Use of physiological parameters to assess seedlings quality of Eugenia dysenterica DC. grown in different substrates

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and photosynthetic metabolism of Eugenia dysenterica DC. seedlings grown in different substrates. The seed were sown in the following substrates: MecPlant (MP), rice husks (RH), subsoil (SB), fine vermiculite (FV), coarse sand (CS), tanned cattle manure (CM), decomposed corn silage (CS), and soil collected from around parent plants (SN). The volume-based substrates were formulated as follows: MP+RH (7:3), SB+FV+RH (1:2:2), SB+FV+RH (1:1:1), SB+FV+CS (1:3:6) SB+CS+CM (2:2:1), and SN. After 127 days, the seedlings were evaluated according to their emergence and vigor, biometric characteristics, leaf area (cm 2 ), Dickson Quality Index (DQI), stomata conductance (mol m -2 s -1 ), transpiration rate (mmol m -2 s -1 ), photosynthesis (µmol m -2 s -1 ) and leaf mineral nutrient levels. Overall, the SB+CS+CM substrate resulted in higher values for all of the characteristics analyzed, except for the leaf nutrient levels. However, in total, this substrate also resulted in high content of minerals in plant. Likewise, the SB+FV+CS substrate showed the second higher content of nutrients. Based on the results of this study, we concluded that tanned cattle manure and decomposed corn silage resulted in the best Eugenia dysenterica seedling quality

Influence of inflammation on parasitism and area of experimental amoebic liver abscess: an immunohistochemical and morphometric study

The influence of inflammation on the number of trophozoites and on the murine amoebic liver abscess area following infection with Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar was evaluated. Immunohistochemistry and digital morphometry were used to identify and quantify the trophozoites, neutrophils, macrophages, and lesions. Positive correlation was observed between the number of trophozoites and inflammatory cells. A significant decrease in parasitism and inflammation in groups treated with dexamethasone was observed. The scarceness or absence of trophozoites in the treated groups suggest the importance of the inflammatory response in the production of amoebic hepatic abscesses in spite of the inherent virulence of the parasite being decisive in the establishment of the lesion

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

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

Overcome dormancy of seeds of Tucum (Astrocaryum huaimi Mart.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of immersion for varying periods in different concentrations of gibberellic acid and separate methods of scarification on the germination of seeds tucum. In the first trial, testing different soaking periods (24 and 48 hours), different forms of soaking (fast and slow) and different concentrations of gibberellic acid (0, 100 and 200 mg L-(1)) compared to the control (water) under completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x3. The second experiment evaluated the different scarification treatments being: physical (seed coat removal in the hilar region with the aid of a scalpel), chemical (sulfuric acid 98 PA for 2:04 minutes) and thermal (hot water at approximately 98 degrees C and cold water at about 2 degrees C for 4 minutes). In the first trial were evaluated % of contaminated seeds (seeds infected by microorganisms) and hard seeds (who did not start the germination process, but not soiled), and in the second we assessed germination percentage (%) every two days for three months; germination Speed Index (GSI), time to occurrence of 50 % germination (T50) and Emergency Speed Index (ESI). The use of gibberellic acid was ineffective in promoting germination of Tucum (Astrocaryum Huaimi Mart.). Scarification treatments were effective in promoting germination and emergence of seedlings in the nursery and the most efficient physical removal scarification of the seed coat in the hilar region with the highest percentage of germination

Perfil clinicoepidemiológico dos melanomas cutâneos em duas instituições de referência na cidade de Manaus, Brasil

O conhecimento da frequência e das características clinicoepidemiológicas do melanoma cutâneo nas diversas regiões do Brasil é importante para avaliar a magnitude do problema e direcionar adequadamente as ações de saúde. Neste estudo, revisaram-se os dados de 55 pacientes com melanoma cutâneo atendidos em duas instituições de saúde da cidade de Manaus. Verificou-se maior frequência entre homens pardos, na oitava década de vida, com lesões do tipo melanoma acrolentiginoso nos membros inferiores, com Breslow maior que 1mm e Clark nível V

The Sand Fly Salivary Protein Lufaxin Inhibits the Early Steps of the Alternative Pathway of Complement by Direct Binding to the Proconvertase C3b-B

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-11-14T12:07:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 vladimir_vale_ertal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2840461 bytes, checksum: 613bd3eac5d01125f45aebbca1826ed9 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-11-14T12:22:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 vladimir_vale_ertal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2840461 bytes, checksum: 613bd3eac5d01125f45aebbca1826ed9 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-14T12:22:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 vladimir_vale_ertal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2840461 bytes, checksum: 613bd3eac5d01125f45aebbca1826ed9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Piauí. Campus Senador Helvídio Nunes de Barros. Picos, PI, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Simulídeos, Oncocercose e Infecções Simpátricas: Mansonelose e Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro,RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro,RJ, Brasil.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. Vector Molecular Biology Section. Rockville, MD, USA.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro,RJ, Brasil.Saliva of the blood feeding sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis was previously shown to inhibit the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system. Here, we have identified Lufaxin, a protein component in saliva, as the inhibitor of the AP. Lufaxin inhibited the deposition of C3b, Bb, Properdin, C5b, and C9b on agarose-coated plates in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited the activation of factor B in normal serum, but had no effect on the components of the membrane attack complex. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments demonstrated that Lufaxin stabilizes the C3b-B proconvertase complex when passed over a C3b surface in combination with factor B. Lufaxin was also shown to inhibit the activation of factor B by factor D in a reconstituted C3b-B, but did not inhibit the activation of C3 by reconstituted C3b-Bb. Proconvertase stabilization does not require the presence of divalent cations, but addition of Ni(2+) increases the stability of complexes formed on SPR surfaces. Stabilization of the C3b-B complex to prevent C3 convertase formation (C3b-Bb formation) is a novel mechanism that differs from previously described strategies used by other organisms to inhibit the AP of the host complement system