Responsiveness and value chain in sugar-ethanol production

Brazil is the world’s major sugarcane producer. In 2018/19, the country will have produced about 47.34 million tons of sugar and 58.8 billion liters of ethanol. Sugar and ethanol are produced in the same production process and the definition of both quantities is pre-established to sugarcane agro-industry. The purpose of this paper is to identify how managers define the production mix of sugar-ethanol in an agro-industry and how this decision adds value to its operations. The results showed that the searched mill adds value to its production through responsiveness and flexibility while orienting the production to sugar and/or ethanol according to the most profitable market during the moment of the decision making

Biaxial flexural strength and Weilbull characteristics of adhesively luted hybrid and reinforced CAD/CAM materials to dentin: effect of self-etching ceramic primer versus hydrofluoric acid etching

This study evaluated the influence of the surface treatment and aging on the biaxial flexural strength of ceramic materials cemented to a dentin analogue. One hundred twenty disc-shaped specimens were allocated into 12 groups considering three study factors: ceramic material (lithium disilicate, leucite-based ceramic and hybrid ceramic), surface treatment (10% hydrofluoric acid etching + silane or self-etching glass-ceramic primer) and Aging (with 10,000 thermocycles of 5–37–55 °C or without). A tri-layer assembly was designed to mimic a cemented restoration (Variolink N) into a dentin analogue. All samples were submitted to the biaxial flexural strength assay. The flexural strength in MPa was calculated using the finite element method for each sample considering thickness, material properties, and the load to fracture during the in vitro test. Fractographic analysis was also performed. The data was evaluated using three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 5%). ANOVA showed influence for the Material*Treatment*Aging interaction on the flexural strength (p = 0.011). The highest strength was calculated for lithium disilicate ceramic + self-etching ceramic primer without aging (499 ± 17 MPa)A and the lowest value for hybrid ceramic material + acid etching with aging (424 ± 48 MPa)E. According to the Weibull modulus, the most predictable strength was calculated for lithium disilicate + acid etching after aging. Acid etching or self-etching ceramic primer promotes similar immediate biaxial flexural strength for each evaluated ceramic. In the long-term, superior strength was observed using acid etching for lithium disilicate and the self-etching ceramic primer for the hybrid ceramic while no difference was observed for leucite-based ceramic

Influence of Polymeric Restorative Materials on the Stress Distribution in Posterior Fixed Partial Dentures: 3D Finite Element Analysis

This study evaluated the effect of interim restorative materials (acrylic resin (AR), resin composite (RC) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for dental computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)) on the stress distribution of a posterior three-unit fixed partial denture

Quais fatores podem explicar o paradoxo do baixo peso ao nascer?

OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight children are unusual among well-off families. However, in Brazil, low birth weight rate was higher in a more developed city than in a less developed one. The study objective was to find out the reasons to explain this paradox. METHODS: A study was carried out in two municipalities, Ribeirão Preto (Southeastern Brazil) and São Luís (Northeastern Brazil), which low birth weight rates were 10.7% and 7.6% respectively. Data from two birth cohorts were analyzed: 2,839 newborns in Ribeirão Preto in 1994 and 2,439 births in São Luís in 1997-1998. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Low birth weight risk factors in São Luís were primiparity, maternal smoking and maternal age less than 18 years. In Ribeirão Preto, the associated variables were family income between one and three minimum wages, maternal age less than 18 and equal to or more than 35 years, maternal smoking and cesarean section. In a combined model including both cohorts, Ribeirão Preto presented a 45% higher risk of low birth weight than São Luís. When adjusted for maternal smoking habit, the excess risk for low birth weight in Ribeirão Preto compared to São Luís was reduced by 49%, but the confidence interval was marginally significant. Differences in cesarean section rates between both cities contributed to partially explain the paradox. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking was the most important risk factor for explaining the difference in low birth weight between both cities. The other factors contributed little to explain the difference in low birth weight rates.OBJETIVO: O baixo peso ao nascer é incomum em recém-nascidos de maior nível socioeconômico. Contudo, no Brasil, a taxa de baixo peso ao nascer foi maior em cidade mais desenvolvida do que em município menos desenvolvido. O objetivo do estudo foi buscar razões para explicar este paradoxo. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado em Ribeirão Preto (SP) e em São Luís (MA), cujas taxas de baixo peso ao nascer eram 10,7% e 7,6%, respectivamente. Foram analisados dados de duas coortes de nascimentos: 2.839 recém-nascidos em Ribeirão Preto em 1994 e 2.439 em São Luís em 1997/98. Foi realizada análise de regressão logística múltipla, ajustada para efeito de confusão. RESULTADOS: Os fatores de risco associados em São Luís foram primiparidade, idade materna menor que 18 anos e tabagismo materno. Em Ribeirão Preto, os fatores de risco foram: renda familiar entre um e três salários-mínimos, idade materna menor que 18 e igual ou maior que 35 anos, tabagismo materno e parto cesáreo. Em modelo conjunto incluindo ambas as coortes, Ribeirão Preto apresentou risco 45% maior para em relação a São Luís. Quando ajustado para tabagismo materno, o excesso de risco em Ribeirão Preto, reduziu-se em 49%, mas o intervalo de confiança esteve marginalmente significante. Diferenças nas taxas de cesárea entre as duas cidades contribuíram para explicar uma porção adicional desse paradoxo. CONCLUSÕES: O tabagismo materno foi o fator de risco mais importante capaz de explicar a diferença no baixo peso ao nascer entre as duas cidades. Os outros fatores pouco contribuíram para explicar a diferença nas taxas de baixo peso ao nascer

Morphofunctional characteristics of Dorper sheep crossed with Brazilian native breeds

Abstract The relationship between body development and external measures in sheep could provide useful information to define the optimal slaughter time as well as the adequate nutritional management. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the morpho-functional diversity of Dorper sheep crossed with Brazilian native breeds using in vivo morphometric analysis. The animals evaluated were from crosses of Dorper with Morada Nova, Rabo Largo and Santa Ines sheeps. The animals were slaughtered at 120 and 240 days of age. Body and carcass measures, weight of meat cuts and growth were evaluated. The crossbred animals were analyzed by sex, totaling six treatments. A factorial analysis was performed using two sets of data: the in vivo morphometric measures, and all the other characteristics and these factors were used as new variables. The differences among treatments were analyzed using MANOVA and canonical analysis. The meat cuts, conformation, marketability adaptation, and early maturity of the animals slaughtered at 120 days, as well as the meat cuts, conformation, adaptation, early maturity, and hindquarter of the animals slaughtered at 240 days were evaluated. As regards body measurements, at both slaughter ages, the following factors were discriminated: height, robustness, length, and thoracic circumference. Animal slaughtered at 120 days of age showed greater differences whereas at 240 days the differences diminished allowing to individuate which treatments were more adaptive or productive. Crosses ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Ines (male and female), and ½ Dorper × ½ Rabo Largo male slaughtered at 240 days seem to show higher productivity and better marketability abilities. The other crosses tend to have a more rustic profile (less productive) and smaller size, reaching however adult size earlier and showing better adaptive characteristics, which allows to decide for slaughtering at younger ages

Pharmacokinetic interactions between clopidogrel and rosuvastatin: Effects on vascular protection in subjects with coronary heart disease

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Phys, Natl Inst Complex Fluids, São Paulo, BrazilGaleno Lab, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Gradenigo's Syndrome: Beyond the Classical Triad of Diplopia, Facial Pain and Otorrhea

We report a case of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a young woman presenting with an abdominal mass and an unusual instance of cranial nerve palsies mimicking Gradenigo's syndrome. This condition is characterized by a triad of otorrhea, facial pain and diplopia, related to otitis media in the pre-antibiotic era. Incomplete and atypical clinical features of Gradenigo's syndrome have been described and noninfectious causes may mimic this condition. Careful clinical history and physical examination, including neuroimaging, are necessary to make a differential diagnosis

Identification of strain-specific B-cell epitopes in Trypanosoma cruzi using genome-scale epitope prediction and high-throughput immunoscreening with peptide arrays

BACKGROUND: The factors influencing variation in the clinical forms of Chagas disease have not been elucidated; however, it is likely that the genetics of both the host and the parasite are involved. Several studies have attempted to correlate the T. cruzi strains involved in infection with the clinical forms of the disease by using hemoculture and/or PCR-based genotyping of parasites from infected human tissues. However, both techniques have limitations that hamper the analysis of large numbers of samples. The goal of this work was to identify conserved and polymorphic linear B-cell epitopes of T. cruzi that could be used for serodiagnosis and serotyping of Chagas disease using ELISA. METHODOLOGY: By performing B-cell epitope prediction on proteins derived from pair of alleles of the hybrid CL Brener genome, we have identified conserved and polymorphic epitopes in the two CL Brener haplotypes. The rationale underlying this strategy is that, because CL Brener is a recent hybrid between the TcII and TcIII DTUs (discrete typing units), it is likely that polymorphic epitopes in pairs of alleles could also be polymorphic in the parental genotypes. We excluded sequences that are also present in the Leishmania major, L. infantum, L. braziliensis and T. brucei genomes to minimize the chance of cross-reactivity. A peptide array containing 150 peptides was covalently linked to a cellulose membrane, and the reactivity of the peptides was tested using sera from C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the Colombiana (TcI) and CL Brener (TcVI) clones and Y (TcII) strain. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 36 peptides were considered reactive, and the cross-reactivity among the strains is in agreement with the evolutionary origin of the different T. cruzi DTUs. Four peptides were tested against a panel of chagasic patients using ELISA. A conserved peptide showed 95.8% sensitivity, 88.5% specificity, and 92.7% accuracy for the identification of T. cruzi in patients infected with different strains of the parasite. Therefore, this peptide, in association with other T. cruzi antigens, may improve Chagas disease serodiagnosis. Together, three polymorphic epitopes were able to discriminate between the three parasite strains used in this study and are thus potential targets for Chagas disease serotyping

Mycobacterium haemophilum: Emerging or Underdiagnosed in Brazil?

Fleury Ctr Diagnost Med, Microbiol Sect, BR-04344070 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilOswaldo Cruz Hosp, Sao Paulo, BrazilAlbert Einstein Hosp, Sao Paulo, BrazilSirio Libanes Hosp, Sao Paulo, BrazilServidores Estado Hosp, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilAlianca Hosp, Salvador, BA, BrazilLamina Lab, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilInst Oswaldo Cruz, BR-20001 Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

EMPREGO DA ABRAÇADEIRA DE NÁILON, DO CATEGUTE E DO EMASCULADOR NA HEMOSTASIA PREVENTIVA DE OVARIECTOMIA EM ÉGUAS

A ovariectomia é empregada na espécie eqüina para incluir o estro, tratar de cistos e tumores ovarianos, melhorar o desempenho do animal e favorecer o convívio em grupo. Nesse procedimento é fundamental realizar a hemostasia preventiva dos vasos que compõem o pedículo ovariano para se evitar o óbito do animal por hemorragia. Avaliou-se, neste estudo, a eficácia da abraçadeira de náilon como método hemostático na ovariectomia em éguas e estimou-se o custo do procedimento, comparado ao uso do categute e do emasculador. Utilizaram-se dezoito fêmeas eqüinas, sem raça definida, clinicamente saudável, com peso variando entre 300 kg a 400 kg e na faixa etária entre três a oito anos. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de seis animais cada (Fab, Fcg, Fem). No grupo Fab, para realizar a hemostasia do pedículo ovariano, empregou-se a abraçadeira de náilon, no grupo Fcg o fio categute e no grupo Fem o emasculador. Avaliaram-se os resultados através de exames clínicos, hematológicos e possível ocorrência de complicações trans e pós-operatórias. Os três métodos utilizados promoveram hemostasia preventiva satisfatória. No entanto, a abraçadeira de náilon apresentou menor custo, diminuiu o tempo do procedimento cirúrgico e permitiu o não-registro de intercorrências no pós-operatório. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Abraçadeira de náilon, eqüino, hemostasia, ovariectomia, ovário