Physical and chemical characterization of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) roots cultivated with different doses of potassium fertilization

The already marked tendency for functional food consumption, low in calories, and with biologically active properties, has been increasing. In this scenario, yacon tuberous roots, with high levels of nutraceutical fructooligosaccharides, gain importance. However, these nutraceutical properties depend on fertilization management. Thus, our study aims to evaluate different doses of potassium fertilization on the physicochemical characteristics of yacon roots. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 5 treatments: four doses of potassium fertilization (50%; 100%; 150%; 200%) of the reference value, corresponding to 178.7 kg.ha-1; 357.4 kg.ha-1; 536.1 kg.ha-1; 714.8 kg.ha-1 of potassium chloride – (KCl), and a control (soil without fertilization). The chemical features evaluated were pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids, conductivity, turbidity, moisture and ashes. The texture profile was analyzed through toughness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, chewability index, elasticity, and gooeyness. Most of the variables were influenced by potassium soil fertilization. Only turbidity, conductivity and gumminess showed no response to the applied doses, not fitting the tested models. Potassium fertilization improved both chemical (higher levels of soluble solids and less acidity) and physical characteristics (less hardness, chewability, cohesiveness, and adhesion) of yacon tuberous roots, bringing greater quality to the final product. Highlights Yacon is considered a prebiotic food. Several immunostimulatory characteristics promote antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. Potassium is associated with root size, shape, texture, color, flavor, acidity, nutrient transport resistance, nutritional value, and even market value. Texture constitutes an important factor and quality criterion for the sensory acceptance of food. Thus, the results obtained show that potassium fertilization improves both physical and chemical characteristics of yacon roots. The best results were observed with the maximum dose of potassium fertilization (357.4 kg.ha-1 of KCl).The already marked tendency for functional food consumption, low in calories, and with biologically active properties, has been increasing. In this scenario, yacon tuberous roots, with high levels of nutraceutical fructooligosaccharides, gain importance. However, these nutraceutical properties depend on fertilization management. Thus, our study aims to evaluate different doses of potassium fertilization on the physicochemical characteristics of yacon roots. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 5 treatments: four doses of potassium fertilization (50%; 100%; 150%; 200%) of the reference value, corresponding to 178.7 kg.ha-1; 357.4 kg.ha-1; 536.1 kg.ha-1; 714.8 kg.ha-1 of potassium chloride – (KCl), and a control (soil without fertilization). The chemical features evaluated were pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids, conductivity, turbidity, moisture and ashes. The texture profile was analyzed through toughness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, chewability index, elasticity, and gooeyness. Most of the variables were influenced by potassium soil fertilization. Only turbidity, conductivity and gumminess showed no response to the applied doses, not fitting the tested models. Potassium fertilization improved both chemical (higher levels of soluble solids and less acidity) and physical characteristics (less hardness, chewability, cohesiveness, and adhesion) of yacon tuberous roots, bringing greater quality to the final product. Highlights Yacon is considered a prebiotic food. Several immunostimulatory characteristics promote antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. Potassium is associated with root size, shape, texture, color, flavor, acidity, nutrient transport resistance, nutritional value, and even market value. Texture constitutes an important factor and quality criterion for the sensory acceptance of food. Thus, the results obtained show that potassium fertilization improves both physical and chemical characteristics of yacon roots. The best results were observed with the maximum dose of potassium fertilization (357.4 kg.ha-1 of KCl)

Impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of coffee

Conducting studies that assist in the evaluation of agroecosystems is essential for advancing biodiverse and sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of Arabica coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Alegre, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Three coffee cropping systems were studied: Arabica coffee monoculture; Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana; and Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana and Juçara palm. The Arabica coffee variety used was Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44, planted in 1991, with a spacing of 3.0 m between rows and 2.0 m between holes, accommodating two plants per hole. In 2010, coffee trees underwent mid-height pruning (low-cutting pruning), and the Nanicon bananas were planted between rows with a spacing of 5.0 x 3.0 m. Three years later, palm seedlings were planted in the same rows as the banana plants, with a spacing of 5 x 3 m. Five experimental units were randomly selected for each cropping system. The evaluated variables included chlorophyll indexes (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio) and gas exchange parameters (net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration, intrinsic water use efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency). Regarding chlorophyll indexes, differences were observed only in chlorophyll b, with monoculture coffee displaying the highest values. In terms of gas exchange, intercropped coffee exhibited lower values of intrinsic and instantaneous water use efficiency, and higher values of stomatal conductance and transpiration. The highest net assimilation rate values were observed in coffee with banana intercropping, while the highest water use efficiency was found in coffee in monoculture. In summary, monoculture coffee showed the highest values for most of the variables related to photosynthetic activity, followed by Arabica coffee intercropped with banana, which stood out for achieving the highest net assimilation rate

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Sintomatologia depressiva em idosos e a influência da atividade física em um programa de extensão

The study objective was to analyze the effects of an university extension program of elderly depressive symptomatology. It was a descriptive study of intervention. The specimen was consisted of 71 eldery people of both sexes participating in an extension program with emphasis on physical activity. The individuals were divided into groups according to age range: G1 -60 to 69 years (n=27), G2 - 70 to 79 years (n=34), G3 - 80 years or more (n=10). The instrument Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15 was utilized. The results were collected in tow moments, at the beginning of the activities (evaluation 1) and after nine months of intervention (evaluation 2). The three groups were reduced the score of GDS after the intervention, indicating improvement of depressive symptomatology. The obtained results demonstrate the benefit of performing physical activities, especially when performed in groups, being a positive factor in the prevention of depression in elderly people.O objetivo o estudo foi analisar o efeito de um programa de extensão universitária na sintomatologia depressiva de idosos. Foi um estudo descritivo de intervenção. A amostra foi composta por 71 idosos de ambos os sexos participantes de um programa de extensão com ênfase em atividade física. Os indivíduos foram divididos em grupos de acordo com a faixa etária: G1 -60 a 69 anos (n=27), G2 - 70 a 79 anos (n=34), G3 - 80 anos ou mais (n=10). Utilizou-se o instrumento Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15. Os dados foram coletados em dois momentos, no início das atividades (avaliação 1) e após nove meses de intervenção (avaliação 2). Os três grupos reduziram a pontuação do GDS após a intervenção, indicando melhora na sintomatologia depressiva. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o benefício da realização de atividades físicas, especialmente quando realizadas em grupos, sendo um fator positivo na prevenção da depressão em idosos.El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el efecto de un programa de extensión universitaria en la sintomatología depresiva de ancianos. Este fue un estudio descriptivo de intervención. La muestra fue compuesta por 71 ancianos de ambos sexos participantes de un programa de extensión con énfasis en actividad física. Los individuos fueron divididos en grupos de acuerdo con el grupo de edad: G1 -60 a 69 años (n = 27), G2 - 70 a 79 años (n = 34), G3 - 80 años o más (n = 10). Se utilizó el instrumento Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15. Los datos fueron recolectados en dos momentos, al inicio de las actividades (evaluación 1) y después de nueve meses de intervención (evaluación 2). Los tres grupos redujeron la puntuación del GDS después de la intervención, indicando una mejora en la sintomatología depresiva. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran el beneficio de la realización de actividades físicas, especialmente cuando se realizan en grupos, siendo un factor positivo en la prevención de la depresión en ancianos

Depressive symptomatology in elderly and the physical activities influency in an extention program

The study objective was to analyze the effects of an university extension program of elderly depressive symptomatology. It was a descriptive study of intervention. The specimen was consisted of 71 eldery people of both sexes participating in an extension program with emphasis on physical activity. The individuals were divided into groups according to age range: G1 -60 to 69 years (n=27), G2 - 70 to 79 years (n=34), G3 - 80 years or more (n=10). The instrument Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15 was utilized. The results were collected in tow moments, at the beginning of the activities (evaluation 1) and after nine months of intervention (evaluation 2). The three groups were reduced the score of GDS after the intervention, indicating improvement of depressive symptomatology. The obtained results demonstrate the benefit of performing physical activities, especially when performed in groups, being a positive factor in the prevention of depression in elderly people

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and plasma selenium concentration are reduced in maple syrup urine disease patients during treatment

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex activity. In the present study we evaluated selenium levels in plasma from MSUD patients at diagnosis and under treatment and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes from treated patients. We verified that MSUD patients present a significant selenium deficiency at diagnosis, which becomes more pronounced during treatment, as well as a decrease of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity during treatment. In contrast, erythrocyte catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were not altered in these patients. Our present results suggest that the reduction of an important antioxidant enzyme activity may be partially involved in the pathomechanisms of this disorder and that plasma selenium levels must be corrected through dietary supplementation in MSUD patients

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES IN SOILS WITH CROPS INTERCROPPED WITH COFFEE

Background: Studies that help to evaluate agroecosystems are of great importance for world agricultural production in order to achieve a more sustainable agriculture. Objective: To evaluate the physical and chemical attributes of the soil with crops intercropped with coffee. Methodology: The research was carried out on the property of a family farmer located in the municipality of Alegre, state of Espírito Santo, in southeastern Brazil. For this, three farming systems were defined: monoculture coffee, coffee intercropped with plantain, and coffee intercropped with plantain and hearts of palm. Five randomly selected experimental units were established in each system. The physical attributes were evaluated: texture and mechanical resistance of the soil; and chemical attributes: pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al+H, SB, CIC-e, CIC-T, %SB, %SA and MO. Results: Soil texture was similar in the three cultivation systems, however, the monoculture coffee soil had a higher percentage of sand and a lower percentage of clay. The mechanical resistance was similar between the culture systems in the two depths evaluated. Regarding chemical attributes, monoculture coffee presented higher values for pH, P, K, Ca and Mg, SB, CICe and %SB, and lower value for organic matter content. Conclusion: These results show that the physical and chemical attributes of the soil are affected by intercropping with coffee, so it is necessary to modify the agronomic management for these conditions