Abstract Objective: To analyze the performance of the cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) program over its first five years in a Brazilian northeastern state. Methods: A population-based study using a screening algorithm based on immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT)/IRT. Data were retrieved from the state referral screening center registry. The program performance was evaluated using descriptive indicators such as the results of an active search, coverage, newborn’s age at the time of blood sampling, the time between sample collection and its arrival at the laboratory, and the child’s age at diagnosis of disease. Results: The public CF screening program covered 82.6% of the 1,017,576 births that occurred, with an accumulated five-year incidence of 1:20,767 live births. The median (25th-75th) age at diagnosis was 3.5 (2.3–7.3) months. The sampling before 7 days of life for the first IRT (IRT1) increased between 2013 and 2017 from 42.2 to 48.3%. Around 5% of IRT1 samples and 30% of the second samples were collected after 30 days of life. In the first and second stages of screening, 23.6% and 19.9% of the infants, respectively, were lost to follow-up. In both stages of screening, the samples were retained at the health units for a median (25th–75th) of 9.0 (7.0–13.0) days. Conclusions: The coverage by the CF-NBS program was satisfactory as compared to other Brazilian state rates and the percentage of IRT1 samples collected within the first week of life increased progressively. However, time of samples retention at the health units, inappropriate sampling, inherent methodological problems, and loss of follow-up need to improve.

Cobalt electrowinning is an intensive energy-consuming process, and allied to the increasing demand for pure cobalt, has led to the need for optimization. Based on a statistical approach, the effects of additives, including sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), boric acid (H3BO3), and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) on the current efficiency of electrowinning have been studied using the cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV tests indicated the concentration range of the more appropriate additives to be used in the factorial design study of electrowinning. Regarding the electrowinning tests, the addition of 0.05 g L-1 SLS, 10 g L-1 H3BO3, 50 g L-1 Na2SO4, and 1 g L-1 CoCl2 led to a current efficiency of 96% and energy consumption of 1.95 kWh kg-1, along with a smooth metallic deposit without evident pits and other defects. SLS in its higher concentration level led to the formation of compact structures, while the higher concentration level of H3BO3, lightens the deposits.

EVALUATION OF AGROCHEMICALS IN SOIL OF CONVENTIONAL AND AGROECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS. At the Contestado Settlement, Lapa, PR, soil samples from agroecological and conventional environments were evaluated against the agrochemicals alachlor, atrazine, chlorpyrifos and trifluralin. For sampling, 3 depths were considered, 10points were selected, 5 in an agroecological and 5 in the conventional environment, with sampling frequency was at 2-month intervals. The samples were characterized according to textural, chemical and fertility parameters and the data were used in the chemometric study (PCA) demonstrating that the environments are different. The method of extraction, identification and quantification was validated at the trace level. The analytes were analyzed by GC-MS/MS, the recovery values were between 83 to 113%, RSD less than 14%, LD equal to 0.01; 0.0028; 0.004 and 002 μg kg-1, LQ equal to 0.04; 0.008; 0.011 and 0.05 μg kg-1, for alachlor, atrazine, chlorpyrifos and trifluralin, respectively. Chlorpyrifos was identified in the Conv3 and trifluralin in the Agro2 and 3 and Conv2 environments. Therefore, the application of pesticides in conventional environments can contaminate agroecological environments. The effect of rain/precipitation on the samples was evaluated by simulation and it was found that the physical-chemical properties of the compounds and the soil have an influence on their behavior in the soil profile.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a taxa de recorrência a longo prazo em pacientes com o primeiro AVCi secundário à aterosclerose de grande artéria intracraniana em uma amostra brasileira. Métodos: Pacientes admitidos entre outubro de 2012 e setembro de 2015 foram analisados. Os subtipos do mecanismo de AVC foram classificados como cardioembolismo, aterosclerose de grandes artérias, oclusão de pequenos vasos, outras etiologias determinadas e AVCi de causa indeterminada. Resultados: Foram avaliados 359 pacientes com primeiro AVCi. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 21,6 ± 15,1 meses. A aterosclerose de grande artéria, intracraniana (38,9%) e extracraniana (24,6%), apresentou a maior taxa de recorrência. A aterosclerose de grande artéria intracraniana [HR, 10,2 (3,6–29,1); p < 0,001] e extracraniana [HR, 5,05 (1,79–14,2); p = 0,002] demonstraram correlação positiva com a taxa de recorrência, após o ajuste para fatores de risco, trombólise e gravidade dos sintomas na admissão. Conclusão: A aterosclerose de grande artéria, tanto intracraniana como extracraniana, apresenta maior recorrência comparado aos outros mecanismos de AVCi em uma amostra do Sul do Brasil.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term recurrence rate in patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in a Brazilian population. Methods: All stroke patients admitted to the hospital between October 2012 and September 2015 were evaluated. The stroke mechanism subtypes were classified as cardioembolism, LAA, small-vessel occlusion, other determined etiologies, and stroke of undetermined etiology. Results: The 359 first-ever ischemic stroke patients were followed up for a mean time of 21.6 ± 15.1 months. The LAA intracranial (38.9%) and extracranial (24.6%) stroke patients presented with a higher stroke recurrence. Intracranial LAA [HR, 10.2 (3.6–29.1); p < 0.001] and extracranial LAA [HR, 5.05 (1.79–14.2); p = 0.002] were the only conditions to show positive correlation with the recurrence rate, after adjusting for risk factors, thrombolysis, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission. Conclusion: Intracranial LAA presents a higher incidence of recurrence of ischemic stroke when compared with other etiologies in a Southern Brazilian population.

RESUMOTécnicas de biodegradação podem ajudar a tornar resíduos orgânicos contaminados úteis à produção vegetal. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a eficiência da compostagem na biodegradação de resíduos tóxicos da indústria têxtil e seu uso em substrato de produção de mudas. Panos de algodão sujos de óleo e graxa usados na manutenção dos teares foram compostados em mistura com esterco bovino. O composto foi usado em substituição à fibra de coco no substrato de produção de mudas clonais de eucalipto: mistura de vermiculita, casca de arroz carbonizada e fibra de coco na proporção de 2:1:1 (v/v) e este foi usado como controle. Assim, manteve-se fixa a quantidade de casca de arroz e se variou a quantidade de vermiculita e de composto. As proporções totais de composto nos substratos avaliados foram de 0, 19, 37, 56 e 75%. O composto possuiu altos teores de nutrientes e baixos teores de metais pesados. Em geral, a sobrevivência, o crescimento e alguns índices de crescimento das mudas produzidas nos substratos com 19 e 37% de composto foram semelhantes aos das mudas crescidas no substrato comercial. A compostagem é eficiente e o composto é útil na produção de mudas.

ABSTRACTBiodegradation techniques may help contaminated organic wastes to become useful for plant production. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of composting in the biodegradation of toxic residues from the textile industry and its use as substrate in saplings production. Cotton cloths contaminated with oil and grease, used in loom maintenance, were composted in a mixture with cattle manure. The composted material replaced coconut fiber in the substrate for the production of eucalyptus rooted cuttings: mixture of vermiculite, carbonized rice husk and coconut fiber in the ratio of 2:1:1 (v/v) and using it as control. Thus, the amount of rice husks remained unchanged and the amount of vermiculite and compost varied. The compost proportion in the tested substrates were 0, 19, 37, 56 and 75%. The compost produced from textile wastes showed high nutrient levels and low levels of heavy metals. In general, the survival, growth and some growth indices of rooted cuttings produced on substrates with 19 and 37% compost were similar to those of rooted cuttings grown in commercial substrate. Composting is efficient and the material is useful for rooted cuttings production.

Activin-like kinase 5 (ALK-5) receptor represents an attractive object to treat cancer. Analyses on the quantitative structure-activity relationship were performed to explore the relationship between the molecular structure of 1,5-naphthyridine, pyrazole and quinazoline derivatives and the inhibition of the activin-like kinase 5. From a data set containing 59 compounds, various electronic descriptors were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) method; stereochemical descriptors (as molecular volume and area), polar surface area (PSA), log P and dragon descriptors were also calculated. The ordered predictor selection (OPS) algorithm, weighted principal component analysis (PCA) and Fisher's weights (FW), combined with sequential forward selection, were employed to select the most relevant descriptors to be employed in all partial least square regressions. Using this procedure, we selected the most informative descriptors and significant correlation coefficients were achieved (r2 = 0.74, q2= 0.83). Additional validation tests were carried out, indicating that the obtained model is robust and reliable and, consequently, it can be used to predict the biological activity of new compounds.

Valores acima de 1.7 no RNI de pacientes em uso de terapia anticoagulante (ACO) é uma contraindicação para a trombólise no AVC isquêmico. O Objetivo do presente estudo é comparar o teste capilar rápido (TCR) com o exame tradicional de RNI como método de decisão para indicação de terapia trombolítica em pacientes em uso de ACO. Método: Oitenta pacientes em uso crônico de ACO foram submetidos ao TCR e ao exame tradicional durante consulta ambulatorial. Resultados: Ao serem comparados os resultados do TCR com o exame tradicional com o ponto de corte de 1,7 de RNI, o teste rápido teve sensibilidade de 96,6% (IC95% 88,4-99,1) e especificidade de 60,0% (IC95% 38,6-78). O TCR superestimou os níveis de RNI em 0,51 pontos comparado ao exame tradicional. Conclusão: O TCR apresentou elevada sensibilidade, comparado ao exame tradicional para a identificação de pacientes em uso de ACO com indicação de trombólise.

The use of oral anticoagulation treatment (OAT) in patients with an international normalized ratio (INR) higher than 1.7 is a contraindication to thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study is to compare the use of point-of-care (POC) coagulometers to the standard coagulation analysis (SCA) procedure of the INR as a decision-making test for use with patients taking OAT. Method: Eighty patients on chronic OAT underwent a POC and an SCA during a regular outpatient evaluation. Results: When comparing the abilities of the POC test and the SCA test to identify adequate levels for thrombolysis (≤1.7), the POC had a sensitivity of 96.6% (95%CI 88.4-99.1) and a specificity of 60.0% (95%CI 38.6-78). POC overestimated INR levels by 0.51 points compared to the SCA test. Conclusion: POC has a high sensitivity compared to the SCA test for the identification of patients within the cut-off point for thrombolysis.

Phytal communities are characterized by spatial and temporal variation and are influenced by fluctuating biological and physical parameters. This study aimed to describe and compare the gastropods associated with Ulva spp., at three sites of the Espirito Santo coast with ferruginous laterite substrate and different modes of wave exposure. Camburi is characterized by the presence of iron ore particles. Samples were collected bimonthly. At each site, five sampling quadrats were launched at random in the intertidal region. Individuals of Ulva spp. were collected (2964 individuals) and 53 taxa were found. In Camburi the dominant species was Amphitalamus vallei (Barleeidae), while in Capuba and Manguinhos Eulithidium affine (Phasianellidae) predominated. The analyses indicated that Camburi is distinct from the other sites. The lesser wave impacts and the more complex structure of the algae in Camburi, due to the presence of iron ore, may explain this variation.

Las comunidades phytales están influenciadas espacial y temporalmente por parámetros físicos y biológicos cambiantes. Este estudio describe y compara los gasterópodos asociados con Ulva spp. entre sitios en la costa de Espirito Santo, con sustrato laterítico ferruginoso y con diferentes modos de exposición al oleaje. Camburi está caracterizado por la presencia de partículas de mineral de hierro. Las muestras fueron recolectadas bimensualmente. En cada sitio se realizaron cinco cuadrantes de muestreo al azar en la region intermareal. Se encontraron 2.964 individuos y 53 taxa. En Camburi, la especie dominante fue Amphitalamus valley, y en Capuba y Manguinhos fue Eulithidium affine. El análisis realizado indicó que Camburi es distinto de los otros sitios. El menor impacto de las olas y la estructura más compleja de las algas en Camburi, debido a la presencia de mineral de hierro, puede explicar esta diferencia.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar clones de batata-doce resistentes às raças 1 e 4 de Meloidogyne incognita, além de avaliar a eficiência do método de seleção empregado, pela estimativa de parâmetros genéticos. Foram avaliados 21 acessos do jardim clonal da Universidade de Brasília e três cultivares de batata-doce (Brazlândia Branca, Brazlândia Roxa e Amarela). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, com delineamento de blocos casualizados em arranjo simples, com 24 tratamentos, quatro repetições e três plantas por parcela. A inoculação do patógeno foi feita trinta dias após o plantio das ramas e, após noventa dias, foi feita a contagem do número médio de massas de ovos encontradas nas raízes das plantas inoculadas. Foram considerados resistentes os clones que apresentaram em média 0 a 1,9 massas de ovos por sistema radicular, moderadamente resistentes aqueles que apresentaram de 2,0 a 2,9 massas de ovos, moderadamente suscetíveis os que obtiveram número médio de massas de ovos variando entre 3,0 e 3,9, e suscetíveis aqueles com 4,0 a 5,0 massas de ovos por sistema radicular. Dos 24 materiais analisados, nove (37,5%) foram classificados como resistentes à raça 1 de M. incognita e 16 (66,67%) foram classificados como resistentes à M. incognita raça 4. Os clones 1200, 1210, 1199, 1229, 1230, 1202, 1231, 1216 e 1209 apresentaram resistência tanto à raça 1 quanto à raça 4 de M. incognita. A resistência das plantas a essas duas populações de nematoides testadas apresentou alta herdabilidade, e a relação entre os coeficientes de variação genético e ambiental do experimento para resistência à raça 4 de M. incognita apresentou-se mais baixa que aquela encontrada no outro experimento para resistência à raça 1.

The objective of this work was to select sweet potato resistant clones to the races 1 and 4 of Meloidogyne incognita, and measure the efficiency of the selection method used, by means of the estimation of genetic and environmental coefficients of variation, and broad-sense heritabilities. We evaluated 21 accessions of the clonal garden of the Universidade de Brasilia, and three cultivars of sweet potato (Brazlândia Branca, Brazlândia Roxa and Amarela). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with a randomized block design in simple arrangement, with 24 treatments, four replications and three plants per plot. The inoculation of the pathogen was made thirty days after planting the slips and, after ninety days, the counting of the average number of egg masses of the infected plants was completed. Clones were considered resistant when presented a number of egg masses per root system from 0 to 1.9, moderately resistant 2.0 to 2.9, moderately susceptible 3.0 to 3.9, and, susceptible 4.0 to 5.0. From 24 clones analyzed, nine (37.5%) were classified as resistant to the race 1 of M. incognita, and 16 (66.67%) were classified as resistant to the race 4 of M. incognita. The clones 1200, 1210, 1199, 1229, 1230, 1202, 1231, 1216 and 1209 were resistant to the two races tested of M. incognita. The resistance of the plants to these two races of root-knot nematodes presented high heritability, and the relationship between the coefficients of genetic and environmental variation of the experiment to resistance to race 4 of M. incognita was shorter than that one found in the another experiment, that aimed resistance to the race 1.

Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) provides a systematic approach to structure complex decisions for subsequent analysis. It is a powerful complement to decision analysis and its application has been growing in recent years. This paper discusses the application of VFT in Brazil to three problems in different contexts: water management, information system/information technology (IS/IT) strategic planning, and the disposal of plaster waste. This article describes how the VFT approach was used to structure these decision problems and identify alternatives to stall them, which led to developing qualitative and quantitative models for evaluating the alternatives, and discusses how such structures can be used in other similar problems.

Cultivares de alho são sexualmente estéreis sob condições padrão de cultivo, com implicações diretas nos custos de produção comercial, bem como em programas de melhoramento. O alho é comercialmente propagado por meio de bulbilhos, o que facilita a transmissão de doenças e leva ao acúmulo de cargas virais ao longo das gerações. A cultura de tecidos produz clones livres de vírus que são mais produtivos, mantendo as características desejadas da cultivar. Consequentemente, esta técnica permite estudar a genética do alho, bem como garantir a conservação genética das variedades. Nosso objetivo foi analisar a regeneração in vitro de oito cultivares comerciais de alho usando segmentos de raiz como explante. Para cada genótipo, explantes derivados de bulbilho foram isolados e introduzidos em meio MS suplementado com 2,4-D e 2-iP. Calos foram transferidos para meio MS suplementado com 8,8 mM BAP e 0,1 mM NAA (meio de regeneração A), ou com 4,6 mM cinetina somente (meio de regeneração B). Os calos foram avaliados quanto à frequência de regeneração após sessenta dias de cultivo in vitro. A cultivar nobre 'Jonas' apresentou as maiores taxas de regeneração entre as cultivares testadas. O meio de cultura A, o qual continha auxina e citocinina, induziu as maiores taxas de regeneração em todas as cultivares. O processo aqui descrito é simples, reprodutível e pode ser usado potencialmente como uma ferramenta em estratégias de melhoramento para outras cultivares comerciais e genótipos de alho.

Garlic cultivars are sexually sterile under standard growth conditions, with direct implications for commercial production costs as well as breeding programs. Garlic is propagated commercially via bulblets, which facilitates disease transmission and virus load accumulation over vegetative generations. Tissue culture produces virus-free clones that are more productive, while keeping the desired traits of the cultivar. Consequently, this technique allows studies of garlic genetics as well as guarantees genetic conservation of varieties. We aimed at analyzing the in vitro regeneration of eight marketable cultivars of garlic using root segments as explants. For each genotype, bulblet-derived explants were isolated and introduced into MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and 2-iP. Calli were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 8.8 mM BAP and 0.1 mM NAA (regeneration medium A), or with 4.6 mM kinetin alone (regeneration medium B). The calli were then evaluated for regeneration frequency after sixty days of in vitro cultivation. The noble cultivar 'Jonas' presented the highest rates of plant regeneration among the cultivars tested. The medium A, which contained auxin and cytokinin, induced the highest regeneration rates of all cultivars. The process described herein is simple, reproducible and can potentially be used as a tool in molecular breeding strategies for other marketable cultivars and genotypes of garlic.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resposta fisiológica (cortisol, glicemia e parâmetros sanguineos) de girinos de rã-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus) em diferentes densidades e após exposição aérea. Os animais utilizados no experimento estavam entre os estágios 31 a 39, na fase de pró-metamorfose sendo testados 1 girino/L (Tratamento 1), 5 girinos/L (Tratamento 2) e 10 girinos/L (Tratamento 3), conduzidos em 3 réplicas simultâneas durante 12 dias. O sangue foi retirado por rompimento do vaso caudal na condição de Normóxia - N (tempo zero) e Hipóxia - H (tempo de 15 minutos de exposição ao ar). Foi observado um aumento nos valores de cortisol, aos 4 e 8 dias de exposição aérea retornando aos valores basais ao final do experimento, apesar de não haver diferenças significativas. A glicemia não apresentou diferenças significativas quanto aos estressores aplicados. Os parâmetros hematológicos da série branca, principalmente, o número de linfócitos, neutrófilos e eosinófilos mostraram diferença significativa aos 12 dias de experimentação quando comparados com o momento zero; concluindo-se que, em condições controladas, o adensamento de até 10 girinos/litro e a exposição aérea por 15 minutos não apresentou danos aos girinos de rã-touro durante o período experimental. O padrão de resposta a estes estímulos talvez seja expresso em outro nível hormonal (corticosterona).

The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations to the physiological profile (cortisol, glycaemia, and blood parameters) of Lithobates catesbeianus caused by the stressors density and hypoxia. The organisms were in the prometamorphosis stage and exposed to different tadpole densities: 1 tadpole/L (T1), 5 tadpoles/L (T2), and 10 tadpoles/L (T3) for 12 days. The blood was collected through the rupture of the caudal blood vessel and collected under normoxia (immediate collection) and hypoxia (after 15 minutes of air exposure) conditions. Cortisol levels rose on the fourth and eighth days of treatment and returned to basal levels by the end of the experiment. The stressor mechanisms tested did not affect glycaemia. White blood cells (total number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils) showed a significant difference at the twelfth day of the experiment when compared with the start of the experiment. We concluded that, under controlled conditions, a density of up to 10 tadpoles/L and air exposure for 15 minutes did not cause harmful physiological alterations during the experimental period. The answer to these stressors maybe was in another hormonal level (corticosterone).

PPARδ é um receptor nuclear que, quando ativado, regula o metabolismo de carboidratos e lipídios, e está relacionado com diversas enfermidades, tais como síndrome metabólica e diabetes tipo 2. Para entender as principais interações entre alguns ligantes bioativos e o receptor PPARδ, modelos de QSAR 2D e 3D foram obtidos e comparados com mapas de potencial eletrostático (MEP) e dos orbitais de fronteira (HOMO e LUMO), assim como resultados de docagem molecular. Os modelos de QSAR obtidos apresentaram bons resultados estatísticos e foram utilizados para predizer a atividade biológica de compostos do conjunto-teste (validação externa), e os valores preditos estão em concordância com os resultados experimentais. Além disso, todos mapas moleculares foram utilizados para avaliar as possíveis interações entre os ligantes e o receptor PPARδ. Portanto, os modelos de QSAR 2D e 3D, assim como os mapas de HOMO, LUMO e MEP, podem fornecer informações sobre as principais propriedades necessárias para o planejamento de novos ligantes do receptor PPARδ.

PPARδ is a nuclear receptor that, when activated, regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids and is related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. To understand the main interactions between ligands and PPARδ, we have constructed 2D and 3D QSAR models and compared them with HOMO, LUMO and electrostatic potential maps of the compounds studied, as well as docking results. All QSAR models showed good statistical parameters and prediction outcomes. The QSAR models were used to predict the biological activity of an external test set, and the predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, we employed all maps to evaluate the possible interactions between the ligands and PPARδ. These predictive QSAR models, along with the HOMO, LUMO and MEP maps, can provide insights into the structural and chemical properties that are needed in the design of new PPARδ ligands that have improved biological activity and can be employed to treat metabolic diseases.