Digestibility and gastrointestinal transit of Ulva fasciata seaweed meal in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles: basis for the inclusion of a sustainable ingredient in aquafeeds

The seaweed Ulva fasciata has many features favorable to integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). It is efficient at biofiltering, shows high biomass production, and is rich in many nutrients useful in aquatic animal diets. We evaluated the digestibility of the seaweed meal of U. fasciata produced in IMTA and its effects on gastrointestinal transit time in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles. Juveniles (6.30 ± 1.80 g initial weight, and 5.5 ± 0.61 cm initial length) were cultivated in six tanks (50 individuals per tank) in a closed recirculating aquaculture system. The digestibility of Ulva meal was 57.92 ± 5.21% for dry material, 78.59 ± 1.91% for protein, and 69.87 ± 3.72% for energy. The inclusion of 10% seaweed meal did not alter the gastrointestinal transit time in tilapia juveniles as compared to controls. The earliest colored feces were observed four hours after first feeding in both treatments (feed diets with [10%] and without seaweed); all fecal material was colored after ten hours. The digestibility of seaweed meal was satisfactory for dry material, protein, and gross energy, and the inclusion of 10% of that meal did not change gastrointestinal transit time - indicating that the inclusion of 10% seaweed meal in tilapia diet is safe and without any nutritional use losses

Impact of clinical and psychological factors associated with depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparative study between Germany and Brazil

Abstract Objective To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with clinical and psychological factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany and in Brazil. Method A convenience sample of 267 RA patients, 176 from Germany (age 62.4 ± 12.3 years) and 91 from Brazil (age 56.3 ± 12.6 years), was used in this cross-sectional study. The following questionnaires were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), painDETECT test, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, fatigue questionnaire (FACIT), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the SF–36 questionnaires (Short-Form 36 Health Survey). Disease activity score (DAS 28-CRP) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were also evaluated. Statistical analysis is based on comparison of means and proportions. Statistical significance for non-normal data was evaluated by non-parametrical tests. Results Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in the Brazilian sample (44% vs 22.9%, p = 0.025). Compared to German patients, the Brazilian ones also experienced more pain (current pain status on VAS: 4.67 ± 3.4 vs 3.67 ± 2.31 respectively, p < 0.01), were physically more limited (1.89 ± 1.85 vs 1.01 ± 0.75, p = 0.012), and had higher C-reactive protein levels (7.78 ± 18.3 vs 5.82 ± 10.45, p = 0.028). Despite receiving a more intensive treatment, German patients presented similar disease activity when compared to Brazilian patients (DAS28-CRP: Brazil 3.4 ± 1.5 vs Germany 3.3 ± 1.3, p = 0.307). Conclusion Depressive symptoms are frequent in RA patients from different countries and interact with psychological disorders and the experience of pain. They contribute negatively to their well-being suggesting the need for psychoeducational strategies

Effects of extracts of two Ulva spp. seaweeds on tomato germination and seedling growth

Brown seaweed extracts are commercially used as agricultural biostimulants, and the green macroalgae Ulva spp. has shown promise for that purpose. We evaluated the ideal dosage of U. lactuca ulvan and flour on seed germination invigoration and the effects of U. flexuosa and U. lactuca extracts on tomato seedling growth (Solanun lycopersicum). The germination recovery of aged seeds after the application of U. lactuca was evaluated by seed germination rates and seedling emergence. Greenhouse cultivated seedlings were irrigated with 0.2 and 0.4 g×L-1 of the flour, or an ulvan solution of Ulva spp. Seedling growth parameters (height, stem diameter, height/stem diameter ratio, biomass, and number of leaves) were compared with the control (seedlings irrigated with distilled water). All dosages of U. lactuca ulvan and flour were found to increase the germination rates of aged seeds as compared to controls. No significant difference in seedling emergence rates were seen. After treatment with Ulva spp. extracts no significant differences in seedling growth were detected. We concluded that low doses of the U. lactuca extract will increase the germination rates of S. lycopersicum seeds and, while different dosages of the extracts of two Ulva's species did not stimulate tomato seedling growth, they were also not lethal

Impact of clinical and psychological factors associated with depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparative study between Germany and Brazil

Objective!#!To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with clinical and psychological factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany and in Brazil.!##!Method!#!A convenience sample of 267 RA patients, 176 from Germany (age 62.4 ± 12.3 years) and 91 from Brazil (age 56.3 ± 12.6 years), was used in this cross-sectional study. The following questionnaires were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), painDETECT test, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, fatigue questionnaire (FACIT), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the SF-36 questionnaires (Short-Form 36 Health Survey). Disease activity score (DAS 28-CRP) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were also evaluated. Statistical analysis is based on comparison of means and proportions. Statistical significance for non-normal data was evaluated by non-parametrical tests.!##!Results!#!Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in the Brazilian sample (44% vs 22.9%, p = 0.025). Compared to German patients, the Brazilian ones also experienced more pain (current pain status on VAS: 4.67 ± 3.4 vs 3.67 ± 2.31 respectively, p &amp;lt; 0.01), were physically more limited (1.89 ± 1.85 vs 1.01 ± 0.75, p = 0.012), and had higher C-reactive protein levels (7.78 ± 18.3 vs 5.82 ± 10.45, p = 0.028). Despite receiving a more intensive treatment, German patients presented similar disease activity when compared to Brazilian patients (DAS28-CRP: Brazil 3.4 ± 1.5 vs Germany 3.3 ± 1.3, p = 0.307).!##!Conclusion!#!Depressive symptoms are frequent in RA patients from different countries and interact with psychological disorders and the experience of pain. They contribute negatively to their well-being suggesting the need for psychoeducational strategies. Key Points • New psychoeducational strategies for RA management.• Higher inflammation marker in rheumatoid arthritis patients is associated with depression.• Medical treatment in RA influences depressive symptoms.• Depressive symptoms are dependent on population group.• High disease activity is related to depression

Apresentação

Brown seaweed extracts are commercially used as agricultural biostimulants, and the green macroalgae Ulva spp. has shown promise for that purpose. We evaluated the ideal dosage of U. lactuca ulvan and flour on seed germination invigoration and the effects of U. flexuosa and U. lactuca extracts on tomato seedling growth (Solanun lycopersicum). The germination recovery of aged seeds after the application of U. lactuca was evaluated by seed germination rates and seedling emergence. Greenhouse cultivated seedlings were irrigated with 0.2 and 0.4 g×L-1 of the flour, or an ulvan solution of Ulva spp. Seedling growth parameters (height, stem diameter, height/stem diameter ratio, biomass, and number of leaves) were compared with the control (seedlings irrigated with distilled water). All dosages of U. lactuca ulvan and flour were found to increase the germination rates of aged seeds as compared to controls. No significant difference in seedling emergence rates were seen. After treatment with Ulva spp. extracts no significant differences in seedling growth were detected. We concluded that low doses of the U. lactuca extract will increase the germination rates of S. lycopersicum seeds and, while different dosages of the extracts of two Ulva's species did not stimulate tomato seedling growth, they were also not lethal

Firma y autoría en Budapeste, de Chico Buarque, y en Divórcio, de Ricardo Lísias

En este trabajo abordo las relaciones entre firma y autoría en Budapeste, de Chico Buarque y en Dívorcio, de Ricardo Lísias. Me interesa detenerme en el gesto como borde inexpresivo que se vuelve presente en el uso de las firmas autorales que las dos ficciones realizan. Una como juego de espejos entre un ghostwriter que se vuelve reconocido en un país extranjero y Chico Buarque, cuyo impacto como escritor crece a partir de la publicación del libro. Además, me detengo en cómo la versión cinematográfica de Walter Carvalho de 2009, Budapeste, repone el mismo juego ficcional de la novela, ahora arrastrado al cine y abriendo una zona de autoría colectiva respecto de la ficción. La segunda novela, Dívorcio, de Ricardo Lísias, permite detenernos en un juego coincidente entre firma autoral, narrador y personaje, pero a partir de una devaluación de la imagen autoral que esa firma escribe. Estas dos formas me permiten repensar qué significa ser un autor y leer algunas de las condiciones de la ficción brasileña - y conosureña - del presente