Influência da matéria orgânica na fitorremediação de solo contaminado com sulfentrazone

Organic matter exerts an influence on the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil. It can also influence the rates of herbicide degradation and sorption into it. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of adding organic compounds to soil over the remediation ability of the plant species Canavalia ensiformis (L.) (jack bean) in sulfentrazone-contaminated soil. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, treatments consisted in a combination of four concentrations of organic compounds and in the application or not of sulfentrazone herbicide. After soil preparation, the herbicide was applied on the surface. Subsequently, seeds of the remediating plant species C. ensiformis were sown. At 75 days after emergence (DAE), samples of the aerial portions and roots of plants and soil were collected. All the collected material was frozen at approximately -20°C and then the accumulation of the herbicide on plants and soil was determined by chromatography. In the second phase, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) (pearl millet) was sown. This species is used as an indicator of sulfentrazone residue in the soil; biometric assessments were performed at 30 and 60 DAE. No sulfentrazone residue was found in the aerial portions or roots of the evaluated remediating plant species; however, it was detected in the soil. The increase in organic compound levels contributed to the growth and accumulation of biomass in pearl millet, when grown after the remediating plant species C. ensiformis, although it did not help phytoremediation.A matéria orgânica exerce influência nos atributos químicos, físicos e biológicos do solo e também pode influenciar na taxa de degradação e sorção de herbicidas. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da adição de composto orgânico ao solo sobre a capacidade da Canavalia ensiformis (L.) (feijão-de-porco) em remediar solo contaminado com sulfentrazone. O trabalho foi conduzido em duas etapas, na primeira, os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação de quatro níveis de composto orgânico e aplicação ou não do herbicida sulfentrazone. Após o preparo do solo aplicou-se à superfície o herbicida. Posteriormente, procedeu-se a semeadura da espécie fitorremediadora C. ensiformis. Aos 75 dias após a emergência (DAE) foram colhidas amostras da parte aérea, raiz e de solo. Todo material colhido foi congelado a aproximadamente -20ºC e, em seguida determinou-se a acumulação do herbicida na planta e no solo por meio da cromatografia. Na segunda etapa, foi semeado o Pennisetum glaucum (L.) (milheto), planta indicadora de resíduo de sulfentrazone no solo, e foram realizadas avaliações biométricas aos 30 e 60 DAE. Não foi encontrado resíduo de sulfentrazone na parte aérea e raízes da espécie fitorremediadora avaliada, todavia detectou-se no solo. O aumento nos níveis do composto orgânico contribuiu para o crescimento e acúmulo de biomassa do milheto, quando cultivado em sucessão a espécie fitorremediadora C. ensiformis, no entanto, não favoreceu a fitorremediação

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Allometric models for determining leaf area in the ‘PH-16’ cocoa tree in the shade and in full sun = Modelos alométricos para determinação da área foliar de cacaueiro ‘PH-16’ em sombreamento e pleno sol

The aim of this work was to study the statistical modelling of leaf area in the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L. ‘PH - 16’), in a shaded environment and in full sun. Two hundred leaves (100 from plants grown in the shade and 100 grown in full sun) were randomly collected from cacao plants in plantations in the city of Linhares in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, to study their linear measurements. The leaves were separated into two groups, one to estimate the equations and the other to validate the equations. All leaves were characterised for length (C), width (L) and leaf area. Leaf area was estimated by linear, power and exponential models from the measurements of C, L and CL as independent variables. When validating the equations, the equation proposed by Azomaning and Lockard was also evaluated. There is a difference in leaf morphology between cocoa grown in the shade and in full sun, however the environment does not statistically affect the intercept in the linear and power models, justifying modelling from the joint use of leaves of the two environments. It is possible to estimate leaf area in the cocoa plant from allometric equations, with the equations that use the product of CL as the explanatory variable being more precise. The power model equation AFE = 0.6736 (LW)1.0036 is best suited for estimating leaf area in ‘PH-16’ cocoa, and can be used both for the leaves of plants in shaded environments and in full sun. = Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar a modelagem estatística da área foliar de cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L. ‘PH-16’), em ambiente sombreado e a pleno sol. Coletaram-se aleatoriamente 200 folhas de cacaueiro (100 foram de plantas em cultivo sombreado e 100 em cultivo a pleno sol), situadas em lavouras cacaueiras no município de Linhares (ES), para estudo de suas medidas lineares. As folhas foram separadas em dois grupos, um para estimativa das equações e outro para validação dessas equações. Todas as folhas foram caracterizadas quanto ao comprimento (C), largura (L) e área foliar. A estimativa da área foliar foi feita pelos modelos linear, potência e exponencial, a partir das medidas de C, L e CL, como variáveis independentes. Na validação das equações obtidas, avaliou-se também a equação proposta por Azomaning e Lockard. Há diferença na morfologia foliar de cacau cultivado na sombra e em pleno sol, no entanto, o ambiente não afeta estatisticamente o intercepto dos modelos linear e potência, justificando a modelagem pelo uso conjunto de folhas dos dois ambientes. É possível estimar a área foliar do cacau a partir de equações alométricas, sendo mais precisas as equações que usam como variável explicativa o produto CL. A equação com modelo potência AFE = 0,6736 (CL)1,0036 é a mais indicada para estimar a área foliar de cacau ‘PH-16’, podendo ser usada tanto para folhas de plantas em ambiente sombreado quanto a pleno sol

Modelos alométricos para determinação da área foliar de cacaueiro ‘PH-16’ em sombreamento e pleno sol

Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar a modelagem estatística da área foliar de cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L. ‘PH-16’), em ambiente sombreado e a pleno sol. Coletaram-se aleatoriamente 200 folhas de cacaueiro (100 foram de plantas em cultivo sombreado e 100 em cultivo a pleno sol), situadas em lavouras cacaueiras no município de Linhares (ES), para estudo de suas medidas lineares. As folhas foram separadas em dois grupos, um para estimativa das equações e outro para validação dessas equações. Todas as folhas foram caracterizadas quanto ao comprimento (C), largura (L) e área foliar. A estimativa da área foliar foi feita pelos modelos linear, potência e exponencial, a partir das medidas de C, L e CL, como variáveis independentes. Na validação das equações obtidas, avaliou-se também a equação proposta por Azomaning e Lockard. Há diferença na morfologia foliar de cacau cultivado na sombra e em pleno sol, no entanto, o ambiente não afeta estatisticamente o intercepto dos modelos linear e potência, justificando a modelagem pelo uso conjunto de folhas dos dois ambientes. É possível estimar a área foliar do cacau a partir de equações alométricas, sendo mais precisas as equações que usam como variável explicativa o produto CL. A equação com modelo potência AFE = 0,6736 (CL)1,0036 é a mais indicada para estimar a área foliar de cacau ‘PH-16’, podendo ser usada tanto para folhas de plantas em ambiente sombreado quanto a pleno sol

Microclimate under the Cup of Papaya Planted in the North-South and East-West Directions

The objective of this work was to evaluate the variations of environmental factors under the canopy of papaya planted in a north-south and east-west orientation. Two areas were studied, one oriented north-south and the other east-west, both planted with a spacing of 3.20 mx 2.40 m, planted in April 2015. The distances from the papaya line (levels of shading) and a place in full sun, where it was evaluated, in the North-South direction: in the papaya planting line, at 40 cm west side, 40 cm east side and in full sun; in the East-West direction: In the papaya planting line, at 40 cm on the north side, 40 cm on the south side and in the planting line in full sun. The following atmospheric variables were determined: temperature, irradiance and relative humidity. Tukey's test was used to compare means at a confidence level of 95%. Papaya planted in the east-west direction, under the conditions studied, provided lower incident irradiation, reduced temperature and higher values ​​of relative humidity under its canopy, compared to papaya planted in the north-south direction. It is possible to intercrop papaya planted in the east-west direction with other agricultural crops, including conilon coffee

COVID-19 as a Paradigmatic Model of the Heterogeneous Disease Presentation in Older People: Data from the GeroCovid Observational Study

COVID-19 may have a heterogeneous onset, especially in older age. However, whether and how COVID-19 signs and symptoms may present and aggregate together according to sociodemographic and health factors is unclear, as well as their prognostic value. This study included 981 COVID-19 inpatients who participated in the GeroCovid Observational study. Signs/symptoms at disease onset, sociodemographic, health, cognitive status, and mobility were systematically recorded. Clusters of signs/symptoms were identified through agglomerative hierarchical clustering. The associations of single signs/symptoms and symptom clusters with longer hospitalization (&gt;= 16 days) and in-hospital mortality were explored through logistic and Cox regressions. The signs/symptoms most reported in our sample (age 78.3 +/- 9.39 years; 49.4% women) were fever (62.5%), cough (45.5%), and dyspnea (62.7%). Atypical symptoms were reported by up to one-third of patients, and delirium by 9.1%. Atypical symptoms were more frequent with advancing age and with lower pre-COVID-19 cognitive and mobility levels. Older men more likely reported respiratory symptoms than women. Dyspnea (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.12), tachypnea (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.14-2.07), low oxygen saturation (HR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.32-2.88) and delirium (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.13-2.28) were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Four symptom clusters were identified. Compared with the mild respiratory symptoms cluster, the severe clinical impairment cluster was associated with higher mortality (HR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.58-4.18). The severe clinical impairment and aspecific symptoms clusters were associated with longer hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.56-3.63, and OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.08-2.83, respectively). Multiple health aspects influence COVID-19 clinical presentation. A symptom clusters approach may help predict adverse health outcomes in older patients. In addition to respiratory symptoms, delirium is independently associated with mortality risk.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04379440)

Ticagrelor in patients with diabetes and stable coronary artery disease with a history of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (THEMIS-PCI) : a phase 3, placebo-controlled, randomised trial

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly those with previous stenting, are at high risk of ischaemic events. These patients are generally treated with aspirin. In this trial, we aimed to investigate if these patients would benefit from treatment with aspirin plus ticagrelor. Methods: The Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in diabEtes Mellitus patients Intervention Study (THEMIS) was a phase 3 randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, done in 1315 sites in 42 countries. Patients were eligible if 50 years or older, with type 2 diabetes, receiving anti-hyperglycaemic drugs for at least 6 months, with stable coronary artery disease, and one of three other mutually non-exclusive criteria: a history of previous PCI or of coronary artery bypass grafting, or documentation of angiographic stenosis of 50% or more in at least one coronary artery. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either ticagrelor or placebo, by use of an interactive voice-response or web-response system. The THEMIS-PCI trial comprised a prespecified subgroup of patients with previous PCI. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (measured in the intention-to-treat population). Findings: Between Feb 17, 2014, and May 24, 2016, 11 154 patients (58% of the overall THEMIS trial) with a history of previous PCI were enrolled in the THEMIS-PCI trial. Median follow-up was 3·3 years (IQR 2·8–3·8). In the previous PCI group, fewer patients receiving ticagrelor had a primary efficacy outcome event than in the placebo group (404 [7·3%] of 5558 vs 480 [8·6%] of 5596; HR 0·85 [95% CI 0·74–0·97], p=0·013). The same effect was not observed in patients without PCI (p=0·76, p interaction=0·16). The proportion of patients with cardiovascular death was similar in both treatment groups (174 [3·1%] with ticagrelor vs 183 (3·3%) with placebo; HR 0·96 [95% CI 0·78–1·18], p=0·68), as well as all-cause death (282 [5·1%] vs 323 [5·8%]; 0·88 [0·75–1·03], p=0·11). TIMI major bleeding occurred in 111 (2·0%) of 5536 patients receiving ticagrelor and 62 (1·1%) of 5564 patients receiving placebo (HR 2·03 [95% CI 1·48–2·76], p<0·0001), and fatal bleeding in 6 (0·1%) of 5536 patients with ticagrelor and 6 (0·1%) of 5564 with placebo (1·13 [0·36–3·50], p=0·83). Intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 33 (0·6%) and 31 (0·6%) patients (1·21 [0·74–1·97], p=0·45). Ticagrelor improved net clinical benefit: 519/5558 (9·3%) versus 617/5596 (11·0%), HR=0·85, 95% CI 0·75–0·95, p=0·005, in contrast to patients without PCI where it did not, p interaction=0·012. Benefit was present irrespective of time from most recent PCI. Interpretation: In patients with diabetes, stable coronary artery disease, and previous PCI, ticagrelor added to aspirin reduced cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, although with increased major bleeding. In that large, easily identified population, ticagrelor provided a favourable net clinical benefit (more than in patients without history of PCI). This effect shows that long-term therapy with ticagrelor in addition to aspirin should be considered in patients with diabetes and a history of PCI who have tolerated antiplatelet therapy, have high ischaemic risk, and low bleeding risk