Evaluation of the fertilizer potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus grown in agricultural drainage water from maize fields

Producing microalgae with agricultural drainage water (ADW) allows recycling water and nutrients, with the produc- tion of a biofertilizer, avoiding receiving waters' contamination. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus were culti- vated using ADW and standard media supplementation and presented higher productivities, relatively to the control industrial growth medium (using freshwater). Selected strains were grown outdoors in pilot flat panel photobioreactors, reaching 2.20 g L−1 for S. obliquus and 1.15 g L−1 for C. vulgaris, and degrading herbicides in the ADW to non-quantifiable concentrations. The potential of the C. vulgaris and S. obliquus suspensions to replace 50% of nitrogen (N) mineral fertilization of lettuce (0.5 g pot−1) was evaluated through a pot trial, also using a 2-times (1.0 g pot−1) and 5-times (2.5 g pot−1) higher dose, applied 31 days before lettuce transplanting. Even the lower dose of N, applied via C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, was able to provide significantly higher lettuce fresh matter yield, relatively to the mineral fertilized control. Soil enzymatic activities were improved, with significantly higher de- hydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and acid phosphatase activities for the 2.5 g pot−1 dose, more marked for S. obliquus, which was also able to increase soil organic matter content. Both the non-fertilized control and microalgae fertilized pots led to similar soil electrical conductivities, 3-fold lower than in the N-mineral fertilized pots, evidencing the capac- ity of microalgae fertilizers to avoid soil secondary salinization. Results suggest benefits from using ADW from maize cultivation to produce C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, that can be further used as liquid organic slow-release fertilizer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interlocuções, trajetos e fluxos: Ana Salazar e a moda de autor em Portugal

Entrevistas realizadas utilizando a Plataforma Zoom, coordenadas entre Lisboa, Múrcia, Porto e Paris, em 28 de agosto de 2021 e 28 de janeiro de 2022, respetivamente. A primeira foi realizada a Ana Salazar e a segunda a Cristina L. Duarte. [...

Estudo de Bambuí sobre saúde e envelhecimento: metodologia e resultados preliminares de coorte de estudo de idosos no Brasil

OBJECTIVE: A cohort study has been designed to identify predictors of adverse health events in the elderly. The methodology of the study and preliminary descriptive results are presented. METHODS: The study population comprises all residents of Bambuí (Minas Gerais, Brazil), aged 60 or more years (n=1.742). From these, 92.2% were interviewed and 85.9% underwent clinical examination, consisting of haematological and biochemical tests, serology for Trypanosoma cruzi, anthropometric and blood pressure measures and electrocardiogram. Aliquots of serum, plasma and DNA were stored for future investigations. The baseline interview included sociodemographic characteristics, self-referred health condition and history of selected diseases, medication use, health service use, source of medical care, physical activities, smoking, drinking and eating habits, reproductive history, physical functioning, life events, social support and mental health. Individuals are being followed up annually. RESULTS: The following characteristics predominated among participants: women (60,0%), married (48.9%) or widowed (35.4%), people living in households with up to 2 residents (73.8%), heads of family (76.7%), people with monthly income between 1.00 and 2.99 Brazilian minimum wages (62.0%) and people with up to 4 years of schooling (89.1%). The median age was 68 years. Among the cohort members, only 1.7% were lost in the first follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the characteristics of the study population were very similar to those from other epidemiological studies of the elderly based on large Brazilian cities. The small number of losses to follow-up indicates that the choice of Bambuí was adequate, assuring the feasibility of a long term cohort study.OBJETIVO: Um estudo de coorte está sendo desenvolvido para identificar fatores preditores de eventos adversos à saúde em idosos. São apresentados a metodologia do estudo e os resultados descritivos preliminares. MÉTODOS: A população estudada é constituída por todos os residentes na cidade de Bambuí, Minas Gerais, com 60 ou mais anos de idade (n=1.742). Destes, 92,2% foram entrevistados e 85,9% foram submetidos a exames hematológicos e bioquímicos, sorologia para Trypanosoma cruzi , medidas antropométricas e de pressão arterial e eletrocardiograma. Alíquotas de soro, plasma e DNA foram estocadas para futuras investigações. A entrevista da linha de base do estudo incluiu: características sociodemográficas, percepção da saúde e morbidade auto-referida, uso de medicamentos, acesso a serviços de saúde e a planos de saúde, atividades físicas, uso de fumo e de álcool, hábitos alimentares, história reprodutiva, função física, eventos da vida, recursos sociais e saúde mental. Os participantes estão sendo acompanhados anualmente. RESULTADOS: As seguintes características predominaram entre os participantes: mulheres (60%), casados (48,9%) ou viúvos (35,4%), residentes em domicílios com até 2 pessoas (73,8%), chefes de família (76,7%), pessoas com renda mensal entre 1 e 2,99 salários-mínimos (62%) e pessoas com 4 ou menos anos de escolaridade (89,1%). A mediana da idade foi igual a 68 anos. Somente 1,7% dos membros da coorte foram perdidos no primeiro acompanhamento. CONCLUSÕES: Em geral, as características da população estudada foram muito semelhantes às de participantes de outros estudos epidemiológicos sobre envelhecimento, desenvolvidos em grandes cidades brasileiras. A pequena perda para acompanhamento mostra que a escolha de Bambuí foi adequada, garantindo a viabilidade de um estudo prospectivo de longa duração

Projeto Bambuí: avaliação de serviços odontológicos privados, públicos e de sindicato

OBJECTIVE: Since one of the goals of dental services is to reduce the effects of social inequality on dental health, it was assessed whether there are inequalities among those seeking dental care from private, public and unionized services. METHODS: The study population consisted of adults aged 18 years or more living in the city of Bambuí, Brazil. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson's chi-square test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (Woolf's method). RESULTS: There were included 656 subjects who met the study's inclusion criteria. Adjusted results using multiple logistic regression showed that those using private services were more likely to be satisfied with their teeth's looks (OR=3.03; 95%CI =1.70-5.39) and chewing ability (OR=2.27; 95%CI=1.17-4.40) compared to those using public services. Also, they were less likely to perceive their need for dental treatment (OR=0.39; 95%CI=0.18-0.86) and were more likely to have had restorative (OR=9.57; 95%CI=4.72--19.43) and/or preventive (OR=5.57; 95%CI=2.31--13.40) treatment in their last visit to the dentist's. Those using unionized services were more likely to have had restorative (OR=8.51; 95%CI=2.80--25.92) and/or preventive treatment (OR=11.42; 95%CI=3.49--37.43) in their last visit to the dentist's when compared to those using public services. However, there were no differences regarding satisfaction with their teeth's looks, chewing ability, and perceived treatment needs. CONCLUSION: Public dental care services have not been able to reduce social inequalities related to oral health care.OBJETIVO: Partindo do princípio de que um dos objetivos dos serviços odontológicos públicos é reduzir os efeitos das desigualdades sociais sobre a saúde bucal, investigou-se se essas desigualdades estão presentes entre usuários dos serviços odontológicos públicos, privados e de sindicato. MÉTODOS: A população estudada foi constituída por uma amostra representativa de adultos residentes na cidade de Bambuí, MG. Os participantes foram entrevistados por meio de um questionário estruturado. RESULTADOS: Entre os 1.664 moradores amostrados, 1.382 (83,1%) participaram do inquérito de saúde bucal. Destes, 656 preenchiam os critérios de inclusão (idade >;18 anos, presença de pelo menos um dente natural e visita ao dentista pelo menos uma vez na vida) e participaram do trabalho. Os usuários dos serviços privados estavam mais satisfeitos com a aparência dos dentes (ORaj=3,03; IC95%=1,70-5,39) e com a mastigação (ORaj=2,27; IC95%=1,17-4,40) do que os usuários de serviços públicos. Aqueles também percebiam menos necessidade atual de tratamento odontológico (ORaj=0,39; IC95%=0,18-0,86) e receberam com mais freqüência tratamento restaurador (ORaj=9,57; IC95%=4,72-19,43) ou preventivo (ORaj=5,57; IC95%=2,31-13,40) na última visita ao dentista. Aqueles que usaram os serviços do sindicato também receberam mais tratamentos restauradores (ORaj=8,51; IC95%=2,80-25,92) e preventivos (ORaj=11,42; IC95%=3,49-37,43) na última visita ao dentista do que os usuários de serviços públicos. Nenhuma diferença foi encontrada em relação à satisfação com a aparência dos dentes, à capacidade de mastigação e à percepção de necessidade de tratamento odontológico. CONCLUSÃO: Os serviços públicos odontológicos, com base no estudo da comunidade local, aparentemente não têm conseguido reduzir as desigualdades sociais com referência à saúde bucal

Prevalência e fatores associados à automedicação: resultados do projeto Bambuí

OBJECTIVE: A population-based study was carried out in the municipality of Bambuí, Brazil (population: approx. 15,000 inhabitants), to determine the prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors. METHODS: A random sample of 1,221 residents aged >;18 years was selected. Of these, 796 reported use of medications in the last 90 days and were selected for this study (775 participated). Data was collected through home interviews. Study variables were divided in 3 groups: social and economic, health status and health service use indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's Qui-square test, and odds ratios adjusted by multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the total, 419 (54.0%) reported use of only prescribed medications, 133 (17.2%) took prescribed and over-the-counter medications, and 223 (28.8%) took only over-the-counter medications in the last 90 days. After adjusting for confounders, the following variables presented significant associations with exclusive use of self-medication: female sex (OR=0.6; IC95%=0.4--0.9); age (OR=0.4; IC95%=0.3--0.6 for 40-59 years old and OR=0.2; IC95%=0.1--0.5 for >;60 years); >;5 residents in the household (OR=2.1; 1.1--4.0); number of visits to a doctor in the previous 12 months (OR=0.2; IC95%=0.1--0.4 and OR=0.1; IC95%=0.0-0.1 for 1 visit and >;2 visits, respectively); report of consulting a pharmacist in the previous 12 months (OR=1.9; IC95%=1.1--3.3); and reports of financial expenses with medications during this period (OR=0.5; IC95%=0.3--0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that the prevalence of self-medication in the studied community was similar to that observed in developed countries. These results also suggest that self-medication works in place of the formal health attention in this community.OBJETIVO: Realizou-se estudo com base populacional na cidade de Bambuí, MG, com cerca de 15.000 habitantes, para determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de automedicação. MÉTODOS: Foi selecionada uma amostra aleatória simples de 1.221 moradores com idade >;18 anos: 796 relataram uso de medicamentos nos últimos 90 dias e foram incluídos no estudo (775 participaram). A coleta de dados foi feita por entrevistas domiciliares. Foram considerados três grupos de variáveis exploratórias: sociodemográficas, indicadores de condição de saúde e indicadores de uso de serviços de saúde. Para análise estatística, foram utilizados: teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson e odds ratio ajustados pelo método de regressão logística multinomial. RESULTADOS: Do total de participantes, 419 (54,0%) relataram ter consumido exclusivamente medicamentos prescritos por médicos nos últimos 90 dias, 133 (17,2%) consumiram medicamentos prescritos e não prescritos, e 223 (28,8%) consumiram, exclusivamente medicamentos não prescritos. Após ajustamento por variáveis de confusão, as seguintes variáveis apresentaram associações com o uso exclusivo de automedicação: sexo feminino (OR=0,6; IC95%=0,4-0,9); idade (OR=0,4; IC95%=0,3-0,6 e OR=0,2; IC95%=0,1-0,5 para 40-59 e >;60 anos, respectivamente); >;5 residentes no domicílio (OR=2,1; 1,1-4,0); número de consultas médicas nos últimos 12 meses (OR=0,2; IC95%=0,1-0,4 e OR=0,1; IC95%=0,0-0,1 para 1 e >;2, respectivamente); consulta a farmacêutico nos últimos 12 meses (OR=1,9; IC95%=1,1-3,3) e relato de gastos com medicamentos nesse período (OR=0,5; IC95%= 0,3-0,8). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram prevalência da automedicação semelhante à observada em países desenvolvidos, sugerindo que essa prática poderia atuar como um substituto da atenção formal à saúde

Sugarcane Straw Blanket Management Effects on Plant Growth, Development, and Yield in Southeastern Brazil

In Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production systems, the practice of moving harvesting residue from row to inter-row positions (i.e., raking) has increased in response to producer concerns over the potential negative effects of sugarcane straw on crop establishment and stalk yield. Despite increasing adoption among sugarcane farmers, the impacts of straw raking practices on plant growth and yield remain unclear. A 2-yr experiment that included both dry and wet seasons was conducted at two sites in southeastern Brazil to evaluate straw management strategy effects on plant tillering, phytomass accumulation, plant nutritional status, and stalk yield. The experiments were established at the Bom Retiro mill and the Univalem mill. Experimental treatments included raking straw to inter-rows (raked), total straw removal (bare soil), and no straw removal (straw cover). Raked and bare soil treatments improved plant tillering but did not influence final plant population. Straw management had a slight effect on phytomass accumulation. Reduction of phytomass yield was observed from the first to the second ratoon during both seasons at both sites. At Bom Retiro, phytomass yield decreased 37% for stands established during the dry season and 19% for stands established during the wet season. At Univalem, phytomass yield decreased 20% for stands established during the dry season and 30% for stands established during the wet season. Retaining straw in the field (regardless of treatment) increased leaf tissue P content but not stalk yield. Raking straw from row to interrow positions at these locations in southeastern Brazil had no benefit on sugarcane yield but may result in soil compaction and higher production costs over time