Dynamics of meteorological and hydrological drought: The impact of groundwater and El Niño events on forest fires in the Amazon.

Over recent decades, anthropogenic forest fires have significantly altered vegetation dynamics in the Amazon region. While human activities primarily initiate these fires, their escalation is intricately linked to climatic conditions, particularly droughts induced by the warm El Niño phase. This study investigates the impact of meteorological and hydrological drought on forest fires in the Amazon, focusing on the role of groundwater and El Niño events. Utilizing comprehensive drought indicators at various soil depths and standardized precipitation indexes, the research spans from 2004 to 2016, revealing a consistent decrease in humidity conditions across surface soil moisture, root zone soil moisture, and groundwater storage levels. With its slower response to precipitation changes, groundwater emerges as a crucial factor influencing hydrological drought patterns in the Amazon. The spatial distribution of drought conditions is explored, highlighting areas with lower humidity concentrations in the northeast and a correlation between forest fires and positive rates of change in burned area fraction during El Niño events. Notably, the study underscores the substantial increase in burned area during the 2015-2016, characterized by a very strong El Niño. This nuanced understanding of groundwater dynamics and its interplay with El Niño events provides critical insights for developing a tailored fire risk index in the ecologically significant and vulnerable Amazon basin, subsidizing strategies for mitigating fire risk and enhancing preparedness.

Flowers meet Newton: testing the role of gravitational pull in resupination of orchid flowers.

Resupination refers to the developmental orientation changes of flowers through ≈180º, leaving them effectively upside-down. It is a widespread trait present in 14 angiosperm families, including the Orchidaceae, where it is a gravitropic phenomenon actively controlled by auxins. Here, we demonstrate that the passive gravitational pull on flower parts can have an additional influence on resupination. We studied a lady's slipper orchid in which some flowers naturally fail to resupinate. We conducted a manipulative experiment removing floral parts and showed that both the probability of complete resupination and the degree of flower vertical movement (from 0º - 180º) are related to the mass of floral organs. During flower development, the tip of the ovary slightly curves actively (14.75º) due to gravitropism. This promotes a lever arm effect so that the gravitational pull acting on flower mass creates a torque that bends the ovary, orienting the flower into a resupinate position that is accessible to pollinators. The role of the mass of floral organs in resupination provides new insights into flower development and its role in pollination mechanisms.

Naringenin and caffeic acid increase ethanol production in yeast cells by reducing very high gravity fermentation-related oxidative stress.

Very high gravity (VHG) fermentation is an industrial-scale process utilizing a sugar concentration above 250 g/L to attain a significant ethanol concentration, with the advantages of decreased labor, production costs, water usage, bacterial contamination, and energy consumption. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most extensively employed organisms in ethanol fermentation through VHG technology. Conversely, high glucose exposure leads to numerous stress factors that negatively impact the ethanol production efficiency of this organism. Here, the impact of various phytochemicals added to the VHG medium on viability, glucose consumption, ethanol production efficiency, total antioxidant-oxidant status (TAS and TOS), and the response of the enzymatic antioxidant system of yeast were investigated. 2.0 mM naringenin and caffeic acid increased ethanol production by 2.453 ± 0.198 and 1.261 ± 0.138-fold, respectively. The glucose consumption rate exhibited a direct relationship with ethanol production in the naringenin-supplemented group. The highest TAS was determined as 0.734 ± 0.044 mmol Trolox Eq./L in the same group. Furthermore, both phytochemical compounds exhibited robust positive correlations with TAS (rnaringenin = 0.9986; rcaffeic acid = 0.9553) and TOS levels (rnaringenin = -0.9824; rcaffeic acid = -0.9791). While naringenin caused statistically significant increases in glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities, caffeic acid significantly increased TrxR and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Both phytochemicals seem to impact the ethanol production ability by regulating the redox status of the cells. We believe that the incorporation of particularly cost-effective antioxidants into the fermentation medium may serve as an alternative way to enhance the efficiency of bioethanol production using VHG technology.

Metabolic flexibility associated with flight time among combat pilots of the Brazilian air force.

INTRODUCTION: Fighter pilots must support the effects of many stressors, including physical and psychological exertion, circadian disturbance, jet lag, and environmental stress. Despite the rigorous selection of military pilots, those factors predispose to failures in physiological compensatory mechanisms and metabolic flexibility. OBJECTIVES: We compared through NMR-based metabolomics the metabolic profile of Brazilian F5 fighter pilots with different flight experiences vs. the control group of non-pilots. We hypothesized that combat pilots have metabolic flexibility associated with combat flight time. METHODS: We evaluated for the first time 34 Brazilian fighter pilots from Santa Cruz Air Base (Rio de Janeiro, RJ) allocated into three groups: pilots with lower total accumulated flight experience < 1,100 h (PC1, n = 7); pilots with higher total accumulated flight experience ≥ 1,100 h (PC2, n = 6); military non-pilots (CONT, n = 21). Data collection included anthropometric measurements, total blood count, lipidogram, markers of oxidative stress, and serum NMR-based metabolomics. RESULTS: In comparison with controls (p < 0.05), pilots exhibited decreased levels of white blood cells (-13%), neutrophils (-15%), lymphocytes (-20%), alfa-glucose (-13%), lactate (-26%), glutamine (-11%), histidine (-20%), and tyrosine (-11%), but higher isobutyrate (+ 10%) concentrations. Significant correlations were found between lactate vs. amino acids in CONT (r = 0.55-0.68, p < 0.001), and vs. glutamine in PC2 (r = 0.94, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Fighter pilots with lower experience showed a dysregulation in immune-metabolic function in comparison with controls, which seemed to be counteracted by the accumulation of flight hours. Those findings might have implications for the health preservation and operational training of fighter pilots.

Entrenamiento de la marcha con la cinta rodante antigravitatoria en pacientes con Parkinson / Gait training with the anti-gravity treadmill in Parkinson's patients / Treinamento de marcha com fita rolante antigravitatoria em pacientes com Parkinson

La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es una condición neurodegenerativa caracterizada por alteraciones motoras que afectan principalmente el desarrollo de la marcha, produciéndose generalmente el fenómeno del congelamiento de la marcha con la posibilidad del riesgo de caída. Objetivo: Analizar los beneficios del entrenamiento de la marcha con la cinta rodante antigravitatoria en pacientes con EP. Materiales y métodos: Es un estudio pre-experimental con un solo grupo de intervención. Se llevó a cabo el entrenamiento de la marcha a través de una cinta rodante antigravitatoria (AlterG) durante un mes dividido en 2 sesiones por semana. Los parámetros de la marcha arrojados por el equipo AlterG fueron la descarga de peso, cadencia, tiempo de apoyo y longitud del paso; además se valoró el congelamiento de la marcha con el cuestionario (FOGQ) y el riesgo de caída con el test Timed Up and Go (TUG). Resultados: En los parámetros de la marcha y en el FOGQ se encontró diferencias significativas (p<0,05) entre los valores de pre y post intervención, exceptuando a la variable cadencia. El riesgo de caída disminuyó 4,6 y 4,3 segundos promedio en el test TUG en hombres y mujeres respectivamente. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de la marcha en la cinta rodante antigravitatoria mejora las condiciones de la marcha y reduce el riesgo de caídas en pacientes con EP.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor alterations that mainly affect the development of gait, generally producing the phenomenon of freezing of gait with the possibility of risk of falling. Objective: To analyze the benefits of gait training with the antigravity treadmill in patients with PD. Materials and methods: It is a pre-experimental study with a single intervention group. Gait training was carried out using an antigravity treadmill (AlterG) for one month divided into 2 sessions per week. The gait parameters returned by the AlterG team were weight unloading, cadence, support time and step length; Furthermore, freezing of gait was assessed with the questionnaire (FOGQ) and the risk of falling with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Results: In the gait parameters and in the FOGQ, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the pre- and post-intervention values, except for the cadence variable. The risk of falling decreased by 4.6 and 4.3 seconds on average in the TUG test in men and women respectively. Conclusion: Antigravity treadmill gait training improves walking conditions and reduces the risk of falls in PD patients.

A doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma condição neurodegenerativa caracterizada por alterações motoras que afetam principalmente o desenvolvimento da marcha, geralmente produzindo o fenômeno de congelamento da marcha com possibilidade de risco de queda. Objetivo: Analisar os benefícios do treino de marcha com esteira antigravitacional em pacientes com DP. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo pré-experimental com um único grupo de intervenção. O treinamento de marcha foi realizado em esteira antigravitacional (AlterG) durante um mês dividido em 2 sessões semanais. Os parâmetros de marcha retornados pela equipe AlterG foram descarga de peso, cadência, tempo de apoio e comprimento do passo; Além disso, o congelamento da marcha foi avaliado com o questionário (FOGQ) e o risco de queda com o teste Timed Up and Go (TUG). Resultados: Nos parâmetros da marcha e no FOGQ foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os valores pré e pós-intervenção, exceto na variável cadência. O risco de queda diminuiu em média 4,6 e 4,3 segundos no teste TUG em homens e mulheres respectivamente. Conclusão: O treino de marcha em esteira antigravitacional melhora as condições de marcha e reduz o risco de quedas em pacientes com DP.

Micropropagation of Encyclia cordigera (Kunth) Dressler in Ebb-and-Flow Bioreactor.

The use of new technologies for micropropagation such as temporary immersion systems (TISs) is important, because it reduces costs by 40% lowering labor, agar and containers. TISs are containers designed for large-scale, semiautomatic production of plants in a liquid medium, which has been used in propagation of commercial orchids. This tool has high potential for application in micropropagation of medicinal and endangered orchids for conservation and commercial purposes. In this chapter, we describe a detailed protocol for propagation and development of Encyclia cordigera to be used in research projects for small-scale production. This protocol comprises all steps from explant preparation to the establishment orchids plantlets.

Urinary KIM-1 is not correlated with gestational age among 5-year-old children born prematurely.

Background: Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron endowment. Currently, there is no reliable non-invasive biomarker to identify or monitor decreased nephron number in at-risk patients. Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a biomarker of acute and chronic renal injury. We measured urinary KIM-1 among a wide array of other potential biomarkers. Methods: We conducted an ambispective cohort study of 5-years-old children born prematurely and healthy controls identified from city schools. Detailed anthropometrics, renal ultrasound dimensions, and biochemical parameters were measured. Urinary KIM-1 was measured using Luminex® technology. Age independent z-scores were calculated and compared. Spearman correlations were used for estimating the association between measures and KIM-1. Results: We enrolled 129 children, 97 (75.2%) born pre-term and 32 (24.8%) healthy controls born at full-term. Pre-term patients had significantly lower weight and body surface area than controls. Pre-term patients and controls did not differ in current age, sex, race, height, blood pressure, urinary sodium, fractional sodium excretion, serum creatinine and estimated GFR. All spearman correlation between KIM-1 and gestational age, renal and serum measurements were weak without statistical significance. Conclusion: In 5-year-old children born prematurely, KIM-1 was not correlated with gestational age. Further prospective studies need to confirm this finding.

Raspberry Extract as a Strategy to Improve the Oxidative Stability of Pork Burgers Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Hydrogelled emulsions (HEs) of linseed oil and pea protein (PP) were produced with four levels (0, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of raspberry extract obtained by a green extraction technique (microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity-MHG). HEs were applied in burgers to replace 50% of pork backfat content. The products' technological, nutritional, oxidative, microbiological, and sensory properties were evaluated. Besides reducing the fat level by approximately 43%, the reformulation reduced the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio to healthy levels, decreased the diameter reduction by 30%, and increased the cooking yield by 11%. Including 7.5 and 10% of raspberry extract in the HEs decreased the oxidative defects caused by the enrichment of the burgers with omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the raspberry extract did not cause alterations in the mesophilic aerobic count and the burgers' sensory profile.

Posterior C1-C2 fusion for atlantoaxial rotatory fixation after posterior fossa craniotomy in a 4-year old: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to highlight that atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) can be related to neurosurgery procedures in children, with an afterward demonstration of good results after halo-gravity traction and C1-C2 stabilization using the Harms technique. CASE DESCRIPTION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to report a 4-year-old boy who presented with AARF after a posterior fossa craniotomy to treat a cerebellar astrocytoma. At our medical facility, AARF was diagnosed using plain radiography and computed tomography imaging. The patient was treated with continuous cranial traction for 14 days. Initially, we detected that the patient had no C1 posterior arch or C2 spinous process; therefore, the best option was to perform the Harms technique. Postoperatively, the patient was placed in a cervical collar for 4 weeks. At the 4-year postoperative follow-up, the patient was doing well and had not developed any complications. CONCLUSION: Herein, we report a case in which AARF can be developed after neurosurgical procedure. Surgical techniques used for atlantoaxial subluxation should be carefully selected. In our case, the Harms technique after cranial traction was an excellent option for correcting and stabilizing the abnormal neck position. However, further studies are required to determine the best technique to use in the pediatric population.

Evaluation of outpatient halo-gravity traction in patients with severe scoliosis: development of a monitoring device.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with severe spinal deformities represent a major clinical and surgical challenge. Halo-gravity traction (HGT) is a traditional method to correct the deformity prior to surgery. Typically, children undergoing HGT remain in the hospital until surgery. Therefore, it has been suggested to treat these children at lower level healthcare centers or even at home. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to assess patient adherence to HGT together with a program to analyze traction results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An original recording system was designed with an Arduino Nano®. The data extracted from the memory card were compiled into a text file and then analyzed with the MatLab R2018a MathWorks®. RESULTS: Five patients receiving HGT for severe scoliosis were asked to use the device both in the wheelchair and in bed to evaluate its usefulness. CONCLUSIONS: A device was developed to monitor the use of HGT at home. The device provides information on the time of HGT use and the traction weight placed throughout the day, as well as on the correct functioning of the system in bed and in the wheelchair.

Econometric Analysis of China-ECOWAS agricultural products trade / Análise econométrica do comércio de produtos agrícolas China-CEDEAO

ABSTRACT: Agriculture trade remains the economic fulcrum of most African countries as the continent continues to host the largest percent of arable land. This research analyzed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and China's agricultural products trade determinants based on 19 years (2000-2018) panel dataset of West African countries aggregate agricultural products exports ($) and macroeconomic variables; GDP, population, arable land, language investment, and trade association(WTO)) as predictors. The PPML estimation method was employed due to its prediction accuracy, the size of the data, and potential hetroskadacity issues. With a 78.5% prediction power, the model explained the variation in ECOWAS-China agricultural trade (Exports). GDPj, lnPOPj, lnPOPi, and lnARLj, LndLj, ConfInsj, and WTOij were positive and statistically significant determinants of trade as hypothesized by existing trade literature. In addition, the China's population (lnPOPj) had a value of 0.5877, which is significant at the 5% level, indicating that a 1% increase in the Chinese population significantly increases trade in agricultural products with ECOWAS states. The coefficient of distance (Dij) is -4.4573 statistically significant at the 1% level, indicating that distance between partners impedes trade flow. There are unidentified barriers that delay the progress of trade in agricultural products between ECOWAS and China. Based on the above findings, Investments in ECOWAS arable lands demand urgent attention if significant progress in exports is expected, additionally, governments of both partners should assist Agricultural research and development to identify and rectify stifling trade barriers. Furthermore, as trade between ECOWAS and China has not yet reached its full peak, studies on export determinants of individual Agro-commodities and potentials are needed to enrich literature.

RESUMO: O comércio agrícola continua sendo o sustentáculo econômico da maioria dos países africanos, visto que o continente continua a hospedar a maior porcentagem de terras aráveis. Este trabalho analisou os determinantes do comércio de produtos agrícolas de paises do oeste da África ECOWAS e da China com base em um conjunto de dados de painel de 19 anos (2000-2018) dos países da África Ocidental, agregando exportações de produtos agrícolas ($) e variáveis macroeconômicas (PIB, população, terras aráveis, investimento linguístico e associação comercial (OMC)) como preditores. O método de estimativa PPML foi empregado devido à sua precisão de previsão, o tamanho dos dados e possíveis problemas de heteroscedasticidade. Com um poder de previsão de 78,5%, o modelo explicou a variação do comércio agrícola Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) -China (Exportações). GDPj, lnPOPj, lnPOPi e lnARLj, LndLj, ConfInsj e WTOij foram determinantes positivos e estatisticamente significativos do comércio, conforme hipotetizado pela literatura comercial existente. Além disso, a população chinesa (lnPOPj) teve um valor de 0,5877, o que é significativo ao nível de 5%, indicando que um aumento de 1% na população chinesa aumenta significativamente o comércio de produtos agrícolas com os estados da Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO).O coeficiente de distância (Dij) é -4,4573 estatisticamente significativo no nível de 1%, indicando que a distância entre os parceiros impede o fluxo comercial. Existem barreiras não identificadas que atrasam o progresso do comércio de produtos agrícolas entre a Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) e a China. Com base nas conclusões acima, os investimentos em terras aráveis da Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) exigem atenção urgente se houver progresso significativo nas exportações. Além disso, os governos de ambos os parceiros devem ajudar a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento agrícola a identificar e retificar as barreiras comerciais sufocantes. Além disso, como o comércio entre a Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) e a China ainda não atingiu o seu pico, são necessários estudos sobre os determinantes das exportações de produtos agrícolas individuais e potenciais para enriquecer a literatura.

Econometric Analysis of China­ECOWAS agricultural products trad / Análise econométrica do comércio de produtos agrícolas China-CEDEAO

Agriculture trade remains the economic fulcrum of most African countries as the continent continues to host the largest percent of arable land. This research analyzed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and China's agricultural products trade determinants based on 19 years (2000-2018) panel dataset of West African countries aggregate agricultural products exports ($) and macroeconomic variables; GDP, population, arable land, language investment, and trade association(WTO)) as predictors. The PPML estimation method was employed due to its prediction accuracy, the size of the data, and potential hetroskadacity issues. With a 78.5% prediction power, the model explained the variation in ECOWAS-China agricultural trade (Exports). GDPj, lnPOPj, lnPOPi, and lnARLj, LndLj, ConfInsj, and WTOij were positive and statistically significant determinants of trade as hypothesized by existing trade literature. In addition, the China's population (lnPOPj) had a value of 0.5877, which is significant at the 5% level, indicating that a 1% increase in the Chinese population significantly increases trade in agricultural products with ECOWAS states. The coefficient of distance (Dij) is -4.4573 statistically significant at the 1% level, indicating that distance between partners impedes trade flow. There are unidentified barriers that delay the progress of trade in agricultural products between ECOWAS and China. Based on the above findings, Investments in ECOWAS arable lands demand urgent attention if significant progress in exports is expected, additionally, governments of both partners should assist Agricultural research and development to identify and rectify stifling trade barriers. Furthermore, as trade between ECOWAS and China has not yet reached its full peak, studies on export determinants of individual Agro-commodities and potentials are needed to enrich literature.

O comércio agrícola continua sendo o sustentáculo econômico da maioria dos países africanos, visto que o continente continua a hospedar a maior porcentagem de terras aráveis. Este trabalho analisou os determinantes do comércio de produtos agrícolas de paises do oeste da África ECOWAS e da China com base em um conjunto de dados de painel de 19 anos (2000-2018) dos países da África Ocidental, agregando exportações de produtos agrícolas ($) e variáveis macroeconômicas (PIB, população, terras aráveis, investimento linguístico e associação comercial (OMC)) como preditores. O método de estimativa PPML foi empregado devido à sua precisão de previsão, o tamanho dos dados e possíveis problemas de heteroscedasticidade. Com um poder de previsão de 78,5%, o modelo explicou a variação do comércio agrícola Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) -China (Exportações). GDPj, lnPOPj, lnPOPi e lnARLj, LndLj, ConfInsj e WTOij foram determinantes positivos e estatisticamente significativos do comércio, conforme hipotetizado pela literatura comercial existente. Além disso, a população chinesa (lnPOPj) teve um valor de 0,5877, o que é significativo ao nível de 5%, indicando que um aumento de 1% na população chinesa aumenta significativamente o comércio de produtos agrícolas com os estados da Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO).O coeficiente de distância (Dij) é -4,4573 estatisticamente significativo no nível de 1%, indicando que a distância entre os parceiros impede o fluxo comercial. Existem barreiras não identificadas que atrasam o progresso do comércio de produtos agrícolas entre a Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) e a China. Com base nas conclusões acima, os investimentos em terras aráveis da Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) exigem atenção urgente se houver progresso significativo nas exportações. Além disso, os governos de ambos os parceiros devem ajudar a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento agrícola a identificar e retificar as barreiras comerciais sufocantes. Além disso, como o comércio entre a Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental (CEDEAO) e a China ainda não atingiu o seu pico, são necessários estudos sobre os determinantes das exportações de produtos agrícolas individuais e potenciais para enriquecer a literatura.

Wheelchair Axle Position Effect on the Propulsion Performance of Persons With C7 Tetraplegia: A Repeated-Measures Study.

Objectives: To assess the changes in speed, stroke frequency, acceleration, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) associated with different wheelchair axle positions in people with chronic C7 tetraplegia. Methods: This repeated-measures study was conducted at the Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Unit, FLENI Escobar, Argentina. The speed, stroke frequency, acceleration, and shoulder ROM during wheelchair propulsion were measured in nine participants with C7 spinal cord injury (SCI) in four different axle positions (forward and up, forward and down, backward and down, backward and up). Two strokes performed at maximum speed were analyzed on a smooth level vinyl floor in a motion analysis laboratory. Data were analyzed for significant statistical differences using the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Our study showed significant differences in the speed with axle position 1 (1.57 m/s) versus 2 (1.55 m/s) and position 2 (1.55 m/s) versus 4 (1.52 m/s). The shoulder ROM showed a significant difference in the sagittal plane in position 2 (59.34 degrees) versus 3 (61.64 degrees), whereas the stroke frequency and the acceleration parameters showed no statistically significant differences with the different rear axle positions. Conclusions: Our study showed that modifying the rear axle position can improve the propulsion speed and produce changes in the shoulder ROM in the wheelchair propulsion of individuals with C7 SCI.

An Alternative Study about the Geometry and the First Law of Thermodynamics for AdS Lovelock Gravity, Using the Definition of Conserved Charges.

In this work, we introduce an extension of the study of the first law of thermodynamics of black holes based on the geometry of the extended phase space for AdS Lovelock gravities, which includes changes in scales. As expected, the result obtained coincides with the previously known four-dimensional case. For higher dimensions, the result is the rise of two new contributions to the first law of thermodynamics. The first term corresponds to corrections of the usual definition of thermodynamic volumes at the horizon due to the presence of the higher curvature terms. The second term arises in odd dimensions, comes from the asymptotic region, and corresponds to a scale transformation of the form ∝δ^ln(l/ℓ), with l the AdS radius and ℓ a parameter. A particularly interesting case corresponds to the Chern Simons gravity where the change scale does not generate a contribution at the asymptotic region, likely due to the Chern Simons AdS local symmetry.

Perfil epidemiológico de gestantes e puérperas brasileiras no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, em 2020 / Epidemiological profile of brazilian pregnant and postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic / Perfil epidemiológico de embarazadas y puérperas brasileñas en contexto pandémico por el COVID-19 en 2020

Durante a pandemia da covid-19, houve incipiência de publicações que escutassem gestantes e puérperas sobre os impactos sentidos. Por isso, objetivou-se estimar prevalências acerca das condições sociodemográficas e econômicas desse público e dos impactos psicofísicos, psíquicos e sociais decorrentes desse contexto. Em estudo transversal, levantou-se o perfil epidemiológico de 156 gestantes e 65 puérperas brasileiras, por survey, com questionário online. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SPSS 24.0. Houve predomínio de nordestinas (78,3%), 41,6% delas eram pardas, com faixa etária de 30 a 39 anos (59,7%) e 71% tinham ensino superior completo ou mais. Do total, 5% foram contaminadas pela covid-19. Quanto às sensações físicas, destacaram-se alteração do sono em gestantes (45,5%) e puérperas (47,7%), assim como mania de limpeza para ambos os grupos, respectivamente 31,4% e 43,1%. Entre as emoções mais sentidas, 62,2% das gestantes relataram ansiedade e 61,5% das puérperas medo excessivo. Rotina mais cansativa e sobrecarga com trabalhos domésticos foram mencionadas como impactos sociais (85,3% das gestantes e 86,2% das puérperas). Os dados apresentam uma realidade de mulheres privilegiadas em relação a renda, escolaridade e vínculo de trabalho, mas, mesmo diante dessas condições, elas experimentaram aumento de sensações consideradas negativas durante a gravidez e o puerpério.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some publications focused on the impact felt by pregnant and postpartum women. Hence, this article sought to estimate the prevalence of sociodemographic and economic conditions among these users, as well as the psychophysical, psychological, and social impacts resulting from this context. A cross-sectional study surveyed the epidemiological profile of 156 pregnant women and 65 postpartum women by means of an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. Results showed a predominance of Northeasterners (78.3%), 41.6% of them brown, aged 30 to 39 years (59.7%), and 71% with complete tertiary education or more. Of the total, 5% were infected by COVID-19. As for physical sensations, sleep disorders in pregnant women (45.5%) and puerperal women (47.7%) stood out, as well as cleaning mania for both groups, respectively 31.4% and 43.1%. Regarding the most felt emotions, 62.2% of pregnant women reported anxiety and 61.5% of puerperal women reported excessive fear. Both groups cited a more tiring routine and housework overload as social impacts (pregnant women, 85.3%; puerperal women, 86.2%). These findings show a reality of privileged women regarding income, education, and employment; but even under these conditions, they experienced an increase in negative sensations during pregnancy and the puerperium.

Durante la pandemia del covid-19 hubo un advenimiento de publicaciones sobre los impactos de la pandemia en las mujeres embarazadas y puérperas. Así, el objetivo de este artículo fue estimar la prevalencia sobre las condiciones sociodemográficas y económicas de este público, y los impactos psicofísicos, psíquicos y sociales resultantes de este contexto. En este estudio transversal se investigó el perfil epidemiológico de 156 embarazadas y 65 puérperas brasileñas mediante una encuesta, con cuestionario en línea. Los datos se analizaron con el software SPSS 24.0. Hubo predominio de las mujeres del Nordeste brasileño (78,3%), el 41,6% de ellas eran pardas, con edad entre 30 y 39 años (59,7%), y el 71% tenían estudios superiores o más completos. En total, el 5% estaban infectadas por covid-19. En cuanto a las sensaciones físicas, se destacó la alteración del sueño entre las embarazadas (45,5%) y puérperas (47,7%), así como la manía por limpieza, respectivamente el 31,4% y el 43,1%. Entre las emociones más sentidas, el 62,2% de las embarazadas reportaron ansiedad; y el 61,5% de las puérperas, miedo excesivo. La rutina más agotadora y la sobrecarga de tareas domésticas fueron mencionadas por ambos grupos como los impactos sociales (embarazadas, 85,3%; y puérperas, 86,2%). Los datos mostraron una realidad de mujeres privilegiadas en términos de ingresos, nivel educativo y empleo; incluso frente a estas condiciones, experimentaron un aumento de sensaciones consideradas negativas durante el embarazo y el puerperio.

Neuromuscular lordoscoliosis: an unusual response to post-operative halo-gravity traction.

PURPOSE: To report the results of prolonged post-operative halo-gravity traction in a patient in whom the surgery had to be interrupted unexpectedly and for whom subsequently specific clinical circumstances contraindicated completion of the surgical procedure. METHODS: The patient was a 15-year-old male with severe cervico-dorsolumbar lordoscoliosis who was being studied for associated diffuse axonal injury. He performed halo-gravity traction for 12 weeks. Subsequent surgical management consisted of occipito-lumbar posterior instrumented fusion. During the surgical approach, electrocardiographic changes with hemodynamic decompensation were detected that did not improve with anesthetic reanimation. The intervention was stopped, the surgical wound was closed, and the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). It was decided that a revision surgery with the aim to continue with the previous strategy would imply a high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Orthopedic management was decided upon consisting of continued halo-gravity traction with wheelchair modification at home, which was extended to a period of 12 months because of the good results obtained in terms of cervicothoracic realignment. Two years after halo-gravity discontinuation, clinical and radiographic occipito-cervical alignment was good and the patient conserved certain occipito-cervical range of motion and had the capacity of maintaining a horizontal gaze. CONCLUSION: We considered the outcome extraordinary and relevant in this complex and unusual patient. A longer follow-up will provide more data regarding the final outcome of this treatment.

Multi-sensor geodetic observations for drought characterization in the Northeast Atlantic Eastern Hydrographic Region, Brazil.

The lowest water availability area in Brazil is the Northeast Atlantic Eastern Hydrographic Region (NAERH). It plays a fundamental role in the lives of 24.1 million inhabitants spread throughout 874 cities. Drought is recurrent in this semiarid climate, affecting agriculture, biodiversity, the ecosystem and other environmental spheres. Therefore, the goal of this research is to combine different drought indexes to quantify drought intensity and duration in the NAERH. Besides the traditionally used rainfall data, multi-temporal data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Positioning System (GPS) were also used. The indexes are the Combined Climatic Deviation Index (CCDI), Drought Severity Index (DSI) and Vertical Crustal Deformation Index (DIVCD). The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used for validation of the other indexes through the Spearman rank correlation, which retrieved ρ = 0.76 and 0.68 between the CCDI and the SPI-03/06. On the other hand, DSI correlated with the SPI-24/36 with ρ = 0.67/0.75. Despite limitations, the DIVCD accurately detected the frequencies of hydrological droughts. All indexes identified the last severe drought from 2012 to 2018, and its persistence throughout 2019 and 2020. The combined indexes approach reveals nuances of the indexes, improving the baseline to thoroughly understand drought at different temporal scales.

Mathematical Modeling of Fed-Batch Ethanol Fermentation Under Very High Gravity and High Cell Density at Different Temperatures.

The use of more appropriate kinetic models can assist in improving ethanol fermentation under conditions of very high gravity (VHG) and high cell density (HCD), in order to obtain higher amounts of ethanol in the broth combined with high productivity. The aim of this study was to model fed-batch ethanol fermentation under VHG/HCD conditions, at different temperatures, considering three types of inhibition (substrate, ethanol, and cells). Fermentations were carried out using different temperatures (28 ≤ [Formula: see text] (°C) ≤ 34), inoculum sizes (50 ≤ [Formula: see text] (g L-1) ≤ 125), and substrate concentrations in the must (258 ≤ [Formula: see text] (g L-1) ≤ 436). In the proposed model, the cell inhibition power parameter varied with the temperature and inoculum size, while the cell yield coefficient varied with inoculum size and substrate concentration in the must. Hence, it was possible to propose correlations for the cell inhibition power parameter ([Formula: see text]) and for the cell yield coefficient ([Formula: see text]), as functions of the fermentation conditions. Simulations of fed-batch ethanol fermentations at different temperatures, under VHG/HCD conditions, were performed using the proposed correlations. Experimental validation showed that the model was able to accurately predict the dynamic behavior of the fermentations in terms of the concentrations of viable cells, total cells, ethanol, and substrate.

A new strategy for the decellularization of whole organs by hydrostatic pressure.

Tissue engineering has been able to develop novel decellularization-recellularization techniques, which facilitates the research for the generation of functional organs. This is based in the initial obtention of the organ's extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, any improvement in the decellularization process would have a positive impact in the results of the recellularization process. Nevertheless, commonly the methods and equipment employed for this process are expensive and thus limit the access of this technique to various research groups globally. To develop a decellularization technique with the exclusive use of hydrostatic pressure of detergent solutions, to have an easily accessible and low-cost technique that meets the basic requirements of acellularity and functionality of the ECM. This experimental study was performed in 10 male Wistar rats, obtaining the liver to carry out serial washes, with 1%, 2%, and 3% Triton X-100 solutions and 0.1% SDS. The washes were performed by using a gravity perfusion system (GPS), which assured us a continuous hydrostatic pressure of 7.5 mmHg. The obtained ECM was processed using stains and immunostaining to determine the residual cell content and preservation of its components. The staining showed a removal of cellular and nuclear components of approximately 97% of the acellular ECM, with an adequate three-dimensional pattern of collagen and proteoglycans. Furthermore, the acellular ECM allowed the viability of a primary hepatocyte culture. The use of the GPS decellularization technique allowed us to obtain an acellular and functional ECM, drastically reducing experimentation costs.

Microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity model with a unique hydration strategy for exhaustive extraction of anthocyanins from strawberries and raspberries.

This study aimed to verify if microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) could efficiently extract anthocyanins from strawberries and raspberries with low environmental impact and costs. Our findings revealed that it was possible to extract 69 and 64% anthocyanins from the strawberries and raspberries in a single extraction step, respectively. When the co-product (product remaining after extracting in natura fruits) was hydrated with green solvents and subjected to re-extraction, it was possible to exhaustively extract the anthocyanins from both fruits. Using the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), the MHG proved to cause low environmental impact due to the solvents used, enabling the reuse of the co-product for food and pharmaceutical products application. Moreover, the MHG was economically viable, and the sample pretreated with distilled water was the most indicated re-extraction method. The MHG process proved to be exhaustive for strawberry and raspberry anthocyanins, thus demonstrating to be an excellent alternative for sustainable extraction.