Characterization of essential oil and effects on growth of Verbena gratissima plants treated with homeopathic phosphorus.

Plant models offer a method to examine the efficacy of homeopathic solutions. Homeopathic Phosphorus (P) dynamizations were evaluated on the linear growth and dry biomass of Verbena gratissima, a plant native to Brazil. The yields and chemical characterization of the essential oil are also given. Plants exhibited phenotypic plasticity after the homeopathic Phosphorus treatments. The dynamization 9CH, in particular, interfered with plant growth, height, diameter of stems and total dry mass. 9CH treatment showed the highest yield of essential oil. The essential oil composition of V. gratissima varied according to the different dynamization used. Homeopathic Phosphorus provided the greatest amount of β-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, trans-pinocamphone and trans-pinocarvyl acetate in comparison with controls

RHETORICAL ASPECTS IN THE TEXTUAL GENRE “MEME” ON THE INTERNET

Este estudo tem por finalidade analisar especificidades retóricas no gênero textual meme, notadamente as funções retóricas e a ironia como uma figura retórica, em memes da internet. A metodologia adotada para o estudo dos memes é de cunho qualitativo, descrevendo e interpretando as idiossincrasias linguísticas que fazem o referido gênero acontecer, no que diz respeito às funções retóricas e à figura retórica ironia, bem como tornando a análise qualitativa um processo contínuo de construção de versões da realidade (FLICK, 2009). A amostragem para as análises é composta por memes disponíveis na web. Os pressupostos teóricos baseiam-se na Retórica Moderna, a partir de Meyer (2007), Perelman, Olbrechts-Tyteca (1996), Reboul (1998), Sousa (2001), entre outros, bem como se alicerçam nos estudos de Barreto (2015), Horta (2015) e Calixto (2017), os quais trazem discussões acerca do gênero textual meme. Os resultados apontam que os memes apresentam mecanismos retóricos, com vistas a discutir problemas sociais controversos, por meio da sustentação de opiniões ou refutação de tomadas de posição pelos retores enquanto sujeitos das práticas sociais de linguagem. A relevância da temática dá-se por trazer uma abordagem argumentativa do gênero meme na internet, com fundamento na perspectiva da Retórica Moderna.This study aims to analyze rhetorical specificities in the textual genre meme, notably rhetorical functions and irony as a rhetorical figure, in internet memes. The methodology adopted for the study of memes is of a qualitative nature, describing and interpreting the linguistic idiosyncrasies that make this genre happen, with regard to rhetorical functions and the ironic rhetorical figure, as well as making qualitative analysis a continuous process of construction versions of reality (FLICK, 2009). The sampling for the analysis consists of memes available on the web. Theoretical assumptions are based on Modern Rhetoric, from Meyer (2007), Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca (1996), Reboul (1998), Sousa (2001), among others, as well as being based on the studies of Barreto (2015), Horta (2015) and Calixto (2017), which bring discussions about the textual genre meme. The results show that memes have rhetorical mechanisms, in order to discuss controversial social problems, through the support of opinions or the refutation of positions taken by retectors as subjects of social language practices. The relevance of the theme is given by bringing an argumentative approach to the genre meme on the internet, based on the perspective of Modern Rhetoric. &nbsp

Aplicación de muestra dirigida por el entrevistado (dem) a los adolescentes en la situación de la calle

[Resumo] Relato da experiência do uso da metodologia Respondent - Driven Sampling (RDS), em pesquisa com 86 adolescentes em situação de rua em uma cidade da Bahia. Objetivo: descrever as principais etapas de implementação do método, seus limites e possibilidades. Para a coleta de dados foi realizado mapeamento geográfico (feiras livres, sinaleiras, rodoviária), utilizando-se de ondas de recrutamento e identificação das sementes de sujeitos dentro da população-alvo. Verificou-se que o reconhecimento da pluralidade de modos de vida, as características dos territórios pesquisados e as vivências itinerantes dos adolescentes em situação de rua influenciam na determinação dos limites e possibilidades de uso da técnica. A dinâmica social e a mobilidade ativa dos adolescentes são características que representam desafios na replicação do estudo com a mesma população e território.[Abstract] This article reports on the experience of using a Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) methodology to survey a group of 86 street teenagers in a city in Bahia (Brazil). The purpose of the study is to explain how the methodology was implemented, together with the limitations and possibilities of RDS as a sampling technique. The data were collected using geographical mapping (open markets, traffic lights, roads), recruitment waves and seed identification of individuals within the target population. The usefulness and limitations of the technique were found to be influenced by the diverse reality of street teenagers’ way of life and the contexts in which they live, as well as the nomadic nature of their experiences. The social dynamics between the teenagers and their active mobility represent an obstacle to replicating the study with the same population and territory.[Resumen] Informe sobre la experiencia del uso de la metodología de Muestreo conducido por encuestados (RDS), en una encuesta a 86 adolescentes de la calle en una ciudad de Bahía. Objetivo: describir las principales etapas de implementación del método, sus límites y posibilidades. Para la recopilación de datos, se realizó un mapeo geográfico (mercados abiertos, semáforos, carreteras), utilizando ondas de reclutamiento e identificación de las semillas de los sujetos dentro de la población objetivo. Se encontró que el reconocimiento de la pluralidad de formas de vida, las características de los territorios investigados y las experiencias itinerantes de los adolescentes en la calle influyen en la determinación de los límites y las posibilidades de utilizar la técnica. La dinámica social y la movilidad activa de los adolescentes son características que representan desafíos para replicar el estudio con la misma población y territori

Hiperglicemia em pacientes pediátricos com traumatismo craniencefálico: estudo de corte transversal

OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of acute hyperglycemia in children with head trauma stratified by the Glasgow coma scale (GCS). METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional study carried out with information from medical records of pediatric patients presenting with head injury in the emergency room of a referral emergency hospital during a one year period. We considered the cut-off value of 150 mg/dL to define hyperglycemia. RESULTS: A total of 340 children were included and 60 (17.6%) had admission hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia was present in 9% of mild head trauma cases; 30.4% of those with moderate head trauma and 49% of severe head trauma. We observed that among children with higher blood glucose levels, 85% had abnormal findings on cranial computed tomography scans. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia was more prevalent in patients with severe head trauma (GCS <8), regardless if they had or not multiple traumas and in children with abnormal findings on head computed tomography scans.OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de hiperglicemia aguda em crianças vítimas de trauma craniencefálico, de acordo com a escala de coma de Glasgow (GCS). MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo, de corte transversal realizado por meio do acompanhamento de prontuários médicos de pacientes na faixa etária pediátrica admitidos na unidade de urgência de um hospital de referência vítimas de traumatismo craniencefálico, durante um ano. Consideramos o valor de corte em 150 mg/dL para definição de hiperglicemia. RESULTADOS: 340 crianças foram incluídas no estudo e 60 (17,6%) apresentaram hiperglicemia na admissão. Hiperglicemia esteve presente em 9% dos casos de trauma craniano leve, 30,4% daqueles com trauma craniano moderado e em 49% dos pacientes com trauma craniano grave. Verificamos que, entre as crianças com níveis elevados de glicemia, 85% apresentavam alterações radiológicas verificadas na tomografia computadorizada do crânio. CONCLUSÃO: A hiperglicemia foi mais prevalente em pacientes com traumatismo craniano grave (GCS <8), assim como naqueles com alterações identificadas na tomografia computadorizada do crânio, independente da presença de politraumatismo

Comparative study of carbon quantification methods in soil with high Fe contents (Oxisols)

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays an important role in physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Therefore, the amount of SOM is important for soil management for sustainable agriculture. The objective of this work was to evaluate the amount of SOM in oxisols by different methods and compare them, using principal component analysis, regarding their limitations. The methods used in this work were Walkley-Black, elemental analysis, total organic carbon (TOC) and thermogravimetry. According to our results, TOC and elemental analysis were the most satisfactory methods for carbon quantification, due to their better accuracy and reproducibility.FAPESPCNP

Estudo descritivo da infecção pelo HTLV em uma população de gestantes do Estado do Pará, norte do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, studies have shown that HTLV seroprevalence among pregnant women varies from 0 to 1.8%. However, this seroprevalence was unknown in the State of Pará, Brazil. The present study describes, for the first time, the HTLV seroprevalence among pregnant women from the State of Pará, Northern Brazil. METHODS: 13,382 pregnant women were submitted to HTLV screening during prenatal care, and those with non-seronegative results to anti-HTLV were submitted to Western blot (WB) test to confirm and separate HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 carriers. RESULTS: HTLV seroprevalence in the population of pregnant women was 0.3%, and HTLV-1 was identified in 95.3% of patients. The demographic profile of HTLV carriers was as follows: women with age between 20 and 40 years old (78.4%); residing in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará (67.6%); and with educational level of high school (56.8%). Other variables related to infection were as follows: beginning of sexual intercourse between the age of 12 and 18 years old (64.9%) and have being breastfed for more than 6 months (51.4%). Most of the women studied had at least two previous pregnancies (35.1%) and no abortion (70.3%). Coinfections (syphilis and HIV) were found in 10.8% (4/37) of these pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of HTLV infection in pregnant women assisted in basic health units from the State of Pará, Northern Brazil, was 0.3% similar to those described in other Brazilian studies. The variables related to infection were important indicators in identifying pregnant women with a higher tendency to HTLV seropositivity, being a strategy for disease control and prevention, avoiding vertical transmission.INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, estudos mostram que a soroprevalência do HTLV entre gestantes varia de 0 a 1,8%. Contudo, esta soroprevalência era desconhecida no Estado do Pará, Brasil. O presente estudo descreve, pela primeira vez, a soroprevalência do HTLV entre gestantes do Estado do Pará, Norte do Brasil. MÉTODOS: 13,382 gestantes foram submetidas à triagem para HTLV durante o pré-natal, e aquelas com sorologia alterada para anti-HTLV foram submetidas ao teste de Western Blot (WB), para confirmar e discriminar portadoras do HTLV-1 e do HTLV-2. RESULTADOS: A soroprevalência do HTLV na população de gestantes foi de 0,3%, sendo o HTLV-1 identificado em 95,3% das pacientes. O perfil demográfico das portadoras do HTLV foi de: mulheres com idade entre 20-40 anos (78,4%); residentes na região metropolitana de Belém (67,6%) e com nível educacional igual ao ensino médio (56,8%). Outras variáveis relacionadas à infecção foram: início das relações sexuais compreendido entre 12-18 anos (64,9%), e ter sido aleitada mais de 6 meses (51,4%). A maior parte das mulheres estudadas teve ao menos duas gestações anteriores (35,1%); e nenhum aborto (70,3%). Co-infecções (sífilis e HIV) foram descritas em 10,8% (4/37) das gestantes. A soroprevalência da infecção pelo HTLV em gestantes atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde do Estado do Pará, Norte do Brasil foi de 0,3% semelhante à descrita em outros estudos brasileiros. As variáveis relacionadas com a infecção são indicadores importantes na identificação de gestantes com maior tendência a soropositividade pelo HTLV, sendo uma estratégia de controle e prevenção, evitando a transmissão vertical.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Instituto Evandro Chagas Setor de ParasitologiaUniversidade Estadual do Pará Departamento de Saúde IntegradaUniversidade Federal do Pará Instituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

BALANÇOS DE MASSA E ENERGIA PARA O PROCESSO DE PRODUÇÃO DE HIDROGÊNIO POR REFORMA EM FASE AQUOSA DE GLICEROL

O biodiesel vem sendo amplamente utilizado no mercado atual como uma alternativa de substituição aos combustíveis fósseis finitos. No final de sua produção, 10% da corrente de saída do processo é composta de glicerol. A conversão deste glicerol em hidrogênio é uma alternativa que visa agregar valor econômico a este subproduto. Sendo assim, este trabalho apresenta um estudo da reforma em fase aquosa de glicerol, subproduto de um processo de produção de biodiesel, utilizando catalisador de platina suportados em Al2O3 para produção de hidrogênio. Para isto, os balanços de massa e energia foram analisados, onde os resultados mostraram uma corrente final constituída de hidrogênio e 4,66% de CO2, impactando em baixos gastos energéticos e gerando resíduos menos poluentes se comparados as rotas de reforma mais tradicionais empregadas na indústria. Abstract Biodiesel is being widely used in the current market in place of fossil fuels. At the end of its production process, 10% of the output stream is comprised of glycerol. The conversion of this glycerol into hydrogen is an alternative that can add economic value to the by-product. This paper presents a study of the aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol, by product of a biodiesel production process, over platinum catalysts supported on Al2O3 for hydrogen production. For this, the mass and energy balances were analyzed, where the results showed a final current constituted of hydrogen and only 4.66% of CO2, impacting on low energy costs and the generation of less polluting residues when compared to the used in industry

Extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: clinical features and treatment with ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam in a tertiary care university hospital center in Portugal – A cross-sectional and retrospective observational study

IntroductionExtensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDR-PA) is a growing concern due to its increasing incidence, limited therapeutic options, limited data on the optimal treatment, and high mortality rates. The study aimed to characterize the population, the outcome and the microbiological characteristics of XDR-PA identified in a Portuguese university hospital center.MethodsAll XDR-PA isolates between January 2019 and December 2021 were identified. XDR-PA was defined as resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam, third and fourth generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. A retrospective analysis of the medical records was performed.ResultsOne hundred seventy-eight individual episodes among 130 patients with XDR-PA detection were identified. The most common sources of infection were respiratory (32%) and urinary tracts (30%), although skin and soft tissue infections (18%) and primary bacteremia (14%) were also prevalent. Colonization was admitted in 64 cases. Several patients had risk factors for complicated infections, most notably immunosuppression, structural lung abnormalities, major surgery, hemodialysis or foreign intravascular or urinary devices. XDR-PA identification was more frequent in male patients with an average age of 64.3 ± 17.5 years. One non-susceptibility to colistin was reported. Only 12.4% were susceptible to aztreonam. Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) was susceptible in 71.5% of the tested isolates. Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) was susceptible in 77.5% of the tested isolates. Antibiotic regimens with XDR-PA coverage were reserved for patients with declared infection, except to cystic fibrosis. The most frequently administered antibiotics were colistin (41 cases), CZA (39 cases), and C/T (16 cases). When combination therapy was used, CZA plus colistin was preferred. The global mortality rate among infected patients was 35.1%, significantly higher in those with hematologic malignancy (50.0%, p &lt; 0.05), followed by the ones with bacteremia (44.4%, p &lt; 0.05) and those medicated with colistin (39.0%, p &lt; 0.05), especially the ones with respiratory infections (60.0%). Among patients treated with CZA or C/T, the mortality rate seemed to be lower.DiscussionXDR-PA infections can be severe and difficult to treat, with a high mortality rate. Even though colistin seems to be a viable option, it is likely less safe and efficient than CZA and C/T. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of the clinical infection characteristics and treatment of XDR-PA in Portugal

Origin of the hemoglobin S gene in a northern Brazilian population: the combined effects of slave trade and internal migrations

ABSTRACT We analyzed DNA polymorphisms in the -globin gene cluster of 30 sickle cell anemia patients from Belém, the capital city of the State of Pará, in order to investigate the origin of the S mutation. Sixty-seven percent of the S chromosomes were Bantu type, 30% were Benin type, and 3% were Senegal type. The origin of the S mutation in this population, estimated on the basis of bS-linked haplotypes, contradicts the historical records of direct slave trade from Africa to the northern region of Brazil. Historical records indicate a lower percentage of people from Benin. These discrepancies are probably due to domestic slave trade and later internal migrations, mainly from northeastern to northern regions. Haplotype distribution in Belém did not differ significantly from that observed in other Brazilian regions, although historical records indicate that most slaves from Atlantic West Africa, where the Senegal haplotype is prevalent, were destined for the northern region, whereas the northeast (Bahia, Pernambuco and Maranhão) was heavily supplied with slaves from Central West Africa, where the Benin haplotype predominates