Emotional and physical exhaustion of family caregivers / Exaustão emocional e física de cuidadores familiares

Objetivo: verificar o perfil de distúrbios osteomusculares, a sobrecarga emocional e a saúde de cuidadores de pessoas com sequelas de lesão no Sistema Nervoso Central. Método: estudo descritivo com 23 cuidadores. Foram aplicados testes de lesão osteomusculares (Nórdico), de sobrecarga (Carregiver Burden Scale) e a Escala de Avaliação do Risco na Movimentação e Transferência. Resultados: os cuidadores tinham idade média de 52,9, mulheres, cônjuges, ensino fundamental e com função de cuidar do paciente e residência sem renumeração, média de 15,8h/dia de trabalho. 47,8% receberam poucas orientações sobre como cuidar. Os de maior idade sofrem mais com dor (coluna e membros superiores) e se afastam mais das atividades comparados aos mais jovens (valor-p=0,01). A tensão geral, o isolamento e a sobrecarga emocional foram impactantes (valor-p=0,03). Conclusão: as cuidadoras são familiares, de baixa renda, apresentam dores osteomusculares, considerável sobrecarga emocional e dor física e necessitam de cuidados da equipe de saúde

Emotional and physical exhaustion of family caregivers / Exaustão emocional e física de cuidadores familiares

Objetivo: verificar o perfil de distúrbios osteomusculares, a sobrecarga emocional e a saúde de cuidadores de pessoas com sequelas de lesão no Sistema Nervoso Central. Método: estudo descritivo com 23 cuidadores. Foram aplicados testes de lesão osteomusculares (Nórdico), de sobrecarga (Carregiver Burden Scale) e a Escala de Avaliação do Risco na Movimentação e Transferência. Resultados: os cuidadores tinham idade média de 52,9, mulheres, cônjuges, ensino fundamental e com função de cuidar do paciente e residência sem renumeração, média de 15,8h/dia de trabalho. 47,8% receberam poucas orientações sobre como cuidar. Os de maior idade sofrem mais com dor (coluna e membros superiores) e se afastam mais das atividades comparados aos mais jovens (valor-p=0,01). A tensão geral, o isolamento e a sobrecarga emocional foram impactantes (valor-p=0,03). Conclusão: as cuidadoras são familiares, de baixa renda, apresentam dores osteomusculares, considerável sobrecarga emocional e dor física e necessitam de cuidados da equipe de saúde

Revisiting the modified Baermann extraction method: extraction efficiency of Radopholus similis using different extraction materials

Open Access Article; 29 Sept 2021In order to determine the threat that plant-parasitic nematodes pose to crop production, it is essential to establish an accurate estimation of their presence. The extraction efficiency from soil, therefore, is a critical step in establishing disease pressures presented by nematodes or the conditions of soil health. To achieve high nematode extraction efficiency, various methods and modifications have been developed over time (Oostenbrink, 1954; Seinhorst, 1956; Harrison & Green, 1976; Viaene et al., 2021) with variations being introduced locally, depending on the availability or access to certain materials

Biocontrol-based strategies for improving soil health and managing plant-parasitic nematodes in coffee production

Coffee is an important commodity for Kenya, where production is steadily declining, despite a global rise in demand. Of the various constraints affecting production, plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant, but often overlooked, threat. As a perennial crop, treating plantations once infected with nematodes becomes difficult. The current study evaluated the drenching application of two biocontrol agents, Trichoderma asperellum and Purpureocillium lilacinum, for their nematode control efficacy, as well as their impact on the soil nematode community structure on mature, established coffee trees in Kenya. Seven Arabica coffee field trials were conducted over two years on trees of various ages. All the fields were heavily infested with Meloidogyne hapla, the first report of the species on coffee in Kenya. Both fungal biocontrol agents were detected endophytically infecting roots and recovered from soil but not until six months after initial applications. The population densities of M. hapla had significantly declined in roots of treated trees 12 months after the initial application, although soil nematode density data were similar across treatments. Based upon the maturity index and the Shannon index, treatment with T. asperellum led to improved soil health conditions and enrichment of diversity in the microbial community. Application of P. lilacinum, in particular, led to an increased abundance of fungivorous nematodes, especially Aphelenchus spp., for which P. lilacinum would appear to be a preferred food source. The soils in the trials were all stressed and denuded, however, which likely delayed the impact of such treatments or detection of any differences between treatments using indices, such as the functional metabolic footprint, over the period of study. A longer period of study would therefore likely provide a better indication of treatment benefits. The current study positively demonstrates, however, the potential for using biologically based options for the environmentally and climate-smart management of nematode threats in a sustainable manner on established, mature coffee plantations

Biocontrol-based strategies for improving soil health and managing plant-parasitic nematodes in coffee production

Open Access JournalCoffee is an important commodity for Kenya, where production is steadily declining, despite a global rise in demand. Of the various constraints affecting production, plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant, but often overlooked, threat. As a perennial crop, treating plantations once infected with nematodes becomes difficult. The current study evaluated the drenching application of two biocontrol agents, Trichoderma asperellum and Purpureocillium lilacinum, for their nematode control efficacy, as well as their impact on the soil nematode community structure on mature, established coffee trees in Kenya. Seven Arabica coffee field trials were conducted over two years on trees of various ages. All the fields were heavily infested with Meloidogyne hapla, the first report of the species on coffee in Kenya. Both fungal biocontrol agents were detected endophytically infecting roots and recovered from soil but not until six months after initial applications. The population densities of M. hapla had significantly declined in roots of treated trees 12 months after the initial application, although soil nematode density data were similar across treatments. Based upon the maturity index and the Shannon index, treatment with T. asperellum led to improved soil health conditions and enrichment of diversity in the microbial community. Application of P. lilacinum, in particular, led to an increased abundance of fungivorous nematodes, especially Aphelenchus spp., for which P. lilacinum would appear to be a preferred food source. The soils in the trials were all stressed and denuded, however, which likely delayed the impact of such treatments or detection of any differences between treatments using indices, such as the functional metabolic footprint, over the period of study. A longer period of study would therefore likely provide a better indication of treatment benefits. The current study positively demonstrates, however, the potential for using biologically based options for the environmentally and climate-smart management of nematode threats in a sustainable manner on established, mature coffee plantations

Potential of cavalcade, Centrosema pascuorum, leaves for controlling Meloidogyne javanica and quantification of active phytochemicals

Open Access ArticleThe legume cavalcade, Centrosema pascuorum, is used extensively as a cover crop and as a component of conservation agriculture systems. It is also an attractive rotation or cover crop for the management of root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) as it is a non-host. RKN are persistent pests that are well known to be difficult to control. However, the mechanisms governing the non-host status of cavalcade is unknown. The current study established that cavalcade leaves are toxic to RKN as either aqueous extracts or soil amendments. Bioassays conducted using Meloidogyne javanica showed that a 90% concentration of aqueous extract derived from 1-month-old cavalcade leaves (89 mg crude extract ml−1) suppressed nematode hatch (82.9%) and killed infective second-stage juveniles of M. javanica (85.3%). Soil amendments with 1% (w/w) of 1-month-old cavalcade leaves (0.99 mg crude extract g−1 soil) also provided effective control of M. javanica in the glasshouse on okra. One-month-old leaves appeared more effective than 2- or 3-month-old leaves. The soil amendments had no adverse phytotoxic effect on okra seed germination. Our study demonstrates the potential for using cavalcade leaves or extracts to manage RKN. This may be due to the nematicidal activity of the various compounds in the leaves, such as flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids, which should be further assessed

Thermo-oxidative stabilization of poly(lactic acid)-based nanocomposites through the incorporation of clay with in-built antioxidant activity

In this work, an innovative approach to overcome the issue of the poor thermo-oxidative stability of polymer/clay nanocomposites is proposed. Specifically, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanocomposites, containing organo-modified clay with in-built antioxidant activity, were prepared. Through a two-step chemical protocol, a hindered phenol antioxidant was chemically linked to the ammonium quaternary salt which was then intercalated between the clay platelets [(AO)OM-Mt]. The nanocomposites were characterized and their thermo-oxidative stability during melt processing and under long-term thermal test conditions was investigated. PLA nanocomposites containing the (AO)OM-Mt showed higher oxidative stability, along with better clay dispersion, compared to PLA-nanocomposites containing commercial clay and a free hindered phenol antioxidant. Obtained results can be explained considering that (AO)OM-Mt may act locally, at the interface, between the silicate layers and the polymer macromolecules, thus contributing to the observed improved stability of the polymer both during processing and under long-term thermal-oxidative conditions

Prevalência de atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em pré-escolares

O desenvolvimento infantil é um processo de mudanças relacionado com a idade e influenciado pelo ambiente em que a criança vive. Desta maneira, o objetivo é verificar o a prevalência de atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor (DNPM) em pré-escolares. Procedimentos: tratou-se de um estudo transversal analítico realizado em três abrigos e uma escola particular da Zona Leste de São Paulo-SP, na qual participaram 81 crianças. Aplicou-se um questionário aos responsáveis pelas crianças participantes e para avaliar o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor das crianças foi utilizado o Teste Denver II. Os resultados revelaram a prevalência de atraso no DNPM em crianças institucionalizadas (31,6%), p=0,06. A linguagem foi a área mais freqüentemente afetada nas crianças com suspeita de atraso. Em relação ao suporte familiar e condições ambientais não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas crianças institucionalizadas. Verificou-se que os resultados não significativos talvez sejam conseqüência da relação de apego que as crianças institucionalizadas adquirem entre si e da convivência com um maior número de crianças. Conclusão: o presente estudo não encontrou diferenças estatisticamente significativas no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor de crianças institucionalizadas e não-institucionalizadas, porém houve maior prevalência de suspeita de atraso nas crianças institucionalizadas.The child development is a process of age-related changes and influenced by the environment where the child lives. This way, the goal is to determine the prevalence of delay development neuropsychomotor in preschool children. Procedures: this was an analytical cross-sectional study performed in three shelters and a private school in the East zone of São Paulo-SP, attended 81 children. A questionnaire was applied to children participating and to evaluate the development neuropsychomotor of children was used testing Denver II. The results revealed the prevalence of late DNPM institutionalised children (31.6%), p = 0.06. The language was the area most often affected in children with suspected delays. In relation to the support of family and environmental conditions there were statistically significant differences in institutionalised children. The insignificant results may be a consequence of the relationship of attachment that institutionalized children acquire each other and co-existence with a greater number of children. Conclusion: this study found no statistically significant differences in the development of institutionalized children neuropsicomotor and non-institutionalized, but there were higher prevalence of suspected delay in institutionalised children