Abstract Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a versatile and low-cost polymer with high biocompatibility, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and ferroelectricity. This material has been widely used in many applications, ranging from membranes to electronic devices. In this study, self-supporting, flexible, and lightweight PVDF films were prepared by an evaporation route using a low-toxicity solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide – DMSO). Graphene oxide (GO) and anatase titania (TiO2) were incorporated into the PVDF after preparing DMSO-based suspensions of these materials. The prepared materials were examined in terms of their structural, electrical, and wetting properties before and after exposure to near ultraviolet (UV-A) light. Substantial structural changes took place after incorporating GO and TiO2 into PVDF. Such modifications were accompanied by dramatic changes in the wetting and electrical properties of the PVDF. UV-A light caused the formation of surface defects on PVDF and GO films. In addition, it promoted the photoreduction of GO into reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Composites containing TiO2 showed high resistance to UV-A light, probably because titania particles absorb the incoming photons and shield the polymer matrix. This study provides new insights into the synthesis and characterization of PVDF/TiO2/GO composite films, which may be useful for many applications, including flexible electronics, solar cells, and biomedical devices. (PVDF lowcost low cost biocompatibility strength stability ferroelectricity applications devices selfsupporting, selfsupporting self supporting, supporting self-supporting lowtoxicity toxicity dimethyl DMSO. DMSO . DMSO) (GO TiO (TiO2 DMSObased based UVA UV A (UV-A addition rGO. rGO (rGO) matrix PVDFTiO2GO PVDFTiOGO electronics cells (TiO (rGO PVDFTiO

RESUMO O objetivo foi avaliar protocolos de maturação in vitro (MIV) para oócitos de cutias, seguida de fertilização in vitro (FIV) e ativação partenogenética (AP). Os oócitos imaturos (CCOs) foram obtidos por fatiamento do ovário, após OSH, e submetidos a três grupos: MAT - 16 (16 horas de maturação), MAT - 20 (20 horas de maturação) e MAT - 24 (24 horas de maturação), em incubadora de cultivo a 38,8°C, com atmosfera de 5% de CO2 e 95% de umidade relativa. A maturação foi analisada pela presença do primeiro corpúsculo polar. Em seguida, os CCOs maduros foram submetidos à FIV, com período de coincubação dos CCOs e dos espermatozoides de 15h, a 38,8ºC e 5% de CO2, e AP com ionomicina. Os grupos de MIV foram analisados utilizando-se o teste qui-quadrado e, nos experimentos de FIV e AP, foram analisadas a taxa de clivagem e a proporção de desenvolvimento embrionário. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o programa SAS. Houve diferença significativa entre os grupos de maturação, tendo os grupos MAT - 20 e MAT - 24 apresentado maior porcentagem de oócitos maturados in vitro. As taxas de clivagem e de desenvolvimento embrionário foram de 8,6% e 2,9%, respectivamente, na FIV, e de 63,6% e 15,1%, na AP. Entretanto, nos dois casos, o embrião não passou do estágio de mórula.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate IVM protocols for agouti oocytes, followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and parthenogenetic activation (PA). The immature oocytes (CCOs) were obtained by slicing the ovary after OSH and submitted to three groups: MAT - 16 (16 hours maturation), MAT - 20 (20 hours maturation) and MAT - (24 hours maturation), in a culture incubator at 38.8°C, with an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% relative humidity. The maturation was analyzed by the presence of the first polar corpuscle. Then, mature CCOs were submitted to IVF, with co-incubation period of CCOs and spermatozoa from 15h to 38.8°C and 5% of CO2, and PA with inomycin. The IVM groups were analyzed using the chi-square test and in the FIV and PA experiment the rate of cleavage and the rate of embryonic development were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS program. There was a significant difference between the maturation groups, and the MAT - 20 and MAT - 24 groups showed a higher percentage of matured oocytes in vitro. The rates of cleavage and embryonic development were 8.6% and 2.9%, respectively in FIV and 63.6% and 15.1% in PA. However, in both cases the embryo did not pass beyond the morula stage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of simulated chewing in the laboratory on the survival of seeds of four tropical forage legumes (butterfly pea, Clitorea ternatea; estilosantes, Stylosanthes capitata/S. macrocephala 'Campo Grande; archer, Macrotyloma axillare and perennial soybean, Neonotonia wightii) submitted to different periods of acid enzymatic digestion in vitro. Three trials were conducted to observe the percentage of destroyed seeds by the mastication; to compare the germination of the seeds (intact seeds, simulated mastication, scarification with sandpaper, mastication and scarification with sandpaper). And, finally the seeds were incubated at 39ºC with hydrochloric acid and pepsin for: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. The percentages of not destroyed seeds in mastication (archer, 91,5; perennial soybean, 88.0; butterfly pea, 82.1, and estilo, 81.1), associated with the beneficial effects of scarification on germination (64.7, 60.0, 92.0 e 87.3%, respectively) and the effects of time of acid-enzymatic digestion (75% higher if they stay 24 hours in HCl + pepsin) associated to the hard and not permeable coats of legume seeds, allow a high potential for resistance, and to pass intact through the digestive tract of cattle, being able to germinate when defecated in the pastures. However, estilo should not be included in the feeding of cattle for this purpose, because it do not resists the acid-enzyme digestion.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar o efeito da mastigação simulada em laboratório sobre a sobrevivência de sementes de quatro leguminosas forrageiras tropicais submetidas a diferentes períodos de digestão ácido-enzimática in vitro (cunha, Clitorea ternatea; estilosantes, Stylosanthes capitata/S. macrocephala 'Campo Grande'; macrotiloma, Macrotyloma axillare e soja perene, Neonotonia wightii). Foram conduzidos três ensaios: o primeiro, para observar o percentual de sementes destruídas pela mastigação; o segundo, para comparar o comportamento germinativo das sementes após mastigação, escarificação com lixa, mastigação com posterior escarificação com lixa e sementes integras (controle). No terceiro ensaio as sementes foram incubadas a 39ºC com ácido clorídrico mais pepsina por: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 e 24 horas. As percentagens de sementes não destruídas na mastigação (91,5 de macrotiloma; 88,0 de soja perene; 82,1 de cunhã e 81,1 de estilosantes), associadas aos efeitos benéficos da escarificação (verificados pela porcentagem de germinação, 64,7; 60,0; 92,0 e 87,3%), e aos efeitos do tempo de digestão ácidaenzimatica (75% maior quando permanecem 24 horas em HCl + pepsina) permitem observar que as sementes de leguminosas, por possuírem tegumentos duros e impermeáveis, quando submetidas à mastigação e à digestão ácidoenzimática, ainda tem um elevado potencial de resistência e, portanto, susceptível de passar intacta pelo aparelho digestivo dos bovinos, sendo capazes de germinar quando defecadas nas pastagens. Contudo, o estilosantes não deve ser inserido na alimentação de bovinos com este fim, pois não resiste à digestão ácido-enzimática.

RESUMO Este estudo teve o objetivo de selecionar isolados do fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae para o controle de adultos de Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) e avaliar a compatibilidade de agrotóxicos utilizados nesta cultura com o isolado que ocasionasse maior mortalidade dos adultos. Para tal, adultos do inseto foram imersos em suspensões de seis isolados do fungo na concentração de 109 conídios.mL-1 e, após 24 dias, o isolado IBCB 348 causou maior mortalidade (87,5%) e foi utilizado para o teste de compatilibidade, por meio do cálculo da fórmula de T, com inseticidas, herbicidas e fungicidas comerciais utilizados na cultura. Nenhum dos fungicidas e herbicidas testados foram compatíveis com o patógeno. Os inseticidas Calypso, Dipterex 500 e Sevin 480 SC, na concentração mínima recomendada pelo fabricante, foram os únicos produtos classificados como compatíveis com o isolado IBCB 348 de M. anisopliae.

ABSTRACT This study was aimed to screen the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults and to evaluate the compatibility of agrochemicals used in this crop with the strain that caused the highest insect mortality. To this end, adult insects were immersed in suspensions of 6 strains at a concentration of 109 conidia.mL-1, and after 24 days the isolate IBCB 348 caused the highest mortality (87.5%) and was used in the compatibility test, using calculations by way of the T formula, with commercial insecticides, herbicides and fungicides used in the crop. Among the tested strains, IBCB 348 was the most efficient in the control of this pest, causing 87.5% of weevil mortality. None of the tested fungicides and herbicides were compatible with the pathogen. The insecticides Calypso, Dipterex 500 and Sevin 480 SC, at the lowest dose recommended by the manufacturer, were the only products classified as compatible with the strain IBCB 348 of M. anisopliae.

No presente trabalho procedeu-se à caracterização físico-química e biológica de produtos obtidos a partir da compostagem de diferentes resíduos orgânicos: lamas de estações de tratamento de águas residuais (ETAR), fracção orgânica de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) e, resíduos verdes de parques e jardins. Foi ainda caracterizado um substrato comercial utilizado em viveiros florestais. O composto que apresentou maior limitação para ser utilizado na formulação de substratos foi o produzido a partir da fracção orgânica de RSU devido aos elevados valores de pH e de condutividade eléctrica, e aos baixos valores de índice de germinação e de crescimento verificados para a espécie utilizada, o Lepidium sativum; os compostos que apresentaram maior potencialidade para ser utilizado na formulação de substratos foram os produzidos a partir de lamas de ETAR e de resíduos verdes de parques e jardins.

Present work aimed the physic-chemical and biological characterization of products obtained from composting of several organic wastes: sewage sludge produced at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) and, green waste from parks and gardens. A commercial substrate used at nursery plants was also characterized. The compost that presented minor potentiality to be used on the formulation of substrates was compost produced from organic fraction of MSW due to its high values of pH and electrical conductivity, and low values of germination and growth indexes for Lepidum sativum; composts analysed that presented high potentiality to be used on the formulation of substrates were those that were produced from WWTP sewage sludge and from green wastes.

INTRODUCTION: Aponeurotic sling surgeries can evolve with obstruction or voiding dysfunction in 5 to 20% of patients. There are few studies on factors that could possibly predispose to voiding difficulties or urinary retention. The objective of this work is to identify these potential clinical or urodynamic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from 130 patients who underwent aponeurotic sling surgeries were reviewed. All patients underwent a throughout urodynamic study during pre-operative investigation. The variables studied were age above 65 years, previous pelvic surgeries, concomitant surgeries, post-voiding residue higher than 100 mL, vesical obstruction (according to Blaivas-Groutz nomogram) and urinary flow under 12 mL/s. Post-voiding residue was assessed on the seventh post-operative day through vesical catheterization. Recovering of spontaneous voiding after 7 post-operative days or with a residue higher than 100 mL, was regarded as voiding dysfunction. Univariate analysis was performed with qui-square test and Fisher's exact test, and multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression with alpha = 5%. RESULTS: Age in the studied group ranged from 41 to 83 years (mean 56.7 years), with 69 (53%) patients having urethral hypermobility and 61 (47%) having intrinsic urethral lesion. Normal voiding occurred in 97 (75.6 %) women with 7 post-operative days. The only significant variable in the univariate (p = 0.014) and multivariate (p = 0.017) analysis was post-voiding residue higher than 100 mL. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative presence of a post-voiding residual urine higher than 100 mL was the only variable predictive of voiding dysfunction.

We describe a modification of the cadaveric prolapse repair and sling - CaPS technique that uses the sling surgery principles to correct grade IV cystocele. In this modification, the central and paravaginal defects reconstitution are performed using cadaveric fascia lata fixed over rectus abdominis muscle, eliminating the need of pubic fixation by screws, as proposed by the original technique. The modification described, besides presenting the benefits of CaPS, i.e., not using impaired tissues to reconstruct vesical support, and lower risks of perineal hypercorrection, also reduces the probability of complications of bone fixation.

OBJETIVO. Identificar correlação entre duração do tratamento dialítico, gravidade da doença renal cística adquirida (DRCA) medida pelo tamanho dos cistos e seu efeito sobre a correção espontânea da anemia. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS. Foram selecionados dez pacientes, seis do sexo masculino e quatro do feminino, com mais de cinco anos em tratamento dialítico. Nenhum paciente selecionado tinha doença renal policística bilateral como doença primária. A avaliação renal foi feita com ultra-sonografia. DRCA foi caracterizada pela presença de quatro ou mais cistos em cada rim. Os maiores cistos foram medidos para efeito de correlação. O diagnóstico da anemia foi estabelecido pelo valor do hematócrito e da hemoglobina séricos. Foram analisados, também, uréia, creatinina, albumina, ferro, capacidade total de combinação do ferro e o percentual de saturação da transferrina séricos. RESULTADOS. Os pacientes estavam adequadamente dialisados (uréia e creatinina séricas = 98,7 ± 35mg/dL e 9,7 ± 2,7mg/dL, respectivamente), com bom estado nutricional (albumina sérica = 4,5 ± 0,5g/dL), e tinham razoável reserva de ferro (ferro sérico = 80 ± 34mg/dL). A prevalência de DRCA foi de 80%. Não detectamos nenhum sinal ultra-sonográfico de malignidade nesses cistos. Houve correlação significante entre tempo de diálise e hematócrito (R = 0,70; p < 0,05). O tamanho dos cistos teve correlação direta e significante com os valores do hematócrito (R = 0,74; p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES. Os resultados mostram que a melhora espontânea da anemia observada nos pacientes em diálise crônica se correlaciona de forma significante com a gravidade da doença renal cística adquirida. Isso sugere uma atividade funcional dos cistos renais na produção de eritropoetina.

OBJECTIVE - To identify a correlation between dialysis treatment duration and severity of acquired cystic disease of the end-stage kidney measured by cyst sizes; and assess its effect on spontaneous improvement of anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS - Ten patients, 6 males and 4 females were selected, who have been on hemodialytic treatment for more than 5 years. There was no patient selected with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The renal evaluation has been made through ultrasonographic studies. Acquired cystic disease of the end-stage kidney was characterized by finding four or more cysts in both kidneys. The largest cysts were measured for correlation effect. The diagnosis of anemia was established by hematocrit and hemoglobin serum values. It has also been analyzed serum urea, creatinine, albumin, iron, total iron-binding capacity and the per cent saturation of serum transferrin were tested. RESULTS - The patients were properly dialysed (serum urea and creatinine = 98.7 ± 35mg/dL e 9.7 ± 2.7mg/dL, respectively). They were in good nutritional shape (serum albumin = 4.5 ± 0.5g/dL) and had normal serum iron level (serum iron = 80 ± 34 mg/dL). The prevalence of acquired renal cystic disease was 80%. No finding of malignancy has been detected in these cysts. There was a significant correlation between time on dialysis treatment and hematocrit values (R=0.70; p<0.05). Cyst sizes had a direct and significant correlation with hematocrit levels (R = 0.74; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION - These results show that spontaneous improvement on anemia seen in patients on chronic dialysis has a significant correlation with the severety of acquired cystic disease of the end-stage kidney. Our data suggest a functional role of acquired kidney cysts on endogenous erithropoietin production