Phosphorus is a non-renewable element essential for the existence of life and also for food security. This resource has the property of limiting plant growth, becoming a fundamental part of agricultural production. On the other hand, when this element is present in high concentrations in aquatic environments, it can start a phenomenon called eutrophication, which causes a series of changes in biological succession processes and strongly negative impacts on species’ biodiversity and wealth. In this context, this work aimed, from an extensive bibliographical review, to gather strategic and essential information related to phosphorus sustainability, provoking a reflection regarding scenarios that involve this indispensable nutrient, focusing on the current situation of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, an important case study, both for the Brazilian and international scenario, by a gathering of data on the current situation of two of the main watersheds in the corresponding region. Relevant technologies used for phosphorus removal in eutrophicated environments are also addressed. Finally, the possibility of reusing the nutrients present in eutrophicated water bodies as an alternative source of phosphate fertilizer for agriculture is demonstrated. nonrenewable non renewable security growth production hand eutrophication species wealth context aimed review sustainability nutrient Paulo Brazil study scenario region addressed Finally demonstrated

ABSTRACT: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a worldwide allergic skin disease. The affected dog population can show different clinical patterns according to geographic region, and a lack of studies in Brazil is observed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and epidemiological data of cAD in dogs treated in a private clinical practice in Fortaleza, a city located in the Northeast Region of Brazil. cAD was diagnosed in 35% of dogs, being Shih-tzu and Poodle the most affected breeds. Paws and ears were frequently injured sites. Almost 50% of atopic dogs were diagnosed with superficial pyoderma and 36% with cutaneous malasseziosis. Atopic dogs with outdoor habits were less likely to develop cutaneous malassezial infection, and with routine ear, cleaning habits were less likely to develop bacterial otitis externa. In conclusion, canine atopic dermatitis is a prevalent disease in private clinical practice in Fortaleza, and lifestyle habits can be considered a risk factor for cutaneous malasseziosis infection and bacterial otitis externa in atopic dogs.

RESUMO: A dermatite atópica canina (DAC) é uma doença alérgica cutânea de ocorrência mundial. A população canina acometida pode apresentar diferentes padrões clínicos de acordo com a região geográfica e observa-se uma carência de estudos no Brasil. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar os dados clínicos e epidemiológicos da DAC em cães atendidos em uma clínica privada em Fortaleza, cidade localizada na Região Nordeste do Brasil. A DAC foi diagnosticada em 35% dos cães, sendo Shih-tzu e Poodle as raças mais acometidas. As patas e as orelhas foram locais frequentemente afetados. Quase 50% dos cães atópicos foram diagnosticados com piodermite superficial e 36% com malasseziose cutânea. Cães atópicos com hábitos ao ar livre foram menos propensos a desenvolver malasseziose cutânea e com hábitos rotineiros de limpeza auricular foram menos propensos a desenvolver otite externa bacteriana. Em conclusão, a dermatite atópica canina é uma doença prevalente na prática clínica privada em Fortaleza e os hábitos de vida podem ser considerados como um fator de risco para infecção por malasseziose cutânea e otite externa bacteriana em cães atópicos.

Abstract Background The relationship between Multidrug Resistant-Gram Negative Bacteria (MDR-GNB) infection and colonization in critically ill COVID-19 patients has been observed, however, it is still poorly understood. This study evaluated the risk factors for acquiring MDR-GNB in patients with severe COVID-19 in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Methods This is a nested case-control study in a cohort of 400 adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with COVID-19, hospitalized in the ICU of 4 hospitals in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Cases were critical COVID-19 patients with one or more MDR GNB from any surveillance and/or clinical cultures were taken during their ICU stay. Controls were patients from the same units with negative cultures for MDR-GNB. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done. Results Sixty-seven cases and 143 controls were included. Independent risk factors for MDR bacteria were: male gender (OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.28‒5.33; p = 0.008); the hospital of admission (OR = 3.24; 95% CI 1.39‒7.57; p = 0.006); mechanical ventilation (OR = 25.7; 95% CI 7.26‒91; p < 0.0001); and desaturation on admission (OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.27‒5.74; p = 0.009). Conclusions Male gender, desaturation, mechanical ventilation, and the hospital of admission were the independent factors associated with MDR-GNB in patients in the ICU with COVID-19. The only modifiable factor was the hospital of admission, where a newly opened hospital posed a higher risk. Therefore, coordinated actions toward a better quality of care for critically ill COVID-19 patients are essential.

Abstract PVA cryogels are well established as candidate biomaterials for wound healing applications but are not themselves biodegradable or antimicrobial. Blending PVA with NaCMC (CMC) or gelatin (G) can increase the gel’s ability to swell and would introduce a degree of biodegradability. The incorporation of appropriate amounts of a natural antimicrobial/healing agents, such as honey (H), would contribute to the gels properties. The present work addresses the development and characterization of layered gels (PVA-H, PVA-CMC-H and PVA-G-H, with empty PVA, PVA-CMC, PVA-G gels presented as controls). The gels were characterized by FTIR, DSC, in vitro analysis of swelling and microbiological (S. aureus) effects. Addition of gelatin, NaCMC and honey to PVA diminished the PVA chains’ ability to pack into crystallites. Samples containing honey swelled less and presented higher weight loss/biodegradability than samples without honey. Only the honey-laden PVA-CMC and PVA-G presented activity against S. aureus.

ABSTRACT Heavy rainfall in conjunction with an increase in population and intensification of agricultural activities have resulted in countless problems related to flooding in watersheds. Among the techniques available for direct surface runoff (DSR) modeling and flood risk management are the Unit Hydrograph (UH) and Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (IUH). This study focuses on the evaluation of predictive capability of two conceptual IUH models (Nash and Clark), considering their original (NIUH and CIUH) and geomorphological approaches (NIUHGEO and CIUHGEO), and their advantages over two traditional synthetics UH models - Triangular (TUH) and Dimensionless (DUH), to estimate DSR hydrographs taking as reference two Brazilian watersheds with contrasting geomorphological and climatic characteristics. The main results and conclusions were: i) there was an impact of the differences in physiographical characteristics between watersheds, especially those parameters associated with soil; the dominant rainfall patterns in each watershed had an influence on flood modeling; and ii) CIUH was the most satisfactory model for both watersheds, followed by NIUH, and both models had substantial superiority over synthetic models traditionally employed; iii) although geomorphological approaches for IUH had performances slightly better than TUH and DUH, they should not be considered as standard tools for flood modeling in these watersheds.

Diversos estudos têm investigado as propriedades antinociceptivas, imunomoduladoras e anti-inflamatórias dos compostos encontrados no óleo essencial de lavanda (OEL), contudo, até o momento, ainda faltam dados mais substanciais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórios e antinociceptivos do óleo essencial de lavanda. Para avaliação da atividade antioxidante foi realizado o ensaio de descoloração do radical 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazil. A atividade anti-inflamatória foi testada utilizando dois modelos de inflamação aguda: indução de pleurisia por carragenina e edema de orelha induzido pela aplicação de óleo de cróton. A atividade antinociceptiva foi avaliada utilizando o modelo de dor provocada por formalina. OEL apresenta atividade antioxidante, sendo esta resposta dose-dependente. A resposta inflamatória provocada pela carragenina e pelo óleo de cróton foi reduzida com o pré-tratamento dos animais com OEL. No modelo de pleurisia, a droga usada como controle positivo, dexametasona, foi mais eficaz. Entretanto, no edema de orelha, o efeito antiedematogênico do óleo foi similar ao observado na dexametasona. No teste da formalina, o OEL inibiu consistentemente a nocicepção espontânea e apresentou efeito similar ao do tramadol. Os resultados deste estudo revelam a atividade (invivo) analgésica e anti-inflamatória do OEL, demonstrando seu importante potencial terapêutico.

Several studies have investigated the antinociceptive, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds found in the lavender essential oil (LEO), however to date, there is still lack of substantial data. The objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of lavender essential oil. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical decolorization assay was used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using two models of acute inflammation: carrageenan-induced pleurisy and croton oil-induced ear edema. The antinociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by formalin. LEO has antioxidant activity, which is dose-dependent response. The inflammatory response evoked by carrageenan and by croton oil was reduced through the pre-treatment of animals with LEO. In the pleurisy model, the drug used as positive control, dexamethasone, was more efficacious. However, in the ear swelling, the antiedematogenic effect of the oil was similar to that observed for dexamethasone. In the formalin test, LEO consistently inhibited spontaneous nociception and presented a similar effect to that of tramadol. The results of this study reveal (in vivo) the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of LEO and demonstrates its important therapeutic potential.

O tempero alho e sal é amplamente utilizado na culinária brasileira, mas possui um alto teor de sódio. Como a alta ingestão de sódio tem sido fortemente correlacionada com a incidência de doenças crônicas, este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver um tempero alho e sal com teor de sódio reduzido. A avaliação sensorial dos temperos foi conduzida através da aplicação dos mesmos ao arroz cozido. Primeiramente, a concentração ótima de tempero adicionado durante a preparação do arroz foi determinada. Subseqüentemente, temperos (3:1) foram preparadas contendo 0%, 50% e 25% de redução de NaCl, utilizando uma mistura de sais contendo KCl e glutamato monossódico. Um tempero com 0% de redução de NaCl foi estabelecido como controle. Três formulações de arroz elaboradas com os diferentes temperos foram avaliadas pelo teste de aceitação sensorial, tempo-intensidade e domínio temporal das sensações. As proporções de sais utilizadas no tempero alho e sal não geraram gostos estranhos ou ruins aos produtos, mas surtiram em produtos menos salgados. No entanto, os temperos com níveis mais baixos de sódio (F2 e F3) foram melhor aceitos em comparação ao tempero tradicional (F1). Portanto, uma mistura de NaCl , KCl e glutamato monossódico é uma alternativa viável para desenvolver um tempero alho e sal com reduzido teor de sódio.

Garlic and salt spice is widely used in Brazilian cookery, but it has a high sodium content; as high sodium intake has been strongly correlated to the incidence of chronic diseases. This study aimed to develop a garlic and salt spice with reduced sodium intake. Sensory evaluation was conducted by applying the spices to cooked rice. First, the optimal concentration of spice added during rice preparation was determined. Subsequently, seasonings (3:1) were prepared containing 0%, 50% and 25% less NaCl using a mixture of salts consisting of KCl and monosodium glutamate; a seasoning with a 0% NaCl reduction was established as a control. Three formulations of rice with different spices were assessed according to sensory testing acceptance, time-intensity and temporal domain of sensations. The proportions of salts used in the garlic and salt spice did not generate a strange or bad taste in the products; instead, the mixtures were less salty. However, the seasonings with lower sodium levels (F2 and F3) were better accepted in comparison to the traditional seasoning (F1). Therefore, a mixture of NaCl, KCl and monosodium glutamate is a viable alternative to develop a garlic and salt spice with reduced sodium intake.

Contextualização: Os déficits de controle postural em crianças com PC podem comprometer suas atividades na rotina diária. Objetivo: Verificar a relação entre o controle postural em ortostatismo de crianças com PC e suas habilidades funcionais. Método: O controle postural de dez crianças PC (GMFCS I e II) foi avaliado em ortostatismo na plataforma de força por 30 segundos. Variáveis analisadas: deslocamento ântero-posterior e médio-lateral do centro de pressão (CoP), área e velocidade de oscilação do CoP. As habilidades funcionais foram avaliadas por meio do Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), considerando-se escores de autocuidado, mobilidade e função social nos domínios habilidades funcionais e assistência do cuidador. Resultados: O teste de correlação de Spearman verificou a relação entre controle postural e funcionalidade. Constatou-se correlação negativa forte entre as variáveis amplitude ML de deslocamento do CoP, área de oscilação do CoP e entre a variável de velocidade média de oscilação do CoP e os escores do domínio de autocuidado. Observou-se também correlação negativa moderada entre área de oscilação do CoP e mobilidade. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p<0,05). Conclusões: Crianças com maiores oscilações do CoP em ortostatismo apresentam maiores escores de assistência do cuidador para a realização de AVDs, indicando maiores níveis de dependência. Isso demonstra as repercussões dos componentes de estrutura e função do corpo sobre o nível de atividade em crianças com PC, uma vez que o comprometimento do controle postural pode levar a uma maior dependência das crianças em relação a seus cuidadores.

Background: Postural control deficits can impair functional performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in daily living activities. Objective: To verify the relationship between standing static postural control and the functional ability level in children with CP. Method: The postural control of 10 children with CP (gross motor function levels I and II) was evaluated during static standing on a force platform for 30 seconds. The analyzed variables were the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) and the area and velocity of the CoP oscillation. The functional abilities were evaluated using the mean Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) scores, which evaluated self-care, mobility and social function in the domains of functional abilities and caregiver assistance. Results: Spearman's correlation test found a relationship between postural control and functional abilities. The results showed a strong negative correlation between the variables of ML displacement of CoP, the area and velocity of the CoP oscillation and the PEDI scores in the self-care and caregiver assistance domains. Additionally, a moderate negative correlation was found between the area of the CoP oscillation and the mobility scores in the caregiver assistance domain. We used a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). Conclusions: We observed that children with cerebral palsy with high CoP oscillation values had lower caregiver assistance scores for activities of daily living (ADL) and consequently higher levels of caregiver dependence. These results demonstrate the repercussions of impairments to the body structure and function in terms of the activity levels of children with CP such that postural control impairments in these children lead to higher requirements for caregiver assistance.

Informações sobre vazões de estiagem são cruciais no contexto da gestão de recursos hídricos; todavia, a rede de monitoramento fluviométrico atualmente existente no Brasil não supre as necessidades dos técnicos, caso em que a análise regional pode ser empregada para estimar vazões de estiagem em locais sem monitoramento ou com um curto período de monitoramento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial de três métodos de sazonalidade aplicados à avaliação do regime temporal e espacial de vazões de estiagem no Rio Grande do Sul, de modo que possam ser usados como subsídio técnico para a regionalização em regiões hidrologicamente homogêneas. Aplicando os métodos Seasonality Ratio (SR), Seasonality Index (SI) e Seasonality Histogram (SH) com base nas séries históricas de 108 estações fluviométricas, foi possível constatar que existe uma forte sazonalidade de vazões de estiagem no estado. Entre as três medidas de sazonalidade, SI e SH foram mais apropriadas em função das características hidrológicas específicas do estado; portanto, elas podem ser consideradas metodologias relevantes para delinear regiões hidrologicamente homogêneas para a regionalização hidrológica de vazões de estiagem.

Information on stream flows in dry season is crucial in the context of water resources management, however, the existing stream flows gauging network in Brazil does not satisfy the demand of practitioners. Under these circumstances, regional analysis might be applied to estimate low stream flows at sites with no gauging or sites with little stream flow records. The objective of this study was to verify the potential of three seasonality measures applied to the evaluation of the temporal and spatial regime of low stream flows in Rio Grande do Sul, in such a way that they can be used as technical support for regionalization in hydrologically homogeneous regions. In applying the methods, Seasonality Ratio (SR), Seasonality Index (SI) and Seasonality Histogram (SH), based on historical series of 108 stream flow gauging stations, it was found that there is a pronounced seasonality of low flows in this State. Among the three seasonality measures, SI and SH were more appropriate due to specific hydrological characteristics in the state, therefore, they can be considered as relevant methodologies to delineate hydrologically homogeneous regions for the regionalization of low stream flows.

A análise da atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Sida cordifolia foi avaliada com quatro diferentes cepas de bactérias e nove de fungos. O óleo essencial foi testado "in natura" 100 % e diluído de 32 até 2 %. Os microrganismos, bactérias e fungos, foram semeados em ágar Muller-Hinton e Sabouraud dextrose, respectivamente. S. cordifolia mostrou atividade inibitória contra os microrganismos testados com eficácia de 80 %. Quando testado contra Staphyllococus aureus, Staphyllococus epidermidis, Candida guilliermondii e Trichosporon inkin o óleo essencial mostrou um melhor desempenho.

The analysis of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Sida cordifolia was evaluated with four different strains of bacteria and nine fungi. The essential oil was tested "in natura" (100 %) and diluted from 32 until 2 %. The microorganisms, bacteria and fungi, were spread in agar Muller-Hinton and Sabouraud dextrose, respectively. S. cordifolia showed inhibitory activity against the microorganisms tested with efficacy of 80 %. When tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphyllococus epidermidis, Candida guilliermondii and Trichosporon inkin the essential oil showed the best performance.