In this work, an iron/biochar composite was evaluated as a catalyst for 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) herbicide degradation by heterogeneous Fenton-like process. The biochar was produced from pyrolysis of coffee husks. After FeII adsorption by biochar, the material was submitted to chemical reduction, via borohydride, producing zero-valent iron nanoparticles (BIO-Fe0). The material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, among other techniques. The BIO-Fe0 is a heterogeneous material, and the main constituent elements are carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si), sulfur (S) and iron (Fe). The dicamba degradation was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and biological assays using beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) as indicator species. The commercial dicamba (500 mL; 250 mg L 1) was submitted to Fenton-like process (initial pH 3.20; BIO-Fe0: 3 or 5 g; 1.00 mL H2O2 at 3.00 mmol L 1; 1.00 mL Al2(SO4)3 at 1.00 mol L 1; 25 ºC and 5 h of reaction), presenting ca. 100% of degradation. These treated solutions were used in a biological assay. The intoxication levels were less 30%. These results show that BIO-Fe0 has the potential to be used in the dicamba degradation by Fenton-like processes.

The occurrence of mycotoxins poses a threat to public health in Mozambique, with several cases of poisoning in humans caused by aflatoxins after consumption of groundnuts and maize reported before 1975. Over time, the control and monitoring of mycotoxins in agricultural and non-agricultural food and feed seem to have dropped significantly in Mozambique. So, the objective of this review is to recommend the implementation of monitoring and control of mycotoxins and fungal development. From our review, we note that data regarding mycotoxins in Mozambique are very limited and this makes it difficult to assess the spatial and temporal occurrence of mycotoxins in Mozambique. The scarcity of data does not mean that mycotoxins do not occur in Mozambique because the few studies that are available have confirmed the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed at concentrations above permissible limits in many countries of the world. This situation indicates a need for the creation of mycotoxin monitoring programmes involving the ministries of agriculture and public health (in coordination with universities) at the national level. SIGNIFICANCE: This review provides relevant information that can help local authorities in Mozambique to implement a mycotoxin monitoring programme

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is related to glutamatergic dysfunction. Antagonists of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), such as ketamine, have antidepressant properties. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is also a NMDAR antagonist. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of augmenting antidepressant treatment with N2O. Methods: This double blind, placebo-controlled randomized parallel pilot trial was conducted from June 2016 to June 2018 at the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. Twenty-three subjects with MDD (aged 18 to 65, on antidepressants, with a score > 17 on the 17-item-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAM-D17]) received 50% N2O (n=12; 37.17±13.59 years) or placebo (100% oxygen) (n=11; 37.18±12.77 years) for 60 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was changes in HAM-D17 from baseline to week 4. Results: Depressive symptoms improved significantly in the N2O group (N2O: from 22.58±3.83 to 5.92±4.08; placebo: from 22.44±3.54 to 12.89±5.39, p < 0.005). A total of 91.7% and 75% of the N2O group subjects achieved response (≥ 50% reduction in HAM-D17 score) and remission (HAM-D17 < 7), respectively. The predominant adverse effects of N2O treatment were nausea, vomiting, and headache. Conclusion: N2O treatment led to a statistically significant reduction in HAM-D17 scores compared to placebo. Clinical trial registration: Brazilian Register of Clinical Trials, RBR-5rz5ch

The biomass use is of considerable ecological and economical interest and here, biochar, a by-product of biomass carbonization, is magnetized with Fe3O4 for its use as gold nanoparticle (NP) support towards catalysis of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction. Biochar was synthesized from coffee straw biomass via pyrolysis, while magnetite functionalization was obtained using the precipitation method. The magnetite was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The material had a specific surface area of 30 m2 g-1 and a zero point charge of 7.5. The gold NPs were deposited via reduction with NaBH4, which yielded Au and Fe3O4 NP of 4.61 and 10.9 nm, respectively. The materials were applied in the 4-NP reduction, Fe3O4Fe 3 O 4 NPs was observed. Remarkably, comparison with graphene oxide to which biochar resembles showed similar behavior, and the material was reused in several catalytic cycles.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the performance in feedlot and temperament of Nellore bulls classified by residual feed intake. The residual feed intake was calculated as the difference between the observed and predicted dry matter intake. Bulls classified as low residual feed intake had lower dry matter intake (kg day−1) and dry matter intake (g kg−1 d−1) of body weight, and were more efficient in feed conversion ratio than those classified as medium and high. The average daily gain didn’t differ among residual feed intake classes and was 1.69 kg day−1, 1.82 kg day−1 and 1.71 kg day−1 for bulls classified as low, medium, or high, respectively. The residual feed intake was positively associated with dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio and subcutaneous fat thickness. The subcutaneous fat thickness was lower in bulls classified as low residual feed intake than in those with medium and high. No differences were observed in flight speed and reactivity score among residual feed intake classes. Overall, we concluded that bulls classified as low residual feed intake consumed less dry matter than high, with no differences in average daily gain, temperamentand had better feed efficiency, albeit their subcutaneous fat thickness was lower.

ABSTRACT. Carcass and meat characteristics of 48 Nellore heifers at 24 to 30 months of age, with an initial weight of 263.4 ± 13.9 kg, were evaluated. The experiment was set up as a completely randomized design with four treatments, which consisted of four slaughter-weight classes, namely <340, 340-370, 370-400, or >400 kg. Back fat thickness was not influenced (p > 0.05) by slaughter weight in any of the forms it was expressed (mm or %), averaging 5.3 mm. Loin eye area in cm2 increased (p < 0.05) with the increase in slaughter weight. Animals slaughtered at a live weight (LW) of more than 400 kg showed better (p < 0.05) carcass conformation than the other experimental groups (9.8 points). Heifers slaughtered at over 400 kg LW had a more compact (p < 0.05) carcass (1.65 cm kg-1 cold carcass). The marbling degree of meat was lower (p < 0.05) in the animals slaughtered at less than 340 kg LW. In conclusion, cull heifers must not be slaughtered at a LW of less than 340 kg and slaughter weights greater than 400 kg have positive implications on important carcass characteristics, notably conformation and marbling.

Abstract Background: Neuroimaging studies are an invaluable source of information about the physiopathology of schizophrenia. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a new magnetic resonance technique (MRI) that is able to effectively evaluate brain function without the use of radiation. Objective: To make a systematic review of studies using ASL to compare resting-state regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Methods: Original articles were searched for on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO electronic databases. The search terms used were ‘arterial’, ‘spin’, ‘labeling’, and ‘schizophrenia’. Only studies comparing resting-state rCBF were included, a qualitative synthesis was then performed. Results: Ten articles were included in the review among a total of 22. Decreased rCBF in schizophrenia patients was described in the anterior cingulate, cuneus, fusiform gyrus, frontal lobe, left middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, lingual gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and parietal lobe. The putamen was the only region with increased rCBF in schizophrenia. Discussion: The evidence of the studies reviewed lends support to the concept of hipofrontality in schizophrenia. rCBF alterations were found in regions classically associated with schizophrenia. ASL seems to be valid, and reliable tool to assess schizophrenia.

Relatamos um caso raro em uma lactente com três meses e meio de idade, portadora de imunodeficiência primária (defeito no eixo IFN-γ/IL-12), que apresentou linfadenite supurativa após a vacinação por Mycobacterium bovis BCG, cepa essa resistente a isoniazida e rifampicina. Após o tratamento com um esquema medicamentoso especial com isoniazida (de forma estratégica e limitada), etambutol, estreptomicina e IFN-γ, houve a cura completa das lesões.

We report a rare case in a female infant (age, 3.5 months) with primary immunodeficiency (IFN-γ/IL-12 pathway defect) who presented with suppurative lymphadenitis after Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination. The strain of M. bovis BCG identified was found to be resistant to isoniazid and rifampin. The patient was treated with a special pharmacological regimen involving isoniazid (in a limited, strategic manner), ethambutol, streptomycin, and IFN-γ, after which there was complete resolution of the lesions.

Introdução: A organização e desenvolvimento dos sistemas de Trauma na assistência pré-hospitalar e pós-admissão (VMER, ATLS e UCI) teve uma repercussão positiva nas taxas de mortalidade primária (muito ligadas ao TCE grave e choque hemorrágico) e aumentou a sobrevivência de doentes Politraumatizados (PTZ) em estado muito grave. Associado à gravidade das lesões iniciais, estes doentes desenvolvem precocemente complicações hemodinâmicas e metabólicas que podem condicionar o prognóstico. Estudos com mediadores inflamatórios e moléculas de adesão acerca do seu papel na fisiopatologia do mecanismo SIRS-MODS e CARS, como resposta fisiológica do sistema imunológico a diversos tipos de noxas (infeção, queimadura, trauma e cirurgia) levaram ao aparecimento de conceitos como o de first e second hit. Esta teoria considera os procedimentos médico-cirúrgicos como uma segunda “agressão”, levando vários autores a adotar o conceito de Damage Control Orthopedics (DCO) no trauma grave. Segundo estes, os doentes instáveis com fraturas que beneficiam de tratamento cirúrgico beneficiarão de osteotaxia em primeiro tempo e Osteossíntese Definitiva (OSD) posteriormente, após otimização do estado geral. Contudo, a metodologia de alguns estudos não permite responder com clareza a algumas questões importantes: quais os doentes candidatos a DCO?; qual o timing ideal para conversão em OSD?; qual o papel das complicações precoces no prognóstico e decisão terapêutica nestes doentes?; qual a influência desta estratégia no prognóstico?; entre outras questões importantes. Desta forma, os autores propõem determinar e avaliar o impacto no outcome de diversas variáveis importantes num grupo de PTZ graves: 1) gravidade das lesões iniciais por cálculo do ISS, RTS, TRISS, traumatismo craniano e torácico graves; 2) complicações precoces relacionadas com perturbações hemodinâmicas e metabólicas importantes (hipotermia, acidose, coagulopatia, tríade maligna, SIRS grave e choque); 3) contribuição dos mediadores inflamatórios e moléculas de adesão (TNFa, IL-6, IL-10, ICAM-1 e HMGB-1) nas primeiras 72h na avaliação e capacidade discriminadora de complicações graves; 4) efeito do tratamento cirúrgico (duração da cirurgia e tipo de cirurgia - DCS vs tratamento cirúrgico definitivo); 5) papel do DCO no prognóstico destes doentes. Material e Métodos: Os autores implementaram um protocolo de estudo prospetivo de cohort, com inclusão de 99 doentes politraumatizados graves (ISS>15), adultos (18-65 anos) que ingressaram consecutivamente na sala de trauma do nosso hospital. Registaram dados (para caracterização da amostra), identificação e caracterização na admissão (baseline) das variáveis independentes que permitiram a classificação das lesões pelos scores mais comuns (ISS, RTS e TRISS) e a identificação de alterações metabólicas e hemodinâmicas importantes (SIRS, SIRS grave, choque, coagulopatia, acidose, hipotermia e tríade maligna). Registaram também: TCE grave (ais>3), traumatismo torácico grave (ais>3) e fraturas graves (ais=3) da bacia, fémur e ossos da perna. Consideraram as seguintes variáveis dependentes: 1) tipo de cirurgia, considerando dois grupos: damage control surgery (DCS) vs tratamento cirúrgico definitivo; 2) tipo de cirurgia ortopédica major no grupo de doentes com fraturas graves (26), sendo randomizados dois grupos de 13 doentes cada: grupo DCO e grupo OSD; 3) duração da cirurgia (complexidade) com dois grupos: <240’ e >240’. Efetuaram também o doseamento dos mediadores: TNFa, IL-6, IL-10, ICAM-1 e HMGB-1 na admissão (dia 0), 24 h (dia 1), 48 h (dia 2) e 72 h (dia 3). Consideraram como variáveis alvo (outcomes negativos): Internamento em UCI (UCI), ARDS, MODS e Morte. Estudaram a correlação entre variáveis independentes e dependentes com a ocorrência de outcomes negativos. Analisaram também o comportamento dos mediadores ao longo do estudo, na perspetiva de avaliação da gravidade e capacidade preditiva do prognóstico. Comparam ainda a eficácia da abordagem DCO na prevenção das complicações. A análise estatística foi efetuada utilizando o programa de análise estatística de dados SPSS® v.20.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Em todos os testes de hipóteses foi considerado um nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados : A idade mediana foi de 31 (18-60) anos e o ISS de 29 (17-52). 67% dos PTZ foram submetidos a cirurgia nas primeiras 24horas (sendo 42% operados por ortopedia). 31% dos doentes apresentava fraturas graves. Os outcomes foram: UCI-66%, ARDS-19%, MODS-34% e Morte-28%. As variáveis independentes associadas ao outcome foram: Hipotermia e Tríade Maligna, correlacionadas com MODS (p<0,008 e p<0,001, respetivamente) e Morte (p<0,008 e p<0,001, respetivamente). As variáveis dependentes não afetaram os outcomes estudados. Quanto à capacidade preditiva dos mediadores: IL-6 e IL-10 às 72 horas estão associadas a UCI (p<0,001), ARDS (p<0,039), MODS (p<0,003) e Morte (p<0,001); a IL-10 tem correlação com ARDS (p<0,001) em todos os doseamentos. Na comparação da eficácia do tratamento DCO vs OSD, não encontraram diferenças no prognóstico, apesar dos valores de IL-6 às 24 horas serem superiores no grupo OSD (p<0,001), assim como a duração da cirurgia (p<0,001). Discussão: No trauma grave, a avaliação de gravidade para melhorar a eficácia do tratamento, é determinante no prognóstico. O papel da IL-6 e IL-10, na monitorização do SIRS e na previsão do outcome, é reconhecido na literatura e confirma-se neste estudo. Neste trabalho os autores encontraram fatores relacionados com o estado do doente na admissão que são determinantes no prognóstico, particularmente a hipotermia e a presença de tríade maligna. Verificaram também um número significativo de fraturas graves com indicação para tratamento cirúrgico do qual depende a incapacidade futura, mas também a possível evolução para complicações sistémicas com implicação na mortalidade secundária, justificando o DCO segundo alguns estudos. Contudo, neste trabalho, na ausência de seleção de doentes (incluíram TCE e trauma torácico grave) e apesar de tempo de cirurgia prolongado no grupo OSD (mediana de 250’), não encontraram diferenças no outcome entre os grupos DCO e OSD, pelo que esta estratégia não evidenciou benefício no tratamento deste grupo de PTZ graves.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes estratégias nutricionais na recria e terminação sobre a morfometria da carcaça de 24 bovinos mestiços ½ Holandês/Zebu, abatidos aos 15 meses de idade com 395,0kg de peso vivo. Na fase de recria os animais foram mantidos em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha recebendo dois níveis de suplementação energética em quantidade equivalente a 0,5 ou 1,0% do peso vivo. Posteriormente, os animais foram terminados em confinamento com dietas compostas por 50 ou 80% de concentrado. Os percentuais dos cortes primários não foram influenciados pelos efeitos estudados. O nível alto de suplementação na recria proporcionou maior (p < 0,05) comprimento de carcaça (134,48 vs 131,43 cm). Os níveis alimentares não influenciaram a conformação das carcaças, entretanto o maior nível de suplementação na recria e de concentrado na terminação proporcionaram maior (p < 0,05) espessura de coxão (23.46 vs 21.26 cm). Constatou-se interação significativa entre níveis alimentares nas diferentes fases para o comprimento de perna e perímetro de braço com aumento de 14,78 e 4,80%, respectivamente, em favor dos animais que receberam alto nível de alimentação em ambas as fases. O nível alimentar alto na recria mostrou-se tecnicamente melhor pelos seus efeitos positivos sobre algumas medidas importantes da carcaça, notadamente o comprimento.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies in growing and finishing phases on the carcass morphometry of 24 crossbred steers, ½ Holstein/Zebu, slaughtered at 15 months of age and 395.0kg live weight. In the growing phase, animals were maintained grazing on Brachiaria brizantha, receiving two levels of energy supplementation in quantities equivalent to 0.5 or 1.0% live weight. Then, animals were finished in feedlot receiving diets composed of 50 or 80% concentrate. The percentage of primary cuts was not influenced by feed levels in the growing and finish phases. The high supplementation level in the growing phase resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) carcass length (134.48 vs. 131.43 cm). The food levels did not influence the conformation of the carcasses, however the highest level in the growing and finishing phases resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) cushion thickness (23.46 vs 21.26 cm). It was found a significant interaction between feeding levels in the different phases for the leg length and arm perimeter with increase of 14.78 and 4.80%, respectively for animals given high energy levels in both phases. The high feeding level in the growing phase was more attractive owing the positive effects on some important measures of carcass, especially in the length.

A benzofenazina derivada da beta-lapachona foi submetida a ozonólise em condições que forneceram seletivamente a lactona macrocíclica 7,7-dimetil-7,8,9,10-tetrahidro-5H-benzo[3,4]oxecino[5,6 -b]quinoxalina-5,10-diona, com rendimento de 52%. O efeito de substituintes localizados no anel diidropirânico das fenazinas, no caso C2' -OH, C2' -Br e C2' -I, em reações de oxidação com MCPBA, foi também investigado.

The benzophenazine from beta-lapachone was submitted to ozonolysis under conditions that selectively furnished the corresponding rigid macrocyclic lactone 7,7-dimethyl-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[3,4]oxecino[5,6-b]quinoxaline-5,10-dione in an yield of 52%. The effect of substituents located at the dihydropyrane moiety of the phenazines, namely C2'-OH, C2'-Br and C2'-I, in the oxidation with MCPBA, was also investigated.