Effect of harvest timing on the quality of Vigna unguiculata seeds

Harvest timing affects both physical and physiological characteristics of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of harvest periods on the physical and physiological quality of seeds. It also assessed the initial development of Vigna unguiculata cv. Corujinha seedlings. Experiment I took place in the field, using a randomized block design during twelve harvest periods (57, 65, 71, 78, 85, 92, 99, 106, 113, 120, 127 DAS, and a single harvest) with four replications. Experiment II was carried out in the laboratory using a completely randomized design. It analyzed germination (%) and the germination speed index (GSI). After each harvest, evaluations included the number of seeds per pod, pod and seed biometry and moisture content, germination percentage, GSI, seedling length and dry mass, and fungal incidence in seeds. Biometric analysis revealed significant differences. The best pod length was at 120 DAS and 127 DAS, width at 57 DAS and between 85 and 113 DAS, and thickness at 92 DAS. The longest seed length was observed between 92 and 120 DAS, the width between 85 and 113 DAS, and the maximum thickness between 85 and 99 DAS. Single-harvest samples showed higher fungal incidence. They also recorded lower germination and seedling growth values. The maximum dry mass for pods and seeds occurred between 71 and 99 DAS, and in the single harvest. Staggered harvesting reduces seed exposure to field conditions. This enhances seed quality and initial seedling development.

Morphometry and bromatology of forage cactus under irrigation frequencies in a semi-arid environment

This study evaluated the morphometry and bromatology of the forage cactus cultivar Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., which was drip-irrigated every 7 and 28 days in a semi-arid environment. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at the National Institute of the Semi-arid Region (INSA), Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, arranged in a 2 x 12 factorial scheme, with two irrigation frequencies (7 and 28 days) and 12 evaluation periods, resulting in 24 treatments distributed across four blocks over 12 months. Regrowth was conducted under a 2 x 5 arrangement, with two irrigation frequencies and five evaluation periods. The morphometric and bromatological characteristics of the forage cactus were evaluated 12 months after planting, and the morphometric characteristics 5 months after regrowth. The data were evaluated using analysis of variance, and the means were compared using Tukey’s test and the t-test at a 5% probability level, in SAS® (2002). The frequency of irrigation of 7 days yielded better morphometric and bromatological responses in the forage cactus. Irrigation at a low frequency and low water volume provides satisfactory forage cactus yields in a semi-arid environment

Occupational stress and compassion fatigue: a cross-sectional association study among nursing professionals

This study evaluated the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue among Brazilian nurses working in a hospital setting. This study is a census-based, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational investigation conducted among 83 nurses from a medium-sized university hospital in the southernmost part of Brazil. Validated instruments were used to assess occupational stress (Work Stress Scale) and professional quality of life (Professional Quality of Life Scale – ProQoL-BR). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue, while adjusting for sociodemographic and professional variables. The prevalence of compassion fatigue was 65.9%, while 34.9% of participants exhibited occupational stress. A 10% increase in the occupational stress score was associated with a 33% increase in the likelihood of developing compassion fatigue. This association was influenced by variables such as age, sex, and sleep duration. This study associated occupational stress with compassion fatigue among hospital nurses, particularly in more vulnerable subgroups, such as female, older, and sleep-deprived professionals. These findings underscore the need for institutional policies that promote occupational health and prevent psychosocial problems

Energy recovery from the anaerobic co-digestion of ricotta cheese whey and dairy cattle manure

This study evaluated biogas production, methane concentration and yield, as well as the potential for energy production of anaerobic co-digestion of ricotta cheese whey and dairy cattle manure in 60 L plug flow reactors. Four reactors were operated: three with different proportions of ricotta cheese whey (20, 40, and 80%) and a control reactor containing only dairy cattle manure. The reactors were operated for 106 days, with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days. In all reactors, pH remained near neutrality, and alkalinity stayed above 2,500 mg L⁻¹. Notably, only the reactor with 80% ricotta cheese whey demonstrated more efficient removal of total solids, volatile solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand, with average reductions of 54, 69, 69, and 78%, respectively. However, the reactor operated with 40% ricotta cheese whey produced the highest accumulated biogas volume, surpassing the 80% ricotta cheese whey reactor by 36 L, with a realistic extrapolation of electricity production estimated at 1.67 kWh m-³. Although methane yields were close to theoretical maximum values and methane concentrations showed no significant differences between treatments, the results confirm the effectiveness of anaerobic co-digestion in the treating of agro-industrial waste. The 40% ricotta cheese whey and 60% dairy cattle manure ratio stands as a promising alternative for biogas production.Este estudo avaliou a produção de biogás, a concentração e o rendimento de metano, bem como o potencial de produção de energia da co-digestão anaeróbica de soro de queijo ricota e esterco de gado leiteiro em reatores plug flow de 60 L. Foram operados quatro reatores: três com diferentes proporções de soro de ricota (20, 40 e 80%) e um reator controle contendo apenas esterco bovino leiteiro. Os reatores operaram por 106 dias, com tempo de detenção hidráulica de 30 dias. Em todos os reatores, o pH permaneceu próximo da neutralidade e a alcalinidade permaneceu acima de 2.500 mg L⁻¹. Notavelmente, apenas o reator com 80% de soro de ricota demonstrou remoção mais eficiente de sólidos totais, sólidos voláteis, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio e demanda química de oxigênio, com reduções médias de 54, 69, 69 e 78%, respectivamente. Entretanto, o reator operado com 40% de soro de ricota produziu o maior volume acumulado de biogás, superando o reator de 80% de soro de ricota em 36 L, com uma extrapolação realista de produção de energia elétrica estimada em 1,67 kWh m-³. Embora os rendimentos de metano tenham estado próximos dos valores máximos teóricos e as concentrações de metano não tenham apresentado diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos, os resultados confirmam a eficácia da co-digestão anaeróbica no tratamento de resíduos agroindustriais. A proporção de 40% de soro de queijo ricota e 60% de esterco bovino leiteiro se apresenta como uma alternativa promissora para a produção de biogás

Evaluation of the sterility of new reciprocating endodontic files through microbiological culture

Sterility information on reciprocating endodontic instruments is often unclear on the packaging. This can make clinicians uncertain about the safe use of these instruments without prior sterilization. This study evaluated the sterility of different reciprocating file systems directly from their original packaging. Six instruments from five commercially available reciprocating systems (Reciproc® Blue, WaveOne® Gold, W File, X1 Blue MK Life, and AllPrime R Blue) were tested. Each file was aseptically removed from its packaging inside a laminar flow chamber and immediately placed into sterile glass vials containing 5 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium. A 0.25 mL aliquot from each vial was collected after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation and plated onto Petri dishes. Then, they were incubated for an additional 72 hours. To ensure methodological reliability, two instruments (one Reciproc® Blue and one AllPrime R Blue) were deliberately contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and served as positive controls. The presence of colony-forming units (CFUs) was assessed at 24-hour intervals throughout the experimental period. No bacterial growth was detected in any of the test groups at any time point, while CFUs consistently appeared in the positive controls. Considering the limitations of this study, reciprocating endodontic files, in their original manufacturer-sealed packaging and without prior clinical use, seem free of microbial contamination and are safe for immediate clinical application

Effects of brewer’s spent yeast concentrations and application methods on Coffea arabica seedling development

Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) contains Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a byproduct that may be used as a biofertilizer and plant growth promoter. Improving the understanding of the ideal BSY concentration and application method for coffee seedling development will enable more targeted application strategies. We hypothesized that a given BSY concentration and application method would improve the development of coffee seedlings by adding sources of organic matter containing yeast. This hypothesis was tested by assessing the development parameters of Coffea arabica var. Typica (Cramer variety) using different concentrations (0, 2.35, 4.71, 9.40, 11.75 x 108 S. cerevisiae cells mL-1) and two application methods (foliar-FA and soil-SA). Our analysis revealed that BSY foliar application was more efficient than soil application in improving coffee seedling development. Foliar application at 2.3 x 108 S. cerevisiae cells mL-1 increased fresh shoot weight (2.35 times), fresh root weight (4.22 times), dry shoot weight (2.23 times), and dry root weight (3.62 times) in coffee plants compared to the negative control (sterile solution). Our findings provide evidence of waste reuse as an alternative method for developing coffee seedlings through the addition of materials rich in organic matter and yeast. They also align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating strategies that support sustainable agriculture and circular economy practices

Effect of mini-screw positioning and quantity in a MARPE expander in a young adult cleft palate patient: a finite element study

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of mini-screw position and number in mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) expanders in a patient with cleft lip and palate (CLP). A cone-beam computed tomography scan of a patient aged 17 years with bilateral complete CLP was used to construct six finite element models with MARPE expanders: three bone-borne and three tooth-bone-borne configurations, varying by mini-screw number (two or three) and position (anterior or posterior). Each expander was transversely activated to achieve 1.0 mm expansion. Equivalent elastic strain (µƐ) distributions were assessed in the maxillary palatal bone, dentoalveolar bone, and anchoring teeth. Deformation patterns in the palate and alveolar ridges (4,000 µƐ) were influenced by both mini-screw number and, more significantly, position. The presence of at least one mini-screw was critical for generating strain in the anterior palate. Expander arms produced notable strain at the insertion sites of banded anchoring teeth (100 µƐ). Mini-screw position appeared more influential than quantity in determining strain distribution. An anterior mini-screw was essential for inducing anterior palatal stress, while expander arms, regardless of mini-screw configuration, contributed to stress distribution across anchoring teeth and posterior alveolar ridges

Clinical efficacy and safety of anthroposophic therapies in dentistry: a systematic review

Integrative and complementary practices have been incorporated into healthcare in Brazil, including approaches applied to dentistry. Among them, anthroposophic dentistry is presenting increasing clinical interest, although its evidence base remains poorly established. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of anthroposophic therapies applied to dental patients. This systematic review followed the recommendations of the PRISMA 2020. It included clinical studies employing anthroposophic interventions in dentistry compared to conventional treatments, other integrative practices, or placebo. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS databases were searched, as well as the gray literature (ProQuest), without any restriction on date or language. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. The review identified 7,988 records. After screening and full-text reading, no studies met the eligibility criteria. The main reasons for exclusion included the absence of an anthroposophic intervention applied to dentistry, inadequate design, or outcomes inconsistent with the research question. No studies evaluating the clinical efficacy or safety of anthroposophic therapies in dentistry were found. The lack of evidence demonstrates a significant gap in this field, underscoring the urgent need for well-designed primary studies that support the use of these practices based on scientific rigor

Spatial patterns of mortality from respiratory diseases and their relationship with socio-environmental indicators in Brazil

This study analyzes the spatial autocorrelation of mortality rates from respiratory diseases in Brazilian municipalities between 1999 and 2022, emphasizing associated socioeconomic and environmental factors, including GDP per capita, population density, urbanization index, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Statistical analyses related to the Global Moran’s I and Local Moran’s Index (LISA) were applied to identify spatial patterns of dependence, followed by Pearson correlation analysis. The results reveal a reduction in the global autocorrelation of mortality over time, with persistent high-risk clusters in the South and Southeast regions, especially among the elderly and groups with higher education levels, while the North and Northeast regions show greater vulnerability associated with low education, income, and urbanization. GHG emissions maintained distinct spatial patterns over the period, with CH₄ showing relative stability, whereas CO₂ and N₂O showed an increase in spatial autocorrelation in more recent years. The findings reinforce the importance of spatial analysis in identifying territorial health inequalities and provide support for integrated public policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting socio-environmental equity

Adjuvant therapy in osteoradionecrosis management: case reports

Osteoradionecrosis is a chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy. It is characterized by necrotic bone exposure in previously irradiated areas. The clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic bone exposure to severe infections and pathological fractures. We report the clinical outcomes of adjunctive therapies for osteoradionecrosis management. Three male patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis following head and neck radiotherapy underwent treatment with a weekly ozone therapy protocol that included ozonated water irrigation, gas infiltration, and topical ozonated oil application. One patient with severe disease required a combination of surgical debridement and platelet-rich fibrin membrane placement. All the patients demonstrated progressive epithelialization, infection control, and accelerated wound healing. These results suggest that ozone therapy is a valuable strategy for enhancing tissue regeneration and improving wound healing, whether used alone or in combination with surgical procedures and platelet-rich fibrin. Altogether, these findings reinforce the potential of multimodal approaches in the clinical management of osteoradionecrosis