Decomposition of Cattle Dung on Mixed Grass-Legume Pastures

Animal excreta contribute positively to nutrient cycling and can improve the quality of soil (Dubeux et al. 2009, Carvalho et al. 2010). Cattle excrement, when evenly distributed over a pasture, can help to maintain plant nutrition without the application of fertilizers. The introduction of legumes intercropped with grasses benefits the soil by means of nitrogen fixation. Also, when ruminant animals eat legumes, the excrement produced may have lower C:N, C:P, lignin:N and lignin:P ratios promoting better nutrient return to the soil compared to when cattle eat only grass. Given the importance of nutrient return and decomposition time of cattle excreta on pastures, the objective of this study was to evaluate the decomposition of excrement of heifers managed in mixed grass-shrubby legume pastures and grass-only pastures

Canopy Height and Its Relationship with Leaf Area Index and Light Interception of Tropical Grasses

Photosynthetic tissues, mainly green leaves, are the major component of forage growth and development. The amount of these tissues in a forage plant is influenced directly by the cutting management, which is based on cutting frequency and stubble height. It is usual to recommend as a management practice to cut (or graze) the forage whenever it reaches a given stubble height. Brougham (1956) stated that, when the forage canopy is intercepting 95% of the photosynthetic active radiation, this is the critical leaf area index (LAI), which means the forage is near its maximum growth rate without shading itself. There is also the optimum LAI, where the forage reaches the maximum point of mass accumulation, indicating time to start grazing or cut. Generally the critical and optimum LAI have close values, but they are not necessarily the same (Brown and Blaser, 1968). This trial evaluated the relationship among canopy height, leaf area index, and light interception in ten different tropical grasses

Síntese, atividade antimicrobiana e estudo in silico de 1,2,4-oxadiazóis derivados do levulinato de etila

This study describes the synthesis, antimicrobial activity, and in silico assessment of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from ethyl levulinate. For that, we prepared arylamidoximes and treated them with ethyl levulinate, obtaining the respective 1,2,4-oxadiazoles through a reaction sequence of O-acylation followed by cyclodehydration. Then, we assessed the antimicrobial activity of these compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida utilis using the broth microdilution technique. We analyzed in silico studies using the online bioinformatics platforms SwissADME and PASS. We obtained arylamidoximes and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in good yields. The 1,2,4-oxadiazoles showed moderate antimicrobial activity, inhibiting two microorganisms: the bacterium P. aeruginosa and the fungus C. utilis.  In silico studies of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles have shown promising properties, such as good oral absorption, low probability of toxicity, good body distribution, and potential to develop metabolic and enzymatic activities. The investigation of the antimicrobial activity together with the in silico studies showed that the synthesized 1,2,4-oxadiazoles are promising structures for the development of new therapeutic agents.Este trabajo describe la síntesis, la actividad antimicrobiana y el estudio in silico de 1,2,4-oxadiazoles derivados del levulinato de etilo. En este sentido, se llevó a cabo la síntesis de arilamidoxima, que reaccionó con levulinato de etilo mediante una reacción de O-acilación seguida de ciclohidratación que condujo a los compuestos de 1,2,4-oxadiazol. La evaluación de la acción antimicrobiana se realizó contra hongos y bacterias utilizando la técnica de microdilución en caldo. El estudio de sílice se realizó utilizando la plataforma de bioinformática digital SwissADME. Como resultado, se obtuvieron arilamidoxima y 1,2,4-oxadiazoles con buenos rendimientos. Los 1,2,4-oxadiazoles mostraron actividad antimicrobiana moderada, ya que mostraron inhibición contra dos microorganismos, la bacteria P. aeruginosa y el hongo C. utilis. Los estudios in silico de 1,2,4-oxadiazoles han mostrado propiedades prometedoras, como buena absorción oral, baja probabilidad de toxicidad, buena distribución corporal, así como el potencial para desarrollar actividades metabólicas y enzimáticas. En resumen, se sintetizaron tres compuestos de 1,2,4-oxadiazol con buenos rendimientos con acción antimicrobiana moderada y propiedades prometedoras de acuerdo con estudios in silico.Este estudo descreve a síntese, avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana e in silico de 1,2,4-oxadiazóis derivados do levulinato de etila. Nesse sentido, arilamidoximas foram preparadas e tratadas em seguida com o levulinato de etila, fornecendo os respectivos 1,2,4-oxadiazóis através de uma sequência reacional de O-acilação seguida de ciclodesidratação. A avaliação da ação antimicrobiana foi realizada contra Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Candida utilis através da técnica de microdiluição em caldo. Os estudos in sílico foram realizados através das plataformas digitais de bioinformática SwissADME e PASS online. As arilamidoximas e os 1,2,4-oxadiazóis foram obtidos em bons rendimentos. Os 1,2,4-oxadiazóis apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana moderada, uma vez que apresentaram inibição contra dois microrganismos, a bactéria P. aeruginosa e o fungo C. utilis. Os estudos in silico dos 1,2,4-oxadiazóis demonstraram propriedades promissoras, como boa absorção via oral, baixa probabilidade de apresentarem toxicidade, boa distribuição corpórea, bem como potencial de desenvolverem atividades metabólicas e enzimáticas. A investigação da ação antimicrobiana juntamente com os estudos in silico demostraram que os 1,2,4-oxadiazóis sintetizados são estruturas promissoras para o desenvolvimento de novos agentes terapêuticos

Systemic Toxoplasmosis in Kittens

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease that affects virtually all species of warm-blooded animals. The felids, domestic and wild, are considered the definitive hosts of the protozoan. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii infection has been diagnosed in horses, goats, primates, dogs and cats. In the backlands of Paraíba, the disease has been sporadically reported affecting dogs with canine distemper and swine, but cases of systemic toxoplasmosis in cats have not yet been described. The aim of the present study was to describe the main epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of two cases of systemic toxoplasmosis in kittens.Cases: Two kittens were affected with three (cat 1) and six (cat 2) months old, females, and crossbreed. The kittens had not been vaccinated or dewormed, and were raised with other cats in a peridomiciliary regime in a rural area in the backlands of Paraíba. Cat 1 was thin, apathetic, dehydrated, tachypneic and with pale mucous membranes. Cat 2, showed inappetence, apathy, jaundice, fever, dehydration, dyspnea and abdominal breathing pattern. At necropsy, non-collapsed, shiny, reddish lungs with multifocal whitish areas, punctuated or nodular, measuring from 0.1 to 0.3 cm in diameter, were found on the pleural surface and parenchyma. The livers were pale, with lobular pattern accentuation, and reddish depressed multifocal areas randomly distributed on the capsular surface. Histologically, multifocal to coalescent areas of necrosis, moderate (cat 1) or marked (cat 2), associated with intralesional bradyzoites and tachyzoites and variable lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate were observed. In cat 2, numerous bradyzoites were visualized in the gray matter of the left cerebral hemisphere (temporal and parietal lobes), sometimes associated with a moderate lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. In the perivascular spaces of the cerebral cortex, discrete inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (perivascular cuffs) were observed. Immunohistochemistry for T. gondii revealed strong immunolabelling of the parasitic organisms.Discussion: The diagnosis of systemic toxoplasmosis was established based on anatomopathological findings and histomorphological characteristics of the agent, being confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The systemic disease occurs most often in young animals, especially immunocompromised or immunologically immature neonates. In these kittens, it was not possible to determine the presence of an intercurrent immunosuppressive condition; however, both animals were kept in the peridomiciliary regime and were in contact with other cats, which may have acted as a source of infection. Besides, both kittens were raised in rural environments, condition that associated with the usual predatory behavior of this species may have favored the ingestion of infected intermediate hosts. The clinical signs of the disease vary considerably depending on the location and severity of the lesions. Infection in cats usually is asymptomatic or promotes self-limiting diarrhea as a result of protozoal enteroepithelial replication; but in some cases the protozoan can spread to other tissues, determining the occurrence of necrotic processes, dysfunction and clinical manifestations. Systemic toxoplasmosis occurs sporadically in kittens in the backlands of Paraíba, with pulmonary and hepatic clinical manifestations. The histopathological findings are characterized by tissue necrosis and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with intralesional protozoa. The diagnosis can be established based on the histomorphologic characteristics of the agent and confirmed by immunohistochemistry

"Mini-hospital Veterinário"

O objetivo é transmitir de forma lúdica os conhecimentos de guarda responsável, cuidados com os animais e zoonoses ao público infantil. Esse projeto é articulado através de modelos didáticos, que simulam um animal doméstico ou selvagem, para que as crianças tenham contato direto com os problemas rotineiros que os afetam, e as possíveis soluções que devem ser tomadas para o bem estar do animal. São simulados alguns ambientes internos do hospital veterinário (por isso o apelido "mini-hospital veterinário"), como o setor de isolamento de doenças infecciosas, o setor de cirurgia, o setor de clínica médica, e um laboratório para realização de exames. As crianças têm participação direta na execução das tarefas e resolução dos problemas. Os participantes são divididos em grupos de 5 e as atividades são posicionadas de um modo que possa ser realizado um rodízio adequado para a resolução dos casos clínicos. Para que o rodízio ocorra como planejado, é fornecida para as crianças uma ficha de controle de atividades. Os modelos didáticos foram confeccionados pelos alunos do projeto. Para as crianças se sentirem como médicos veterinários foram também confeccionadas vestimentas em TNT, e são utilizadas toucas e máscaras descartáveis e luvas de procedimento. A maioria das crianças que participam se mostra muito empolgada e, durante cada atividade, surgem diversas perguntas por parte delas, mostrando que o interesse pelo tema é despertado. Com os ensinamentos ao público infantil, além de garantir uma geração mais consciente e madura a respeito dos temas abordados, é possível melhorar a conduta de quem realmente pode mudar o presente, os adultos, pois as crianças transmitem o que aprendem a seus familiares. Os professores dessas crianças, mesmo não sendo o público alvo, também se interessam em aprender, pois muitos dos temas são importantes e de baixa divulgação popular. Ao fim, a análise da última atividade proposta, que consiste na pergunta sobre o que elas mais gostaram e na elaboração de um desenho, possibilita perceber o que mais chama a atenção do público alvo, que são as atividades com mais atrativos, ou seja, que permitem maior participação ativa. Assim, podemos melhorar nossos modelos e a forma como os conceitos são transmitidos, a cada grupo de crianças que participa. O objetivo de se colocar esta atividade no REA é o "Mini-hospital" possa servir de base para outras Universidades que queiram desenvolver projetos semelhantes

Enfermedades crónicas

Adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y relación con el control metabólico en pacientes con DM2Aluminio en pacientes con terapia de reemplazo renal crónico con hemodiálisis en Bogotá, ColombiaAmputación de extremidades inferiores: ¿están aumentando las tasas?Consumo de edulcorantes artificiales en jóvenes universitariosCómo crecen niños normales de 2 años que son sobrepeso a los 7 añosDiagnóstico con enfoque territorial de salud cardiovascular en la Región MetropolitanaEfecto a corto plazo de una intervención con ejercicio físico, en niños con sobrepesoEfectos de la cirugía bariátrica en pacientes con síndrome metabólico e IMC < 35 KG/M2Encuesta mundial de tabaquismo en estudiantes de profesiones de saludEnfermedades crónicas no transmisibles: Consecuencias sociales-sanitarias de comunidades rurales en ChileEpidemiología de las muertes hospitalarias por patologías relacionadas a muerte encefálica, Chile 2003-2007Estado nutricional y conductas alimentarias en adolescentes de 4º medio de la Región de CoquimboEstudio de calidad de vida en una muestra del plan piloto para hepatitis CEvaluación del proceso asistencial y de resultados de salud del GES de diabetes mellitus 2Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en población universitaria de la Facsal, universidad de TarapacáImplicancias psicosociales en la génesis, evolución y tratamiento de pacientes con hipertensión arterial esencialInfarto agudo al miocardio (IAM): Realidad en el Hospital de Puerto Natales, 2009-2010Introducción de nuevas TIC y mejoría de la asistencia a un programa de saludNiños obesos atendidos en el Cesfam de Puerto Natales y su entorno familiarPerfil de la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en Río de JaneiroPerfil del paciente primo-consultante del Programa de Salud Cardiovascular, Consultorio Cordillera Andina, Los AndesPrevalencia de automedicación en mujeres beneficiarias del Hospital Comunitario de Til-TiPrevalencia de caries en población preescolar y su relación con malnutrición por excesoPrevalencia de retinopatía diabética en comunas dependientes del Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Occidente (SSMOC)Problemas de adherencia farmacológica antihipertensiva en población mapuche: Un estudio cualitativoRol biológico de los antioxidantes innatos en pacientes portadores de VIH/SidaSobrepeso en empleados de un restaurante de una universidad pública del estado de São Paul

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

CLIFF-GRADS Science Collaboration Series 2020 - Thematic student session: Soil Systems

Featured Speaker: Dr. Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Soil and Climate Change Scientist, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco. Student Speakers: Maria Eliza Turek, Brazil; Erick Rodrigo da Silva Santos, Brazil; Amahnui George Amenchwi, Cameroon; Ricardo Cesário dos Santos, Brazil; Antony Mlambo, Zimbabwe; Bethel Geremew Shefine, Ethiopia; Chukwuebuka Christopher Okolo, Nigeria. The 2020 CLIFF-GRADS Science Collaboration Series was developed to facilitate technical capability building, knowledge transfer and international collaboration for the CLIFF-GRADS Alumni. Particularly for the Round 3 CLIFF-GRADS whose research stays have been delayed due to the global Covid-19 Pandemic. In addition to a series of special sessions with guest speakers, these webinars provide a platform for the Round 3 students to present their PhD research and research questions to their CLIFF-GRADS peers. Through establishing research connections, the CLIFF- GRADS Alumni network can connect internationally and across research institutes. Thematic Sessions: Specifically, during a series of thematic sessions, the Round 3 students will have the opportunity to clarify their PhD research questions and/or research direction with their peers. The thematic sessions have been disaggregated into the following agricultural systems: i) integrated, ii) pastoral and agronomy, iii) ruminant, iv) rice and v) soil. Learn more about the CLIFF-GRADS Program and Alumni: https://ccafs.cgiar.org/CLIFF-GRAD