Abstract Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) infection results in death and hospitalization of thousands of people worldwide each year. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for hRSV infections. Screening hundreds or even thousands of promising molecules is a challenge for science. We integrated biological, structural, and physicochemical properties to train and to apply the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) able to predict flavonoids with potential anti-hRSV activity. During the training and simulation steps, the AI produced results with hit rates of more than 83%. The better AIs were able to predict active or inactive flavonoids against hRSV. In the future, in vitro and/or in vivo evaluations of these flavonoids may accelerate trials for new anti-RSV drugs, reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and morbidity caused by this infection worldwide, and be used as input in these networks to determine which parameter is more important for their decision.

Resumo A infecção pelo Vírus Sincicial Respiratório Humano (hRSV) resulta na morte e hospitalização de milhares de pessoas em todo o mundo a cada ano. Infelizmente, não existem vacinas ou tratamentos específicos para tais infecções. A testagem de centenas, ou mesmo milhares, de moléculas promissoras é um desafio para a ciência. Neste trabalho, nós integramos propriedades biológicas, estruturais e físico-químicas para treinar e aplicar o conceito de inteligência artificial (IA) capaz de prever flavonoides com potencial atividade anti-hRSV. Durante as etapas de treinamento e simulação, a IA produziu resultados com taxas de acerto superiores a 83%, sendo capaz de prever flavonoides ativos ou inativos contra o hRSV. No futuro, avaliações in vitro e/ou in vivo desses flavonoides poderão acelerar os testes de novas drogas anti-RSV, reduzir hospitalizações, mortes e morbidade causadas por essa infecção. Além disso, a validação futura destes dados poderá determinar qual parâmetro tem maior peso na decisão da inteligência.

Low-grade inflammation adversely influences metabolism and cardiovascular prognosis, nevertheless increased intake of fruits and vegetables has rarely been studied in this context. Objective: In a prospective controlled study, the effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was assessed. Methodology: Sixty consecutive women undergoing cosmetic abdominal surgery were instructed to consume six servings each of fruits and vegetables during the first postoperative month. Detailed 24h interviewer-administered dietary recall was conducted at baseline and at the end of the study, with weekly returns to monitor unscheduled dietary changes and compliance with the protocol. Variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA) were evaluated to confirm significance and minimize confounding variables. Results: No differences concerning age (42.2 ± 5.3 vs 41.1 ± 6.0 years) or BMI (25.5± 3.1 vs 25.0± 3.0 kg/m²) occurred. Ingestion of fruits increased to approximately 5.2 vs 3.9 and of vegetables 5.9 vs 3.4 servings/ day, respectively. CRP decreased more conspicuously in the treated group (P=0.028), and correlation between vitamin C input and CRP in supplemented participants was demonstrated (P=0.014). Conclusions: Higher intake of antioxidant foods was feasible, and an antiinflammaotory effect occurred. Further studies with longer administration and follow-up period are recommended.

Inflamación subclínica influencia adversamiente el metabolismo y el pronóstico cardiovascular, pero ingestión elevada de vegetales y frutas há sido pocas veces investigada en este contexto. Objetivo: En un estúdio prospectivo y controlado, el impacto sobre la proteina C-reactiva fue determinado. Metodología: Sesenta pacientes consecutivas sometidas a cirugía cosmética abdominal fueron instruídas a consumir seis porciones diárias de frutas y mais seis de vegetales, en el primero més de postoperatório. Un recordatório alimentar detallado registrado por dietista fue conducido inicialmiente y al cabo del estúdio, con retornos semanales para monitorar aderéncia y cámbios eventuales de la dieta. Análisis de variáncia (ANOVA) y covariáncia (ANCOVA) fueron realizadas para evaluar resultados y minimizar variables de confusión. Conclusiones: Un consumo mas alto de alimientos antioxidantes fue posible, y una respuesta antiinflamatória fue documentada. Estúdios adicionales com suministración y seguimiento mas prolongados son recomendados.

This study evaluated the impact of multimedia in the information transfer of subjects specific to Tropical Diseases - Tetanus and Snake Envenoming. We evaluated the autonomous learning process of 76 fourth-year medical students at Botucatu School of Medicine of UNESP, using printed matter, video, and CD-ROM. The students were submitted to a specific test, which was repeated approximately one week later. They were divided into groups and received a kit containing a textbook, a video, and a CD-ROM. These materials were used for out-of-class study. Before the second test, the students gave a seminar,where they discussed and resolved their doubts with their professor. The results of the first test showed averagesbetween 4.27±1.41 and 6.41±1.61. The second test, given after the seminar, presented averages that increased to 8.41±0.76 and 9.52±0.42, significance a = 5%. At the end of the course, the students answered a questionnaire, which evaluated the material quality and acquired knowledge. The students concluded that multimedia was a more efficient and quick means for knowledge building than traditional teaching materials. They said that the active participation and interactivity with the CD-ROM were the major differences. The authors continue to study the associated use of printed matter, video, and CD-ROM as a faster alternative to the traditional method of information transfer, which may be of help in the knowledge building process in medical education.

Resíduos gerados por curtumes e pela exploração de carvão mineral são produtos potencialmente poluentes em várias regiões do Brasil, principalmente nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. O presente trabalho foi realizado no campo com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adição de resíduos de curtume e rejeito carbonífero sobre o solo e sobre as plantas cultivadas em um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico típico da Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS, localizada no município de Eldorado do Sul (RS). O experimento foi realizado no ano agrícola de 1996/97, em parcelas de 70 m², cultivando-se soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) e milho (Zea mays L.). Tratamentos com a adição de 21,3 e 42,5 t ha-1 de lodo de curtume (LC) com adubação fosfatada e potássica na forma mineral foram comparados com o tratamento com adubação mineral completa (NPK) mais correção da acidez do solo e com a testemunha absoluta. Foram estudados também: (a) adição de resíduo carbonífero (106 t ha-1) mais adubação mineral; (b) resíduo carbonífero (106 t ha-1) mais lodo de curtume (21,3 t ha-1) com adubação fosfatada e potássica; (c) serragem cromada (29 t ha-1) mais adubação mineral (NPK), e (d) Cr mineral (125 kg ha-1) mais lodo de curtume (21,3 t ha-1) com adubação fosfatada e potássica. Foram avaliadas as alterações químicas e biológicas do solo, bem como os efeitos da aplicação dos resíduos sobre o rendimento e absorção de metais pelas plantas. A adição de LC aumentou o valor de pH e o teor de Ca trocável do solo. Não foram constatadas alterações nas concentrações dos metais Cu, Cd, Pb e Ni no solo, aumentando, entretanto, significativamente os teores de Cr. A atividade microbiana avaliada pela produção de CO2 foi estimulada pela adição dos resíduos, mas a população de bactérias, fungos e ctinomicetos não foi afetada. A adição de LC propiciou rendimentos de soja e milho semelhantes aos com adição de fertilizante nitrogenado. A adição de serragem cromada não alterou o rendimento das culturas, enquanto o rendimento de grãos de milho aumentou com a adição de resíduo carbonífero.

Tannery and coal residues are potential pollution sources in numerous regions of Brazil, mainly in the Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States. In order to evaluate the effects of tannery residue and coal mining refuse on soil properties and cultivated plants, a field experiment was carried out in 1996/97 at the UFRGS Experimental Station, in the Eldorado do Sul county, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) were cultivated on 70 m² plots of a Paleudult Soil. Tannery sludge additions at rates of 21.3 and 42.5 t ha-1 with mineral phosphate and potassium fertilization were compared to mineral fertilization (NPK) with liming and a control treatment. Moreover, treatments with (a) coal mining residue (106 t ha-1) and mineral fertilization; (b) coal mining residue (106 t ha-1) with tannery sludge (21.3 t ha-1) plus mineral phosphate and potassium fertilization; (c) leather shavings (29 t ha-1) with mineral fertilization (NPK), and (d) and a combination of Cr2(SO4)3 (125 kg ha-1 Cr) and 21.3 t ha-1 tannery sludge with mineral phosphate and potassium fertilization were studied. Chemical and biological soil alterations were evaluated, as well as the effect of residue application on the plant yields and heavy metal uptake. Tannery sludge increased the soil pH, exchangeable Ca, and total Cr contents, while no alterations of the Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni soil contents were observed. Microbial activity, evaluated by the CO2 production, was stimulated by the residue application, but bacteria, fungi and actinomycete populations were not affected. Tannery sludge applications had a similar influence on soybean and corn grain yields as nitrogen fertilizers. Crop yields were not affected by the addition of leather shavings, while coal mining residue increased the corn grain yield.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar o carbono e o nitrogênio presentes na biomassa microbiana, usando a irradiação do forno de microondas em substituição ao clorofórmio nos métodos fumigação-incubação e fumigação-extração. Foram utilizadas duas amostras de um Podzólico Vermelho-Escuro, submetidas aos procedimentos de incubação e de extração, após serem fumigadas com clorofórmio e irradiadas com microondas por diferentes períodos (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 e 50 min). Observou-se que a irradiação durante 2 min foi suficiente para estimar o C e o N presentes na biomassa microbiana nos procedimentos de incubação e extração, com valores semelhantes aos verificados pela fumigação com clorofórmio. A irradiação com microondas reduziu os coeficientes de variação nas amostras de solo submetidas ao procedimento de extração, comprovando ser o método irradiação-extração o mais adequado para a estimativa do C e do N microbianos.

The objective of this work was to determine carbon and nitrogen content in the soil microbial biomass by comparing microwave radiation and chloroform fumigation using the extraction and incubation methods. Two soil samples (Dark-Red Podzolic) were submitted to incubation and extraction after chloroform fumigation and microwave radiation during different periods (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min). Two minutes under microwave radiation were sufficient to determine C and N content in the soil biomass using incubation and extraction procedures. These values were similar to those obtained by chloroform fumigation. The coefficients of variation in the soil samples submitted to microwave radiation extraction were reduced. Thus, this was considered the most adequate procedure for carbon and nitrogen quantification in soil biomass.