Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

ARMAZENAMENTO DE SEMENTES DE MARACUJÁ-AMARELO

O domínio do conhecimento dos fatores biológicos, fisiológicos e ecológicos que influenciam nos processos de produção agrícola, pode assegurar o aperfeiçoamento de técnicas de produção e fornecer informações importantes para a manipulação de insumos. Assim o conhecimento do poder germinativo de sementes armazenadas ao longo do tempo poderá assegurar ao produtor informações corretas sobre quanto tempo, de forma simples e prática, poderá armazenar sementes de maracujazeiro com viabilidade para a produção de mudas frutíferas. O presente projeto objetivou avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de maracujá amarelo armazenadas durante 180 dias. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes e Mudas - LABASEM do CCTA/UFCG em Pombal, PB. Sementes foram submetidas ao armazenamento em recipiente hermético e mantidos em geladeira durante 180 dias, sendo realizada avaliações mensais de sua qualidade fisiológica. Sementes de maracujá amarelo apresentam dormência pós-colheita que é superada após 30 dias de armazenamento. O armazenamento de sementes de maracujá amarelo pode ser realizado empregando recipiente hermético de vidro, mantidos em condições controladas de geladeira por até 120 dias sem comprometimento da qualidade fisiológica das sementes

Armazenamento de sementes de maracujá-amarelo

The field of knowledge of biological, physiological and ecological processes that influence agricultural production, can ensure the improvement of production techniques and provide important information for the manipulation of inputs. Thus the knowledge of the germination of seeds stored over time can ensure correct information to the producer about how long, in a simple and practical, you can store passion fruit seeds and viability for the production of fruit seedlings. This project aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of passion fruit seeds stored for 180 days.The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Analysis of Seeds and Seedlings - LABASEM CCTA / UFCG in Pombal, state of Paraíba. Seeds were subjected to storage in an airtight container and kept in refrigerator for 180 days with monthly assessments conducted their physiological quality. Seeds of passion fruit have post-harvest dormancy which is broken after 30 days of storage. The storage of seeds of passion fruit may be performed using glass airtight container and kept under controlled refrigerator for up to 120 days without compromising the physiological quality of seeds.O domínio do conhecimento dos fatores biológicos, fisiológicos e ecológicos que influenciam nos processos de produção agrícola, pode assegurar o aperfeiçoamento de técnicas de produção e fornecer informações importantes para a manipulação de insumos. Assim o conhecimento do poder germinativo de sementes armazenadas ao longo do tempo poderá assegurar ao produtor informações corretas sobre quanto tempo, de forma simples e prática, poderá armazenar sementes de maracujazeiro com viabilidade para a produção de mudas frutíferas. O presente projeto objetivou avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de maracujá amarelo armazenadas durante 180 dias. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes e Mudas - LABASEM do CCTA/UFCG em Pombal, PB. Sementes foram submetidas ao armazenamento em recipiente hermético e mantidos em geladeira durante 180 dias, sendo realizada avaliações mensais de sua qualidade fisiológica. Sementes de maracujá amarelo apresentam dormência pós-colheita que é superada após 30 dias de armazenamento. O armazenamento de sementes de maracujá amarelo pode ser realizado empregando recipiente hermético de vidro, mantidos em condições controladas de geladeira por até 120 dias sem comprometimento da qualidade fisiológica das sementes.El campo de conocimiento de los procesos biológicos, fisiológicos y ecológicos que influyen en la producción agrícola, puede garantizar la mejora de las técnicas de producción y proporcionar información importante para la manipulación de los insumos. Así, el conocimiento de la germinación de las semillas almacenadas en el tiempo puede garantizar una correcta información a los productores acerca de cuánto tiempo, en una sencilla y práctica, puede almacenar las semillas de fruta de la pasión y la viabilidad para la producción de plantas frutales. Este proyecto tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad fisiológica de las semillas de fruta de la pasión almacenados durante 180 días. El experimento se llevó a cabo en el Laboratorio de Análisis de Semillas y Plántulas - ABAP CCTA / UFCG en Pombal, Paraiba. Las semillas fueron sometidas a almacenamiento en un recipiente hermético y mantenerse en el refrigerador durante 180 días, que se celebró evaluaciones mensuales de su calidad fisiológica. Las semillas de fruta de la pasión han latencia después de la cosecha que se rompe después de 30 días de almacenamiento. El almacenamiento de las semillas de fruta de la pasión se puede realizar utilizando un recipiente de cristal hermético y mantenerse bajo control del refrigerador hasta por 120 días sin comprometer la calidad fisiológica de las semillas

Eficiência das operações de insensibilização e sangria no abate humanitário de suínos

Este experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de analisar a eficácia da insensibilização e sangria no abate de suínos e sua correlação com os sinais clínicos apresentados. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em um matadouro frigorífico sob inspeção estadual na Bahia, sendo utilizados 499 animais provenientes de região próxima à Alagoinhas. Foram verificados durante a insensibilização o peso do animal, parâmetros de voltagem, amperagem, tempo de choque, intervalo entre a aplicação do choque e o início da sangria e, durante a sangria, o tempo total de sangria, sendo observados, para identificar a correta insensibilização, a ocorrência de sinais clínicos que evidenciassem sofrimento nestas duas fases. Com base nos dados obtidos, constatou-se que 298 suínos (59,7%) ficaram insensibilizados apenas na insensibilização, 15 suínos (3,0%) permaneceram insensibilizados apenas na sangria, 137 suínos (27,5%) não ficaram insensibilizados em nenhuma das etapas e 49 suínos (9,8%) ficaram insensibilizados nas duas etapas. Na análise estatística não se observou diferenças significativas nas voltagens, amperagens e tempo de choque aplicados. Diante dos resultados encontrados, pode-se concluir que o método de insensibilização utilizado não foi eficiente para promover o abate indolor aos animais, traduzido pela elevada ocorrência de sinais clínicos, concluindo-se que há a necessidade de revisão dos procedimentos operacionais durante essas etapas de abate.This experiment was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of stunning and bleeding in the slaughter of pigs and their correlation with clinical manifestations. The study occurred in a slaughterhouse under State Inspection Service in Bahia and 499 animals were used from a nearby region of Alagoinhas. Were observed during stunning the animal’s weight, parameters of voltage, amperage, shock time interval between application of the shock and the onset of bleeding, being observed, to identify the correct stunning, the occurrence of showing clinical sings of pain in these two phases. Based on the data obtained it was found that 298 pigs (59,7%) were insensibled at just stunning, 15 pigs (3,0%) remained insensibled only in bleeding, 137 pigs (27,5%) were not insensibled in none of steps and 49 pigs (9,8%) were insensibled in all steps. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences were observed in the voltages and amperages time shock applied. Given the results, we can conclude that the stunning method used was not efficient to promote painless killing of animals, traduced by the high occurrence of clinical signs, concluding that there is a need for revision the operational procedures for these slaughter steps

Perfil dos consumidores de plantas medicinais e condimentares do município de Pato Branco (PR) The profile of consumers medicinal plants and spices of Pato Branco city, Paraná State, Brazil

Diagnosticou-se o perfil dos consumidores de supermercados em Pato Branco (PR), com relação às suas preferências pelas plantas medicinais e condimentares, como subsídio à produção por pequenos produtores rurais. Os consumidores preferem produtos orgânicos, observam a aparência e o preço do produto, e vão ao mercado uma vez por semana, preferencialmente aos sábados. As dez plantas medicinais preferidas, em ordem decrescente, são camomila, anis, boldo, carqueja, guaco, malva, poejo, espinheira-santa, menta e sálvia. As dez plantas condimentares preferidas, em ordem decrescente, são cebola, cravo, canela, orégano, alho, nóz-moscada, pimentão, cebolinha, endro e salsinha.<br>The profile of supermarket users in Pato Branco city, Paraná State, Brazil, was obtained, related to their preference for medicinal and spice plants, as a subsidy to production by small farmers. The consumers prefer organic products observing the appearance and price of the product, and they go once a week to the market, preferably on Saturdays. The ten favorite medicinal plants are Chamomilla recutita, Pimpinella anisum, Vernonia condensata, Baccharis sp., Mikania sp., Malva sp., Cunilla sp., Maytenus sp., Mentha sp. and Salvia officinalis. The ten favorite spices are: Allium cepa, Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Origanum vulgaris, Allium sativum, Myristicia fragans, Capsicum annuum, Allium schoenoprasum, Anethum graveolens and Petroselinum crispum

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.13Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt