ABSTRACT This article aims to study the relationship between the local Church and small communities, based on the reflections of the Latin American Episcopate in the post-council. The methodology used follows the steps of historical description, analysis and systematization of the ecclesiological-pastoral elements of the topic in question. The study is divided into three sections. In the first, the Latin American history of the community renewal is described considering the General Conferences of Medellín, Puebla, Santo Domingo and Aparecida. In the second section, the theology of the local Church is analyzed in light of the Second Vatican Council and the cultural aspects of the Church, rescued by the Conferences mentioned above. In the third section, the intuitions of the Latin American Episcopate are explained regarding the elaboration of a theology of the Latin American local Church, based on the ecclesiastical experiences of small communities. In this theology, aspects of inculturation of the Gospel, synodality, Christian initiation and service to the poorest stand out. Finally, it is stated that small communities contribute largely to the configuration of a theology of the local Church which is genuinely Latin American. postcouncil. postcouncil post council. council post-council description ecclesiologicalpastoral ecclesiological pastoral question sections first Medellín Puebla Aparecida section above Gospel synodality out Finally

RESUMO Este artigo visa aprofundar a relação entre Igreja local e pequenas comunidades, a partir das reflexões do Episcopado Latino-americano no pós-concílio. A metodologia utilizada segue os passos da descrição histórica, análise e sistematização dos elementos eclesiológico-pastorais do tema em questão. O estudo divide-se em três seções. Na primeira, descreve-se o histórico latino-americano de renovação comunitária a partir das Conferências Gerais de Medellín, Puebla, Santo Domingo e Aparecida. Na segunda seção, analisa-se a teologia da Igreja local à luz do Concílio Vaticano II e dos aspectos culturais da Igreja, resgatados pelas Conferências acima citadas. Na terceira, explicita-se as intuições do Episcopado latino-americano relativas à elaboração de uma teologia da Igreja local latino-americana, feita a partir das vivências eclesiais das pequenas comunidades. Nessa teologia, destacam-se os aspectos da inculturação do Evangelho, da sinodalidade, da iniciação cristã e do serviço aos mais pobres. Por fim, afirma-se que as pequenas comunidades contribuem em larga medida para a configuração de uma teologia da Igreja local que seja genuinamente latino-americana. Latinoamericano Latino americano pósconcílio. pósconcílio pós concílio. concílio pós-concílio histórica eclesiológicopastorais eclesiológico pastorais questão dividese divide se seções primeira descrevese descreve latinoamericano latino Medellín Puebla Aparecida seção analisase analisa citadas terceira explicitase explicita latinoamericana, latinoamericana americana, americana latino-americana destacamse destacam Evangelho sinodalidade pobres fim afirmase afirma latinoamericana. americana.

RESUMEN Introducción: El SARS-CoV-2 causa graves neumonías. Las gestantes experimentan cambios inmunológicos y fisiológicos, que pueden hacerlas más susceptibles a las infecciones respiratorias virales, incluida la COVID-19. Objetivo: Exponer las características de una serie de casos de muertes maternas, confirmadas con la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de serie de autopsias parciales, a las puérperas confirmadas al SARS-CoV-2, revisadas por el grupo especial de trabajo de anatomía patológica para la COVID-19, en el año 2021. Se analizaron las variables edad, historia obstétrica y causas de muerte, en el Hospital Militar Central “Dr. Luis Díaz Soto”. Resultados: En el 2021 fueron atendidas 425 gestantes confirmadas al SARS-CoV-2, de ellas 16 fallecieron (3,8 %). A todas se les realizó cesárea, por beneficio materno-fetal e ingresaron en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, con comorbilidades entre las cuales la obesidad y la diabetes fueron más frecuentes. La media de fecha de inicio de los síntomas fue 5,18 días, todas contacto de casos positivos; en las causas de muerte la hipoxia sistémica afectó a un tercio de las fallecidas; el edema pulmonar de permeabilidad se presentó en el 100 % de las puérperas y en todas las muertes maternas hubo daño múltiple de órganos. Conclusiones: El edema pulmonar de permeabilidad afecta a todos los casos, con impacto importante como causa de muerte, así como en la expresión de la hipoxia y la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica. La COVID-19 es la causa básica de muerte en todos los casos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 causes severe pneumonias. Pregnant women experience immunological and physiological changes, which may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Objective: To present the characteristics of a case series of maternal deaths confirmed with COVID-19. Methods: A serial study of partial autopsies of postpartum women confirmed with SARS-CoV-2, reviewed by the special working group of pathological anatomy for COVID-19, in the year 2021, was carried out. The variables age, obstetric history and causes of death were analyzed at the Central Military Hospital "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto". Results: In 2021, 425 pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were attended, 16 of them died (3.8%). All of them underwent cesarean section for maternal-fetal benefit and were admitted to the intensive care unit, with comorbidities among which obesity and diabetes were more frequent. The mean date of symptom onset was 5.18 days, all contact positive cases; in the causes of death systemic hypoxia affected one third of the deceased; permeability pulmonary edema was present in 100 % of the puerperal women and in all maternal deaths there was multiple organ damage. Conclusions: Permeability pulmonary edema affects all cases, with important impact as a cause of death, as well as in the expression of hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response. COVID-19 is the basic cause of death in all cases.

Physics courses are traditionally known for having high dropout and failure rates. In this paper, drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s Sociology of Education, we analyze the relationship between academic performance and dropout in the Physics undergraduate course offered by Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), campus Bento Gonçalves. The data indicate that failure in Physics 1 and Calculus 1 (due to lack of attendance or poor performance) favors dropout, while passing the course contributes to students’ permanence. On the other hand, it was possible to identify approved students who abandoned the course and failed students who remained. We hope that these results contribute to thinking about the effects of academic evaluations on student retention. rates paper Bourdieus Bourdieu s Education IFRS, IFRS , (IFRS) Gonçalves due permanence hand remained retention (IFRS

Cursos de Física são tradicionalmente conhecidos por apresentarem elevadas taxas de evasão e reprovação. Neste artigo, baseados na Sociologia da Educação de Pierre Bourdieu, analisamos a relação entre desempenho acadêmico e evasão no curso de Licenciatura em Física oferecido pelo Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), campus Bento Gonçalves. Os dados apontam que a reprovação nas disciplinas de Física 1 e Cálculo 1 (por falta de frequência ou por baixo desempenho) está mais associada à evasão enquanto a aprovação está associada à permanência no curso. Ao mesmo tempo, foi possível observar casos de contratendência. Ou seja, foram identificados estudantes aprovados que abandonaram o curso e estudantes reprovados que permaneceram. Esperamos que esses resultados contribuam para pensarmos os efeitos das avaliações acadêmicas sobre a permanência dos estudantes. artigo Bourdieu IFRS, IFRS , (IFRS) Gonçalves tempo contratendência seja permaneceram (IFRS

Abstract: Introduction: In western contemporary society, attempts to prevent death and suffering promote a medical training focused on dealing mostly with the biological aspects of illness and death, to the detriment of the psychosocial aspects related to those issues. Objective: The authors intended to identify medical students’ perceptions about the approach to death and dying in the light of Freudian theory about death. Method: This was a qualitative study with an exploratory approach, developed based on six focal groups consisting of 55 students from all the undergraduate medical school semesters from a federal university in the interior of the state Minas Gerais. The data produced was analyzed according to the thematic or category-based content analysis, from which the following categories emerged: 1- The death topic in undergraduate medical school; 2- The medical professional facing death. Results: To discuss death and dying in the formative process is to talk about the anguish in the face of human finitude. The students identified the approach to death and dying in undergraduate school, but in a limited and insufficient way. They indicated the need to increase contact with the topic in the curriculum, and to include, in a mandatory way, the contents on Palliative Care. The medical role encompasses both the care focused on healing and the assistance in moments when healing is not possible. The preparation to deal with death throughout undergraduate training involves personal conceptions and experiences, undergraduate practice, access to theoretical contents, specificities and subjective aspects related to each situation. The mentioned resources to deal with death, in addition to the studies, were religiosity and psychotherapy. Conclusion: To approach death in undergraduate medical curricula involves great complexity and challenges. From the viewpoint of psychological reality, human beings try to deny death and avoid suffering. Thus, the challenges in medical formation and practices consist in assuming the indissociable articulation between the biological, cultural and psychosocial aspects. To take care of life is also to take care of death and avoiding it may cause greater suffering to the patients, family members, students and medical professionals. Abstract Introduction society issues Objective Method 5 Gerais categorybased category analysis emerged 1 2 Results finitude way curriculum include Care possible experiences practice situation studies psychotherapy Conclusion reality Thus patients members professionals

Resumo Introdução: Na sociedade ocidental contemporânea, as tentativas de evitar a morte e o sofrimento impulsionam a formação de médicos voltados para lidar majoritariamente com aspectos biológicos do adoecimento e da morte, em detrimento dos aspectos psicossociais relacionados a essas questões. Objetivo: Buscou-se identificar a percepção de estudantes de Medicina sobre a abordagem da morte e do morrer na graduação à luz de estudos atuais sobre a formação médica no país e algumas contribuições da teoria freudiana sobre a morte. Método: Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, desenvolvida a partir de seis grupos focais compostos por 55 estudantes de todos os períodos do curso de Medicina de uma universidade federal do interior de Minas Gerais. O material produzido foi analisado a partir do referencial de análise de conteúdo temática ou categorial, e emergiram categorias: 1. a morte na formação médica; 2. o médico diante da morte. Resultado: Discutir a morte e o morrer no processo formativo é falar da angústia diante da finitude. Os estudantes identificaram a abordagem da morte e do morrer na graduação, mas de forma limitada e insuficiente. Apontaram a necessidade de ampliar o contato com os temas no currículo, melhorar as metodologias utilizadas e inserir de forma obrigatória os conteúdos de cuidados paliativos. O papel do médico comporta tanto o cuidado com foco na cura quanto a assistência nas situações em que a cura não for possível. A preparação para lidar com a morte ao longo da graduação envolve concepções e experiências pessoais, experiências na graduação, acesso aos conteúdos teóricos, especificidades e aspectos subjetivos relacionados a cada situação. Os recursos mencionados para lidar com a morte, além dos estudos, foram a religiosidade e psicoterapias. Conclusão: Abordar a morte nos currículos de graduação em Medicina envolve grande complexidade e desafios. Do ponto de vista da realidade psíquica, os seres humanos tentam negar a morte e evitar os sofrimentos. Dessa forma, os desafios da formação e da prática médica consistem em assumir a articulação indissociável entre aspectos biológicos, culturais e psicossociais. Cuidar da vida é também cuidar da morte, e evitá-la pode desencadear maior sofrimento aos pacientes, familiares, estudantes e médicos. Introdução contemporânea questões Objetivo Buscouse Buscou se Método Tratase Trata exploratório 5 Gerais categorial categorias 1 2 Resultado finitude insuficiente currículo paliativos possível pessoais teóricos situação psicoterapias Conclusão psíquica sofrimentos evitála evitá la pacientes familiares

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to avoid death and intubation in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. Materials and methods: We present an analysis of 3 565 hospitalizations for SARS-CoV-2 in people over 20 years of age, reported for public health purposes by 10 specialty hospitals, comparing those discharged for improvement (2 094) with those who died (1 471) in mixed models of logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, number of comorbidities and the reporting hospital as a random variable. Results: A complete vaccination schedule, with five types of vaccine available, had a protective effect for death or intubation (OR: 0.67, CI95%: 0.54,0.83, 33% protection) and for death (OR: 0.80, CI95%: 0.64,0.99, 20% protection) compared to those who had not been vaccinated. All the applied vaccines in the Mexican program showed a protective effect with an OR<0.8, with variable confidence intervals. Conclusions: Even in patients previously vaccinated and hospitalized with severe Covid-19, a history of vaccination reduces the risks of being intubated and dying.

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de las vacunas contra SARS-CoV-2 para evitar muerte e intubación en pacientes hospitalizados con Covid-19. Material y métodos: Se presentó un análisis de 3 565 hospitalizaciones por SARS-CoV-2 de personas mayores de 20 años de edad, reportadas con fines de salud pública por 10 hospitales de especialidad. Se comparó a los egresados por mejoría (2 094) con los fallecidos (1 471) en modelos mixtos de regresión logística ajustados por edad, sexo, número de comorbilidades y el hospital como variable aleatoria. Resultados: Un esquema completo de vacunación, con cinco tipos de vacunas disponibles, tuvo un efecto protector para muerte o intubación (RM: 0.67, IC95%: 0.54,0.83, 33% de protección); y para muerte (RM: 0.80, IC95%: 0.64,0.99, 20% de protección) estos datos se compararon con los que no habían sido vacunados. Todas las vacunas aplicadas mostraron un efecto protector con un RM<0.8, con intervalos de confianza variables. Conclusiones: El antecedente de vacunación reduce los riesgos de ser intubado y morir, aun en pacientes previamente vacunados y hospitalizados con Covid-19 grave.

For the first time, the influence of gas mixture on first damage resistance of a plasma nitrided DIN 18MnCrSiMo6-4 bainitic steel was investigated. Samples were nitrided at 500 °C with three different N2-H2 gas mixtures, containing 5, 24, and 76 vol.% N2. Samples were characterized concerning the resulting roughness, microstructure, compound layer’s phase composition, residual stresses in the diffusion zone, and surface hardness. Tribological ball-on-flat tests were carried out in reciprocal mode using zirconia as ball material for friction coefficient and the compound layer resistance until the first damage. The test results were evaluated statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the amount of nitrogen in the gas mixture decreases, the ε-Fe2-3(C)N content in the compound layer decreases. A γ’-Fe4N monophasic compound layer was achieved at 5 vol.% N2 gas mixture. The diffusion zone as expected presented compressive residual stresses with the highest values near the surface. In the tribological tests, better results were obtained for 5 and 24 vol.% N2 in the gas mixture as higher amounts of γ’-Fe4N were formed. The 76 vol.% N2 gas mixture led to a brittle behavior, due to the biphasic compound layer (γ’-Fe4N and ε-Fe2-3(C)N) with a predominant content of ε-Fe2-3(C)N.

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are responsible for acute illnesses and deaths in humans. Cattle and humans are exposed to STEC through faeces and contaminated food and water. The big six and O157 STEC serogroups are important food and water-borne human pathogens. Additionally, Stx1a, Stx2a and Stx2c subtypes are highly associated with the haemolytic uremic syndrome. This study aimed to determine Shiga toxin-subtypes, the presence of antigen 43 families, the genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, O-serogrouping, phylotypes and phylogenetic relatedness of STEC of calf origin. Sixteen STEC isolates from calf origin were analysed. PCR was performed to determine Stx subtypes, serogroups, the presence of ag43 I and II and phylotypes. The antimicrobial profile was evaluated and the presence of PMQR and fosfomycin genes was determined by PCR. The clonal relatedness of STEC was studied by PFGE. The genotypes stx1a+c, stx1a+, stx1a+/stx2e+, stx1a+c/stx2e and stx2a were detected. Ag43 II was the most prevalent among subfamilies. STEC isolates were serotyped as O103 (n=5) and O111 (n=6). Fifty per cent of the isolates were classified as B1 phylogroup, 4/16 as E, 1/16 as C, and 1/16 as F. Non-O157 STEC isolates showed a high level of diversity, independent of the geographical and farm-origin. Isolates were resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin-trometamol. The gene fosA7 was detected in 1 isolate. The virulence profiles, including Shiga toxin-subtypes and serogroups, denote the potential harm of non-O157 STEC isolates to humans. We also confirmed that circulating non-O157 STEC from cattle present genetic heterogeneity and are susceptible to antibiotics.

ABSTRACT Respiratory mites are blood-sucking parasites affecting nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, bronchial tree, lungs, and air sacs of ornamental and wild birds. The present study was aimed at determining the presence and level of infestation of the respiratory mite Sternostoma tracheacolum in ornamental birds, as well as those organs most affected by it. All ornamental birds, referred to the Parasitology Department of the Avian Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in the period 2002-2020, were examined in the study, resulting in a total of 1254 birds of 18 different species that were submitted for acarological diagnosis. The presence of S. tracheacolum was diagnosed and the comparison of proportions test was carried out to determine if there were significant differences between bird species and affected organs. The bird species positive for S. tracheacolum were Serinus canaria (24 %), Chloebia gouldiae (23 %), Padda oryzivora (11 %), Melopsittacus undulatus (10 %) and Agapornis ro- seicollis (0.5 %). The highest invasion rates appeared in S. canaria, C. gouldiae and P. oryzivora. The parasitized organs were: nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, trachea, lungs and air sacs. The highest number of mites was found in the trachea. As preliminary findings, a respiratory mite species was observed whose morphological characteristics did not correspond to those described for S. tracheacolum.

RESUMEN Los ácaros respiratorios son parásitos hematófagos que afectan las fosas nasales, senos paranasales, árbol bronquial, pulmones y sacos aéreos de aves ornamentales y silvestres. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivos: determinar la presencia y el nivel de infestación del ácaro respiratorio Sternostoma tracheacolum en aves ornamentales; así como los órganos más afectados por el mismo. En el estudio se examinaron todas las aves ornamentales remitidas al departamento de Parasitología del Laboratorio de Investigación y Diagnóstico Aviar en el período 2002-2020, para un total de 1254 aves de 18 especies diferentes a las que se le realizó el diagnóstico acarológico. Se diagnosticó la presencia de S. tracheacolum y se realizó la prueba de comparación de proporciones para determinar si existieron diferencias significativas entre las especies de aves y órganos afectados. Las especies de aves positivas a S. tracheacolum fueron Serinus canaria (24 %), Chloebia gouldiae (23 %), Padda oryzivora (11 %), Melopsittacus undulatus (10 %) y Agapornis ro- seicollis (0,5 %). Las mayores extensidades de invasión se presentaron en S. canaria, C.gouldiae y P. oryzivora. Los órganos parasitados fueron: fosas nasales, senos paranasales, tráquea, pulmones y sacos aéreos. El mayor número de ácaros se presentó en tráquea. Como hallazgos preliminares se observó una especie de ácaro respiratorio cuyas características morfológicas no se corresponden con las descritas para S. tracheacolum.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Inguinal hernia has been one of the most controversial surgical diseases throughout history. There are several classifications and countless techniques for inguinal hernia repair. Objective: To show the outcomes of laparoscopic surgical treatment of inguinal hernia at the National Center for Minimal Access Surgery. Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was carried out of 737 patients with a diagnosis of inguinal hernia operated on by laparoscopic surgery, in the period from January 2011 to December 2018, at the National Center for Minimal Access Surgery. Results: The effectiveness of laparoscopic techniques was shown, with a low recurrence rate of 1.4% and a low conversion rate of 0.5%, while inguinodynia appeared in five patients, accounting for 0.5%, and postoperative seroma was a predominating complication. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment option for in inguinal hernia.

RESUMEN Introducción: La hernia inguinal, es una de las enfermedades quirúrgicas que más polémicas ha provocado a través de la historia, existen disimiles clasificaciones e incontables técnicas para su reparación. Objetivo: Mostrar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico laparoscópico de la hernia inguinal en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 737 pacientes intervenidos con el diagnóstico de hernia inguinal por cirugía laparoscópica en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso, en el período comprendido entre enero del 2011 hasta diciembre el 2018. Resultados: Se mostró la efectividad de las técnicas laparoscópicas, con un bajo índice de recidiva, de 1,4 %, bajo índice de conversión, con 0,5 %, la inguinodinia se presentó en 5 pacientes para un 0,5 % y predominó el seroma entre las complicaciones postoperatorias. Conclusiones: La cirugía laparoscópica en la hernia inguinal es una opción segura y eficaz en el tratamiento de la enfermedad.

Abstract We present a case of human intoxication due to a snakebite by the opisthoglyphous dipsadid Thamnodynastes lanei. A 26-year-old man was bitten on the right hand and was not medicated. Bleeding lasted a few seconds, while paresthesia, chills, and headache persisted for up to 10 hours. The pain disappeared after a week, and the edema, itching, and prickling persisted for another 3 days. Although this patient’s symptoms were typical of bites by South American opisthoglyphous snakes, they persisted longer than those of bites by some congeneric species. Our report adds a species to the list of medically relevant snakes.

ABSTRACT Organizing pneumonia emerges as a late phase complication of COVID-19. Corticosteroids are standard therapy for organizing pneumonia, but the question of whether an approach with high dose corticosteroids would be beneficial for patients with organizing pneumonia secondary to COVID-19 remains to be answered.Herein we report a series of three patients, one male and two females, mean age 58.3 years old, admitted for COVID-19 with severe pulmonary disease requiring ventilatory support. The patients underwent chest computed tomography scans due to maintained hypoxemia, which showed a pattern compatible with organizing pneumonia. The patients were treated with a high dose of corticosteroids (prednisone 1 mg/kg PO), showing marked clinical improvement, and decreasing oxygen flow ratio demand. They were discharged after a mean period of 6.3 days of hospitalization.Our report suggests that patients with COVID-19 with organizing pneumonia might benefit from high dose corticosteroids as an adjuvant therapy.

Resumo A beterraba vermelha é altamente nutritiva e pode ser preservada pela secagem, a fim de evitar desperdícios, aproveitar os excedentes das culturas e agregar valor durante a entressafra. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos dos pré-tratamentos de desidratação osmótica (DO) e ultrassom (US) na qualidade nutricional e nas características sensoriais de chips de beterraba desidratados. A cinética de perda de umidade durante DO e US foi prevista pelo ajuste dos dados experimentais com modelos de camada fina. Foram determinados parâmetros físico-químicos (umidade, proteína, lipídio, carboidrato, energia, cinzas, sódio e nitrato) e propriedades sensoriais (ordem de preferência afetiva e teste de aceitação). As correlações entre os tratamentos e a aceitabilidade sensorial avaliada pelas percepções do consumidor foram realizadas aplicando técnicas quimiométricas não supervisionadas (Análise de Componentes Principais e Análise de Agrupamento Hierárquico). O modelo exponencial de dois termos forneceu melhor ajuste para os dados experimentais de secagem. O tratamento US promoveu maior taxa de secagem e menores valores de lipídios, cinzas e energia, enquanto o processo DO resultou em maiores valores de cinzas e sódio. A análise multivariada revelou que os tratamentos US e DO melhoraram as propriedades sensoriais dos chips de beterraba. US foi o pré-tratamento mais eficiente para a produção de chips de beterraba, em razão da redução significativa no tempo de secagem e do nível intermediário de preferência sensorial.

Abstract Red beet (or beetroot) is highly nutritious and can be preserved by drying, in order to avoid wastage, to take advantage of crop surpluses, and to add value during the off-season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of osmotic dehydration (OD) and ultrasound (US) pre-treatments on the nutritional quality and sensory characteristics of dried beetroot chips. The kinetics of moisture loss during OD and US were predicted by fitting the experimental data with thin-layer models. The physicochemical parameters (moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, energy, ash, sodium and nitrate) and sensory properties (affective preference-ordering and acceptance test) were determined. Correlations between the treatments and the sensory acceptability evaluated by consumer’s perceptions were performed by applying unsupervised chemometric techniques (Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)). The two-term exponential model provided the best fit for the experimental drying data. The US treatment promoted a higher drying rate and lower lipid, ash and energy values, while the OD process resulted in higher ash and sodium values. Multivariate analysis revealed that the US and OD treatments improved the sensory properties of the beetroot chips. The US was more efficient pre-treatment for producing beet chips due to its leads a significant reduction on drying time and intermediate level of sensory preference.

In this study, the sliding wear of a DIN 18MnCrSiMo6-4 continuous cooling bainitic steel plasma nitrided with a nitrogen rich gas composition was investigated. To evaluate the influence of processing time and temperature on mechanical and microstructural characteristics of nitrided layer, the samples were nitrided at 400, 450, 500 and 550 °C for 3, 6 and 9 h. The produced nitrided layers were characterized concerning the microstructure, phase composition, microhardness and surface roughness. The samples were tested by ball-on-flat reciprocating dry sliding for friction coefficient and wear analysis. The tests were stopped after a given damage criteria involving the rapid growth of the friction coefficients and wear. The correlation of the different treatment parameters and resulting case depths and surface hardness with sliding distance at the time of microcracks formation or delamination of the surface layer was evaluated statistically by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The plasma nitrided samples at 550 °C showed better wear performances in the ball-on-flat tests than the other groups investigated, since these samples have a thicker compound layer and diffusion zone higher than the other conditions investigated. In general, the beginning wear is slower because of the hardest region of the compound layer.

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the leading types of cancer worldwide, and the search for new treatment options are crucial. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -specially ibuprofen and diclofenac-, have shown antitumoral effect against several types of cancer. The synthesis of organometallic compounds has shown significant improvements in pharmacological properties and efficacy of organic molecules. Two zinc II ternary complexes containing the NSAIDs diclofenac and ibuprofen and nicotinamide neutral linker (Nic) were obtained by the two-step solvent metalligand complexation method. The compounds Zn2(Diclof)4(Nic)2 (complex 1) and Zn2(Ibup)4(Nic)2 (complex 2) were tested in breast cancer cell lines (4T1, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) to evaluate their cytotoxicity, comparing to ibuprofen and diclofenac as controls. We found that both complex 1 and 2 exerted more than 60% reduction in 4T1 viability at 250µM, and complex 2 decreased cell viability at 250 µM and 137.5 µM in MCF-7 (34.35% and 26.42% reduction, respectively) and in MDA-MB-231 (57.2% and 22.88% reduction, respectively), all compared to controls. Complex 1 was selective only in MCF-7, and complex 2 was selective in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. In summary, our data showed that the cytotoxic effect of complex 1 and 2 is increased comparing to their original NSAID in different breast cancer cell lines, highlighting their potential anti-tumoral activity.