The objective of this work is the identification of cheese maturation time using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) data and analytical measurements associated with chemometrics techniques. Minas artisanal cheeses were collected from 8 producers matured at times 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 45 and 60 days, fractioned in rind and crumb for moisture, water activity (aw), dry in fat extract, pH, acidity, ashes, protein, extent and depth of proteolysis, color and identification of functional groups in FTIR-ATR. Principal component analysis (PCA), multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares (PLS) techniques were performed on the dataset. PCA was used to assess differences and similarities of the samples. The best results to predict the maturation time were using MLR for analytical measurements in the portion of the crumb, with coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.92, root mean square error of validation (RMSEV) = 5.4 days and PLS for FTIR-ATR with R2 = 0.92, RMSEV = 5.3 days. The results indicated that the FTIR-ATR was adequate to predict maturation times. Although, it does not eliminate the need for more detailed chemical analysis.

Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MID), chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics associated with chemometrics were used to rapidly detect and quantify the amount of cow’s milk added in buffalo’s milk. A total of 165 samples, divided into buffalo’s milk, buffalo’s milk added with cow’s milk (10 to 90%) and cow’s milk were evaluated to obtain fat, protein, lactose, total and defatted solids, urea, pH, acidity, cryoscopic index and band absorbances in the spectra associated with principal component analysis (PCA), multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares regression (PLS). The treatments were separated into groups by PCA, allowing the classification of samples. MLR and PLS models were able to predict cow’s milk contents in buffalo’s milk. MID and results of the analytical measures studied when associated with chemometrics are efficient in the rapid quantitative detection of adulteration in buffalo’s milk.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the performance and distinctive pattern of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) screening and treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) under anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and determine the relevance of re-exposure and other risk factors for TB development. METHODS: A total of 135 and 83 patients with AS and PsA, respectively, were evaluated for LTBI treatment before receiving anti-TNF drugs via the tuberculin skin test (TST), chest radiography, and TB exposure history assessment. All subjects were evaluated for TB infection at 3-month intervals. RESULTS: The patients with AS were more often treated for LTBI than were those with PsA (42% versus 30%, p=0.043). The former also presented a higher frequency of TST positivity (93% versus 64%, p=0.002), although they had a lower frequency of exposure history (18% versus 52%, p=0.027) and previous TB (0.7% versus 6%, p=0.03). During follow-up [median, 5.8 years; interquartile range (1QR), 2.2-9.0 years], 11/218 (5%) patients developed active TB (AS, n=7; PsA, n=4). TB re-exposure was the main cause in seven patients (64%) after 12 months of therapy (median, 21.9 months; IQR, 14.2-42.8 months) and five LTBI-negative patients. TB was identified within the first year in four patients (36.3%) (median, 5.3 months; IQR, 1.2-8.8 months), two of whom were LTBI-positive. There was no difference in the TB-free survival according to the anti-TNF drug type/class; neither synthetic drug nor prednisone use was related to TB occurrence (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Known re-exposure is the most critical factor for incident TB cases in spondyloarthritis. There are also some distinct features in AS and PsA LTBI screening, considering the higher frequency of LTBI and TST positivities in patients with AS. Annual risk reassessment taking into consideration these peculiar features and including the TST should be recommended for patients in endemic countries.

RESUMEN La calidad química del suelo es uno de los factores más rápidamente afectados por los procesos de degradación antropogénica, y este es uno de los componentes más importantes para el desarrollo de la agricultura. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos de las diferentes dosis de estiércol de ganado y polvo de roca en las características químicas del suelo en cultivo de col rizada de mantequilla. Los tratamientos se organizaron en cinco bloques aleatorizados en un factorial de 4x4 en referencia a las diferentes dosis de estiércol bovino (60, 120, 180 y 240 g/planta) combinado con dosis de polvo de roca (6, 12, 18 y 24 g/planta). Cada bloque estuvo constituido por tres parcelas de 18 m de largo y 1 m de ancho, el lecho estuvo compuesto por seis porciones y cada parcela experimental constaba de 14 plantas espaciadas en 0,40x0,40 m. Al final del experimento se analizaron: pH, materia orgánica, P, K, Na, Mg, acidez intercambiable, capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CIC), suma de base y saturación por base. Las dosis de estiércol bovino y MB-4 proporcionaron un aumento en el pH, materia orgánica, concentración de fósforo, potasio, sodio, calcio, magnesio, acidez intercambiable, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, suma de la base y saturación de la base del suelo. Las dosis de 240 g de estiércol de ganado y 24 g de polvo de roca generaron un aumento en las propiedades químicas del suelo.

ABSTRACT Chemical soil quality is one of the factors more quickly affected by anthropogenic degradation processes and is one of the more important components for the development of agriculture. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of cattle manure and rock powder on the chemical characteristics of soil cultivated with butter kale. The treatments were arranged in five randomized blocks in a 4x4 factorial for the different doses of bovine manure (60, 120, 180 and 240 g/plant) combined with doses of rock powder (6, 12, 18 and 24 g/plant). Each block was composed of three plots, 18 m long and 1 m wide. The bed was composed of six portions, and each experimental plot consisted of 14 plants spaced at 0.40x0.40 m. At the end of the experiment, the following were analyzed: pH, organic matter, P, K, Na, Mg, exchangeable acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), sum of base and base saturation. The doses of bovine manure and MB-4 provided an increase in pH, organic matter, concentration of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, exchangeable acidity, cation exchange capacity, sum of the base and saturation of the soil base. The doses of 240 g of cattle manure and 24 g of rock dust generated an increase in the chemical properties of the soil.

ABSTRACT Characterization and evaluation of genotypes conserved in the germplasm banks have become of great importance due to gradual loss of genetic variability and search for more adapted and productive genotypes. This can be obtained through several ways, generating quantitative and qualitative data. Joint analysis of those variables may be considered a strategy for an accurate germplasm characterization. In this study we aimed to evaluate different clustering techniques for characterization and evaluation of Capsicum spp. accessions using combinations of specific measures for quantitative and qualitative variables. A collection of 56 Capsicum spp. accessions was characterized based on 25 morphoagronomic descriptors. Six quantitative distances were used [A1) average of the range-standardized absolute difference (Gower), A2) Pearson correlation, A3) Kulczynski, A4) Canberra, A5) Bray-Curtis, and A6) Morisita] combined with distance for qualitative data [Simple Coincidence (B1)]. Clustering analyses were performed using agglomerative hierarchical methods (Ward, the nearest neighbor, the farthest neighbor, UPGMA and WPGMA). All combined distances were highly correlated. UPGMA clustering was the most efficient through cophenetic correlation and 2-norm analyses, showing a concordance between the two methods. Six clusters were considered an ideal number by UPGMA clustering, in which Gower distance showed a better adjustment for clustering. Most combined distances using UPGMA clustering allowed the separation of the accessions in relation to species, using both quantitative and qualitative data, which could be an alternative for simultaneous joint analysis, aiming to compare different clusters.

RESUMO Com o aumento da perda da variabilidade genética e a procura por genótipos mais adaptados e produtivos, a caracterização e a avaliação dos genótipos conservados em um banco de germoplasma são de elevada importância. Essas podem ser obtidas de várias formas, gerando dados quantitativos e qualitativos. A análise conjunta dessas variáveis pode ser considerada uma estratégia para a avaliação precisa do germoplasma. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes técnicas de agrupamento para caracterização e avaliação de acessos de Capsicum spp. utilizando combinações de medidas específicas para as variáveis quantitativas e qualitativas. Foram caracterizados 56 acessos de Capsicum spp. com base em 25 descritores morfoagronômicos. As distâncias analisadas foram seis quantitativas [A1) média das diferenças absolutas dos rank-padronizados (Gower), A2) correlação de Pearson, A3) Kulczynski, A4) Canberra, A5) Bray-Curtis, e A6) Morisita] combinadas com a distância para dados qualitativos [Coincidência Simples (B1)]. Os agrupamentos foram realizados pelos métodos hierárquicos aglomerativos (Ward, Vizinho Mais Próximo, Vizinho Mais Distante, UPGMA e WPGMA). Todas as distâncias combinadas foram altamente correlacionadas. O agrupamento UPGMA obteve maior eficiência pelas análises de correlação cofenética e 2-norm, indicando uma concordância entre os dois métodos. Seis grupos foram considerados como número ideal pelo agrupamento UPGMA, no qual a distância de Gower apresentou um melhor ajuste para formação dos grupos. A maioria das distâncias combinadas utilizando o agrupamento UPGMA permitiu a separação dos acessos em relação às espécies, utilizando simultaneamente dados quantitativos e qualitativos podendo ser uma alternativa para análise simultânea de dados conjuntos, visando uma comparação entre diferentes agrupamentos.

The objective of this study was to use Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis to identify adulterations in raw milk and in samples from producers. Five levels of concentration of sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, starch, sucrose and urea were used. A total of 620 samples previously adulterated, frozen and lyophilized were analyzed in FTIR-attenuated total reflection (ATR) equipment and 15 peaks of the spectra were obtained. With the multiple linear regression method for samples adulterated with sodium bicarbonate, sucrose and urea, a coefficient greater than 75% was obtained, and with artificial neural networks all adulterated samples obtained a percentage of correctness greater than 76.6%, making it possible to identify adulterants from 0.1%. Of the 249 samples of producers analyzed, 2.4% were adulterated. With the use of FTIR allied to the multivariate analysis as a screening method, it was possible to obtain a satisfactory classification for the adulterated samples in this study.

This research aimed to evaluate the production of Potiguar maize fertirrigated with human urine and, cassava wastewater associated with mineral fertilization with NPK. A completely randomized design was used, consisting of eight treatments (1 - control without fertigation, 2 - fertigations with NPK, 3 - only human urine, 4 - only cassava wastewater, 5 - cassava wastewater plus human urine, 6 - human urine plus PK; - cassava wastewater plus NP, and 8 - human urine, cassava wastewater and P) and five replicates. At 110 days after emergence were evaluated the length and diameter of the spike, number of grain per spike, rows of grain per spike, grain per row, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the spike with and without straw, dry mass of the grains and mass dry of 100 grains. Except for the dry matter of 100 grains, there was a statistically significant difference between treatments and between analyzed means. Human urine can substitute the nitrogen fertilization and the cassava wastewater applied via fertirrigation substitute the potassium in the maize crop. The association of these effluents has the potential to replace the mineral fertilization required by the maize crop. With the exception of treatments 1 and 4, the others can be indicated as the best treatments.

Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a produção de milho Potiguar fertirrigado com urina humana e manipueira associadas à adubação mineral com NPK. Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizados, composto por oito tratamentos (1 - testemunha sem fertirrigação; 2 - fertirrigações com NPK; 3 - apenas urina humana; 4 - apenas manipueira; 5 - urina humana mais manipueira; 6 - urina humana mais PK; 7 - manipueira mais NP; e 8 - urina humana, manipueira e P) e cinco repetições. Aos 110 dias após emergência foram avaliados comprimento e diâmetro da espiga, número de grão por espiga, fileiras de grãos por espigas, grãos por fileira, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca da espiga com e sem palha, massa seca dos grãos e massa seca de 100 grãos. Com exceção da massa seca de 100 grãos, houve diferença estatística significativa entre tratamentos e entre médias analisadas. Urina humana pode substituir a adubação nitrogenada e a manipueira a potássica aplicada via fertirrigação na cultura do milho. A associação destes efluentes tem potencial para substituir a adubação mineral requerida pela cultura do milho. Com exceção dos tratamentos 1 e 4, os demais podem ser indicados como os melhores tratamentos.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the bacterial and fungal microbiota found in contact lens cases among two groups of patients to correlate the data on the habits of contact lens users and to evaluate whether there is a difference in the culture results between users of ridged and nonridged contact lens cases. Methods: Two groups (35 patients per group) were included, consisting of hospital workers and those who had not visited a hospital in the past 30 days, and a questionnaire regarding epidemiological data and habits related to contact lens and lens case use was administered. In addition, 140 samples collected from the right and left compartments of each lens case by swabbing the bottom of the wells were tested using bacterioscopy as well as fungal and bacterial cultures via computerized identification of the species. Results: No fungal growth was identified in any of the 70 contact lens cases; however, bacteria were found in 39 cases, and there was no statistical difference between the groups. Most bacteria (>85%) were gram-negative bacilli. Contamination inone compartment of the contact lens case elevated the risk of contamination of the other side (>80%). Moreover, contamination was statistically higher in the ridged cases than in nonridged cases (p=0.0149). Conclusion: The types of bacteria contaminating the cases are generally not seen in eye diseases associated with contact lens use, suggesting that other decisive variables are involved in eye infection from a contaminated lens or case. Fungal contamination of contact lens cases appears to be an exception. Ridged cases are commonly used by contact lens wearers and present a potential risk to eye health. In addition, the results of bacterial tests between hospital workers and those who did not visit a hospital were not significantly different.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a microbiota bacteriana e fúngica encontrada em estojos de lentes de contato em dois grupos, correlacionar os dados sobre os hábitos de uso de lentes de contato e avaliar se há diferença na positividade das culturas entre os usuários estojos de lentes de contato com ranhuras e sem ranhuras. Métodos: Dois grupos foram formados, trabalhadores do hospital e pessoas que não visitaram o hospital (35 indivíduos por grupo), e um questionário foi aplicado sobre dados epidemiológicos e hábitos relacionados ao uso de lentes de contato e estojos de lentes. Além disso, 140 amostras, coletadas do compartimento direito e esquerdo de cada estojo de lente, esfregando o fundo dos mesmos, foram testadas por bacterioscopia e por culturas de fungos e bactérias, com identificação computadorizada da espécie. Resultados: Não houve crescimento fúngico em nenhum dos 70 estojos de lentes de contato, porém bactérias foram encontradas em 39; não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos. A maioria das bactérias (>85%) eram bacilos gram-negativos. Quando um compartimento estava contaminado, o risco de contaminação do outro compartimento era elevado (>80%). A contaminação foi estatisticamente maior nos estojos com ranhuras (p=0,0149). Conclusão: A contaminação dos estojos parece ocorrer por bactérias que, em geral, não são encontradas em doenças oculares associadas ao uso de lentes de contato, sugerindo que existem outras variáveis decisivas nas infecções oculares de uma lente ou estojo contaminado. Contaminação de estojos de lentes de contato com fungos parece ser uma exceção. O uso de estojos com ranhuras é uma prática comum e apresenta um risco potencial à saúde ocular. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos resultados dos testes bacterianos entre trabalhadores hospitalares e pessoas que não visitaram o hospital.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and conventional cultivation systems and the cultivars on the postharvest quality, antioxidant activity and acceptability of strawberries. Strawberries of the cultivars Albion, Monterey and San Andreas were analysed with respect to the soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, fruit colour, vitamin C content, antioxidant activity by the DDPH method, mineral composition and acceptability. The cultivation systems and cultivars had different influences on the SS, TA, pH, SS/TA and colour of the strawberries. The vitamin C content of cv. Monterey was higher (78.68 mg ascorbic acid 100 g-1) than that of cv. San Andreas (70.28 mg ascorbic acid 100 g-1) in the conventional system, while in the organic system, the cultivars did not differ. Differences were not observed amongst the cultivars and cultivation conditions for antioxidant activity and the cultivation systems and cultivars had no effect on the P, Cu and Mg mineral contents. The conventionally cultivated strawberries of cv. Monterey obtained the highest value for acceptance (7.51) while the organically cultivated strawberries of cv. San Andreas received the lowest value (6.58).

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência dos sistemas de cultivo, orgânico e convencional, e também de cultivares sobre a qualidade pós-colheita, atividade antioxidante e aceitabilidade de frutos de morango. Os frutos das cultivares Albion, Monterey e San Andreas foram analisados em relação ao teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), relação SS/AT, coloração dos frutos, teor de vitamina C, atividade antioxidante, composição mineral e aceitabilidade dos frutos de morango das cultivares Albion, Monterey e San Andreas. Os sistemas de cultivo e cultivares influenciaram o teor de SS, AT, pH, relação SS/AT e coloração dos frutos. O teor da vitamina C dos frutos da cv. Monterey foi superior (78,68 mg ácido ascórbico 100 g-1) ao teor da cv. San Andreas (70,28 mg ácido ascórbico 100 g-1) no sistema convencional, ao passo que no sistema orgânico, as cultivares não diferiram entre si. Além disso, não foram observadas diferenças entre as cultivares e sistemas de cultivo para a atividade antioxidante. Com relação aos sistemas de cultivo e as cultivares, os mesmos não tiveram efeito sobre o teor dos minerais P, Cu e Mg. Os frutos de morango da cv. Monterey no sistema convencional obtiveram melhores valores de aceitação (7,51), diferente do observado para a cv. San Andreas no sistema orgânico com valores menos aceitos pelos consumidores (6,58).

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the effects of grinding, drilling, sandblasting, and ageing prefabricated teeth (PfT) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets, as well as the effects of surface treatments on the adhesive remnant index (ARI). Methods: One-hundred-ninety-two PfT were divided into four groups (n = 48): Group 1, no surface treatment was done; Group 2, grinding was performed with a cylindrical diamond bur; Group 3, two drillings were done with a spherical diamond bur; Group 4, sandblasting was performed with 50-µm aluminum oxide. Before the experiment, half of the samples stayed immersed in distilled water at 37oC for 90 days. Brackets were bonded with Transbond XT and shear strength tests were carried out using a universal testing machine. SBS were compared by surface treatment and by ageing with two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s test. ARI scores were compared between surface treatments with Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s test. Results: Surface treatments on PfT enhanced SBS of brackets (p< 0.01), result not observed with ageing (p= 0.45). Groups II, III, and IV showed higher SBS and greater ARI than the Group 1 (p< 0.05). SBS was greater in the groups 3 and 4 (drilling, sandblasting) than in the Group 2 (grinding) (p< 0.05). SBS and ARI showed a positive correlation (Spearman’s R2= 0.57; p< 0.05). Conclusion: Surface treatment on PfT enhanced SBS of brackets, however ageing did not show any relevance. Sandblasting and drilling showed greater SBS than grinding. There was a positive correlation between SBS and ARI.

RESUMO Objetivo: o objetivo desse estudo in vitro foi avaliar e comparar os efeitos de desgastes, perfurações, jateamento e envelhecimento de dentes pré-fabricados (Dpf) na resistência ao cisalhamento (RC) de braquetes ortodônticos, bem como os efeitos dos tratamentos de superfície no índice de adesivo remanescente (ARI). Métodos: 192 Dpf foram divididos em quatro grupos (n = 48): Grupo 1, sem tratamento; Grupo 2, desgaste de sulcos com broca diamantada cilíndrica; Grupo 3, duas perfurações com broca diamantada esférica; e Grupo 4, jateamento com partículas de óxido de alumínio de 50µm. Antes do experimento, metade das amostras ficou imersa em água destilada a 37oC durante 90 dias. Os braquetes foram colados com Transbond XT e os testes de cisalhamento foram realizados com uma máquina universal de ensaios. A RC foi comparada, por tratamento de superfície e por envelhecimento, utilizando-se análise de variância e teste de Tukey. Os escores ARI foram comparados entre os tratamentos de superfície usando o teste Kruskal-Wallis e o teste de Dunn. Resultados: os tratamentos de superfície aumentaram a RC dos braquetes (p < 0,01) e o envelhecimento não aumentou a RC (p = 0,45). Os Grupos 2, 3 e 4 mostraram maior RC e maior ARI do que o Grupo 1 (p < 0,05). A RC foi maior nos Grupos 3 e 4 (perfuração, jateamento) do que no Grupo 2 (desgaste) (p < 0,05). RC e ARI apresentaram correlação positiva (R2 = 0,57; p < 0,05). Conclusão: o tratamento de superfície dos Dpf aumentou a RC dos braquetes; porém, o envelhecimento não foi relevante. O jateamento e a perfuração mostraram maior RC do que o desgaste. Existe uma correlação positiva entre RC e ARI.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to compare the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux signs between two groups of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for voluminous goiter: substernal goiters and voluminous cervical goiter without thoracic extension. Subjects and methods A retrospective case-control study was performed with data retrieved of the charts of the patients submitted to thyroidectomies occurred at a tertiary care center (Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of São Paulo Medical School) between 2010 and 2014. The selected thyroidectomies were allocated in two groups for study: patients with substernal goiters and patients with voluminous cervical goiter without thoracic extension. Cervical goiters were selected by ultrasonography mensuration. Clinical criterion was used to define substernal goiter. Results The average thyroid volume in patients with substernal goiter was significantly greater than the average volume in patients with only cervical goiter (p < 0.001). The prevalence of signs of reflux laryngitis at laryngoscopy was significantly greater in substernal goiter patients (p = 0.036). Moreover, substernal goiter was considered as the unique independent variable for high reflux laryngitis signs at laryngoscopy (OR = 2.75; CI95%: 1.05-7.20; p = 0.039) when compared to only cervical goiter patients. Conclusion This study shows a significant association between substernal goiters and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux at preoperative laryngoscopy. Therefore, when compared with voluminous cervical goiters, the substernal goiters increase the chance of reflux laryngitis signs in patients.