Prevalence of Family History of Cancer among Gastric Cancer Patients at Brazilian National Cancer Institute

Background: Gastric cancer is the third most incident malignancy and the fifth leading cause of death in the world. In Brazil, it is the fourth most common tumour in men and the fifth in women. Familial aggregation of this tumour is being studied and discussed by experts. Aim: Determine the frequency of family history of cancer in patients with gastric cancer, suggesting familial aggregation or increased risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out from January 2011 to March 2015 at the Department of Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA). Data were collected from electronic medical records and analyzed using SPSS Statistics? version 20. Results: 873 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed. A family history of cancer was reported by 451 patients (51.6%), which reported cancer in 878 relatives, of which 110 (12.6%), reported having more than three relatives with any type of cancer. The most prevalent malignancies among these relatives were gastric cancer (21.3%) and breast cancer (9.5%). Conclusion: Most of the patients had cancer family history, being gastric cancer the most common. The high percentage of cancer family history confirms the importance of collecting this information, whose lack reflects professional negligence, as family history study can serve as a low-cost tool, favoring prevention and early diagnosis, situations where morbidity and mortality are smaller, thus reducing health costs and assistance and preserving lives.

Fermentation Characteristics of Silage of Sugar Cane Treated with Calcium Oxide,Lactobacillus buchneri and Their Associations

We evaluated the fermentation products, the gaseous and effluent losses of sugarcane silages without calcium oxide (CaO) or with CaO addition, at the levels of zero, 0.8%, 1.6% and 2.4%, in association with the microbial additive Lactobacillus buchneri inoculated at the levels of zero, 50.000, 100.000 e 150.000 ufc/g of sugarcane, wet bases. The variety RB855536, harvested after 12 months of first growth was used. The experiment design was the completely randomized design, in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement. They were evaluated in the silages, the contents of volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, ethanol, and the pH, as well as the gaseous and effluent losses. In the analysis of the data, the SAS system was utilized. It was observed on interaction effect of the chemical and microbial additive over the contents of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, ethanol and over the gaseous and effluents losses. However, there was no interaction effect regarding to pH. When it was observed on interaction effect of additives, the effects of the levels of one additive were evaluated by regression analysis in each level of each other, and vice-versa. The level 1.6% of CaO associated to the level 50,000 ufc/g of natural matter of Lactobacillus buchneri provided adequate levels of lactic acid (superior to 4.5%), and of acetic acid (around 1%), moderate content of propionic acid (0.55%), low content of butyric acid (0.05%) and controlled the production of ethanol and the gaseous and effluent losses. The pH of the silages were influenced by CaO addition, but were not affected consistently by microbial inoculation.

Hydrodeoxygenation of Phenol on Beta Zeolite Catalysts

Biomass is considered the largest renewable energy source and an important alternative for biofuel production. The fast pyrolysis of biomass is an economical and advantageous to get bio-oil. However, bio-oil has a large amount of oxygenated compounds and needs upgrade. The catalytic process of HDO （hydrodeoxygenation） is the most efficient way to remove oxygen from the bio-oil. In this paper, it was studied the HDO phenol （300 ℃ and 35 atm） on catalysts based on cobalt or copper oxides supported on HBeta zeolite. The catalysts were characterized by XRD （X-ray diffraction）, FTIR （infrared spectroscopy） and NH3-TPD （desorption of ammonia）. The results showed the presence of CO304 （cobalt oxide） and CuO （copper oxide）. The measurements showed the presence of acid sites weak, moderate and strong and that the impregnation of the metal oxide modifying the acidity of the support. The results showed the following order HDO conversion： CoHBeta 〉 CuHBeta 〉 HBeta. The presence of the cobalt or copper catalysts contributes to the increase in conversion due to hydrogenation. All catalysts were selective to benzene, but only the impregnated catalysts showed selectivity to cyclohexane and cyclohexene.

Evaluation of the Coagulating Potential of the Crude Extract from the Barbatimão Bark for the Treatment of Dairy Effluents

The coagulating potential of the crude extract from the barbatimao bark for the treatment of dairy effluent was assessed and compared with industrial coagulants such as aluminum sulfate (inorganic coagulant), the crude extract of black wattle bark (used in the manufacture of natural organic coagulants), and gallic acid (the main constituent of condensed tannins). The aqueous extract of barbatimao was obtained by refluxing for 12 h, and the black wattle was provided by a producer of natural coagulants. The determinations of total phenolic compounds and tannins in the extracts were performed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and precipitation with casein, respectively. The treatment of the effluent with coagulant was performed by the Jar-Test. After testing, the effluent was evaluated for turbidity, total solids, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). A higher content of phenolic compounds (19.81% mg of gallic acid/g extract) was observed in the barbatimao extract than in the black wattle extract (14.24% mg of gallic acid/g extract). However, the extracts contained the same amount of tannins, 13.95% for the barbatimao extract and 12.89% for the black wattle extract. A 63%, reduction in BOD was observed for the effluent treated with barbatimao extract, 35% for the black wattle extract, 58% for gallic acid and 60.59% for the treatment with aluminum sulfate. Treatment with gallic acid caused a 98% reduction in the turbidity of the effluent;with aluminum sulfate, a 97% reduction was obtained;with barbatimao extract, 96%, and with black wattle extract, 93%. The barbatimao extract was shown to be a potential coagulant for dairy effluents.

Miscibility Behavior of Polyacrylamides Poly(Ethylene Glycol)Blends:Flory Huggins Interaction Parameter Determined by Thermal Analysis

Blends of polyacrylamide—PAM, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)—PNIPAAm, poly(N-tert-butylacrylamide)—PTBAA, poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)—PDMAA and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide)—PDEAA with poly(ethylene glycol)— PEG were prepared by casting in methanol and water at concentrations of 20 wt%, 40 wt%, 60 wt%, and 80 wt% in PEG. The miscibility of the components was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry—DSC. All blend systems are characterized by a single glass transition temperature (Tg), close to the Tg of the amorphous component. The Hoffman Weeks method was used to determine equilibrium melting temperature (Tm) data. The determination of the melt point depression of the blends allowed the calculation of Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ12) of the two polymers in the melt, by using the Nishi Wang equation. The interaction parameters, calculated for all the blends, are slightly negative and close to zero, suggesting a partial miscibility between the components.

Tree Crown Variation and Seasonal in the Phenolic Compounds Content of Stryphnodendron adstringens(Mart)Coville Leaves

The aim of this study was to compare phenolic compounds contents between different positions within the crown and between collection periods, and to evaluate the tannin contents by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The collections were performed in Lavras, in the southern region of the Brazilian state Minas Gerais. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (factorial 3 × 4);the first factor being the position (base, middle, top);and the months, the second factor (February, May, September and December). We verified that the leaves of S. adstringens present higher total phenolic and tannin contents at the top (23.05% and 18.23%) and base (21.42% and 16.61%) of the crown, in May (25.79% and 20.85%) and September (25.57% and 20.50%), respectively. There was no difference in the residual phenol and flavonoid contents between the positions within the crown or in the months of collection. These facts suggest that within the crown and climatic changes may be one of the factors affecting phenol levels in Stryphnodendron adstringens.

Antioxidant,Antibacterial and Antitumor Activity of Ethanolic Extract of the Psidium guajava Leaves

Psidium guajava L. has extensive use in folk medicine. The aim of this study was to quantify the levels of phenolic, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, leathality assay and antibacterial and antitumoral activities of the extract of P. guajava. In the dry guava extract there were high levels of phenolics (766.08 ± 14.52 mg/g), flavonoids (118.90 ± 5.47 mg/g) and antioxidant activity (87.65%). The LD50 was 185.15 μg/ml. The MIC value was 250 μg/ml for Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis. IC50 of the extract tested in the HeLa, RKO and Wi cell lines was 15.6 ± 0.8 μg/ml, 21.2 ± 1.1 μg/ml and 68.9 ± 1.5 μg/ml, respectively. The results of all analyses allow us to conclude that the dry extract of guava leaves has promising activity to be applied topically in the oral cavity or in the development of antitumor formulation or even be used as a functional food.

Essential Oils from the Leaves and Flowers of Callistemon viminalis:Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Insecticide and Antifungal Activities

The chemical compositions of the essential oils from the leaves and flowers of Callistemon viminalis and their insecticide and fungitoxic activities were determined. The essential oil was extracted by the hydrodistillation method using a modified Clevenger apparatus. The chemical characterization was performed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The evaluation of the insecticidal activity was performed with the Myzus persicae aphid, and the antifungal potential was determined via the inhibition of the mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysorum and Botrytis cinérea phytopathogenic fungi. The principal components of the essential oils from the leaves and flowers were eucalyptol (84.60% and 61.47%), α-pinene (10.28% and 21.48%) and α-terpineol (2.59% and 2.79%), respectively. The use of a 0.5% concentration of the essential oil from the flowers influenced the preference of aphids and their reproduction. The number of adult aphids decreased within a period of 48 hours in the presence of the essential oil from the leaves. In the test with no chance of choice, the mean number of adults decreased with both oils within 48 hours. No inhibition of the mycelial growth of the A. alternate microorganism was observed in any of the treatments with the two essential oils. However, the growth of F. oxysporum and B. cinerea fungi was inhibited. The mycelial growth of F. oxysporum was inhibited with the concentration of 100 μL·Lˉ1 of the oil from the flowers and 250 μL·Lˉ1 of the oil from the leaves. The inhibition of the growth of B. cinerea was observed at concentrations of 500 and 100 μL·Lˉ1 for the oils from the flowers and leaves, respectively. The essential oils presented insecticidal and antifungal potentials. However, further studies are needed for these oils to be used in integrated pest management.

Organomineral Phosphorus Fertilization in the Production of Corn,Soybean and Bean Cultivated in Succession

The use of organic waste in agriculture has been used aiming at greater productivity, decrease in the cost of production and sustainable use of resources. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of phosphate fertilization with the maintenance of organomineral fertilizers, combining poultry manure and soluble or reactive phosphate, in the production of grains in corn culture and the residual effect for subsequent crops of beans and soybeans. The experiment was conducted in Sete Lagoas, MG, in 2015, using three fertilizers with sources of different phosphorus sources (triple super phosphate—STP, organomineral with STP and organomineral with Bayovar phosphate) applied at the doses of 65, 130, 195 and 260 kg·ha¯1 of P2O5 total, and compared to the control without phosphate fertilization. We evaluated the contents of foliar P, P accumulation in the grains, yields of corn grains, beans and soy, accumulated productivity and export of accumulated P of the three cultures. The three cultures assessed presented higher productivity when compared to the average of the factorial treatments that received phosphate fertilization relative to the control. Organomineral fertilizers increased grain production, obtaining average productivity equal to or greater than those obtained with the exclusive use of STP.

Impact of a physical activity program on plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin and ghrelin in overweight and obese schoolchildren: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Child obesity has important consequences on the child’s health and is related to the risk of developing chronic diseases. That brings up the need for research assessing the impact of obesity-and overweight-reduction programs with close attention to methodology aspects and precise indicators of the impact of such programs. Goal: Assessing the impact of a physical activity program on the plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin in overweight and obese schoolchildren. Methods: Randomized controlled trial, double-blind, with 6-to 9-year-old overweight and obese school-children. A sample of 79 schoolchildren randomly distributed into control and intervention groups was subjected to a physical activity program. The levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, body mass index, body fat percentage, anthropometry, lipid profile and glycemia were evaluated. The program’s impact was assessed through multivariate linear regression models. Result: When comparing the groups, a significant difference was found for adiponectin, which shows an increase in the proportion of subjects with higher adiponectin concentrations for the intervention group and a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage. Conclusion: The impact of the intervention program was positive in increasing adiponectin levels associated with a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage.

Methods for Breaking Dormancy of Seeds of Tropical Forage Legumes

The aim of this study was to evaluate methods for breaking dormancy of seeds Neonotonia wightii (perennial soybean), Macrotiloma axilare (archer), Pueraria phaseoloides (tropical kudzu), Calopogonium mucunoides (calopo), which were subjected to the following treatments for physical breaks and physiological dormancy: 1) control;2) scarification with sandpaper;3) immersion in H2SO4 98% for five minutes and subsequent washing in water;4) preheating at 60°C for 150 minutes in an air circulating oven;5) 0.2% KNO3;and 6) gibberellic acid (GA3 0.5%). The results showed that using H2SO4 to break seed dormancy archer and perennial soybean and calopo scarification with sandpaper were the most recommended treatments. Tropical Kudzu presented physiological response to treatments with the use of gibberellic acid and physical treatment using immersion H2SO4. Thus, it is necessary to use techniques to make the breaking dormancy of seeds of legumes, resulting in an increase in the rate of seed germination and rapid deployment of the legume.

Intelligent System Design for Stator Windings Faults Diagnosis:Suitable for Maintenance Work

The short circuit is a severe fault that occurs in the stator windings. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose this type of failure in its beginning before it causes unscheduled stop and the machine loss. In this context, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a tool of considerable importance for standard classification. From some training data, it can diagnose whether or not there is a short circuit beginning, and which is important for predictive maintenance. This work proposes a technique for early detection of a short circuit between the turns aiming at its implementation in a real plant. The paper shows simulation and experimental results, and validates the proposed technique.

Titanium Oxide Nanorods pH Sensors:Comparison between Voltammetry and Extended Gate Field Effect Transistor Measurements

In recent years there has increased interest in the characterization of titanium oxide nanorods for application in analytical devices. The titanium oxide nanorods (NRTiO) were obtained by hydrothermal reaction with a NaOH solution heated in the autoclave at 150°C for up to 50 h. Experimental data indicate that the prepared nanorods consist of anatase and rutile phases, with a possible interlayer structure. The NRTiO was investigated as pH sensor in the pH range 2 - 12, and the extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET) configuration presented a sensitivity of 49.6 mV/pH. Voltammetric data showed a sensitivity of 47.8 mV/pH. These results indicate that the material is a promising candidate for applications as an EGFET-pH sensor and as a disposable biosensor in the future.

Efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:potential entry points for neglected tropical diseases

Background:The damage inflicted by the coronavirus diseases 2019(COVID-19)pandemic upon humanity is and will continue to be considerable.Unprecedented progress made in global health over the past 20 years has reverted and economic growth has already evaporated,giving rise to a global recession,the likes of which we may not have experienced since the Second World War.Our aim is to draw the attention of the neglected tropical disease(NTD)community towards some of the major emerging economic opportunities which are quickly appearing on the horizon as a result of COVID-19.Main text:This scoping review relied on a literature search comprised of a sample of articles,statements,and press releases on initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19,while supporting economic recovery.Of note,the donor scenario and economic development agendas are highly dynamic and expected to change rapidly as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds,as are donor and lender priorities.Con elusions:The NTD community,particularly in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs),will need to work quickly,diligently,and in close collaboration with decision-makers and key stakeholders,across sectors at national and international level to secure its position.Doing so might enhance the odds of grasping potential opportunities to access some of the massive resources that are now available in the form of contributions from corporate foundations,trust funds,loans,debt relieve schemes,and other financial mechanisms,as part of the ongoing and future economic development agendas and public health priorities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.This paper should serve as a starting point for the NTD community to seek much needed financial support in order to sustain and revitalize control and elimination efforts pertaining to NTDs in LMICs.