Acid hydrolysis conditions do affect the non-extractable phenolic compounds composition from grape peel and seed.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydrolysis conditions on non-extractable phenolic compounds (NEPC) composition of grape peel and seed powder. The effect of temperature (50-90 °C), hydrochloric acid concentration (0.1-15.0 %), and time (5-20 min) were evaluated to understand their impact on NEPC release/extraction and degradation. The use of 1.0 and 8.0 % of HCl concentrations (v/v) and temperatures of 65 and 80 °C produced extracts with higher concentrations and a larger set of compounds. These conditions promoted a balance between release/extraction and degradation processes, thereby maximizing the NEPC content in the extracts. Furthermore, the results suggest that hydrolysis conditions can be set to modulate the release of specific classes. Non-extractable proanthocyanidins showed higher concentrations when intermediate values of temperature and acid concentration were applied. Hydrolysable tannins and hydroxybenzoic acids, on the other hand, were better extracted using higher acid concentrations and higher temperatures. The results suggest that the concentration and composition of NEPC are influenced by the hydrolysis conditions and the type of matrix. Hence, it is crucial to account for this compositional variation when conducting research on the biological effects of NEPC and when using this fraction as supplements or food ingredients.

Enhanced ß-carotene and Biomass Production by Induced Mixotrophy in Dunaliella salina across a Combined Strategy of Glycerol, Salinity, and Light.

Current mixotrophic culture systems for Dunaliella salina have technical limitations to achieve high growth and productivity. The purpose of this study was to optimize the mixotrophic conditions imposed by glycerol, light, and salinity that lead to the highest biomass and ß-carotene yields in D. salina. The combination of 12.5 mM glycerol, 3.0 M salinity, and 50 µmol photons m-2 s-1 light intensity enabled significant assimilation of glycerol by D. salina and consequently enhanced growth (2.1 × 106 cell mL-1) and ß-carotene accumulation (4.43 pg cell-1). The saline and light shock induced the assimilation of glycerol by this microalga. At last stage of growth, the increase in light intensity (300 µmol photons m-2 s-1) caused the ß-carotene to reach values higher than 30 pg cell-1 and tripled the ß-carotene values obtained from photoautotrophic cultures using the same light intensity. Increasing the salt concentration from 1.5 to 3.0 M NaCl (non-isosmotic salinity) produced higher growth and microalgal ß-carotene than the isosmotic salinity 3.0 M NaCl. The mixotrophic strategy developed in this work is evidenced in the metabolic capability of D. salina to use both photosynthesis and organic carbon, viz., glycerol that leads to higher biomass and ß-carotene productivity than that of an either phototrophic or heterotrophic process alone. The findings provide insights into the key role of exogenous glycerol with a strategic combination of salinity and light, which evidenced unknown roles of this polyol other than that in osmoregulation, mainly on the growth, pigment accumulation, and carotenogenesis of D. salina.

Combining wavelength importance ranking to the random forest classifier to analyze multiclass spectral data.

Near Infrared (NIR) is a type of vibrational spectroscopy widely used in different areas to characterize substances. NIR datasets are comprised of absorbance measures on a range of wavelengths (λ). Typically noisy and correlated, the use of such datasets tend to compromise the performance of several statistical techniques; one way to overcome that is to select portions of the spectra in which wavelengths are more informative. In this paper we investigate the performance of the Random Forest (RF) classifier associated with several wavelength importance ranking approaches on the task of classifying product samples into categories, such as quality levels or authenticity. Our propositions are tested using six NIR datasets comprised of two or more classes of food and pharmaceutical products, as well as illegal drugs. Our proposed classification model, an integration of the χ2 ranking score and the RF classifier, substantially reduced the number of wavelengths in the dataset, while increasing the classification accuracy when compared to the use of complete datasets. Our propositions also presented good performance when compared to competing methods available in the literature.

Identifying the most relevant tablet regions in the image detection of counterfeit medicines.

This paper proposes a novel image-based approach to detect counterfeit medicines and identify the most relevant regions of the tablet in the task of classification. Images of medicine tablets undergo an initial pre-processing step which (i) removes the background to find the region of interest, (ii) clusters individual pixels into super-pixels, and (iii) extracts features containing color and texture information. The classification relying on Support Vector Machine (SVM) defines the class the respective image will be inserted into. The task of identifying the relevant regions of the tablets for counterfeiting detection is performed using the concept of support vectors, generating a heat map that indicates the regions that contribute the most to the classification purpose. Two datasets containing images of authentic and counterfeit tablets of Cialis and Viagra were used to validate our propositions, achieving correct classification rates of 100% on both datasets. Regarding the task of identifying the most relevant regions, our proposition outperformed the traditional LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) method by yielding more robust explanations.

Man vs. machine: Predicting hospital bed demand from an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The recent literature reports promising results from using intelligent systems to support decision making in healthcare operations. Using these systems may lead to improved diagnostic and treatment protocols and to predict hospital bed demand. Predicting hospital bed demand in emergency department (ED) attendances could help resource allocation and reduce pressure on busy hospitals. However, there is still limited knowledge on whether intelligent systems can operate as fully autonomous, user-independent systems. OBJECTIVE: Compare the performance of a computer-based algorithm and humans in predicting hospital bed demand (admissions and discharges) based on the initial SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) records of the ED. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that compared the performance of humans and machines in predicting hospital bed demand from an ED. It considered electronic medical records (EMR) of 9030 patients (230 used as a testing set, and hence evaluated both by humans and by an algorithm, and 8800 used as a training set exclusively by the algorithm) who visited the ED of a tertiary care and teaching public hospital located in Porto Alegre, Brazil between January and December 2014. The machine role was played by Support Vector Machine Classifier and the human prediction was performed by four ED physicians. Predictions were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: All graders achieved similar accuracies. The accuracy by AUROC for the testing set was 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.77-0.87], 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75-0.85), 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71-0.81) for novice physicians, machine, experienced physicians, respectively. Processing time per test EMR was 0.00812±0.0009 seconds. In contrast, novice physicians took on average 156.80 seconds per test EMR, while experienced physicians took on average 56.40 seconds per test EMR. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that the system could predict patient admission or discharge states with 80% accuracy, which was similar the performance of novice and experienced physicians. These results suggested that the algorithm could operate as an autonomous and independent system to complete this task.

A data fusion model merging information from near infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. Searching for atomic-molecular correlations to predict and characterize the composition of coffee blends.

This article aims to develop and validate a multivariate model for quantifying Robusta-Arabica coffee blends by combining near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). For this aim, 80 coffee blends (0.0-33.0%) were formulated. NIR spectra were obtained in the wavenumber range 11100-4950 cm-1 and 14 elements were determined by TXRF. Partial least squares models were built using data fusion at low and medium levels. In addition, selection of predictive variables based on their importance indices (SVPII) improved results. The best model reduced the number of variables from 1114 to 75 and root mean square error of prediction from 4.1% to 1.7%. SVPII selected NIR regions correlated with coffee components, and the following elements were chosen: Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr. The model interpretation took advantage of the data fusion between atomic and molecular spectra in order to characterize the differences between these coffee varieties.

Management of ophthalmic surgical instruments and processes optimization: mixed method study.

AIM: Analysis of the use of ophthalmic instruments during surgical procedures in order to propose a material management method. METHOD: Mixed method study, sequential exploratory design, performed from January to June 2015, at a university hospital in southern Brazil. First, a qualitative approach was held from brainstorming and field observation. Themes were grouped into thematic categories. By connection, the quantitative stage happened through matrix arrangement and linear programming, culminating in the instrument management proposal. RESULTS: Given categories - instruments reorganization according to the time of the surgical procedure and the need surgical instruments for in each procedure - guided the definition of existing restrictions and application of mathematical models. There was an average reduction of 13.10% in the number of surgical instruments per tray and an increase of 17.88% in surgical production. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: This proposal allowed the rationalization and optimization of ophthalmic instruments, favoring sustainability of the organization.

Strategies for synchronizing chocolate conching batch process data using dynamic time warping.

In batch processing, process control is typically carried out comparing trajectories of process variables with those in an in-control set of batches that yielded products within specifications. However, one strong assumption of these schemes is that all batches have equal duration and are synchronized, which is often not satisfied in practice. To overcome that, dynamic time warping (DTW) methods may be used to synchronize stages and align the duration of batches. In this paper, three DTW methods are compared using supervised classification through the k-nearest neighbor technique to determine the in-control set in a milk chocolate conching process. Four variables were monitored over time and a set of 62 batches with durations between 495 and 1170 min was considered; 53% of the batches were known to be conforming based on lab test results and experts' evaluations. All three DTW methods were able to promote the alignment and synchronization of batches; however, the KMT method (Kassidas et al. in AIChE J 44(4):864-875, 1998) outperformed the others, presenting 93.7% accuracy, 97.2% sensitivity, and 90.3% specificity in batch classification as conforming and non-conforming. The drive current of the main motor was the most consistent variable from batch to batch, being deemed the most important to promote alignment and synchronization of the chocolate conching dataset.

Management of ophthalmic surgical instruments and processes optimization: mixed method study / Gestión de instrumentales quirúrgicos oftalmológicos y optimización de procesos: estudio de método misto / Gerenciamento de instrumentais oftalmológicos e otimização de processos: estudo de método misto

ABSTRACT Aim: Analysis of the use of ophthalmic instruments during surgical procedures in order to propose a material management method. Method: Mixed method study, sequential exploratory design, performed from January to June 2015, at a university hospital in southern Brazil. First, a qualitative approach was held from brainstorming and field observation. Themes were grouped into thematic categories. By connection, the quantitative stage happened through matrix arrangement and linear programming, culminating in the instrument management proposal. Results: Given categories - instruments reorganization according to the time of the surgical procedure and the need surgical instruments for in each procedure - guided the definition of existing restrictions and application of mathematical models. There was an average reduction of 13.10% in the number of surgical instruments per tray and an increase of 17.88% in surgical production. Final considerations: This proposal allowed the rationalization and optimization of ophthalmic instruments, favoring sustainability of the organization.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar el uso de instrumentos oftalmológicos durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos y proponer un método de gestión de materiales. Método: Estudio de método mixto, exploratorio secuencial, realizado entre enero y junio de 2015, en un hospital universitario en el sur de Brasil. Primero, se realizó un enfoque cualitativo a partir de la reflexión y la observación de campo. Los temas se agruparon en categorías temáticas. Por conexión, la etapa cuantitativa ocurrió por arreglos de matrices y programación linear, culminando con la propuesta de gestión de instrumentales. Resultados: Las categorías - reorganización del instrumental conforme tiempo del procedimiento quirúrgico y necesidad de piezas para cada procedimiento - orientaron la definición de las restricciones existentes y aplicación de los modelos matemáticos. Verificó una reducción media del 13,10% en el número de piezas por bandejas y aumento del 17,88% de la producción quirúrgica. Consideraciones finales: Esta propuesta permitió la racionalización y optimización de instrumentos oftalmológicos, favoreciendo la sostenibilidad de la organización.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o uso de instrumentais oftalmológicos durante os procedimentos cirúrgicos e propor um método de gerenciamento de materiais. Método: Estudo de método misto, exploratório sequencial, realizado entre janeiro e junho de 2015, em hospital universitário no sul do Brasil. Primeiramente, fez-se uma abordagem qualitativa a partir de brainstorming e observação de campo. Os temas foram agrupados em categorias temáticas. Por conexão, a etapa quantitativa aconteceu por arranjos de matrizes e programação linear, culminando à proposta de gerenciamento de instrumentais. Resultados: As categorias - reorganização do instrumental conforme tempo do procedimento cirúrgico e necessidade de peças para cada procedimento - orientaram a definição das restrições existentes e aplicação dos modelos matemáticos. Verificou-se uma redução média de 13,10% no número de peças por bandejas e aumento de 17,88% da produção cirúrgica. Considerações finais: Esta proposta permitiu a racionalização e otimização de instrumentais oftalmológicos, favorecendo a sustentabilidade da organização.

Seroprevalence for equine infectious anaemia in Equidae seized in the municipality of Petrópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2015/2018 / Soroprevalência para anemia infecciosa equina em Equídeos apreendidos no município de Petrópolis, RJ, Brasil, 2015/2018

ABSTRACT: Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a globally distributed disease caused by a lentivirus. EIA is a notifiable disease that should be reported to the Official Veterinary Service (SVO). Outbreaks are controlled by sacrificing the EIA-positive animals. The study analysed the prevalence of EIA in 165 Equidae seized on public roads in the municipality of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2015 to 2018. After the seizure and identification of the Equidae, blood was collected to diagnose EIA. A prevalence of 11.8% was observed among the Equidae seized, and the main risk factor was the region of seizure. A kernel-smoothed map showed areas with the highest density of EIA-positive Equidae in the centre and to the east of the study area. In this region, the chance of seizing an equine positive for EIA was greater (OR=3.6) relative to the remaining region. The implementation and maintenance of Equidae seizures and subsequent diagnostic testing for EIA in the municipality of Petrópolis were shown to have great importance for the control and prevention of the disease. Indicating the place of seizure on the identification cards of the animals enabled delineation of the locations in the municipality of Petrópolis, that had a higher risk of EIA-positive animals.

RESUMO: A anemia infecciosa equina (AIE) é uma doença globalmente distribuída causada por um lentivírus. AIE é uma doença de notificação obrigatória que deve ser relatada ao Serviço Veterinário Oficial (SVO), e os surtos são controlados pelo sacrifício dos animais positivos para AIE. O presente estudo analisou a prevalência de AIE em 165 equídeos apreendidos em vias públicas no município de Petrópolis, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, no período de 2015 a 2018. Após a apreensão e identificação dos equídeos seu sangue foi coletado para diagnosticar a AIE. Observou-se uma prevalência real de 11,8% entre os equídeos apreendidos, sendo que o principal fator de risco identificado foi a região de apreensão. O Mapa de Kernel mostrou que as áreas com maior densidade de equídeos positivos estavam no centro e leste da área de estudo. Nesta região, houve maior chance (OR = 3,6) de apreender um animal positivo para AIE em relação ao da outra região, composto pelos 34 locais restantes. A implementação e manutenção de apreensão de equídeos e posterior teste de diagnóstico para AIE no município de Petrópolis, RJ, mostrou-se de grande importância para o controle e prevenção da doença. A indicação do local da apreensão nos cartões de identificação dos animais possibilitou um delineamento dos locais no município de Petrópolis, RJ, que apresentavam maior risco de animais positivos para AIE.

Sistemática para racionalização de instrumentais de bandejas cirúrgicas / A systematic approach for the rationalization of surgical tray instruments / Sistemática para racionalización de instrumentales de bandejas quirúrgicas

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de desenvolver uma sistemática para racionalização de instrumentais em bandejas cirúrgicas. Método: Estudo de desenvolvimento de sistemática para racionalização de instrumentais, realizado em 2015, a partir do método qualitativo, em um centro de materiais e esterilização (CME) de um hospital universitário federal de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Resultados: Houve redução média do quantitativo de instrumentais em bandejas institucionais em 10,92%; diminuição de bandejas de propriedade das equipes médicas, sendo 84,06% pertencentes à equipe da otorrinolaringologia; e inativação definitiva de 369 instrumentais da cirurgia ortopédica, o que significou 72,84% do total dos instrumentais inativados. Além disso, houve condução de melhorias no gerenciamento de instrumentais, otimização do tempo de preparo e redução da esterilização por expiração do prazo de utilização. Conclusão: A realocação de instrumentais e o acréscimo de peças em bandejas específicas permitiu a reavaliação das solicitações de compras de instrumentais e a melhoria das relações entre as equipes. Essa sistemática contribuiu significativamente para o gerenciamento de instrumentais, otimizando processos e envolvendo as equipes cirúrgicas no trabalho do CME e evidenciou que pode ser aplicada em outras instituições.

Objective: To report the experience of developing a systematic approach for the rationalization of instruments in surgical trays. Method: Study of the development of a systematic approach for the rationalization of instruments, carried out in 2015, using a qualitative method, in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) of a federal university hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Results: There was a 10.92% average reduction in the number of instruments in institutional trays, a reduction in the number of trays owned by medical teams ­ 84.06% belonged to the otorhinolaryngology team ­ and a definitive inactivation of 369 orthopedic surgery instruments, which represented 72.84% of the total number of inactivated instruments. In addition, improvements were made to the management of instruments, the optimization of preparation time and the reduction of sterilization by expiration date. Conclusion: The relocation of instruments and the addition of items in specific trays allowed for the reappraisal of requests for purchase of instruments and the improvement of relationships between the teams. This systematic approach contributed significantly to the management of instruments, the optimizing processes and the involvement of the surgical teams in the work of the CSSD, thus demonstrating that it can be applied in other institutions.

Objetivo: Relatar la experiencia de desarrollar una sistemática para racionalización de instrumentales en bandejas quirúrgicas. Método: Estudio de desarrollo de sistemática para racionalización de instrumentales, realizado en 2015, desde el método cualitativo, en un centro de materiales y esterilización (CSSD) de un hospital universitario federal de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Resultados: Hubo reducción media del cuantitativo de instrumentales en bandejas institucionales en el 10,92%; disminución de bandejas de propiedad de los equipos médicos, siendo el 84,06% pertenecientes al equipo de la otorrinolaringología; e inactivación definitiva de 369 instrumentales de la cirugía ortopédica, lo que significó el 72,84% del total de los instrumentales inactivados. Además, hubo conducción de mejoras en el gerenciamiento de instrumentales, optimización del tiempo de preparo y reducción de la esterilización por expiración del plazo de utilización. Conclusión: La reubicación de instrumentales y el incremento de piezas en bandejas específicas permitió la reevaluación de las solicitaciones de compras de instrumentales y la mejora de las relaciones entre los equipos. Esa sistemática contribuyó significativamente para el gerenciamiento de instrumentales, perfeccionando procesos e involucrando a los equipos quirúrgicos en el trabajo de CSSD y evidenció que puede aplicarse en otras instituciones.

¿Es posible identificar factores pronósticos y predictivos en Cáncer de Mama Triple Negativo? / Is it possible to identify prognostic and predictive factors in Triple Negative breast cancer?

Introducción Debido a su negatividad para los receptores hormonales y de her2, los cánceres de mama Triple Negativos (cmtn) no tienen tratamiento específico y es la quimioterapia la única modalidad de tratamiento sistémico. Objetivos El objetivo de este trabajo es, en primer lugar, evaluar en los cmtn la factibilidad de utilizar a la infiltración linfocitaria y a la expresión de la proteína p53 y de los receptores de andrógenos como marcadores pronósticos (sobrevida global y período libre de enfermedad), y, en segundo lugar, determinar su utilidad como elementos predictivos de respuesta a la quimioterapia. Material y método Analizamos un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico de cmtn tratadas en el Hospital Alemán de Buenos de Aires y en el Sanatorio Mater Dei desde diciembre de 2000 a diciembre de 2012. Resultados Se analizaron 21 pacientes con cmtn. En nuestra población, la quimioterapia se asoció con menor riesgo de recaída y mortalidad. La prevalencia en la expresión de la proteína p53 fue del 61,9% en la población general, del 72,7% en las recaídas y del 66,6% en las pacientes fallecidas. El 23,8% de las pacientes estudiadas presentó expresión de receptores androgénicos. La infiltración linfocitaria tumoral (tils) promedio fue del 20,5% (5% - 60%), siendo menor cuando se evalúa exclusivamente la población de pacientes que recayeron (17,7%) y aún menor cuando se evalúa la población de pacientes fallecidas (11,7 %). Discusión La quimioterapia tuvo un rr de sobrevida de 0,15 (ic: 0,06 - 0,78) con una p: 0,0021. La expresión de la proteína p53 tuvo un rr de 1,2 como factor de riesgo de mortalidad o progresión (ic: 0,23 - 9,07; p: 0,6). La expresión de receptores androgénicos tiene un rr de 1,6 como factor de riesgo de mortalidad o progresión (ic: 0,21 - 6,24; p: 0,41). La presencia de tils mayor al 20% es predictora de mortalidad y recurrencia con una p: 0,023. Conclusiones La determinación de tils junto con la evaluación en la expresión de la proteína p53 son herramientas útiles a la hora de definir la conveniencia de un tratamiento quimioterápico ya que ambas se asocian con aumento de la sobrevida total y de la sobrevida libre de enfermedad, aunque en nuestra población esta asociación no haya sido estadísticamente significativa para la p53 y sí para la presencia de tils

Introduction Because of its negativity for hormonal and her2 receptors, Triple Negative tumors do not benefit from anti hormonal treatments or with anti her2. They have no specific treatment and chemotherapy being the only form of systemic treatment. Objectives The objective of this study is, first, to evaluate in Triple Negative tumors feasibility of using lymphocyte infiltration, the expression of p53 protein and androgen receptors as prognostic markers (overall survival and disease-free), and, second, evaluate their usefulness as predictors of response to chemotherapy. Materials and method We intend to analyze those patients diagnosed with tnbc treated at the German Hospital of Buenos Aires and at the Mater Dei Sanatorium from December 2000 to December 2012. Results Twenty-one patients with tnbc were analyzed. In our population, chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk of relapse and mortality. The prevalence in the p53 mutation was 61.9% in the general population, 72.7% in relapses and 66.6% in deceased patients. Tumor lymphocytic infiltration (tils) on average was 20.5% (5% - 60%), being lower when only the population of patients who relapsed were evaluated (17.7%), and even lower when evaluating the population of deceased patients (11.7%). Discussion Chemotherapy had a survival rr of 0.15 (ci: 0.06 - 0.78) with a p: 0.0021. The p53 protein mutation had a rr of 1.2 as a risk factor for mortality or progression (ci: 0.23 - 9.07; p: 0.6). The expression of androgen receptors has a rr of 1.6 as a risk factor for mortality or progression (ci: 0.21 - 6.24; p: 0.41). The presence of tils greater than 20% is a predictor of mortality and recurrence with a p: 0.023. Conclusions The determination of tils together with determination of the p53 protein mutation are useful tools in determining the suitability of a chemotherapeutic treatment since both are associated with increased total survival and disease-free survival, although in our population this association was not statistically significant for p53.

Spectrum of BRCA1/2 variants in 940 patients from Argentina including novel, deleterious and recurrent germline mutations: impact on healthcare and clinical practice.

BRCA1/2 mutations in Latin America are scarcely documented and in serious need of knowledge about the spectrum of BRCA pathogenic variants, information which may alter clinical practice and subsequently improve patient outcome. In addition, the search for data on testing policies in different regions constitutes a fundamental strength for the present study, which analyzes BRCA1/2 gene sequences and large rearrangements in 940 probands with familial and/or personal history of breast/ovary cancer (BOC). In non-mutated DNA samples, Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification assays (MLPA) were used for the analysis of large rearrangements. Our studies detected 179 deleterious mutations out of 940 (19.04%) probands, including 5 large rearrangements and 22 novel mutations. The recurrent mutations accounted for 15.08% of the total and only 2.87% of the probands analyzed, very different from a Hispanic panel previously described. IN CONCLUSION: a) this first comprehensive description of the spectrum in BRCA1/2 sheds light on the low frequency of recurrent mutations; b) this information is key in clinical practice to select adequate sequencing studies in our population, subsequently improve patient outcome and prevent damage associated to false normal reports resulting from the use of invalid population panels; c) panels of mutations from other populations should be cautiously validated before imported, even those of apparently similar origin, a concept to be considered beyond significance in Argentina.

A multivariate-based conflict prediction model for a Brazilian freeway.

Real-time collision risk prediction models relying on traffic data can be useful in dynamic management systems seeking at improving traffic safety. Models have been proposed to predict crash occurrence and collision risk in order to proactively improve safety. This paper presents a multivariate-based framework for selecting variables for a conflict prediction model on the Brazilian BR-290/RS freeway. The Bhattacharyya Distance (BD) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are applied to a dataset comprised of variables that potentially help to explain occurrence of traffic conflicts; the parameters yielded by such multivariate techniques give rise to a variable importance index that guides variables removal for later selection. Next, the selected variables are inserted into a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) model to estimate conflict occurrence. A matched control-case technique is applied using traffic data processed from surveillance cameras at a segment of a Brazilian freeway. Results indicate that the variables that significantly impacted on the model are associated to total flow, difference between standard deviation of lanes' occupancy, and the speed's coefficient of variation. The model allowed to asses a characteristic behavior of major Brazilian's freeways, by identifying the Brazilian typical heterogeneity of traffic pattern among lanes, which leads to aggressive maneuvers. Results also indicate that the developed LDA-PCA model outperforms the LDA-BD model. The LDA-PCA model yields average 76% classification accuracy, and average 87% sensitivity (which measures the rate of conflicts correctly predicted).

Xanthogranulomatous Prostatitis, a Rare Prostatic Entity.

There are several benign prostatic pathologies that can clinically mimic a prostate adenocarcinoma. Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis is a benign inflammatory condition of the prostate and a rare entity. A 47-year old male, with 3 years of lower urinary tract symptoms, with a palpable hypogastric tumor, digital rectal examination: solid prostate, of approximately 60 g. Initial PSA was 0.90 ng/mL. He underwent surgical excision of the lower abdominal nodule and prostatectomy. Histopathology showed xanthogranulomatous prostatitis, without malignancy. Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis is an extremely rare entity that can simulate prostate adenocarcinoma, therefore having a correct histopathological diagnosis is essential.

Avaliação econômica de três tipos de suplementação mineral para bovinos de corte no Estado do Pará / Economic evaluation of three strategies of mineral supplementation for beef cattle in State of Pará, Brazil

Em uma propriedade localizada na região nordeste do Estado do Pará foram analisadas alternativas de suplementação mineral para bovinos de corte, da raça nelore, machos, com idades entre 18 e 20 meses e pesos de 299,5 a 308,5 kg. Foram avaliados o custo benefício, os valores dos minerais no fígado e nas costelas e o ganho de peso médio diário dos animais submetidos aos diferentes tratamentos. O estudo foi realizado durante seis meses (março a agosto de 2012), no período de ótima oferta de pastagem. Foram utilizados 60 bovinos, divididos em três grupos de 20 animais em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. O Grupo 1 foi suplementado com uma mistura mineral seletiva (MMS) composta por 25kg de NaCl, 50kg de fosfato bicálcico,190g de sulfato de Cobre, 60g de sulfato de Cobalto e 15g de selenito de sódio; essa mistura continha, em um quilograma, 133g de Na, 123g de P, 631 mg de Cu, 167mg de Co e 9 mg de Se; essa mistura foi proposta com base no prévio diagnóstico clínico-nutricional do rebanho. O Grupo 2 foi suplementado apenas com NaCl (Grupo controle) e o Grupo 3 recebeu uma mistura mineral comercial (MMC), rotineiramente utilizada na fazenda, contendo, em um quilograma, 130g de P, 220g de Ca, 18g de Mg, 36g de S, 6.000mg de Zn, 1.500mg de Cu, 2.000mg de Mn, 200mg de Co, 90mg de I e 36mg de Se. O melhor custo benefício foi obtido com a mistura mineral seletiva. A pastagem não contém Co suficiente para atender as necessidades dos bovinos do grupo controle, mas foi capaz de suprir as necessidades de P, Cu, Zn e Se durante os cinco meses do experimento.(AU)

Three alternatives of mineral supplementation of 18 to 20-month-old male Nelore cattle with 299.5 to 308.5 kg of body weight were used at a farm in northeast of Pará state, Brazil. To evaluate which mineral mixture resulted in better cost-benefit, three groups of 20 head were supplemented for six months, from March to August of 2012. Group 1 was supplemented with a selected mineral mixture (SMM) composed of 25kg NaCl, 50kg dicalcium phosphate, 190g copper sulphate, 60g cobalt sulphate, and 15g sodium selenite, having 133g Na, 123g P, 631mg Cu, 167mg Co, and 9mg Se per kg; this mixture was made based in previous clinical-nutritional examination of herd. Group 2 (control), supplemented only with NaCl; and group 3 received a commercial mineral mixture (CMM), routinely used in this farm, with 130g P, 220g Ca, 18g Mg, 36g S, 6000mg Zn, 1500mg Cu, 2000mg Mn, 200mg Co, 90mg I, and 36mg Se per kg. Concentrations of phosphorus, copper, zinc and iron were determined in liver and 12th ribs. The best cost-benefit alternative was the SMM; the forage alone did not contain enough Co to meet the requirements of the control group, but provided enough P, Cu, Zn and Se during the five months of the experiment.(AU)

Mammalian Bites In The Emergency Department: Recommendations For Wound Closure, Antibiotics, And Postexposure Prophylaxis.

Half of all Americans will experience a mammalian bite at some time in their life, and the cost of caring for these injuries has reached $160 million annually. Emergency clinicians must consider many factors when making decisions regarding care of these injuries: risk of infection, cost of antibiotics, time of wound healing, cosmetic and functional result, and risk of other injuries or diseases. Knowledge of the current literature and practice guidelines facilitates care for these injuries in the most cost-effective and clinically sound manner. This systematic review provides best-practice recommendations based on the best available evidence.

Algal and microbial exopolysaccharides: new insights as biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers.

Currently, efforts are being made to utilize more natural biological systems as alternatives as a way to replace fossil forms of carbon. There is a growing concern at global level to have nontoxic, nonhazardous surface-active agents; contrary to synthetic surfactants, their biological counterparts or biosurfactants play a primary function, facilitating microbial presence in environments dominated by hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces. Algal and microbial biosurfactants/bioemulsifiers from marine and deep-sea environments are attracting major interest due to their structural and functional diversity as molecules actives of surface and an alternative biomass to replace fossil forms of carbon. Algal and microbial surfactants are lipid in nature and classified as glycolipids, phospholipids, lipopeptides, natural lipids, fatty acids, and lipopolysaccharides. These metabolic bioactive products are applicable in a number of industries and processes, viz., food processing, pharmacology, and bioremediation of oil-polluted environments. This chapter presents an update of the progress and potentialities of the principal producers of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-type biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers, viz., macro- and microalgae (cyanobacteria and diatoms) and bacteria from marine and extreme environments. Particular interest is centered into new sources and applications, viz., marine and deep-sea environments and promissory uses of these EPSs as biosurfactants/emulsifiers and other polymeric roles. The enormous benefits of these molecules encourage their discovery, exploitation, and development of new microbial EPSs that could possess novel industrial importance and corresponding innovations.

Complex carbohydrates as a possible source of high energy to formulate functional feeds.

Carbohydrates (CHOs) are the most abundant organic compounds found in living organisms and are a great source of metabolic energy, both for plants and animals. Besides of CHOs great potential to solve animal's energy requirements and diminishing high feed cost, we first must to understand its digestibility and assimilation to avoid several inconvenients. Today, CHOs feed animal inclusions are of great concern about cost-benefits, animal's health status, and environmental pollution. In this chapter, we make a brief description about sugars (DP1-2), oligosaccharides (DP3-9), polysaccharides (DP ≥10), and their essential characteristics to understand the role of marine and terrestrial CHOs in animal nutrition. Subsequently, we talk about basic concepts, CHOs functional benefits, suggestions about their application and successful cases. This information will contribute to produce a new generation of high-quality and energetic functional feed formulations for livestock and aquaculture farms; which must be of low cost, healthy, and environmentally friendly, with the inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics.