Racial Disparities in Medication Use During Pregnancy: Results from the NISAMI Cohort.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate racial disparities in medication use and associated factors among pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Brazilian Unified Health System primary care health units in the northeast region. Patients and Methods: A total of 1058 pregnant women in the NISAMI Cohort were interviewed between June 2012 and February 2014. Medicines used during pregnancy were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and ANVISA pregnancy risk categories. Prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression with robust error variance. All analyses were stratified by race (Asian, black, brown/mixed, Brazilian indigenous, and white). Results: Approximately 84% of the pregnant women used at least one medication, with a lower proportion among white women. The most reported medications were antianemic preparations (71.08%; 95% CI 68.27-73.72%), analgesics (21.74%; 95% CI 19.36-24.32%), and drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders (18.81%; 95% CI 16.57-21.28%). Approximately 29% of women took potentially risky medications during pregnancy, with a higher prevalence among Asian and white women. Factors associated with medication use during pregnancy include a greater number of prenatal consultations, higher education levels, health problems, and smoking. In addition, maternal age above 25 years, smoking status, and two or more previous pregnancies were associated with potentially risky medication use during pregnancy. Conclusion: A high prevalence of medication use during pregnancy was found; however, this prevalence was lower among white women. Nonetheless, black and brown women used antianemic preparations less frequently. This finding suggests that race is a factor of inequity in prenatal care, demanding public policies to mitigate it.

The hydrogen sulfide donor 4-carboxyphenyl-isothiocyanate decreases blood pressure and promotes cardioprotective effect through reduction of oxidative stress and nuclear factor kappa B/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 axis in hypertension.

AIMS: Our aim was to evaluate whether the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, 4-carboxyphenyl-isothiocyanate (4-CPI), exerts cardioprotective effect in the two kidney- one clip (2K-1C) rats through oxidative stress and MMP-2 activity attenuation and compare it with the classical H2S donor, Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renovascular hypertension (two kidneys-one clip; 2K-1C) was surgically induced in male Wistar rats. After two weeks, normotensive (2K) and hypertensive rats were intraperitoneally treated with vehicle (0.6 % dimethyl sulfoxide), NaHS (0.24 mg/Kg/day) or with 4-CPI (0.24 mg/Kg/day), for more 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was evaluated weekly by tail-cuff plethysmography. Heart function was assessed by using the Millar catheter. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, and Picrosirius Red staining, respectively. The H2S was analyzed using WSP-1 fluorimetry and the cardiac oxidative stress was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and Amplex Red. MMP-2 activity was measured by in-gel gelatin or in situ zymography assays. Nox1, gp91phox, MMP-2 and the phospho-p65 subunit (Serine 279) nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels were evaluated by Western blotting. KEY FINDINGS: 4-CPI reduced blood pressure in hypertensive rats, decreased cardiac remodeling and promoted cardioprotection through the enhancement of cardiac H2S levels. An attenuation of oxidative stress, with inactivation of the p65-NF-κB/MMP-2 axis was similarly observed after NaHS or 4-CPI treatment in 2K-1C hypertension. SIGNIFICANCE: H2S is a mediator that promotes cardioprotective effects and decreases blood pressure, and 4-CPI seems to be a good candidate to reverse the maladaptive remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in renovascular hypertension.

Periodontitis and systemic parameters in chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess recent scientific evidence on the association between periodontitis and systemic parameters/conditions in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for studies was performed in MedLine/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and BIREME databases. Reference lists of selected articles were also searched. Studies with different epidemiological designs evaluating the influence of exposure to periodontitis on serum markers and mortality in individuals with CKD were eligible for inclusion. Three independent reviewers performed the article selection and data extraction. The assessment of methodological quality used the adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate association measurements and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In total, 3053 records were identified in the database search, with only 25 studies meeting the eligibility criteria and, of these, 10 studies contributed data for meta-analysis. Using a random-effects model, periodontitis was associated with hypoalbuminemia (PRunadjusted = 2.47; 95%CI:1.43-4.26), with high levels of C-reactive protein (PRunadjusted = 1.35; 95%CI%:1.12-1.64), death from cardiovascular disease (RRunadjusted = 2.29; 95%CI:1.67-3.15) and death from all causes (RRunadjusted = 1.73; 95%CI:1.32-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review validated a positive association between periodontitis and serum markers and mortality data in individuals with CKD.

Development, Survival and Reproduction of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Sesame Cultivars and Implications for the Management.

Sesame, an oilseed plant with multiple applications, is susceptible to infestations by the stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). This pest suctions the seeds of this plant and injects toxins into them. Possible sources of resistance on sesame cultivars are important to manage this bug. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological aspects of N. viridula fed on three sesame cultivars aiming to select possible resistance sources for integrated pest management (IPM) programs of this stinkbug. The experimental design used randomized blocks with three treatments and four replications, each with newly emerged N. viridula nymphs fed with sesame capsules of the cultivars BRS Anahí (T1), BRS Morena (T2) and BRS Seda (T3). Two to three green sesame capsules were supplied every two days per group of ten N. viridula nymphs as one replication until the beginning of the adult stage. Adults of this stinkbug were fed in the same manner as its nymphs but with mature sesame capsules until the end of the observations. Survival during each of the five instars and of the nymph stage of N. viridula with green sesame capsules was similar between cultivars, but the duration of the nymph stage was shorter with green capsules of the BRS Morena than with those of the BRS Anahí. The oviposition period, number of egg masses and eggs per female, and the percentage of nymphs hatched were higher with mature capsules of the sesame cultivar BRS Anahí and lower with the others. Nymphs did not hatch from eggs deposited by females fed mature seed capsules of the sesame cultivar BRS Morena, which may indicate a source of resistance against this stinkbug in this cultivar. The worldwide importance of N. viridula to sesame cultivation makes these results useful for breeding programs of this plant aiming to develop genotypes resistant to this bug. In addition, the BRS Morena is a cultivar already commercially available and can be recommended in places where there is a history of incidence of N. viridula, aiming to manage the populations of this pest.

Interspecific insect relationships on Terminalia argentea (Myrtales: Combretaceae) trees in the Cerrado biome.

Terminalia argentea Mart. (Combretaceae), native to Brazil, is used in habitat restoration programs. Arthropods are bioindicators because their populations reflect changes in the environment. We evaluated the recovery of a degraded area by using ecological indices and analyzing arthropod interactions on T. argentea plants. The richness and diversity of sap-sucking Hemiptera and the abundance of tending ants and Sternorrhyncha predators increased with the number of T. argentea leaves. The correlation of the abundance of tending ants and Sternorrhyncha predators was positive with that of the sap-sucking Hemiptera, and the abundance of Sternorrhyncha predators was negative with that of tending ants and sap-sucking Hemiptera. The positive correlation between the abundance, richness, and diversity of insect groups and numbers of T. argentea leaves is an example of the bottom-up regulation mechanism, with the population dynamics of the lower trophic levels dictating those of higher trophic levels. The contribution of T. argentea, a host plant of many arthropods, to the recovery of ecological relationships between organisms in degraded ecosystems is important.

The status of forest carbon markets in Latin America.

Tropical rainforests of Latin America (LATAM) are one of the world's largest carbon sinks, with substantial future carbon sequestration potential and contributing a major proportion of the global supply of forest carbon credits. LATAM is poised to contribute predominantly towards high-quality forest carbon offset projects designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, halt biodiversity loss, and provide equitable conservation benefits to people. Thus, carbon markets, including compliance carbon markets and voluntary carbon markets continue to expand in LATAM. However, the extent of the growth and status of forest carbon markets, pricing initiatives, stakeholders, amongst others, are yet to be explored and extensively reviewed for the entire LATAM region. Against this backdrop, we reviewed a total of 299 articles, including peer-reviewed and non-scientific gray literature sources, from January 2010 to March 2023. Herein, based on the extensive literature review, we present the results and provide perspectives classified into five categories: (i) the status and recent trends of forest carbon markets (ii) the interested parties and their role in the forest carbon markets, (iii) the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) approaches and role of remote sensing, (iv) the challenges, and (v) the benefits, opportunities, future directions and recommendations to enhance forest carbon markets in LATAM. Despite the substantial challenges, better governance structures for forest carbon markets can increase the number, quality and integrity of projects and support the carbon sequestration capacity of the rainforests of LATAM. Due to the complex and extensive nature of forest carbon projects in LATAM, emerging technologies like remote sensing can enable scale and reduce technical barriers to MRV, if properly benchmarked. The future directions and recommendations provided are intended to improve upon the existing infrastructure and governance mechanisms, and encourage further participation from the public and private sectors in forest carbon markets in LATAM.

Diversidad de género en la vejez / Gender diversity in old age

Objetivo: Analizar las publicaciones científicas relacionadas con la diversidad de género en la vejez en América Latina, a través de una revisión de la literatura, con el fin de identificar objetivos, conclusiones y metodologías de abordaje, así como los aspectos que pueden generar interés para el desarrollo de investigaciones sobre la temática. Metodología: La revisión se realizó en las bases de datos que integran EBSCO, además de la Biblioteca Cochrane y PubMed. Se incluyeron publicaciones que implicaban explícitamente a personas mayores y diversidad de género en su título y/o resultados relevantes en esta población, y que se hayan realizado en el contexto latinoamericano, en el período comprendido entre los meses de enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2022. Resultados: Se encontraron un total de 86 artículos, de los que 11 formaron la muestra final. El país con mayor número de publicaciones fue Brasil, predominando las metodologías cualitativas en el caso de artículos originales. Se identificaron diferentes aspectos relacionados con la interseccionalidad y la temática de estudio. Conclusiones: Se requiere mayor abordaje de la temática en el contexto latinoamericano, con el fin de generar políticas públicas en la vejez, desde las que se reconozca a las personas mayores pertenecientes a las disidencias sexuales.(AU)

Objective: To analyze scientific publications related to gender diversity in old age in Latin America through a literature search to identify objectives, conclusions, and approach methodologies, as well as those aspects that may generate interest for the development of research on the subject. Methodology: The literature search included the databases of EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed. In addition, publications that explicitly focus on the elderly population and gender diversity were considered, including those that present relevant results on these topics conducted in the Latin American context from January 2012 to December 2022. Results: There were 86 articles, of which 11 were part of the final sample. Most of the publications were from Brazil, with a predominance of qualitative methodologies in the case of original articles. It was identified different aspects related to intersectionality and the theme of the study. Conclusions: It is necessary to approach the issue in the Latin American context, to generate public policies on old age, which recognize older persons belonging to sexual dissident groups.(AU)

Influence of urban forests on residential property values: A systematic review of remote sensing-based studies.

Urban forests provide direct and indirect benefits to human well-being that are increasingly captured in residential property values. Remote Sensing (RS) can be used to measure a wide range of forest and vegetation parameters that allows for a more detailed and better understanding of their specific influences on housing prices. Herein, through a systematic literature review approach, we reviewed 89 papers (from 2010 to 2022) from 21 different countries that used RS data to quantify vegetation indices, forest and tree parameters of urban forests and estimated their influence on residential property values. The main aim of this study was to understand and provide insights into how urban forests influence residential property values based on RS studies. Although more studies were conducted in developed (n = 55, 61.7%) than developing countries (n = 34, 38.3%), the results indicated for the most part that increasing tree canopy cover on property and neighborhood level, forest size, type, greenness, and proximity to urban forests increased housing prices. RS studies benefited from spatially explicit repetitive data that offer superior efficiency to quantify vegetation, forest, and tree parameters of urban forests over large areas and longer periods compared to studies that used field inventory data. Through this work, we identify and underscore that urban forest benefits outweigh management costs and have a mostly positive influence on housing prices. Thus, we encourage further discussions about prioritizing reforestation and conservation of urban forests during the urban planning of cities and suburbs, which could support UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urban policy reforms.

Gamma radiation effect on the chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of PCL/MCM-48-PVA nanocomposite films.

In this work, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was employed to produce a Mesoporous Composition of Matter-48 Modified (MCM-48-M or MCM-48-PVA). After surface modification, MCM-48-M was used to produce nanocomposite (NC) films with polycaprolactone (PCL) as a matrix at room temperature. PCL and MCM-48 nanoparticles (NPs) were chosen due to their great biocompatibility and low toxicity. However, MCM-48-M is more compatible with PCL than MCM-48. NC films were sterilized by gamma radiation with a dose of 25 kGy and characterized by experimental techniques to investigate their chemical, mechanical (tensile) and thermal properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) results indicated that MCM-48-M exhibited a random distribution in the PCL matrix. The PCL chemical structure was preserved in NC films as described by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as well as the tensile and thermal properties of NC films. FT-IR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed surface modification. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that crystalline symmetries were preserved and the crystallinity of NC films had small variations in all samples before and after irradiation, respectively. But, our results did not indicate major changes showing that this method is successful for the sterilization of PCL/MCM-48-PVA NC films.

Spatial database of planted forests in East Asia.

Planted forests are critical to climate change mitigation and constitute a major supplier of timber/non-timber products and other ecosystem services. Globally, approximately 36% of planted forest area is located in East Asia. However, reliable records of the geographic distribution and tree species composition of these planted forests remain very limited. Here, based on extensive in situ and remote sensing data, as well as an ensemble modeling approach, we present the first spatial database of planted forests for East Asia, which consists of maps of the geographic distribution of planted forests and associated dominant tree genera. Of the predicted planted forest areas in East Asia (948,863 km2), China contributed 87%, most of which is located in the lowland tropical/subtropical regions, and Sichuan Basin. With 95% accuracy and an F1 score of 0.77, our spatially-continuous maps of planted forests enable accurate quantification of the role of planted forests in climate change mitigation. Our findings inform effective decision-making in forest conservation, management, and global restoration projects.

Catastrophizing is associated with pain-related disability in temporomandibular disorders.

This study aimed to evaluate the association of pain-related disability with biopsychosocial factors in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. The study was carried out at the Orofacial Pain Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Feira de Santana, Bahia, from September 2018 to March 2020. The sociodemographic aspects, TMD subtypes, presence of pain-induced disability, pressure pain threshold, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing were evaluated in 61 patients. The studied variables were compared between patients with and without pain-induced disability. Crude and adjusted logistic regression were performed to obtain estimates of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. With the exception of catastrophizing, there was no association between the biopsychosocial factors and pain-induced disability. The presence of catastrophizing increased the chance of having chronic pain-induced disability by 4.02 times. The results of this study indicate a strong association between pain catastrophizing and disability in individuals with chronic painful TMD.

Morphology and Morphometry of the Reproductive Tract of the Cotton Boll Weevil after Prolonged Feeding on Alternative Diets.

Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) survives on alternative diets; however, this induces reproductive diapause. The objective was to evaluate the morphology and morphometry of the reproductive tract of this weevil after feeding on alternative diets. The experimental design was completely randomized with 160 replications and treatments arranged in a factorial design 3 × 3, represented by A. grandis adults fed on 3 food types (fragments of banana (T1) or orange (T2) endocarp, or with cotton squares of cultivar BRS 286 (T3, control)) and three evaluation periods (30, 60, and 90 days) and after each of these periods they were fed with cotton squares for 10 days. The reproductive tract of 100% of A. grandis females fed banana endocarp, orange endocarp, and cotton squares for 30 and 60 days and then cotton squares were morphologically adequate for reproduction, and after 90 days, only 50% of those fed cotton squares were in this condition. The length of the ovarioles and the width of the mature oocyte were greater for A. grandis fed on cotton squares and smaller in those with banana and orange endocarps. Histological sections reveal that male testes even with strong degenerative signals are already producing spermatozoa. On the other hand, females displayed ovaries with nurse cells in the tropharium and some maturing oocytes in the vitellarium. The body length was longer and the testis area and diameter smaller in males fed on cotton squares than in those with banana and orange endocarp. Anthonomus grandis females fed for ≥90 days with alternative food sources do not recover the functionality of their reproductive tract, even after consuming, for 10 days, a diet that favors reproduction. On the other hand, the males remain with their reproductive organs functional with this condition.

Climate teleconnections modulate global burned area.

Climate teleconnections (CT) remotely influence weather conditions in many regions on Earth, entailing changes in primary drivers of fire activity such as vegetation biomass accumulation and moisture. We reveal significant relationships between the main global CTs and burned area that vary across and within continents and biomes according to both synchronous and lagged signals, and marked regional patterns. Overall, CTs modulate 52.9% of global burned area, the Tropical North Atlantic mode being the most relevant CT. Here, we summarized the CT-fire relationships into a set of six global CT domains that are discussed by continent, considering the underlying mechanisms relating weather patterns and vegetation types with burned area across the different world's biomes. Our findings highlight the regional CT-fire relationships worldwide, aiming to further support fire management and policy-making.

Educação física que não escolhe, acolhe / La educación física que no elige, da la bienvenida / Physical education that does not choose welcomes

O objetivo deste estudo é compreender como professores de Educação Física que atuam inspirados pelo currículo cultural abordam as diferenças em suas práticas pedagógicas. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, com enfoque etnometodológico e norteado pela teoria queer. Participaram da pesquisa quatro professores de Educação Física do Colégio Pedro II. O método de coleta de dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada. Utilizaram-se os cinco conceitos-chave da etnometodologia como categorias a priori para auxiliar na compreensão e análise dos dados. Justifica-se este estudo em função dos vários caminhos didático-pedagógicos culturalmente orientados que impedem o devir da imprevisibilidade das diferenças. Concluímos que o aporte teórico queer potencializa o poder de reflexão e contestação do currículo cultural de Educação Física, pois evita que ações docentes a favor de identidades e grupos marginalizados se transformem em novos essencialismos.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio es comprender cómo los profesores de Educación Física que trabajan inspirados en el currículo cultural abordan las diferencias en sus prácticas pedagógicas. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, con enfoque etnometodológico, guiado por la teoría queer. Participaron en la investigación cuatro profesores de Educación Física del Colegio Pedro II. El método de recogida de datos fue la entrevista semiestructurada. Los cinco conceptos clave de la etnometodología se utilizaron como categorías a priori para ayudar a comprender y analizar los datos. Este estudio se justifica por el hecho de que varias vías didáctico-pedagógicas culturalmente orientadas impiden el devenir de la imprevisibilidad de las diferencias. Concluimos que el aporte teórico queer potencia el poder de reflexión y contestación del currículo cultural de la Educación Física, porque evita que las acciones docentes a favor de las identidades y grupos marginados se conviertan en nuevos esencialismos.(AU)

The objective of this study is to understand how Physical Education teachers who work inspired by the cultural curriculum approach the differences in their pedagogical practices. This is a qualitative study, with an ethnomethodological approach and guided by queer theory. Four Physical Education teachers from Colégio Pedro II participated in the research. The data collection method was a semi-structured interview. The five key concepts of ethnomethodology were used as a priori categories to help understand and analyze the data. This study is justified by the fact that several culturally oriented didactic-pedagogical paths impede the becoming of unpredictability of differences. We conclude that the queer theoretical framework enhances the power of reflection and contestation of the cultural curriculum of Physical Education, because it prevents that teaching actions in favor of marginalized identities and groups become new essentialisms.(AU)

Survival of young and elderly adults with oral squamous cell carcinoma in a population in northeastern Brazil

To compare the profile and overall survival of young adults and elderly people diagnosed with SCC. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out at a High Complexity Oncology Unit, between 2010 and 2016. A descriptive analysis, a bivariate analysis using the chi-square and Fisher's exact test and the Kaplan-Meier estimator were performed. The predictor variables were tested using the log-rank test and those with statistical significance and the literature were maintained for the Cox regression model. Results: 282 cases of SCC were recorded, with only 12.4% diagnosed in young adults. The profile was similar between groups, with the majority of cases of the disease occurring in males, smokers and alcohol consumers. The lesions predominantly located on the tongue and were diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in 35.7% of deaths. The median survival time was 30 months in the elderly and 31 months in young people. In the multivariate analysis, age was not statistically significant, only staging and treatment were predictors of reduced overall survival. Conclusion: Tumor staging, and treatment were prognostic factors for the disease

Conocimiento de profesionales de la atención primaria de salud sobre demencias en personas mayores, Frutillar Chile / Knowledge of primary health care professionals about dementias in the elderly, Frutillar Chile

Objetivos: Analizar aspectos relacionados con el conocimiento enprofesionales de la atención primaria de salud respecto de las demenciasen personas mayores. Metodología: Se desarrolló una investigacióncuantitativa, no experimental de corte transversal y diseño descriptivocorrelacional con una muestra de 32 profesionales de un centro desalud familiar. Resultados: Los conocimientos generales y específicosrespecto de las demencias en personas mayores se encontraron enniveles insuficientes (62,4 y 62,5%, respectivamente), misma situaciónque ocurrió respecto de la autopercepción que los profesionales teníande sus conocimientos (78,1%). Se encontró correlación entre laautopercepción con los conocimientos (coeficiente general Rho: 0,484,p = 0,005; coeficiente específico Rho: 0,642, p = 0,001), con un nivelde confianza del 99%). Además, el estudio reveló que a mayor edady años de profesión, más alto es el nivel de conocimientos respectode las demencias por parte de los profesionales (Waldt 6,43 y 5,854,respectivamente, significación 0,011 y 0,016), y que las capacitaciones alos profesionales de la salud favorecerían a poseer conocimientos mediosen la mima área (Waldt 4,272, significación 0,039). Conclusiones:La incorporación de educación sobre las demencias a nivel depregrado, posgrado y capacitaciones permanentes al personal de losestablecimientos de salud primaria favorecen a unos mayoesr y mejoresreconocimiento, atención, diagnóstico y derivación oportuna depersonas mayores en estadios iniciales de demencias. (AU)

Objectives: To analyze aspects related to the knowledge ofprimary health care professionals regarding dementia in theelderly. Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental crosssectional research and descriptive-correlational design wasconducted with a sample of 32 professionals from a familyhealth center. Results: General and specific knowledge aboutdementia in older people was found to be insufficient (62.4%and 62.5%, respectively), the same situation happenedwith regard to the self-perception that professionals had oftheir knowledge (78.1%). A correlation was found betweenself-perception and knowledge (general C. Rho: 0.484, p =0.005; specific C. Rho: 0.642, p = 0.001), with a confidencelevel of 99%). In addition, the study revealed that, the higherthe age and years of the profession, the higher the level ofknowledge about dementia on the part of professionals (Waldt6.43 and 5.854, respectively, sig. 0.011 and 0.016), and thatthe training of health professionals would favour havingaverage knowledge in the same area (Waldt 4.272 sig. 0.039).Conclusions: The incorporation of dementia education at theundergraduate and postgraduate levels and ongoing trainingfor staff of primary health care facilities favours greater andbetter recognition, care, diagnosis and timely referral of olderpeople in early stages of dementia. (AU)

New records of Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) species from the Cerrado of Maranhão, Brazil / Novos registros de espécies de Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) para o Cerrado do Maranhão, Brasil

Abstract Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is the second most diverse subfamily of Saturniidae with 300 species described in 30 genera from southern Canada to northern Argentina. Species of this subfamily are widely distributed in Southeast Brazil, with many endemics to the Cerrado, and important as indicators of ecosystem quality. Specimens of Ceratocampinae were collected in the Parque Estadual do Mirador, Maranhão state, Brazil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) and Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) are recorded for the first time in Maranhão state and Northeast Brazil and Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941, only for Maranhão. The record of five Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) species increases the knowledge on the diversity and the importance of preserving those of this subfamily in the Cerrado biome of Maranhão state and the Northeast region of Brazil.

Resumo Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) é a segunda subfamília mais diversa de Saturniidae com 300 espécies descritas em 30 gêneros do sul do Canadá ao norte da Argentina. Espécies desta subfamília estão amplamente distribuídas no Sudeste do Brasil, com muitas endêmicas do Cerrado e importantes como indicadores da qualidade do ecossistema. Espécimes de Ceratocampinae foram coletados no Parque Estadual do Mirador, estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) e Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) são registradas pela primeira vez no estado do Maranhão e Nordeste do Brasil e Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941 apenas para o Maranhão. O registro de cinco espécies de Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) aumenta o conhecimento sobre a diversidade e a importância da preservação das espécies dessa subfamília no bioma Cerrado maranhense e na região Nordeste do Brasil.

Catastrophizing is associated with pain-related disability in temporomandibular disorders

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the association of pain-related disability with biopsychosocial factors in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. The study was carried out at the Orofacial Pain Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Feira de Santana, Bahia, from September 2018 to March 2020. The sociodemographic aspects, TMD subtypes, presence of pain-induced disability, pressure pain threshold, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing were evaluated in 61 patients. The studied variables were compared between patients with and without pain-induced disability. Crude and adjusted logistic regression were performed to obtain estimates of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. With the exception of catastrophizing, there was no association between the biopsychosocial factors and pain-induced disability. The presence of catastrophizing increased the chance of having chronic pain-induced disability by 4.02 times. The results of this study indicate a strong association between pain catastrophizing and disability in individuals with chronic painful TMD.

Electronic and transport properties of new carbon nanoribbons with 5-8-5 carbon rings: tuning stability by the edge shape effect.

We predicted the existence of five carbon nanoribbons based on POPGraphene, by first-principles calculations. We investigated the role of the shape of the edges in stability, structural, electronic, and transport properties. Density functional theory (DFT) was implemented to relax the unit cell nanoribbons, and DFT combined with non-equilibrium Greens functions was used to obtain the transport properties of molecular devices. Our results strongly suggest that all nanoribbons are stable, and can be feasibly obtained through experiment. Furthermore, the edge termination with pentarings is an important factor in the stability of nanoribbons. The electronic properties show that the three zigzag nanoribbons have a metallic behavior and the two armchair ones are semiconductors, but with a very tiny indirect bandgap of 0.053 eV and 0.050 eV. The transport properties show that the presence of partially filled steep bands crossing deeper into the Fermi level triggers high conductivity in molecular devices and the presence of flat bands decreases the device conductivity. The presence of sub-bandgap regions triggers the rise of negative differential resistance (NDR) regions in the device operation. The molecular device behavior is strongly dependent on the shape of the edges, presenting characteristics of field effect transistors (FETs), lighting emitting diodes (LEDs), or resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs), depending on the edge termination and operation range.