A new invasive species in South America: Pinus oocarpa Schiede ex Schltdl.

Conifers have a long history of introductions into many parts of the world and are among the most notorious plant invaders. At least 20 species of the genus Pinus are now considered to be invasive in at least one region of the southern hemisphere. Here, we present a quantitative report of invasion by Pinus oocarpa in a relatively undisturbed vegetation of the Cerrado region of Brazil. The invasion front of P. oocarpa was 458 m distant from the area of introduction, which represents a mean rate of spread of 12.72 m year-1. The average density of invasive plants was 561 ind ha-1, with a maximum density of 1,212 ind ha-1. It is currently unknown if the studied invasive population has produced negative impacts on the invaded ecosystem. However, it would be safe to assume that with the observed densities and rate of spread, P. oocarpa could affect the native community that it invaded. An early response targeting the eradication of the invasive population could prevent these ecological costs

COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in Brazil: serological survey in a post-outbreak setting

This cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey presents the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a population living in 15 Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), after two intra-institutional outbreaks of COVID-19 in the city of Botucatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Residents were invited to participate in the serological survey performed in June and July 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical characterization of the participants as well as the LTCF profile were recorded. Blood samples were collected, processed and serum samples were tested using the rapid One Step COVID-19 immunochromatography test to detect IgM and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2. Among 209 residents, the median of age was 81 years old, 135 (64.6%) were female and 171 (81.8%) self-referred as being white. An overall seroprevalence of 11.5% (95% CI: 7.5% – 16.6%) was found. The highest seroprevalences of 100% and 76.9% were observed in LTCFs that had experienced COVID-19 outbreaks. Most residents with positive immunochromatography tests (70.8%) referred previous contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. Although there was a relatively low seroprevalence of COVID-19 in the total number of elderly people, this population is highly vulnerable and LTCFs are environments at higher risk for COVID-19 dissemination. A well-established test for COVID-19 policies, the adequate characterization of the level of interaction between residents and the healthcare provider team and the level of complexity of care are crucial to monitor and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in these institutions

Produtividade, qualidade dos frutos e estado nutricional do tomateiro tipo longa vida conduzido com um cacho, em cultivo hidropônico, em função das fontes de nutrientes Productivity, fruit quality and nutritional status of single truss long shelf life tomato, cultivated in hydroponic system, with different nutrient sources

Avaliou-se a produtividade, qualidade dos frutos e estado nutricional do tomateiro longa vida, conduzido com um cacho e cultivado em soluções nutritivas preparadas com diferentes conjuntos de fontes de nutrientes. O experimento foi conduzido de 04/05/99 a 13/09/99 em casa de vegetação da UFV. Foram avaliados dois conjuntos de fontes de nutrientes para compor as soluções de crescimento vegetativo e dois para as soluções de frutificação. As combinações desses conjuntos deram origem a quatro tratamentos que foram dispostos no delineamento de blocos ao acaso com oito repetições. As mudas de tomate, híbrido Carmen, com 36 dias de idade foram colocadas em vasos de 8,6 L, com espaçamento de 0,35 x 0,70 m. Foi feita análise foliar para determinar o estado nutricional da planta. Avaliou-se também a partição dos nutrientes Ca, Mg e K no fruto. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias dos tratamentos, comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Para as características avaliadas não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. A produção média de frutos por planta foi de 920 g, com ciclo de 96 dias, o que corresponderia no espaçamento adotado à produtividade média de 142 t ha-1 ano-1. A concentração de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, nas folhas foram, respectivamente, 3,18; 1,25; 5,11; 4,50; 0,88; e 1,79 dag kg-1, e as concentrações de Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn e B foram, respectivamente, 209; 96; 10; 665; e 209 mg kg-1. No fruto o Ca e K apresentaram maior concentração na região proximal ao pedúnculo, ao contrário do Mg, que nessa porção apresentou menor concentração.<br>There were evaluated the yield, fruit quality and nutritional status of single truss and long shelf life tomato, cultivated in nutritive solutions prepared with different nutrient sources. The experiment was carried out from 04/05/99 to 13/09/99 in a greenhouse of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil. Two groups of nutrient sources were tested to prepare the solutions for vegetative growth and two groups for the frutification solutions. The combinations of those groups gave rise to four treatments, disposed in the randomized blocks design with eight repetitions. Seedlings of the F1 hybrid Carmen 36-day old were placed in 8,6 L vases, spaced 0.35 x 0.70 m. The yield, fruit quality and nutritional status of the plants were evaluated, as well as the partition of Ca, Mg and K in the fruit. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were discriminated using Tukey at 5% of probability. There were no significant differences among treatments. The average yield per plant was of 920 g, with an average plant cycle of 96 days, corresponding to a yield of 142 t ha-1 year-1. The concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in leaves were, respectively, 3.18; 1.25; 5.11; 4.50; 0.88; and 1.79 dag kg-1, and concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and B were, respectively, 209; 96; 10; 665; and 209 mg kg-1. In the fruit, Ca and K were presented in larger concentration in the proximal area, unlike Mg, that was present only in lower concentration in that portion

Dor crônica em pacientes esquizofrênicos: prevalência e características Chronic pain in schizophrenic patients: prevalence and characteristics

A prevalência de dor crônica entre pacientes com transtornos psiquiátricos é, possivelmente, no mínimo igual à encontrada entre a população geral. Para estimar a prevalência de dor crônica em pacientes com esquizofrenia, comparar os grupos com e sem dor crônica e caracterizar a dor foi realizado um estudo transversal, com uma amostra probabilística de 205 pacientes adultos, com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia (idade média 37 anos; 65% homens; média de escolaridade de nove anos; 87% sem companheiro(a); 65% residentes com os pais), atendidos em hospital público do Município de São Paulo, Brasil. A prevalência de dor foi de 36,6%; a dor foi mais presente no abdômen (30,7%), seguida da dor de cabeça, face e boca (24%) e região lombar, sacra e cóccix (14,7%). Com relação à freqüência, 24% dos entrevistados referiram ter dor todos os dias. O tempo médio de dor foi de 41 meses, com intensidade moderada. A prevalência de dor crônica em pacientes esquizofrênicos foi semelhante à encontrada para a população geral, e o quadro álgico foi significativo em termos de duração, intensidade e freqüência dos episódios dolorosos.<br>Chronic pain may be at least as prevalent in psychiatric patients as in the general population. To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in schizophrenic patients, compare the groups with and without chronic pain, and characterize the pain, a cross-sectional study was performed on a probabilistic sample of 205 adult patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (mean age 37 years; 65% men; mean schooling nine years; 87% single; 65% living with parents), treated at a public hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Prevalence of pain was 36.6%, and the most frequent sites were abdomen (30.7%), head, face, and mouth (24%), and lower back (14.7%). Twenty-four percent of patients reported feeling pain every day. Mean duration of pain was 41 months, with moderate intensity. Prevalence of chronic pain in schizophrenic patients was similar to that in the general population, and the clinical course was significant in terms of duration, intensity, and frequency

Dose-sparing effect of two adjuvant formulations with a pandemic influenza A/H7N9 vaccine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 clinical trial.

The emergence of potentially pandemic viruses has resulted in preparedness efforts to develop candidate vaccines and adjuvant formulations. We evaluated the dose-sparing effect and safety of two distinct squalene-based oil-in-water adjuvant emulsion formulations (IB160 and SE) with influenza A/H7N9 antigen. This phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial (NCT03330899), enrolled 432 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 59. Participants were randomly allocated to 8 groups: 1A) IB160 + 15μg H7N9, 1B) IB160 + 7.5μg H7N9, 1C) IB160 + 3.75μg H7N9, 2A) SE + 15μg H7N9, 2B) SE + 7.5μg H7N9, 2C) SE + 3.75μg H7N9, 3) unadjuvanted vaccine 15μg H7N9 and 4) placebo. Immunogenicity was evaluated through haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) tests. Safety was evaluated by monitoring local and systemic, solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AE) and reactions (AR) 7 and 28 days after each study injection, respectively, whereas serious adverse events (SAE) were monitored up to 194 days post-second dose. A greater increase in antibody geometric mean titers (GMT) was observed in groups receiving adjuvanted vaccines. Vaccinees receiving IB160-adjuvanted formulations showed the greatest response in group 1B, which induced an HI GMT increase of 4.7 times, HI titers ≥40 in 45.2% of participants (MN titers ≥40 in 80.8%). Vaccinees receiving SE-adjuvanted vaccines showed the greatest response in group 2A, with an HI GMT increase of 2.5 times, HI titers ≥40 in 22.9% of participants (MN titers ≥40 in 65.7%). Frequencies of AE and AR were similar among groups. Pain at the administration site and headache were the most frequent local and systemic solicited ARs. The vaccine candidates were safe and the adjuvanted formulations have a potential dose-sparing effect on immunogenicity against influenza A/H7N9. The magnitude of this effect could be further explored

Aberrant working memory processing in major depression: evidence from multivoxel pattern classification

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is often accompanied by severe impairments in working memory (WM). Neuroimaging studies investigating the mechanisms underlying these impairments have produced conflicting results. It remains unclear whether MDD patients show hyper- or hypoactivity in WM-related brain regions and how potential aberrations in WM processing may contribute to the characteristic dysregulation of cognition–emotion interactions implicated in the maintenance of the disorder. In order to shed light on these questions and to overcome limitations of previous studies, we applied a multivoxel pattern classification approach to investigate brain activity in large samples of MDD patients (N = 57) and matched healthy controls (N = 61) during a WM task that incorporated positive, negative, and neutral stimuli. Results showed that patients can be distinguished from healthy controls with good classification accuracy based on functional activation patterns. ROI analyses based on the classification weight maps showed that during WM, patients had higher activity in the left DLPFC and the dorsal ACC. Furthermore, regions of the default-mode network (DMN) were less deactivated in patients. As no performance differences were observed, we conclude that patients required more effort, indexed by more activity in WM-related regions, to successfully perform the task. This increased effort might be related to difficulties in suppressing task-irrelevant information reflected by reduced deactivation of regions within the DMN. Effects were most pronounced for negative and neutral stimuli, thus pointing toward important implications of aberrations in WM processes in cognition–emotion interactions in MDD