In vitro and in vivo survival of mouse morulas and blastocysts following vitrification in 45% glycerol

The toxicity of cryoprotectant agents is one of the critical factors for the successful vitrification of mammalian embryos, which depends on the concentration, time and temperature of exposure to the cryoprotectant. Moreover, embryos from different species or stages of development have distinct levels of tolerance to cryoprotectant agents. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo survivals of mouse embryos after distinct times of exposure to two cryoprotectant concentrations prior to vitrification. In Experiment 1, compact morulas, blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were exposed to 10% glycerol for 10 min (group 1) or to 25% glycerol for 10, 5 and 2.5 min (groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively) prior to their exposure to the vitrification solution containing 45% glycerol for 1 min at 20°C before immersion in liquid nitrogen. Embryos were thawed in a water bath at 20°C for 20 sec, and the cryoprotectant was diluted in 1 M sucrose for 10 min. Then, embryos were morphologically evaluated following in vitro culture for 1 and 48 h. In vitro survivals of compact morulas and blastocysts were not affected by glycerol concentration and/or equilibration time prior to vitrification. However, expanded blastocysts demonstrated a lower survivability to vitrification. In Experiment 2, fresh and vitrified (according to procedures in group 1, Experiment 1) compact morulas and blastocysts were transferred to recipients following in vitro culture for 1 h at room temperature. Pregnancy rates, based on the proportion of viable fetuses, were similar between vitrified and fresh compact morulas (27% and 33%, respectively). However, vitrified blastocysts demonstrated a lower in vivo survival than controls (9% vs. 52%, respectively)

Preferência alimentar do pulgão-do-algodoeiro e desenvolvimento de plantas de melancia tratadas com silício

The cotton aphid is one of the main watermelon crop pests and may cause a reduction in productivity due to the suction of sap, the transmission of viruses, and decreased photosynthetic capacity. The objective of this research was to evaluate the feeding preference of the aphid Aphis gossypii and the biometric aspects of watermelon cultivar plants submitted to silicon application. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Education, Agriculture, and Environment of the Federal University of Amazonas, in Humaitá, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used for testing preference with choice and a completely randomized design to study the biometric parameters of the plants. The treatments were distributed in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (with and without silicon and considering cultivars Crimson Sweet, Fairfax, and Charleston). Silicic acid was applied at a 1% concentration directly on the substrate around the plants (equivalent to 1 t SiO2 ha-1), 25 days after sowing. The aphids in the breeding were kept in cucumber plants of cultivar Caipira. The treatments were evaluated through the preference test on watermelon cultivars and biometric studies of plant growth and development. The data were submitted to an analysis of variance, and the means were compared using the F and Scott-Knott tests at the 5% probability level. Silicon does not affect the preference of Aphis gossypii in different watermelon cultivars and negatively affects plant growth and development.O pulgão-do-algodoeiro é uma das principais pragas da cultura da melancia e pode provocar redução na produtividade devido à sucção de seiva; transmissão de vírus e diminuição da capacidade fotossintética. Nesse sentido, o objetivo, nesta pesquisa, foi avaliar a preferência do pulgão Aphis gossypii e os aspectos biométricos de plantas de cultivares de melancia submetidas à aplicação de silício. O experimento foi conduzido no Instituto de Educação, Agricultura e Ambiente da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Humaitá, Brasil. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos completos casualizados para teste de preferência com chance de escolha e o inteiramente ao acaso para o estudo dos parâmetros biométricos das plantas, onde os tratamentos foram distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 (sem silício e com silício) x 3 (cultivares: Crimson Sweet, Fairfax e Charleston). O ácido silícico foi aplicado a 1% diretamente no substrato ao redor das plantas (equivalente a 1t SiO2 ha-1), 25 dias após a semeadura. Os pulgões da criação foram mantidos em plantas de pepino, cultivar Caipira. Os tratamentos foram avaliados por meio do teste de preferência em cultivares de melancia e de estudos biométricos de crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de F e Scott & Knott ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. O silício não afeta a preferência de Aphis gossypii em diferentes cultivares de melancia e afeta negativamente o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas

Sistemas de Identificação Modular: Uma Aplicação no Ensino Fundamental

O trabalho descreve três exemplos de sistemas de identificação modular analisando-os em relação a capacidade de detecção de erros. Também propõe uma aplicação direta em sala de aula, utilizando o recurso dos blocos lógicos

In vitro efficacy of latex and purified papain from Carica papaya against Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs and larvae

Latex from Carica papaya is rich in bioactive compounds, especially papain, which may help to control parasitic diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of latex from C. papaya and purified papain against Strongyloides venezuelensis. The Egg Hatching Test (EHT) and the Larval Motility Test (LMT) using fresh and frozen latex (250mg/mL), lyophilized latex (34mg/mL), and purified papain (2.8 mg/mL) were performed. Albendazole (0.025 mg/mL) and ivermectin (316 ppm) were used as positive controls. EHT and LMT were carried out through the incubation of each solution with S. venezuelensis eggs or larvae (± 100 specimens), and results were analyzed after 48h (EHT) or 24, 48, and 72h (LMT). EHT showed that latex preparations at higher concentrations (1:10 to 1:100) resulted in partial or complete destruction of eggs and larvae inside the eggs. The result from the 1:1,000 dilution was similar to the positive control. LMT showed effectiveness in all the tested dilutions compared to negative controls. Purified papain showed a dose-dependent response in the EHT. Purified papain (2.8 mg/ mL) showed similar results to lyophilized latex at 1:1,000 in the EHT. Latex and purified papain from C. papaya were effective against S. venezuelensis eggs and larvae in vitro, suggesting their potential use as an alternative treatment for strongyloidiasis

Atitudes para a colaboração interprofissional de equipes da Atenção Primária participantes do Programa Mais Médicos

Objetivos: comparar atitudes em relação à colaboração interprofissional de profissionais de saúde componentes de equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família, participantes do Programa Mais Médicos, bem como identificar fatores associados a atitudes de colaboração interprofissional. Método: estudo descritivo, transversal e comparativo, desenvolvido com 63 profissionais de saúde que responderam à Escala Jefferson de Atitudes Relacionadas à Colaboração Interprofissional. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente. Resultados: o somatório dos itens da escala variou de 88 a 139 pontos. A análise do conjunto das equipes de Saúde da Família indicou diferenças estatísticas significantes entre os escores da escala e a categoria profissional e entre os escores e a escolaridade, sugerindo que os enfermeiros e os profissionais com nível superior são mais inclinados para a prática colaborativa. A análise segundo o perfil do médico – brasileiro, intercambista ou cubano – não determinou diferenças estatísticas nos escores dos médicos, tampouco nos escores dos componentes das equipes de diferentes perfis. Conclusão: o perfil não sugeriu maior ou menor inclinação, com significância estatística, dos médicos ou das equipes para o trabalho interprofissional. Este estudo pode constituir subsídio para novas investigações que contribuam para análise sobre a colaboração interprofissional e o impacto do Programa Mais Médicos.Objectives: to compare the attitudes regarding interprofessional collaboration of health professionals that make up the Family Health Strategy teams participating in the ‘More Doctors’ (Mais Médicos) program; and to identify factors associated with attitudes of interprofessional collaboration. Method: a descriptive, transversal and comparative study developed with 63 health professionals who responded to the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: the sum of the scale items ranged from 88 to 139 points. The analysis of all the Family Health teams indicated statistically significant differences between the scores of the scale and the professional category and between the scores and the education level, suggesting that nurses and professionals with higher education are more inclined towards collaborative practice. The analysis according to the profile of the doctor - Brazilian, Cuban or foreign exchange doctor - found no statistical differences regarding the physicians’ scores, nor in the scores of the components of teams with different profiles. Conclusion: the profile did not suggest a statistically significant greater or lesser inclination of the doctors or teams toward interprofessional work. This study can support new studies which will contribute to the analysis of inter-professional collaboration and the impact of the Mais Médicos program.Objetivos: comparar las actitudes en relación a la colaboración interprofesional de profesionales de la salud componentes de equipos de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, participantes del Programa Más Médicos; e identificar los factores asociados a actitudes de colaboración interprofesional. Método: estudio descriptivo, transversal y comparativo, desarrollado con 63 profesionales de la salud que respondieron a la Escala Jefferson de Actitudes Relacionadas a la Colaboración Interprofesional. Los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente. Resultados: la suma de los ítems de la escala varió de 88 a 139 puntos. El análisis del conjunto de los equipos de la ESF indicó diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los puntajes de la escala y la categoría profesional y entre los puntajes y la escolaridad, sugiriendo que los enfermeros y los profesionales con nivel superior son más inclinados para la práctica colaborativa. El análisis según el perfil del médico - brasileño, participante de intercambio o cubano - no determinó diferencias estadísticas en los puntajes de los médicos ni en los puntajes de los componentes de los equipos de diferentes perfiles. Conclusión: el perfil no sugirió mayor o menor inclinación, con significación estadística, de los médicos o de los equipos para el trabajo interprofesional. Este estudio, inédito en Brasil, puede auxiliar nuevas investigaciones que contribuyan para realizar análisis más robustos sobre la colaboración interprofesional y el impacto del Más Médicos

COVID-19 Next Day Trend Forecast

Historically, weather conditions are depicted as an essential factor to be considered in predicting variation infections due to respiratory diseases, including influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS-CoV-2, best known as COVID-19. Predicting the number of cases will contribute to plan human and non-human resources in hospital facilities, including beds, ventilators, and support policy decisions on sanitary population warnings, and help to provision the demand for COVID-19 tests. In this work, an integrated framework predicts the number of cases for the upcoming days by considering the COVID-19 cases and temperature records supported by a kNN algorithm.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Future perspectives in pediatric dentistry : where are we now and where are we heading?

Oral diseases in children are still a major public health problem that can negatively impact parents and their children’s quality of life. Even though oral diseases are largely preventable, initial signs of them can be detected in the 1st year of life, and its severity might increase with time if no preventive measures are taken. Based on this, we aim to discuss ”where is pediatric dentistry now?” and ”where is pediatric dentistry heading?” Early life oral health conditions are a good predictor of oral health status in adolescence, adulthood, and elderly people. A healthy childhood provides the foundation and opportunities for life; therefore, pediatric dentists have the unique opportunity to identify the presence of unhealthy habits in the 1st year of life and educate the parents and family members to change them for life. If all educational and preventive strategies fail or are not put into practice, the child might present oral health problems, such as dental caries, erosive tooth wear (ETW), hypomineralization, and malocclusion, that could have a great impact on other stages of life. At the moment, in pediatric dentistry, there are many alternatives to prevent and treat these oral health problems. However, if prevention fails, minimally invasive approaches, and new dental materials and technologies have been developed recently and will be important tools available in the near future in order to enhance children’s oral health

Influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) on the survival and the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the insulin-like growth factor -I (IGF-I) on survival, activation (transition from primordial to primary follicles) and growth of caprine preantral follicles cultured in vitro. Fragments of ovarian cortex were cultured for one and seven days in the absence or presence of IGF-I (0, 50 and 100ng/ml). The non-cultured and cultured tissues were processed and analyzed by histology and transmission electron microscopy. The culture for one day in a medium with 100ng/ml of IGF-I showed 86.7% of morphologically normal follicles. These results were similar (P>0.05) to the percentage of normal follicles found in the control (96.7%). It was also found that this medium increased the percentage of follicular activation (developing follicles) with one day of culture. The oocyte and follicular diameters remained similar to the control by culturing for one day in a medium containing 100ng/ml of IGF-I. The ultrastructural analysis did not confirm the integrity of the follicular fragments in a medium containing IGF-I (100ng/ml) after one and seven days of culture. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the addition of 100 ng/ml of IGF-I in the culture medium enables the development of preantral follicles of goats with one day of culture. However, it is not sufficient to maintain the follicular integrity and the follicular survival rate after seven days of culture.O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os efeitos do fator de crescimento semelhante a insulina-I (IGF-I) na sobrevivência, ativação (transição de folículos primordiais para primários) e crescimento de folículos pré-antrais caprinos cultivados in vitro. Fragmentos de córtex ovariano foram cultivados por um e sete dias na ausência ou presença de IGF-I (0, 50 e 100ng/mL). Os tecidos não cultivados e cultivados foram processados e analisados por histologia e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. O cultivo por um dia em meio com 100ng/mL de IGF-I apresentou 86,7% de folículos morfologicamente normais. Estes resultados foram semelhantes (P>0,05) ao percentual de folículos normais encontrados no controle (96,7%). Verificou-se ainda que este meio aumentou o percentual de ativação folicular (folículos em desenvolvimento) com um dia de cultivo. Os diâmetros ovocitário e folicular mantiveram-se semelhantes ao controle ao cultivar por um dia em meio contendo 100ng/mL de IGF-I. As análises ultraestruturais não confirmaram a integridade folicular dos fragmentos em meio contendo IGF-I (100 ng/mL) após um e sete dias de cultivo. Em conclusão, esse estudo demonstrou que a adição de 100 ng/mL de IGF-I no meio de cultivo ativa o desenvolvimento de folículos pré-antrais de caprinos com um dia de cultivo. Entretanto, não é suficiente para manter a integridade folicular e a taxa de sobrevivência folicular após sete dias de cultivo