ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that can infect buffaloes and other mammalians, and it’s caused by Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Leptospira spp. The infection occurs through contact with urine or a contaminated environment with the mucous membranes of the animals, and the disease has two phases: leptospiremia and leptospiruria. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of leptospirosis in buffaloes in the state of Paraná, Brazil, as well as the main serovars present in this area. A total of 276 blood samples were collected from buffaloes from 18 properties located in different cities and mesoregions of Paraná state. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed to detect the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and to identify its serovars. The prevalence was 77.17% (213/276) of buffaloes seropositive for at least one serovar. The most frequent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae, followed by the Pomona serovar and serovar Hardjo. This study seems to be the first to determine the frequency of buffaloes with leptospirosis in the state of Paraná. Prevention and control measures are important to control the disease in herds.

RESUMO: Leptospirose é uma zoonose que infecta búfalos e outros mamíferos e é causada por bactérias Gram-negativas do gênero Leptospira spp. A infecção ocorre por meio do contato com a urina ou ambiente contaminado com as membranas mucosas dos animais e a doença possui duas fases: leptospiremia e leptospirúria. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a frequência da leptospirose em bubalinos provenientes do estado do Paraná, assim como determinar os principais sorovares presentes no estado. Um total de 276 amostras de sangue foram coletados de búfalos provenientes de 18 propriedades localizadas em 14 municípios de diferentes mesorregiões do estado do Paraná. O teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) foi realizado para detecção da presença de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. e identificação dos respectivos sorovares. A prevalência de búfalos soropositivos para ao menos um sorovar foi de 77,17% (213/276). O sorovar mais frequente identificado nestes búfalos foi o Icterohaemorrhagiae, seguido pelos sorovares Pomona e Hardjo. Este é o primeiro estudo a determinar a frequência de búfalos com leptospirose no estado do Paraná. Medidas de controle e prevenção são importantes para o controle do agente nos rebanhos.

Cancer treatment represents one of the main scientific study targets today, mainly due to the pronounced side effects arising from chemotherapy. This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of ten compounds from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. Ethylene glycol diacrylate was used as a double Michael acceptor in reactions with isatin derivatives to give homodimers of 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one core, recognized in the literature for its extensive pharmacological profile. The use of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) as a catalyst and room temperature were the optimal conditions for the study reaction. The isolated yields were up to 63%, with most reaction times inferior to 24 h, some as fast as 15 min. The anticancer potential of the synthesized dimers was evaluated in vitro against three cancer strains, resulting in average inhibitory concentrations up to 0.72 µM. It was also found that the best performing homodimers are more active than their monomeric counterparts. Considering the promising selectivity indices observed, the preliminary results obtained here act as a basis for broader tests regarding the effectiveness of homodimeric adducts against cancer cells.

Resumen Rojas-Ilama, V., Castro-Ramírez, M.L., Víquez-Arce, R., Jiménez-Díaz. y Montero-Herrera, B. (2022). Efecto del HIIT en el estado anímico en personas con sobrepeso en un entrenamiento virtual y presencial. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-17. El principal objetivo fue comparar los efectos de una sesión HIIT de 35 minutos, en modalidad virtual y presencial, en los estados anímicos y en el esfuerzo percibido en personas con sobrepeso. Se reclutaron un total de 13 personas (5 hombres y 8 mujeres) con una edad promedio de 37.85 ± 13.20 años (rango entre 17 y 60 años) los cuales fueron asignados a cada una de las tres condiciones de manera aleatoria (control, entrenamiento presencial y entrenamiento virtual). Previo a, e inmediatamente después de cada una de las intervenciones, se aplicó el test POMS para medir los estados anímicos. En lo que respecta al esfuerzo percibido (EP), su medición se llevó a cabo finalizado cada uno de los ejercicios HIIT (no se evaluó durante el calentamiento y el retorno a la calma). Al aplicar un ANOVA de 2 vías de medidas repetidas (condición (3) x medición (2)), se encontró que tanto la tensión como el vigor después de haber aplicado el tratamiento presencial presentaron un aumento significativo; además, la tensión aumentó en la sesión virtual. Por su parte, los valores de EP reportados en las mediciones de las sesiones presencial y virtuales estuvieron por encima de lo sugerido en la literatura. En conclusión, una sesión de HIIT para personas con sobrepeso de manera presencial o virtual presenta resultados similares en los estados de ánimo, excepto el vigor, el cual incrementa solo en la condición presencial; las otras variables mostraron un comportamiento similar.

Resumo Rojas-Ilama, V., Castro-Ramírez, M.L., Víquez-Arce, R., Jiménez-Díaz. e Montero-Herrera, B. (2022). Efeito do HIIT no estado anímico de pessoas com sobrepeso em um treinamento virtual e presencial. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-17. O principal objetivo foi comparar os efeitos de uma sessão de HIIT de 35 minutos, em modalidades virtual e presencial, nos estados anímicos e no esforço percebido de pessoas com sobrepeso. Foram recrutadas um total de 13 pessoas (5 homens e 8 mulheres) com idade média de 37,85 ± 13,20 anos (faixa etária entre 17 e 60 anos) que foram designados a cada uma das três condições de maneira aleatória (controle, treinamento presencial e treinamento virtual). Antes e imediatamente depois de cada uma das intervenções, foi aplicado o teste POMS para medir os estados anímicos. Com relação ao esforço percebido (EP), a medição foi feita ao finalizar cada um dos exercícios HIIT (não foi avaliado durante o aquecimento e a volta à calma). Ao aplicar um ANOVA de 2 vias de medidas repetidas (condição (3) x medição (2)), observou-se que tanto a tensão quanto o vigor depois da aplicação do tratamento presencial aumentaram de maneira significativa; além disso, a tensão aumentou na sessão virtual. Por outro lado, os valores de EP relatados nas medições das sessões presenciais e virtuais estiveram acima do sugerido na literatura. Como conclusão, uma sessão de HIIT para pessoas com sobrepeso, seja presencial ou virtual, apresenta resultados semelhantes nos estados de ânimo, exceto o vigor, que aumento somente na condição presencial; as outras variáveis mostraram um comportamento semelhante.

Abstract Rojas-Ilama, V., Castro-Ramírez, M.L., Víquez-Arce, R., Jiménez-Díaz. & Montero-Herrera, B. (2022). Effects of HIIT on the mood of overweight people in virtual and face-to-face training. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-17. The main objective was to compare the effects of 35-minute HIIT session, in both virtual and face-to- face modes, on the mood and the perceived effort of overweight people. A total 13 people (5 men and 8 women) were recruited, in an average age of 37.85 ± 13.20 years (17-60 year range), who were randomly assigned to each of the three conditions (control, face-to-face training, virtual training). Prior to and immediately after each of the interventions, the POMS test was applied in order to measure mood. The measuring of perceived effort (PE) was carried out at the end of each of the HIIT exercises (it was not assessed during warm-up or return to calm). When a 2-way repeated-measure ANOVA was applied (condition (3) x measurement (2)), it was found that both stress and vigor after applying face-to-face treatment showed a significant increase. In addition, stress increased in the virtual session. For their part, the PE values reported in the measurements of the face-to-face and virtual sessions were above those suggested in the literature. In conclusion, a HIIT session for overweight people, whether face-to-face or virtual, shows similar results in their moods, except for vigor, which only increases in the face-to-face situation. The other variables showed a similar behavior.

We present an electroanalytical method using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry on electrochemically-treated screen-printed gold electrodes to the simultaneous determination of lead(II), copper(II) and mercury(II) in struvite (natural fertilizer produced from urine). Electrochemical treatment via cyclic voltammetry of the working electrodes increased surface rugosity that improved the electroanalytical responses for the three metals. Under optimized conditions and using a deposition time of 90 s, the proposed method presented the following limit of detection values: 1.3 µg L-1 for lead(II), 2.0 µg L-1 for copper(II) and 0.9 µg L-1 for mercury(II). Struvite samples were easily dissolved in supporting electrolyte solution (0.05 mol L-1 HCl). Satisfactory recovery values between 91 and 111% were obtained for the analysis of spiked samples. Hence, we can infer that the proposed electroanalytical method is an effective alternative for the determination of trace metals, since it provides precise and accurate direct analyses, with rapid responses without interference from sample matrix and enabling in field analysis.

Abstract Human activity has prompted a rapid decline in the forested areas of the Amazon, resulting in an increase in the number of isolated forest fragments. Belém is the smallest and most deforested area of endemism in the biome. Its high level of degradation translates into great biodiversity vulnerability and the need for urgent measures to address these changes. The aim of this research was to analyze connectivity among the Belém’s remaining forest fragments and to classify them according to their importance for population dispersal. We used morphological spatial pattern analysis to characterize landscape structure and the integral index of connectivity to defi ne the importance of forest fragments. From a structural perspective, 55.28% of the forested area was classifi ed as core, 16.88% as edge. From a functional perspective, few fragments were classifi ed as highly important. In general, larger fragments were more important for connectivity. The protected areas seem to not have considered the forest connectivity in their planning, although the designation of priority areas has valued this variable. This study provides an important theoretical outline for considering connectivity in the planning phase and represents a contribution to more detailed research on how to maintain biodiversity in the Belém Area of Endemism.

ABSTRACT Oncidiinae is an exclusively Neotropical orchid subtribe with about 1600 described species and an impressive array of vegetative and floral morphological adaptations. We present the results of a literature survey on the pollination strategies and breeding systems of this orchid subtribe. The flowers are pollinated by a wide range of insects (mostly bees) and, sometimes, hummingbirds. Several genera reward their pollinators with floral resources such as oils, nectar or perfumes. Whereas pollination by oil-gathering bees likely evolved several times within Oncidiinae, exclusive pollination by perfume-gathering male Euglossine bees is likely restricted to a set of closely-related genera. Pollination by food or sexual deception is also present within the subtribe. Up to date, the pollen-vectors of the 92 species of Oncidiinae studied so far are as follows: 84.7 % are pollinated by bees, 6.5 % by wasps, 4.3 % by hummingbirds, 3.2 % by butterflies and 3.2 % by flies. Oncidiinae orchids are preferentially self-incompatible (69.4 % of the species studied so far), some may also present protandry as a mechanism to promote cross-pollination. Fruiting success is generally low. The rate of visitation with subsequent pollination is low, in general, which contributes to the low reproductive success of this plant group.

A comprehensive study of a less harmful functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was performed. The influence of ultrasonic cavitation and solid/liquid interface was indirectly evaluated by statistical characterization of MWCNT aspect ratio and degree of functionalization. MWCNT aspect ratio was determined through hundreds of electron microscopy images. Degree of functionalization of MWCNT was characterized by elemental analysis and thermogravimetry. Distribution of different oxygen-containing functional groups was assessed by potentiometric titration. MWCNT aqueous dispersions were evaluated by electrophoretic mobility and dynamic light scattering. An acid volume over 90% lower than usually reported in literature guaranteed MWCNTs with significantly larger aspect ratio, higher proportion of carboxylic groups and a more negative zeta potential in aqueous suspension. These results can be related to a more localized ultrasonic cavitation in MWCNTs/acid interface for reduced liquid volumes. This distinguished influence of ultrasonic cavitation may be a valuable contribution to more eco-friendly processes with nanomaterials.

This paper reports the droplet size distribution (DSD) measurements in 28 W/O (water/oil) crude oil emulsions prepared with two Brazilian oils (medium and heavy) under different shear conditions using both 10 g L-1 NaCl solution and water production by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR, 2.2 MHz). The PFGSTE (pulsed-field gradient-stimulated echo) pulse sequence applied was able to separate the crude oil emulsion signal for both medium and heavy oil even for low dispersed phase content (1.51 wt.%) and took into account only the aqueous phase signal. All emulsions exhibited an average diameter smaller than 5.5 µm because of the severe shear conditions. Despite the difficult processing of the S24 (6.48 wt.%) emulsion signal, good agreement was achieved between low field NMR and low-angle laser light scattering (LALLS) results. Finally, the paramagnetic ions in the water production did not affect the NMR measurements, demonstrating its applicability for analyzing real emulsions.

O sucesso de um programa de melhoramento genético depende da seleção de genótipos superiores para características múltiplas em simultâneo, e uma alternativa é utilizar os índices de seleção. Neste trabalho, os índices “Smith-Hazel”, “Base”, “Sum of Ranks” e “Z” foram usados para selecionar genótipos de arroz em zonas de elevada altitude para quatro características. Cinco variedades comerciais e 191 genótipos F2:4 foram avaliados para as características: números de dias à floração, altura, resistência a piricularia e produção de grão, em quatro ambientes. A correlação genética entre os pares de características, a resposta de seleção para cada caracter e o resultado da correlação, considerando a seleção para o número de dias à floração e a produção de grão foi obtida usando uma intensidade de seleção de 20%. A resposta prevista para a seleção de cada caracter foi expressiva, mas a resposta para a seleção indireta não foi efetiva. O índice de seleção mais eficiente foi o índice Z que mostrou melhor resposta quando se consideraram todos os tratamentos em simultâneo, foi fácil de implementar e separou graficamente o desempenho dos genótipos para cada característica. Assim, o índice Z pode aumentar a eficiência da seleção para características múltiplas em programas de melhoramento de arroz para zonas de altitude.

The success of any breeding program depends on the ability of the breeder to select genetically superior progenies for multiple traits simultaneously, and an alternative is the use of selection indexes. In this study, the selection indexes of Smith-Hazel, Base Index, Sum of Ranks, and Index Z were used to select superior upland rice progenies for four important agronomic traits. Five commercial cultivars and 191 progenies F2:4 of upland rice were evaluated for days for flowering, plant height, blast resistance, and grain yield in four environments. The genetic correlation between pairs of traits, the response of selection in each trait and the correlated response considering the selection for number of days to flowering and the response in grain yield were obtained, using an intensity of selectionof 20%. The predicted response to selection of each trait was expressive, but the indirect selection response was not effective. The most efficient selection was obtained by Z Index, which showed the highest response considering all traits simultaneously and was also easy to implement and to interpret graphically interpretation. Therefore, the Z Index can greatly increase the efficiency of selection for multiple traits in upland rice breeding programs.

ABSTRACT Resident and circulating immune cells have been extensively studied due to their almost ubiquitous role in cell biology. Despite their classification under the “immune cell department”, it is becoming increasingly clear that these cells are involved in many different non-immune related phenomena, including fetus development, vascular formation, memory, social behavior and many other phenotypes. There is a huge potential in combining high-throughput assays - including flow cytometry and gene analysis - with in vivo imaging. This can improve our knowledge in both basic and clinical cell biology, and accessing the expression of markers that are relevant in the context of both homeostasis and disease conditions might be instrumental. Here we describe how we generated a novel mouse strain that spontaneously express three different fluorescence markers under control of well-studied receptors (CX3CR1, CCR2 and CD11c) that are involved in a plethora of stages of cell ontogenesis, maturation, migration and behavior. Also, we assess the percentage of the expression and co-expression of each marker under homeostasis conditions, and how these cells behave when a local inflammation is induced in the liver applying a cutting-edge technology to image cells by confocal intravital microscopy.

RESUMO Neste estudo analisou-se a capacidade abrasiva dos sedimentos do leito do Rio Acre, Brasil, no desgaste de 3 materiais ferrosos diferentes utilizados na fabricação de rotores de bombas centrífugas, utilizados na captação de água bruta. Para determinar o modo de desgaste e a relação do coeficiente de desgaste específico do material (k), em função da concentração de sedimentos, foram realizados ensaios em abrasômetro de esfera rotativa em amostras de aço SAE 8620, ferro fundido nodular e em ferro fundido cinzento, usando como suspensões abrasivas as concentrações de 1, 2, 3, 5 e 10 g L-1 de sedimento em água destilada. O volume de desgaste em função da velocidade relativa do fluxo da água em relação às pás do rotor foi estimado matematicamente. Os resultados mostraram que: i) As formas semiangulares e semiarredondadas dos sedimentos do Rio Acre produziram evidencias de microssulcamento e deformação plástica nas três ligas metálicas; ii) O aço SAE 8620 mostrou maior resistência ao desgaste abrasivo do que as amostras de ferros fundidos cinzento e nodular; e iii) O aumento do volume de desgaste decorrente da aumento da concentração de sedimento e da velocidade relativa que a mistura (água + sedimento) para pelas pás do rotor.

ABSTRACT This study presents an analysis of the abrasive effects of sediments from the bed of the Acre River, Brazil, on the wear of three different ferrous materials employed in the manufacture of impellers of centrifuge pumps used to catch raw water. In order to evaluate the abrasive wear and specific wear coefficient (k) as a function of sediment concentration, tests were conducted in samples of SAE 8620 steel, nodular cast iron and gray cast iron by using a rotary-ball abrasion meter. These tests employed abrasive slurry with concentration of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 g L-1 of sediments in distilled water. The volume of worn material as a function of the relative velocity of water flow in relation to the impeller blades was mathematically estimated. The experimental results showed that: i) The semi-angular and semi-rounded shapes of the sediments from the Acre River produced evidence of micro-grooving and plastic deformation in the three metallic alloys; ii) SAE 8620 steel showed higher resistance to abrasive wear than samples of gray and nodular cast iron; iii) the increase in the volume of worn material due to increment in sediment concentration and the relative velocity of the mixture (water + sediment) to the rotor pads.

RESUMO A suplementação alimentar com blocos multinutricionais (BM’s) para caprinos e ovinos pode ser uma alternativa viável no semiárido brasileiro, necessitando-se definir a dureza ideal para se obter a máxima eficácia alimentar. Portanto, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a confecção de BM’s utilizando-se cinco aglomerantes: cimento Portland, cal, caulim, cimento Portland + caulim e cal + bentonita, em duas percentagens (7,5 e 10%) e dois tempos de cura (72 e 96 h). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 x 2 (aglomerantes, percentagens e tempos de cura, respectivamente), com cinco repetições. A utilização da cal nos BM’s promoveu maior resistência aos corpos de prova (208,53 kPa), garantindo maior dureza aos blocos. Não houve alteração na dureza dos blocos com o tempo de cura, recomendando-se uma cura de 72 h. Houve maior absorção de água com a utilização do cimento Portland e o uso do caulim e de cal + bentonita proporcionou as menores absorções de água. O uso da cal a 10% como aglomerante e o tempo de cura de 72 h demonstraram ser a melhor combinação na confecção dos blocos multinutricionais.

ABSTRACT Feed supplementation with multinutrient blocks (MB) for sheep and goats can be a viable alternative in the Brazilian semiarid region, and it is necessary to set an ideal hardness to obtain maximum feed efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the manufacture of MB using five binders: Portland cement, lime, kaolin, Portland cement + kaolin and lime + bentonite, at two percentages (7.5 and 10%) and two healing times (72 and 96 h). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (binders, percentages and healing times, respectively), with five repetitions. Using lime in the MBs led to greater resistance in the specimens (208.53 kPa), as well as the greater percentage of binders (10%), ensuring higher hardness in the blocks. No change was observed in block hardness with the healing time, and a cure of 72 h is recommended. There was greater water absorption with the use of Portland cement and the use of kaolin and of lime + bentonite led to the lowest values of water absorption. The use of lime at 10% as binder and the 72 h healing time were shown to be the best combination in the manufacture of multinutrient blocks.

The introduction of oxygen groups in carbon nanotubes is considered crucial for many applications. However, there is a lack of controlled functionalization methods which ensure nanotubes with specific property values according to each interest. In this work, acid treatments of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) employing an optimized ultrasound process with moderate heating and stirring were studied by means of a factorial design. The functionalized nanotubes were characterized by thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy and water stability tests. Statistic models were fitted for the degree of functionalization and length reduction of MWCNTs. Temperature was identified as a key parameter to produce more functionalized MWCNTs with less structural damage. The properties of the functionalized MWCNTs can be tailored by the choice of parameters exploited in the statistical models developed to enable different end-use requests, such as for polymeric composites or bio-related applications, which is the original contribution of this work.

The aim of this study was to develop a patient-centered quality management system model to be used at hospitals to improve their pharmacovigilance practices. We demonstrated applicability and feasibility of 66 quality indicators by using the Delphi method, in 2 rounds, by a panel of 14 experts. Using the final set of indicators, diagnostic evaluation of the pharmacovigilance unit was performed at 8 Mexican hospitals ('ASEGUREMHOS' hospital network) in order to validate the quality assessment items. Here we present the first model to manage and measure quality of hospital-based pharmacovigilance systems in Mexico and Latin America. Our work encourages the use of good pharmacovigilance practices to improve patient safety at hospitals.

En este trabajo se demostró la pertinencia y validez de 66 indicadores diseñados para la evaluación y seguimiento de las unidades de farmacovigilancia hospitalaria y seleccionados bajo el marco de un sistema de gestión integral de la calidad centrado en el paciente. Para seleccionar los indicadores con mayor relevancia y viabilidad se empleó el método Delphi en dos rondas de consulta a 14 expertos. Posteriormente se validaron a través de la aplicación del instrumento de indicadores a las unidades de farmacovigilancia hospitalaria de los ocho hospitales que conforman la red ASEGUREMHOS. El modelo de gestión desarrollado pretende contribuir al fortalecimiento de las unidades de farmacovigilancia hospitalaria en México y Latinoamérica a través del cumplimiento de estándares que garantizan las buenas prácticas de farmacovigilancia específicamente en el ámbito hospitalario.

Background: Cellulases and lipases have broad industrial application, which calls for an urgent exploration of microorganisms from extreme environments as valuable source of commercial enzyme. In this context, the present work describes the bioprospection and identification of deep-sea bacteria that produce cellulases and lipases, as well their optimal temperature of activity. Results: The first step of this study was the screening of cellulolytic and lipolytic deep-sea bacteria from sediment and water column, which was conducted with substrates linked with 4-Methylumbelliferyl. Among the 161 strains evaluated, 40 were cellulolytic, 23 were lipolytic and 5 exhibited both activities. Cellulolytic and lipolytic bacteria are more common in sediment than at the water column. Based on the ability to produce cellulases and lipases three isolates were selected and identified (16S rRNA sequencing) as Bacillus stratosphericus, B. aerophilus and B. pumilus. Lipases of strain B. aerophilus LAMA 582 exhibited activity at a wide temperature range (4º to 37ºC) and include psychrophilic behaviour. Strain Bacillus stratosphericus LAMA 585 can growth in a rich (Luria Bertani) and minimal (Marine Minimal) medium, and does not need an inducer to produce its mesophilic cellulases and lipases. Conclusions: Deep-sea sediments have great potential for bioprospection of cellulase and lipase-producing bacteria. The strains LAMA 582 and LAMA 585 with their special features, exhibit a great potential to application at many biotechnology process.