THE POTENTIAL OF NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AS A METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF THE FAT CONTENT IN

Yogurt is a food product produced by fresh milk as the raw material which is easier to digest and assimilate than fresh milk. Today, it is a very popular food product and is marketed worldwide.Consequently, is important to know its chemical composition. On the other hand, the use of near-infrared technologies is increasing in the last years as it is a fast and easy technique.Nevertheless, studies about its use in yogurts are limited. 141 samples of yogurt were analysed by NIRS. The whole experiment was carried out at 20ºC. 75% of the samples were used for calibration set and the rest were used for validating this model. A NIR Luminar 5030 Miniature “Hand-held” with a spectral range of 1100-2300 nm was used to obtain the spectra, with a sampling interval of 2 nm. The software used for analysis was The Unscrambler. The predictive models were established by using partial least squares (PLS). The information that is used to predict the composition and quantities of the samples is contained into the spectral curves. The pivotal step for spectroscopy technique is to extract quantitative data from them. In this study, PLS algorithm was used to achieve this purpose. 87 samples were chosen as a calibration sample cluster, and PLS mathematic model was built by using NIR-spectroscopy and fat content of each sample (Fig.1). The correlation coefficient between spectral data and fat content of yogurt was 0.965, the standard error of calibration (SEC) was 0.587, and the standard error of prediction (SEP) was 0.642. The fat content of another 33 samples was predicted by a mathematical model (Fig.2). The correlation coefficient of linear regression between predicted and measured values shows a reasonable to excellent prediction performance of 0.929. In conclusion, the results indicated that NIRS could quantitatively analyze fat content of yogurt in a fast and non-destructive way

Growth and mineral nutrition of banana seedlings cv. Grand Naine inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

This study aimed to verify the influence of FMAs on the levels of macro and micronutrients, and growth of micropropagated banana seedlings submitted to doses of P. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks, in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement, with factors inoculation with AMFs (G. clarum, G. margarita, G. albida and C. etunicatum and the control without AMF) and P doses (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1). The association of different species of FMAs can favor the growth of banana seedlings, with greater nutrition. The application of P doses provided greater growth of the micropropagated banana seedlings, regardless of inoculation with AMF. Seedling production associated with G. margarita can favor the growth of plants submitted to low doses of P applied to the soil. The interaction of G. clarum with Musa spp. seedling production does not seem to favor plant growth. Mycorrhizal colonization together with phosphate fertilization contributed to the quality of banana seedlings. The inoculation with C. etunicatum favored the increase of K contents in the aerial part of the plants. The increase in P doses decreased the levels of N and S in all treatments. It caused a reduction in the leaf contents of Mn, B and Fe. The doses of P did not interfere in the leaf contents of Cu and Zn. The FMAs favored the levels of Cu, Zn, Mn and B in banana leaves; favored the increments of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn contents in banana seedlings, varying with the doses of P.This study aimed to verify the influence of FMAs on the levels of macro and micronutrients, and growth of micropropagated banana seedlings submitted to doses of P. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks, in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement, with factors inoculation with AMFs (G. clarum, G. margarita, G. albida and C. etunicatum and the control without AMF) and P doses (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1). The association of different species of FMAs can favor the growth of banana seedlings, with greater nutrition. The application of P doses provided greater growth of the micropropagated banana seedlings, regardless of inoculation with AMF. Seedling production associated with G. margarita can favor the growth of plants submitted to low doses of P applied to the soil. The interaction of G. clarum with Musa spp. seedling production does not seem to favor plant growth. Mycorrhizal colonization together with phosphate fertilization contributed to the quality of banana seedlings. The inoculation with C. etunicatum favored the increase of K contents in the aerial part of the plants. The increase in P doses decreased the levels of N and S in all treatments. It caused a reduction in the leaf contents of Mn, B and Fe. The doses of P did not interfere in the leaf contents of Cu and Zn. The FMAs favored the levels of Cu, Zn, Mn and B in banana leaves; favored the increments of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn contents in banana seedlings, varying with the doses of P

Violência urbana e o sentimento de insegurança no Campus universitário Belém - UFPA / Urban violence and the feeling of insecurity in the University Campus Belém - UFPA

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar o fenômeno da violência urbana na Universidade Federal do Pará -UFPA   em seu campus sede - Belém – UFPA. A partir de uma pesquisa de opinião realizada por meio do método de amostragem em Bola de Neve que atingiu 262 discentes da graduação, constatou-se que apenas 32,82% passou por alguma situação de violência no Campus. No entanto, a percepção de insegurança é maior pois 64,89% dos discentes participantes não se sentem seguros, e notícias alarmantes sobre violências no Campus- Belém, divulgadas pelos meios de comunicações contribuem para a percepção exagerada de insegurança. Os resultados dessa pesquisa contribuem com a reflexão sobre o fenômeno da violência urbana existente nos grandes centros urbanos e seus impactos na vida contemporâneas, embora a violência seja  um fenômeno normal não se pode aceitar a ideia que é inevitável, uma vez que sua existência “anormal” pressupõe-se a negação de um direito social fundamental, isto é, a segurança

COMPETÊNCIAS PROFISSIONAIS PARA ENFERMEIROS: A VISÃO DE DISCENTES DE GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM

Objetivo: caracterizar as competências profissionais para os enfermeiros na visão de discentes de graduação em enfermagem, bem como as estratégias mobilizadas para aquisição dessas competências. Método: estudo qualitativo que utilizou a entrevista semiestruturada na coleta de dados ocorrida de janeiro a julho de 2015. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o método de análise temática indutiva. Resultados: participaram da pesquisa 54 discentes, sendo 87% do sexo feminino e 13% do sexo masculino, na faixa etária entre 21 e 46 anos, 27,77% possuíam formação técnica em enfermagem. Quanto à procedência dos participantes, a maior parte (64,81%) era da região de Ribeirão Preto. Conclusão: na visão dos discentes, as competências profissionais para os enfermeiros foram conhecimento teórico-prático, liderança, comunicação, gerenciamento, relacionamento interpessoal e trabalho em equipe e competências pedagógicas. As estratégias mobilizadas para aquisição dessas competências foram experiência prática, aprimoramento profissional, grupos de estudo e apoio dos docentes.Descritores: Competência Profissional; Enfermagem; Bacharelado em Enfermagem; Educação Superior

Finding immunological differences to help diagnosis and early treatment of Kawasaki Disease and MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children)

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 43 Congreso De La Sociedad Española de Inmunología, celebrado en León (España) del 22 al 24 de septiembre de 2022.The recent COVID-19 pandemic was first thought to spare children from health deprivation caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, soon a new syndrome resembling Kawasaki Disease (KD) was reported: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). The aim of this study is to provide new biomarkers for both diseases in order to facilitate diagnosis and reduce the time-lapse until treatment is provided – which will reduce the risk of developing severe cardiovascular complications. An extensive immune system characterization by flow cytometry and serum protein characterization by a multiplex technology (Olink) was performed from fresh blood samples of patients with acute MIS-C (n=19) and KD (n=10). For protein characterization we also analysed recovery samples for these groups (n=19 and n=8, respectively). Besides the already described lymphopenia in MIS-C, we found additional significant immune differences in both groups. Although lymphocyte numbers (cells/ml) were lower in MIS-C, percentages of activated T-CD4+ and T-CD8+ cells were higher compared to KD. Moreover, when comparing activated T cells in MIS-C and KD individually, regulatory T cells (Treg) showed the highest levels. These data suggest a stronger response of T cells in MIS-C, and higher Treg activity in both groups, which could reflect the response to the excessive inflammation. Ratios previously described in other inflammatory conditions were evaluated: MIS-C showed higher neutrophil/lymphocyte and Th17/Treg ratios than KD, suggesting higher inflammatory conditions in this group. In addition, monocyte and dendritic cells (DCs) numbers were decreased in MIS-C relative to KD. Parallel to these inflammatory cellular profiles, we identified increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in plasma of patients during the acute phase of the disease compared to recovery samples. Moreover, IL-6, which is one of the main cytokines involved in cytokine storm in adult COVID-19, was higher in MIS-C suggesting, again, stronger inflammatory conditions in this pathology compared to KD

High success and low mortality rates with non-invasive ventilation in influenza A H1N1 patients in a tertiary hospital

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2009, an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by influenza A H1N1 virus occurred worldwide. Some patients required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in these patients is controversial, as the aerosol dispersion may contaminate the environment and health-care co-workers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Describe the respiratory profile, the mortality rate, and the benefit of using NIV in patients with confirmed diagnosis of influenza AH1N1 who were admitted in the ICU during the year 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1, 401 cases of influenza A H1N1 were confirmed in our hospital by real-time RT-PCR in 2009, and 20 patients were admitted to the ICU. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (median of 42). Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) was present in 70% of patients. The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 7 (range 7 to 25). Of the 14 patients who developed ARF, 85.7% needed NIV and 14% needed invasive MV at admission. Our success rate (41.6%) with NIV was higher than that described by others. The hospital mortality rate was 2.1%. When influenza A H1N1 arrived in Brazil, the disease was already on endemic alert in other countries. The population was already aware of the symptoms and the health-care system of the treatment. This allowed patients to be properly and promptly treated for influenza A H1N1, while health-care workers took protective measures to avoid contamination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In our study we found a high success and low mortality rates with non-invasive ventilation in patients with influenza A H1N1.</p

Characterization of Torquetenovirus in amniotic fluid at the time of in utero fetal surgery: correlation with early premature delivery and respiratory distress

Torquetenovirus (TTV) is a commensal virus present in many healthy individuals. Although considered to be non-pathogenic, its presence and titer have been shown to be indicative of altered immune status in individuals with chronic infections or following allogeneic transplantations. We evaluated if TTV was present in amniotic fluid (AF) at the time of in utero surgery to correct a fetal neurological defect, and whether its detection was predictive of adverse post-surgical parameters. AF was collected from 27 women by needle aspiration prior to a uterine incision. TTV titer in the AF was measured by isolation of viral DNA followed by gene amplification and analysis. The TTV genomes were further characterized and sequenced by metagenomics. Pregnancy outcome parameters were subsequently obtained by chart review. Three of the AFs (11.1%) were positive for TTV at 3.36, 4.16, and 4.19 log10 copies/mL. Analysis of their genomes revealed DNA sequences similar to previously identified TTV isolates. Mean gestational age at delivery was &gt;2  weeks earlier (32.5 vs. 34.6  weeks) and the prevalence of respiratory distress was greater (100% vs. 20.8%) in the TTV-positive pregnancies. TTV detection in AF prior to intrauterine surgery may indicate elevated post-surgical risk for earlier delivery and newborn respiratory distress