Seed germination and vigor of passion fruit hybrids

Most commercial plantations of passion fruit is propagate plants by seed, but germination is irregular, which hinders the growth of seedlings and uniformity, and is connected with the plant genotype. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and early growth of passion fruit hybrid seedlings, obtained from different genetic combinations. The hybrids were obtained from the cross between progenies from the breeding program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa with hybrids of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária and of the Viveiros Flora Brasil. The experimental design was completely randomized with six hybrids, five replicates and fifty seeds per experimental unit. Germination was assessed daily until the 28 days, and at the end of the period it was obtained the mean time germination, emergence speed index, seedling height, the length of shoots and roots, and the individual seedling dry matter (root + shoot)was assessed. Among the passion fruit hybrids evaluated, hybrid HB2 (UFVM0212 × BRS Sol do Cerrado) showed the highest germination and seedling biometric values and might be a genotype with potential for breeding programs for seed quality. The specific combining ability of parents can influence the quality of seeds and the vigor of passion fruit seedlings. A factor must be considered is the correct choice of maternal and paternal parents, since they influence the quality of seeds. Most commercial plantations of passion fruit is propagate plants by seed, but germination is irregular, which hinders the growth of seedlings and uniformity, and is connected with the plant genotype. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and early growth of passion fruit hybrid seedlings, obtained from different genetic combinations. The hybrids were obtained from the cross between progenies from the breeding program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa with hybrids of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária and of the Viveiros Flora Brasil. The experimental design was completely randomized with six hybrids, five replicates and fifty seeds per experimental unit. Germination was assessed daily until the 28 days, and at the end of the period it was obtained the mean time germination, emergence speed index, seedling height, the length of shoots and roots, and the individual seedling dry matter (root + shoot)was assessed. Among the passion fruit hybrids evaluated, hybrid HB2 (UFVM0212 × BRS Sol do Cerrado) showed the highest germination and seedling biometric values and might be a genotype with potential for breeding programs for seed quality. The specific combining ability of parents can influence the quality of seeds and the vigor of passion fruit seedlings. A factor must be considered is the correct choice of maternal and paternal parents, since they influence the quality of seeds

Current perspectives on the modeling of the foot-ground interaction for human motion analysis

Contact-impact events are multifaceted phenomena because their modeling process strongly depends on multiple factors, such as the geometry of the contacting surfaces, the local physical properties of the materials, and the numerical representation of the interaction between the contacting bodies. In particular, when the geometric and material properties are of complex nature, it is still a quite challenging problem to accurately represent the contact mechanics. This is the case of the human foot-ground interface. The dynamic simulation of the human motion is conditioned by the foot-ground contact forces since the response of muscles, ligaments and articular reaction forces and moments is highly affected by them. Therefore, the accuracy of contact models that describe the human foot-ground interaction play a key role in biomechanical dynamic simulations. Several formulations to mimic the human foot-ground interaction have been proposed in the literature, which provide numerical approaches to calculate the ground reaction forces without the need of any experimental measurement. This work reviews and discusses the methodologies utilized to study the foot-ground interaction in human locomotion available in the literature. For this purpose, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases were searched on September 2021 to identify publications focusing on foot-ground contact modeling strategies. A total of 30 papers, dated from 1995 to 2020, were selected and thoroughly analyzed. Different contact geometries were established with the goal of defining the foot and ground surfaces, in which the most common were based on points, circles, ellipses, spheres, ellipsoids and surfaces obtained from 3D scanning procedures. Regarding the contact resolution, the formulations based on contact force approaches were preferred to the methods based on geometrical constraints. Several studies considered both computational and experimental approaches. One of the main limitations reported in the analyzed papers dealt with the restriction of the motion to the sagittal plane

National prevalence of Salmonella spp. In pork slaughterhouses under federal inspection in Brazil, 2014/2015

Meat consumption is frequently associated with foodborne diseases. The onset of such occurrences may be due to failures on animal health surveillance or during meat processing. Many efforts are made in the industry to minimize any kind of meat contamination which can affect human health. Salmonella has an important role in the public health and economy, once it is recognized as one of the most important zoonosis (Valero et al., 2014). In Brazil, 90% of reported cases involving foodborne pathogens, in which the pathogens were identified, from 2007 to 2016, were caused by Salmonella spp. (Brazil, 2016)

Incidental thyroid carcinoma: Correlation between FNAB cytology and pathological examination in 1093 cases

Objective: To investigate Incidental Thyroid Carcinoma (ITC) by comparing the results of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) cytology and the postoperative pathological findings. Methods: Data of 1479 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were retrieved. Three hundred eighty-six patients were excluded due to insufficient data. Each surgical specimen studied received two histopathological diagnoses: the local diagnosis ‒ for the same area in which the FNAB was performed; and the final diagnosis, which includes a study of the entire surgical specimen. Results: A thousand and ninety-three patients were investigated. FNAB result was malignant in 187 patients, benign in 204, suspicious or indeterminate in 668 cases, and inconclusive in 34 cases. The prevalence of ITC was 15.1%. Most of the ITC in this series was less than 0.5 cm. The incidence of ITC was higher in Bethesda III (17.5% ITC) and IV (19% ITC) than in Bethesda II cases (1.5% false negatives and 9% ITC). Conclusion: Although the incidence of false-negative results in Bethesda II nodules is only 1.5%, 9% of these patients had ITC in the thyroid parenchyma outside the nodule that underwent preoperative FNAB. The incidence of ITC in the same scenario was even higher in Bethesda III (17.5%) and Bethesda IV cases (19%). Ultrasonography-guided FNAB is an excellent method for the assessment of thyroid nodules. However, biopsy sites should be carefully selected. Despite the high incidence of incidentalomas, total thyroidectomy should not always be the treatment of choice due to its rare but potentially serious complications. The findings of the present study can assist future clinical decisions towards active surveillance strategies for the management of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Percepção de risco em segurança dos alimentos por manipuladores, uma revisão / Perception of risk in food safety by handlers, a review

A segurança dos alimentos é um fator importante a ser estudado, ela indica que o alimento não irá causar dano ao consumidor quando estiver sendo preparado e/ou consumido de acordo com o seu uso. Os manipuladores de alimentos são peças chaves para que os alimentos sejam preparados com segurança, por isso é importante que seja estudo a sua percepção de risco. Percepção de risco é entendida com o julgamento subjetivo das pessoas sobre a incerteza e os possíveis efeitos adversos relacionados à higiene. Diversos fatores interferem nessa percepção e quando estudados, tem como objetivo de resultado uma melhor qualidade dos alimentos. Por isso, é importante que sejam realizados estudos para melhorar a qualidade da percepção de risco dos manipuladores de alimentos

Effect of shadow availability at pasture on reproductive traits of Nelore bulls (Bos indicus) raised in southeastern Brazil

A radiação solar é responsável pelo aumento da temperatura corpórea em touros. Uma alternativa para minimizar o estresse térmico é usar sombreamento artificial. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da redução do estresse térmico através da disponibilização de sombra artificial, sobre características reprodutivas de touros da raça Nelore (Bos indicus). Para isso, dez touros foram divididos em: Disponibilidade de sombra artificial (AS, n = 5) e Não-disponibilidade de sombra artificial (US, n=5). Cada grupo foi mantido em piquete de dois hectares cada, no qual a sombra para o grupo AS foi criada artificialmente. Os animais foram submetidos a avaliações clínicas-reprodutivas e análise seminal. Nenhuma interação foi observada entre os tratamentos (AS e US) e o tempo (8 coletas), para todas as variáveis analisadas (P > 0.05). Nenhum efeito significativo (P>0.05) de tratamento foi observado para os parâmetros analisados. Dessa forma, concluiu-se que a ausência de áreas sombreadas, durante o verão, não afetou negativamente as características reprodutivas como: circunferência escrotal, consistência testicular, motilidade progressiva, percentagem de células com movimentos rápidos (Computer Assisted Semen Analisys - CASA), morfologia e viabilidade espermática em touros da raça Nelore criados na região sudeste do Brasil, considerando que esse resultado pode ser diferente em outras regiões do país, onde as temperaturas ambientais são mais elevadas.Solar radiation is responsible for bull body temperature elevation. An alternative to minimize heat stress is to use artificial shade. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal stress reduction, through shade availability, on reproductive characteristics of Nellore bulls (Bos indicus). For this, ten bulls were divided in: Available artificial shade (AS, n = 5) and Unavailable shade (US, n = 5). Each group was kept in two hectare paddocks, in which shade availability for group AS was artificially created. Animals were submitted to a clinical-reproductive evaluation and seminal analyses. No interaction was observed between treatments (AS and US) and time (8 collections) for all analyzed variables (P>0.05). No significant effect (P > 0.05) of treatment was observed for all parameters analyzed. So, it can be concluded that the absence of shaded areas during summer does not negatively affect reproductive characteristics such as: scrotal circumference, testicular consistency, progressive motility, percentage of rapidly moving cells (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis - CASA), morphology or sperm viability in Nellore bulls raised in southeastern Brazil, considering that results could be different in other regions of the country where average temperature is higher

Botulinum toxin type A and acupuncture for masticatory myofascial pain: a randomized clinical trial

BoNT-A has been widely used for TMD therapy. However, the potential benefits compared to dry needling techniques are not clear. Objective: this study aimed to compare the immediate effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections and Acupuncture in myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. Methodology: 54 women were divided into three groups (n=18). AC patients received four sessions of traditional acupuncture, being one session/week during 20-min. BoNT-A patients were bilaterally injected with 30U and 10U in masseter and anterior temporal muscles, respectively. Moreover, a control group received saline solution (SS) in the same muscles. Self-perceived pain was assessed by visual analog scale, while pressure pain threshold (PPT) was verified by a digital algometer. Electromyographic evaluations (EMG) of anterior temporal and masseter muscles were also measured. All variables were assessed before and 1-month after therapies. The mixed-design two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used for analysis, considering a=0.05. Results: Self-perceived pain decreased in all groups after one month of therapy (P<.001). BoNT-A was not better than AC in pain reduction (P=0.05), but both therapies were more effective in reducing pain than SS (P<0.05). BoNT-A was the only treatment able to improve PPT values (P<0.05); however, a severe decrease of EMG activity was also found in this group, which is considered an adverse effect. Conclusion: after one month of follow-up, all therapies reduced the self-perceived pain in myofascial TMD patients, but only BoNT-A enhanced PPT yet decreased EMG

SARS-CoV-2 and Saliva: an update

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The high rate of contagion and the spread of the virus in the population make the early detection of the pathogen the means for the adequate targeting of infection control measures. WHO directs sample collection on upper respiratory specimens, including nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab or wash in ambulatory patients, as well as lower respiratory specimens: sputum and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage, in addition to citing blood and feces. Among the various sample collection methods, saliva has been investigated and reported as a potential source for diagnosis. Thus, we propose to evaluate the current scenario, based on recent publications on the perspective of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva as a diagnostic method for Covid-19

Use of Curcuma longa in cosmetics: extraction of curcuminoid pigments, development of formulations, and in vitro skin permeation studies

Curcuma longa é uma erva aromática, pertencente à família Zingiberaceae e seus rizomas contêm pigmentos curcuminoides, dentre eles a curcumina, conhecida por seu efeito anti-inflamatório. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter extratos ricos nestes pigmentos, desenvolver e avaliar a estabilidade de formulações tópicas e realizar o estudo da penetração cutânea. Extratos de Curcuma longa foram obtidos e utilizados no desenvolvimento de formulações. A penetração e retenção cutâneas de pigmentos curcuminoides foi avaliada em pele de orelha de porco, utilizando célula de difusão de Franz modificada. As formulações de gel creme preparadas que continham ureia foram instáveis e as demais apresentaram estabilidade satisfatória e comportamento reológico pseudoplástico. A quantidade de pigmentos curcuminoides encontrada na solução receptora foi insignificante, enquanto que a quantidade retida na pele foi superior a 20 µg/g de pele. Concluiu-se como possível o desenvolvimento de formulações tópicas contendo curcumina ou extrato de Curcuma longa, conciliando a adição de adjuvantes para a preservação e maior durabilidade da mesma. As formulações promoveram a penetração da curcumina limitada às camadas superiores da pele, possivelmente sem o risco de ocorrência de ação sistêmica sendo possível a sua utilização para ação local com atividade anti-inflamatória.Curcuma longa is a ginger family aromatic herb (Zingiberaceae) whose rhizomes contain curcuminoid pigments, including curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to obtain curcuminoid-rich extracts, develop topical formulations thereof, and assess the stability and skin permeation of these formulations. Curcuma longa extracts were obtained and used to develop formulations. Skin permeation studies were conducted in a modified Franz diffusion cell system, and skin retention of curcuminoid pigments was quantified in pig ear membrane. Prepared urea-containing gel-cream formulations were unstable, whereas all others had satisfactory stability and pseudoplastic rheological behavior. The amount of curcuminoid pigments recovered from the receptor solution was negligible. The skin concentration of curcuminoid pigments retained was positive (>;20 µg/g of skin, mostly in the stratum corneum), considering the low skin permeability of curcumin. We conclude that development of topical formulations containing curcumin or Curcuma longa extract is feasible, as long as adjuvants are added to improve preservation and durability. The formulations developed in this study enabled penetration of curcumin limited to the superficial layers of the skin and then possibly without a risk of systemic action, thus permitting local use as a topical anti-inflammatory

Fitotoxicidade na cultura de soja causada por deriva simulada de dicamba

The objective of this work was to evaluate injury symptoms on soybean not tolerant to dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid), as well as crop yield, after the application of sub-rates of the herbicide to simulate physical drift in tropical conditions. Dicamba rates of 0, 5.8, 14.4, 28.8, 57.6, and 576 g acid equivalent per hectare were applied at the vegetative (V3) and reproductive (R1) stages of soybean, using a backpack sprayer pressurized with CO2, equipped with air-induction flat fan spray nozzles; the pressure and rate of application were 250 kPa and 200 L ha-1, respectively. Visible injury, the soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) index (leaf chlorophyll content) at 14 days after herbicide application, and soybean crop yield were evaluated. These variables were influenced by the crop stage in which the dicamba rates were applied. Rates below 28.8 g ha-1 caused less injury to soybean when applied at the R1 stage; however, there were no differences in yield between stages. A 1% dicamba drift in tropical conditions reduces soybean yield by 12%.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os sintomas de injúria em soja não tolerante ao dicamba (ácido 3,6-dicloro-2-metoxibenzóico), bem como a produtividade da cultura, após a aplicação de subdoses do herbicida para simulação da deriva física em condições tropicais. Doses de dicamba de 0, 5,8, 14,4, 28,8, 57,6 e 576 g de equivalente ácido por hectare foram aplicadas nos estádios vegetativo (V3) e reprodutivo (R1) da soja, com uso de pulverizador costal acionado por CO2, dotado de pontas de jato plano com indução de ar; a pressão e a taxa de aplicação foram de 250 kPa e 200 L ha-1, respectivamente. Foram avaliados injúria visual, índice “soil-plant analysis development” (SPAD) (teor de clorofila das folhas) aos 14 dias após a aplicação do herbicida e produtividade da cultura de soja. Essas variáveis foram influenciadas pelo estádio da cultura em que as doses de dicamba foram aplicadas. Doses inferiores a 28,8 g ha-1 causaram menor injúria na soja quando aplicadas no estádio R1; contudo, não houve diferenças de produtividade entre os estádios. A deriva de dicamba de 1%, em condições tropicais, reduz a produtividade da soja em 12%