Effect of High vs Low Doses of Chloroquine Diphosphate as Adjunctive Therapy for Patients Hospitalized With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

There is no specific antiviral therapy recommended for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In vitro studies indicate that the antiviral effect of chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) requires a high concentration of the drug.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 CQ dosages in patients with severe COVID-19. This parallel, double-masked, randomized, phase IIb clinical trial with 81 adult patients who were hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was conducted from March 23 to April 5, 2020, at a tertiary care facility in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon. - Patients were allocated to receive high-dosage CQ (ie, 600 mg CQ twice daily for 10 days) or low-dosage CQ (ie, 450 mg twice daily on day 1 and once daily for 4 days). - Label: Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was reduction in lethality by at least 50% in the high-dosage group compared with the low-dosage group. Data presented here refer primarily to safety and lethality outcomes during treatment on day 13. Secondary end points included participant clinical status, laboratory examinations, and electrocardiogram results. Outcomes will be presented to day 28. Viral respiratory secretion RNA detection was performed on days 0 and 4. Out of a predefined sample size of 440 patients, 81 were enrolled (41 [50.6%] to high-dosage group and 40 [49.4%] to low-dosage group). Enrolled patients had a mean (SD) age of 51.1 (13.9) years, and most (60 [75.3%]) were men. Older age (mean [SD] age, 54.7 [13.7] years vs 47.4 [13.3] years) and more heart disease (5 of 28 [17.9%] vs 0) were seen in the high-dose group. Viral RNA was detected in 31 of 40 (77.5%) and 31 of 41 (75.6%) patients in the low-dosage and high-dosage groups, respectively. Lethality until day 13 was 39.0% in the high-dosage group (16 of 41) and 15.0% in the low-dosage group (6 of 40). The high-dosage group presented more instance of QTc interval greater than 500 milliseconds (7 of 37 [18.9%]) compared with the low-dosage group (4 of 36 [11.1%]). Respiratory secretion at day 4 was negative in only 6 of 27 patients (22.2%). - Label: Conclusions and Relevance The preliminary findings of this study suggest that the higher CQ dosage should not be recommended for critically ill patients with COVID-19 because of its potential safety hazards, especially when taken concurrently with azithromycin and oseltamivir. These findings cannot be extrapolated to patients with nonsevere COVID-19

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Produção e qualidade de sementes de berinjela em função do horário de polinização manual

O experimento foi desenvolvido na área experimental do Departamento de Produção Vegetal, setor de Horticultura, da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Câmpus Botucatu, com o objetivo de avaliar a produção e qualidade de sementes de berinjela (cultivar Embu), em função de diferentes horários de polinização. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com sete tratamentos (polinização manual às 7 h; 9 h; 11 h; 13 h; 15 h; testemunha 1 = polinização natural, sem proteção da flor e testemunha 2 = polinização natural com proteção da flor com saco de papel), com quatro repetições e seis plantas por parcela. Obteve-se menor produção e qualidade das sementes quando a flor foi previamente protegida. Com a polinização natural, sem proteção da flor, os resultados foram mais elevados aos das polinizações manuais, com maior massa, comprimento, diâmetro dos frutos e produção de sementes por fruto. A polinização natural, sem proteção da flor, possibilitou, ainda, a obtenção de sementes com similares germinação e vigor em relação aos demais processos.The experiment was carried out at Vegetal Production Department, Horticulture subdivision, Universidade Estadual Paulista, aiming to evaluate the production and quality of eggplant seed (cultivar Embu) when pollination was conducted at different times of the day. The experimental design was a randomized block, with seven treatments (7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, control 1= natural pollination, no flower protection and control 2= natural pollination with flower protection with paper bags), with four replications and six plants per plot. Lower production and quality of seeds were obtained when flowers were previously protected. Natural pollination, with no flower protection, showed superior results when compared to manual pollination, with larger weight, length and diameter of fruits and bigger seed production per fruit. Natural pollination , with no flower protector, enabled, also, to obtain of seeds with similar germination and vigor compared to other processes.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Crescimento de Crisântemo em substrato contendo composto de lixo urbano e casca de arroz carbonizada - II

Com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento e florescimento de plantas de cristântemo cultivadas para corte de inflorescência em substratos contendo composto de lixo urbano (CLU) e casca de arroz carbonizada (CAC) como condicionadores, foi conduzido um experimento em casca de vegetação na Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da mistura solo: areia: condicionador, na proporção volumétrica 2:1:4, sendo o condicionador uma mistura de CAC + CLU, em que T1 = 100% CAC; T2 = 66,66% CAC + 33,33% CLU; T3 = 33,33% CAC + 66,66% CLU e T4 = 100% CLU. A elevação na concentração do CLU, e consequente diminuição da CAC ocasionou a redução na produção de matéra seca e diâmetro das inflorescências de forma linear. A altura, a matéria fresca da raiz e a área foliar foram influenciadas pela concentração do CLU e da CAC de forma quadrática. A substituição da CAC pelo CLU interferiu na abertura das inflorescências, atrasando o ciclo das plantas de crisântemo variedade White Polaris. A qualidade visual das inflorescências foi considerada excelente, com 33.33% e 66,66% de CLU como condicionador. Com 0% e 100% de CLU foi avaliada como boa e regular, respectivamente.An experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions at the Universidade Federal de Vicosa aiming to evaluate the growth and florescence of the chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat) Tzvelev) plants cultivated for inflorescence cutting in substrates containing urban solid waste compost (CLU) and carbonized rice rusk (CAC) as conditícios. Treatments consisted of a soil-sand-conditioner mixture at a volumetric proportion of 2:1:4. The conditioner was a mixture of CAC CLU, where T1 = 100% CAC, T2 = 66.66% CAC + 33.33% CLU, T3 33.33% CAC + 66.66% CLU and T4 2 100% CLU. The increase in CLU concentration and the consequent CAC decrease caused a reduction in the dry matter yield and a linear reduction in the inflorescence diameters. The plant height, the root fresh matter and the leaf area were influenced by the CLU and CAC concentrations in a quadratic form. The CAC replacement by CLU interfered with the inflorescence opening thus retarding the cycle of chrysanthemum plants (White Polaris variety). The visual quality of the inflorescences was considered excellent with 33.33 % and 66.66 % CLU as conditioner. It was considered satisfactory and regular, with O and 100 CLU, respectively

Relação do espaçamento e da densidade de semeadura com o rendimento de grãos e outras características agronômicas do trigo

Foi avaliado no ano de 1994, em Coimbra (MG), o efeito do espaçamento entre linhas (16, 24, 32 e 40 cm) e da densidade de semeadura (150, 250, 350 e 450 sementes aptas/m^2 ) sobre a produção de grãos e outras características agronômicas do trigo cultivar EMBRAPA 22, em regime de irrigação. Utilizou-se o fatorial 4 x 4, constituído pela combinação de espaçamentos com densidades, seguindo o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados. No decorrer do período experimental foram avaliados o estande inicial, altura de planta, índice de perfllhamento e componentes de rendimento. Concluiu-se que o espaçamento de 16 cm entre linhas foi o que proporcionou maior produção de grãos, não ocorrendo influência de densidade de semeadura sobre a produção de grãos. A elevação dos níveis de densidade reduziu o indice de perfilhamento, causando morte de plantas na maior densidade estudada. A altura de planta e o número de grãos por espiga também foram reduzidos, enquanto o peso do hectolitro foi aumentado com a elevação da densidade de semeadura.The effect of row spacing (16, 24, 32 and 40 cm) and seed rate (150, 250, 350 and 450 viable seeds/m^2) on the seed production and other agronomic characteristics of wheat (T n' ticum aestivum L., cultivar EMBRAPA 22) under irrigation was analysed in Coimbra (State of Minas Gerais). The sixteen treatments consisted ofcombinations of spacings with seed rate using a 4 x 4 factorial, complete randomized block design. The characteristics evaluated were: seed production, hectolitric weight, weight of a thousand seeds, number of gmins per head, initial and final stands, plant height and index of shoots. The spacing of 16 cm produced the highest yield. An increase in seed rate did not affect the production of seeds, but it caused a reduction of number of seeds per head and plant height and caused an increase in hectolitric weight. However, it reduced the index of shoots, also causing plant death in the highest density

Efeito de espaçamentos e densidades de semeadura sobre o rendimento de grãos e outras características agronômicas do trigo (Triticum aestivum L.)

Foi avaliado, no ano de 1993, em Coimbra (MG), o efeito do espaçamento entre linhas (16, 24, 32 e 40 cm) e de densidade de semeadura (150, 250, 350 e 450. sementes aptas/m^2) sobre a produção de grãos e outras características agronômicas do trigo (Triticum aestívum L.), em regime de irrigação. Os 16 tratamentos foram constituídos da combinação dos espaçamentos com as densidades de semeadura, fatorial 4 x 4, sendo distribuídos seguindo o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados.O cultivar utilizado foi () EMBRAPA-22, As características avaliadas foram: produção de grãos, peso hectolítrico, peso de mil grãos, número de grãos por espiga, estande inicial e final, altura de planta e índice de perfilhamento. O espaçamento de 16 cm entre linhas proporcionou maior produção, de grãos. A elevação dos níveis da densidade de semeadura provocou redução na produção de grãos, no número de grãos por espiga e no índice de perfilhamento, além de ser a responsável pela morte de plantas na maior densidade estudada.The effect of row-spacing (16, 24, 32 and 40om) and seed- rate (150, 250, 350 and 450 viable seeds/m^2) on seed production and other agronomic traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cultivar EMBRAPA 22) under irrigation was analyzed in 1993 in the Experimental Station of Coimbra (State of Minas Gerais) of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa. The sixteen treatments consisted of combinations of spacings with seed-rate using a 4x4 factorial, designed as complete randomized blocks. The traits evaluated were: seed production, hectoliter weight, weight of & thousand seeds, number of seeds per head, initial and final stands, planting height and index of shoots. The spacing of lócm produced the highest number of seeds. An increase in seed rate caused & reduction in seed production, number of seeds per head and in the index of shoots