rate of recurrence, morbidity and mortality, especially in less developed countries.

Difficulties Faced by Physicians in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis in the Brazilian Public Health System

Endometriosis is a clinical and recurrent condition characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and myometrium. It is estimated that 6% to 10% of women of reproductive age, 50% to 60% of adolescents and adults with pelvic pain, and up to 50% of women with infertility are pregnant from the condition. However, this proportion tends to be even greater due to the difficulty in diagnosing it: because it presents different symptoms, lack of information from health professionals, and a high-cost diagnostic test. Another aggravating factor is the average time from the onset of symptoms to the medical diagnosis, which even today ranges from five to ten years;this delay has consequences for disease progression, as it prevents early treatment, which is important for improving pain levels and physical and psychological well-being. Aware of these mishaps, it is therefore important to assess the difficulties faced by doctors in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the public health system, in Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS). With this purpose, a cross sectional was carried out, developed in the virtual environment using traffic in Google forms, with the difficulties quantified in the Likert scale. Participating physicians pointed out a medium difficulty for patients with endometriosis to access the consultation (58%) and moderate difficulty (52%) to perform an ultrasound examination;also signaled great difficulty in performing magnetic resonance imaging (77%) and laparotomy (61%) in these patients. It is hoped that knowledge about the difficulties faced by physicians in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the SUS will give these physicians a voice and corroborate, even if minimally, so that there is more research that provokes the search for these difficulties, in order to improving the quality of life of these women.

Evaluation of parasitemia by qPCR in patients with chronic Chagas disease treated with benznidazole

Objective:To evaluate parasitemia by qPCR in patients undergoing etiological treatment and followed in a Brazilian reference center.Methods:Parasite load was quantified by qPCR in 32 participants with chronic Chagas disease who were treated with benznidazole.Serological analyses were performed before and after the treatment and parasite loads were compared prior and 12/18 months post the treatment.Results:Thirty-two participants were recruited and treated with benznidazole,and 20 were followed-up.Adverse events(AE)were observed in 22 out of 29 participants that had safety data(76%),and dermatological alterations were the most frequently observed AE.Of the 20 participants analyzed,13 and 7 completed 12 and 18 months follow-up after the treatment,respectively.12 Months after the final treatment,Trypanosoma cruzi was detectable in 3 patients by qPCR;18 months after the final treatment,Trypanosoma cruzi was detectable per qPCR in 4 of the 7 participants.Thus,between 12 and 18 months,7 participants of the 20 initial follow-up cases showed positive qPCR,indicating treatment failures.Conclusions:qPCR can be used as an alternative method for evaluating the effectiveness of the etiological treatment of CD,and can be applied to analyze early therapeutic failures.The study showed that benznidazole therapy had limited effectiveness in treating chronic CD patients,thus emphasizing the importance of conducting continued research for developing more effective therapies and diagnosis for CD.

Maternal hyperthyroidism increases the synthesis activity and the osteogenic markers expression of calvarial osteoblasts from offspring in a murine model

To evaluate the characteristics and synthesis activity of osteoblasts extracted from the calvaria of offspring of rats exposed to maternal hyperthyroidism.Twelve adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups,one control and one treated with daily administration of L-thyroxine by an orogastric tube(50μg/animal/day)during pregnancy.Three days after delivery and confirmation of the mothers’hyperthyroidism,the offspring were euthanized for the extraction of osteoblasts from the calvaria.At 7,14,and 21 days,proliferation activity was assessed using MTT assay,while alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity was assessed by the BCIP/NBT method.At 21 days,the total area of the mineralized matrix stained by von Kossa was evaluated by morphometry.The expression of gene transcripts for Runx2,Bmp2,Fgfr1,collagen type 1(Col1),osteocalcin(Oc),and osteopontin(Op)were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR.Means were compared using the Student’s t-test.FA activity was significantly higher at 14 and 21 days in cultures of osteoblasts extracted from offspring exposed to maternal hyperthyroidism,while MTT conversion was significantly lower at 21 days in this group.Osteoblast cultures of neonates exposed to maternal hyperthyroidism also showed a larger total area of mineralized matrix and greater expression of gene transcripts for Oc and Op.Maternal hyperthyroidism increases the activity of matrix synthesis,alkaline phosphatase activity,and expression of gene transcripts for osteocalcin and osteopontin in the osteoblasts,extracted from the calvaria of the offspring,which may be one of the mechanisms of premature fusion of cranial sutures.

Designing Artemisinins with Antimalarial Potential, Combining Molecular Electrostatic Potential, Ligand-Heme Interaction and Multivariate Models

Artemisinins tested against W-2 strains of malaria falciparum are investigated with molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), in an attempt to identify key features of the compounds that are necessary for their activities, as well as to investigate likely interactions with the receptor in a biological process and to use that information to propose new molecules. In order to discover the best geometry involving the ligand-receptor complexes (heme) studied and help in the proposition of the new derivatives, molecular simulations of interactions between the most negative charged region around the peroxide and heme locates (the ones around the Fe2+ ion) were carried out. In addition, PCA (principal components analysis), HCA (hierarchical cluster analysis), SDA (stepwise discriminant analysis), and KNN (K-nearest neighbor) multivariate models were employed to investigate which descriptors are responsible for the classification between the higher and lower antimalarial activity of the compounds, and also this information was used to propose new potentially active molecules. The information accumulated in studies of MEP, molecular docking, and multivariate analysis supported the proposal of new structures with potential antimalarial activities. The multivariate models constructed were applied to the new structures and indicated numbers 19 and 20 as the most prominent for syntheses and biological assays.

Carbon, Water, Ecological Footprints, Energy and Nutritional Densities of Omnivore and Vegan Culinary Preparations

This study aimed to evaluate energy and nutritional densities, water, carbon and ecological footprints, cost, of omnivorous and vegan main courses served in a university restaurant in the city of Rio de Janeiro. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted with 40 main dish-type preparations, 20 of which are omnivorous and 20 vegans, served at lunch, to assess energy and nutritional densities, carbon, water and ecological footprints and cost of preparations. We propose a healthy and sustainable preparation index (HSPI) to evaluate from the list, the best preparation options considering the nutritional quality combined with the impact that the food causes on the environment. Preparations with the highest HSPI were considered the best options because they have a good relation between the nutritional profile and the environmental impact. Results: Regarding energy (ED), nutritional (ND) densities and water, carbon and ecological footprints, omnivorous preparations presented much higher values when compared to the vegan ones. The omnivorous preparations had the highest average cost (R$ 3.44). Regarding the HSPI, vegan preparations showed better rates than omnivorous preparations. Food services should promote healthy and sustainable choices by offering menus with low energy density preparations, high nutritional density, and low environmental impact, considering local realities and customer needs. Conclusion: This study was able to evaluate the best preparation options, considering the nutritional profile and the food impact on the environment, using health and sustainable indicators. Obtaining indicators of preparations regarding healthiness and sustainability, in practice, translates environmental aspects in menu planning, which contribute to changes in food consumption patterns in food services, in addition to contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact. In this way, they can be used as tools added to the menu planning process for the analysis of the environmental impact of menus, in addition to nutritional and qualitative aspects.

Food and Nutritional Security in the Refugee Women’s Life Narratives

Objective: To understand, based on the life narratives of refugee women, food and nutritional security. Method: Qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study, Narratives of life method, by Daniel Bertaux. Conducted with 11 participants, refugee women residing in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results: The meanings and feelings evidenced in the life narratives of refugee women expressed the insecurities and weaknesses with food in the resettlement. Final Considerations: Given the meanings and feelings regarding food in the refuge, it is expected that the present study will contribute to the elaboration of new action plans and intersectoral public policies of agile action to meet the demands of the refugee population, in the attempt to mitigate starvation, poverty, social differences and the compromised health status of the refugee population.

Sun Disturbances on Earth’s Volcanism

This paper searches for a connection between volcanoes and solar variability. Solar events have been investigated as possible interference with hazardous natural events on Earth. The first results pointed out that during the solar minimum, the frequency and strength of volcanoes increased. However, solar variability is not the only factor disturbing volcanic eruptions;there is also seasonality. There is a double interference from the Sun on the volcanoes, one from the solar cycles, and the second is the seasons.

Didactic Sequences as an Educational Product to Facilitate Teaching-Learning Processes in Lato Sensu Graduate Courses in the Area of Health Management in Primary Care

Teaching strategies can be considered as techniques that are constructed to be used with the objective of promoting teaching and learning in the classroom, so that the teacher is considered a mentor, as he is the one who selects, analyzes, studies, organizes, builds and proposes the most classic tools to facilitate the learning process [1]. This study is an experience report related to the construction of an educational product that consists of the elaboration of pedagogical strategies, characterized by five didactic sequences in the perspective of collaborating with teaching-learning processes in lato sensu graduate courses. The themes that are part of the didactic sequences were built based on the results obtained in scientific research carried out during the development of the strict sensu postgraduate course in Teaching in Health and Technology, which involved: the work of coordinators who work in the field of health management in Primary Care, situations that challenge the management of Primary Care and the potentialities of work in the management of Primary Care. The didactic sequences have fun teaching strategies that provide meaningful learning for a future qualified professional performance. These sequences involve the use of active methodologies and the use of digital tools. The educational product developed seeks to promote benefits that can collaborate with the improvement of Primary Care Management and teaching-learning processes in the training of health professionals. Therefore, the pedagogical strategies, as well as its entire construction process, were developed through the collaboration of professors of the Health and Society discipline at the State University of Health Sciences of Alagoas (UNCISAL), seeking to make it qualify for effective construction of knowledge and that promote its wide use in the academic environment.

Curcumin in inflammatory bowel diseases:Cellular targets and molecular mechanisms

Curcumin,a natural product,has exhibited promising effects in both animal models and clinical trials,interacting with a multitude of factors linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD).These factors encompass cytokines,oxidative stress-associated enzymes,and modulation of the intestinal microbiota.Notably,curcumin has demonstrated therapeutic potential in animal models of colitis,wherein it exerts a negative regulatory influence on pivotal signaling pathways such as PI3/Akt,JAK/STAT,andβ-catenin.Moreover,it inhibits the expression of proinflammatory enzymes and co-stimulatory molecules(including RANKL,ICAM-1,CD205,CD256,TLR4,among others),while curbing immune cell chemotaxis,thereby attenuating the characteristic neutrophil infiltration observed in IBD.Another facet of curcumin’s action involves its modulation of the intestinal microbiota.Notably,the microbiota itself contributes to beneficial biotrans formations of curcumin,thereby enhancing its effectiveness in IBD treatment.On a clinical front,curcumin has demonstrated the ability to induce clinical and/or endoscopic remission without any reported toxic effects.Hence,curcumin warrants consideration as an adjunctive therapy in IBD management.Subsequent clinical investigations should concentrate on meticulously evaluating curcumin’s impact on these precise therapeutic targets.

Renin-angiotensin system in the central nervous system:focus on Huntington’s disease

The renin-angiotensin system(RAS)was originally conceived as a circulating hormonal system involved in the regulation of cardiovascular and renal homeostasis.With the discovery of local RAS components in diverse organs,including the brain,and related biologically active peptides.