Synthetic Peptides Selected by Immunoinformatics as Potential Tools for the Specific Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil faces challenges due to the limitations regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic protocol. Therefore, it is urgent to map new antigens or enhance the existing ones for future diagnostic techniques. Immunoinformatic tools are promising in the identification of new potential epitopes or antigen candidates. In this study, we evaluated peptides selected by epitope prediction for CVL serodiagnosis in ELISA assays. Ten B-cell epitopes were immunogenic in silico, but two peptides (peptides No. 45 and No. 48) showed the best performance in vitro. The selected peptides, both individually and in combination, were highly diagnostically accurate, with sensitivities ranging from 86.4% to 100% and with a specificity of approximately 90%. We observed that the combination of peptides showed better performance when compared to peptide alone, by detecting all asymptomatic dogs, showing lower cross-reactivity in sera from dogs with other canine infections, and did not detect vaccinated animals. Moreover, our data indicate the potential use of immunoinformatic tools associated with ELISA assays for the selection and evaluation of potential new targets, such as peptides, applied to the diagnosis of CVL.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and rickettsiae associated with wild boars in a rural area of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Wild boars or feral pigs are classified by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Resources (IBAMA) in "Category I of invasive exotic species". They cause economic losses, harm the environment, serve as hosts and reservoirs for several zoonotic disease agents, and provide a blood meal for tick species that act as vectors for zoonotic diseases. The objective of this study was to identify tick species on wild boars, assess host-seeking ticks in the related environment, and identify other potential tick hosts coexisting with wild boars on a farm located in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the presence of rickettsiae in these arthropods and assess the exposure of wild boars to rickettsiae species from the Spotted Fever Group and Rickettsia bellii through serology. A total of 3585 host-seeking ticks from three species (Amblyomma sculptum - 41.58%; Amblyomma dubitatum - 0.39% and Rhipicephalus microplus - 0.05%) were collected in the environment and A. sculptum was the most abundant species. Thirty-one wild boars were evaluated, resulting in the collection of 415 ticks, all of which were A. sculptum. Rickettsia DNA was not detected in samples of A. sculptum and R. microplus from the environment or in A. sculptum ticks from wild boars. However, all A. dubitatum ticks (n = 14) had Rickettsia bellii DNA confirmed by the species-specific PCR protocol. Out of the 31 serum samples from wild boars, 24 reacted with at least one Rickettsia antigen. Among these, seven individuals exhibited a reaction to a probable homologous antigen (PHA) of three rickettsiae species: R. rickettsii (n = 3), R. amblyommatis (n = 3) and R. rhipicephali (n = 1). Despite the high prevalence of seroreactivity, titers were low, indicating limited exposure to Rickettsia spp. Camera traps generated 874 animal records, capturing a total of 1688 individuals. At least 11 species of birds and 14 species of mammals (12 wild and two domestic) shared the environment with wild boars and potentially shared ticks with them. These findings provide baseline information for understanding the sharing of ticks and tick-borne pathogens between wild boars and other animals within the Cerrado biome. Further studies are necessary to monitor the potential and actual risk of wild boars to harbor infected ticks and their role in the transmission and maintenance cycle of Rickettsia spp.

Density and behavior of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum with notes on Rickettsia bellii infection: Assessing human exposure risk.

In several urban and peri­urban areas of Brazil, populations of Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum ticks are maintained by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). In some of these areas, this host and these tick species are associated with Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a lethal human disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. In this work, we evaluated the risk of human exposure to these tick species using four collection techniques to discern host-seeking behavior. The study was carried out in 10 urban sites inhabited by capybaras in Uberlândia, a BSF-free municipality in southeastern Brazil. Ticks were collected in areas of 400 m2 at each site and at three seasons. Within the same municipality, the distance and speed of A. sculptum nymphs moving towards the CO2 traps were evaluated. In a sample of ticks Rickettsia DNA was investigated. During the study period, 52,953 ticks were collected. Among these, 83.4 % were A. sculptum (1,523 adults, 10,545 nymphs and 32,104 larvae) and 16.6 % were A. dubitatum (464 adults, 2,153 nymphs and 6,164 larvae). An average annual questing tick density of 4.4/m² was observed, with the highest density recorded at one site in autumn (31.8/m²) and the lowest in summer at another site (0.03/m²). The visual search yielded the highest proportion of A. sculptum larvae, constituting 47 % of the total and 63.6 % of all A. sculptum larvae. In contrast, CO2 traps collected a greater proportion of nymphs and adults of A. sculptum ticks. In the case of A. dubitatum, the CO2 trap was the most efficient technique with 57.7 % of captures of this species, especially of nymphs (94.5 % of captures) and adults (97.8 % of captures). Ticks' ambush height on vegetation (9 to 77 cm), observed by visual search 30 times, yielded a total of 20,771 ticks. Of these, 28 (93 %) were A. sculptum ticks, with only two (7 %) identified as A. dubitatum ticks. Among A. sculptum ticks, the nymph was the most attracted stage to humans and larva in the case of A. dubitatum. Amblyomma sculptum adults and nymphs were significantly more attracted to humans than those of A. dubitatum, but A. dubitatum larvae were significantly more attracted than the same stage of A. sculptum. The maximum distance and speed of horizontal displacement for A. sculptum nymphs were five meters and 2.0 m/h, respectively. The only species of Rickettsia detected in ticks, exclusively in A. dubitatum, was R. bellii. Importantly, it was observed that the higher the proportion of A. sculptum in the community of ticks, the lower the rate of infection of A. dubitatum by R. bellii. In conclusion, host-seeking behavior differed between the two tick species, as well as between stages of the same species. A greater restriction of A. dubitatum ticks to the soil was observed, while larvae and nymphs of A. sculptum dispersed higher in the vegetation. The behavior presented by A. sculptum provides greater opportunities for contact with the hosts, while A. dubitatum depends more on an active search for a host, the hunter behavior. Taken together, these observations show that a human being crossing an area infested with A. sculptum and A. dubitatum ticks will have almost exclusive contact with A. sculptum larvae and/or nymphs. Humans in a stationary position (sitting, lying or immobile) are exposed to both tick species, but they are more attractive to adults and mainly nymphs of A. sculptum compared to the corresponding stages of the tick A. dubitatum. The negative effect of A. sculptum on A. dubitatum infection by R. bellii deserves further studies.

Molecular detection of Borrelia sp. in Ornithodoros cavernicolous (Acari: Argasidae) in midwestern Brazil.

Ticks are obligate hematophagous parasites that can transmit to vertebrate hosts several pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths. Among these agents, some Borrelia species some Borrelia species cause disease in humans and other vertebrate hosts; therefore, they have medical and veterinary health importance. To gather additional information on Borrelia species in Brazil, the current study aimed to detect the presence of these species in Ornithodoros cavernicolous ticks collected in September 2019 from cement pipes that are used by bats as shelter in a farm located in the midwestern region of Brazil. DNA samples obtained from 18 specimens of O. cavernicolous were subjected of two polymerase chain reactions, targeting a segment of the Borrelia fla B gene. Of the samples tested, only one (6 %, 1/18) showed amplification. The nucleotide sequence of the amplified DNA showed more than 97 % (293/300) identity with a sequence of a Borrelia sp. detected in blood collected from a bat from Macaregua Cave, Colombia, and more than 97 % (292/300) detected in lungs from vampire bats from northeastern Brazil. The deduced amino acid sequences were identical to each other. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these sequences formed a group of Borrelia species (putatively associated with bats) that is closely related to sequences of Borrelia species of the Lyme borreliosis group. Further investigations should be carried out in order to determine whether the sequence of the Borrelia sp. we found belongs to a new taxon. It will also be of great importance to determine which vertebrate hosts, besides bats, O. cavernicolous ticks can parasitize in order to investigate whether the Borrelia sp. we found may be transmitted and cause disease to the other vertebrate hosts.

Dentists' education, knowledge, and professional behavior concerning the diagnosis and treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: An exploration.

OBJECTIVES: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affects patients' oral health-related quality of life, but is not always optimally treated in dental offices. The objectives were to assess dentists' DH-related education, knowledge, and professional behavior and explore relationships between education, knowledge, and behavior. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 220 ADA members in the United States. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed. RESULTS: About half of the respondents agreed/strongly agreed that their dental school had educated them well about diagnosing DH in classroom-based (53.6%) and clinical settings (48.9%). Lower percentages agreed being well educated about treating DH (40.9%/37.3%). The majority self-educated themselves about DH after dental school by attending continuing education courses in person or online (60.6%/36.8%), reading articles (64.1%), or consulting with colleagues (59.6%). The majority knew that patients with DH describe their pain as stimulated (91.4%) and that recessed gingiva (89.6%), abrasion lesions (72.3%), tooth whitening (63.1%), erosion lesions (58.6%), and abfraction lesions (51.4%) are risk factors for DH. The majority diagnosed DH with patient self-reporting, confirmed by exams (81.8%), applying air blasts (53.7%), or cold-water (52.3%). They treated patients with DH often/very often with over-the-counter desensitizing agents (90%), and prescribing fluoride formulations toothpaste (82.8%) and/or potassium nitrate toothpastes (60.9%). In their offices, the majority (73.2%) educated their patients often/very often about DH and used fluoride dental varnish for treating DH (71.8%). The more recently respondents had graduated from dental school, the more positively they described their dental school education (r = 0.14; p < 0.05), the more ways to diagnose DH they used (r = 0.16; p < 0.05) and the more often they used fluoride dental varnish in their offices (r = 0.23; p < 0.001). The more dentists had educated themselves, the more methods for diagnosing DH they used (r = 0.23; p < 0.001) and the more often they used potassium oxalate products (r = 0.19; p < 0.01), Arginine/calcium products (r = 0.19; p < 0.01) and dentin bonding (r = 0.22; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: More recently graduating from dental school correlates with more positive evaluations of DH-related dental school education. The finding that most dentists engage in self-education about DH after dental school should motivate dental educators to increase education about this topic not only in dental school, but also in continuing education courses.

Machine learning approach to estimate soil matric potential in the plant root zone based on remote sensing data.

There is an increasing interest in using the Internet of Things (IoT) in the agriculture sector to acquire soil- and crop-related parameters that provide helpful information to manage farms more efficiently. One example of this technology is using IoT soil moisture sensors for scheduling irrigation. Soil moisture sensors are usually deployed in nodes. A more significant number of sensors/nodes is recommended in larger fields, such as those found in broadacre agriculture, to better account for soil heterogeneity. However, this comes at a higher and often limiting cost for farmers (purchase, labour costs from installation and removal, and maintenance). Methodologies that enable maintaining the monitoring capability/intensity with a reduced number of in-field sensors would be valuable for the sector and of great interest. In this study, sensor data analysis conducted across two irrigation seasons in three cotton fields from two cotton-growing areas of Australia, identified a relationship between soil matric potential and cumulative satellite-derived crop evapotranspiration (ETcn) between irrigation events. A second-degree function represents this relationship, which is affected by the crop development stage, rainfall, irrigation events and the transition between saturated and non-saturated soil. Two machine learning models [a Dense Multilayer Perceptron (DMP) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) algorithms] were studied to explore these second-degree function properties and assess whether the models were capable of learning the pattern of the soil matric potential-ETcn relation to estimate soil moisture from satellite-derived ETc measurements. The algorithms performance evaluation in predicting soil matric potential applied the k-fold method in each farm individually and combining data from all fields and seasons. The latter approach made it possible to avoid the influence of farm consultants' decisions regarding when to irrigate the crop in the training process. Both algorithms accurately estimated soil matric potential for individual (up to 90% of predicted values within ±10 kPa) and combined datasets (73% of predicted values within ±10 kPa). The technique presented here can accurately monitor soil matric potential in the root zone of cotton plants with reduced in-field sensor equipment and offers promising applications for its use in irrigation-decision systems.

Depressão, ansiedade e estresse em profissionais da linha de frente da COVID-19 / Depression, anxiety and stress in COVID-19 front line professionals / Depresión, ansiedad y estrés en profesionales de primera línea COVID-19

Resumo Introdução: A pandemia de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) representa um desafio à saúde mental dos profissionais de saúde que atuam na assistência direta ao paciente. Dados de pesquisas são necessários para auxiliar a implementação de intervenções e medidas de proteção. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores relacionados à ansiedade, depressão e estresse na equipe de saúde de um hospital de referência no atendimento a pacientes com COVID-19 quatro meses após o primeiro caso confirmado no Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, correlacional e quantitativo com enfermeiros, técnicos de enfermagem, fisioterapeutas e médicos. Foi utilizado um questionário sociodemográfico e sobre os aspectos profissionais relacionados a COVID-19. Para a avaliação da ansiedade, depressão e estresse foi utilizada a escala DASS-21. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 112 pessoas, das quais 52,68% apresentaram sintomas de depressão, 57,14% de ansiedade e 78,57% de estresse. Houve associação da depressão com o cargo de enfermeiro, com o fato de estar em acompanhamento psicológico anterior a pandemia, com a ausência de participação em treinamento para assistência. A ansiedade apresentou associação com o sexo feminino e com o medo de adoecer. O estresse foi associado a idade mais jovem, 30 a 39 anos e ao estado civil casado ou em união estável. Conclusão: Durante a fase inicial do surto de COVID-19 houve uma alta prevalência de transtornos mentais nos profissionais de assistência direta ao paciente e os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse se manifestaram na maioria dos participantes de forma moderada e grave.

Abstract Introduction: The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) represented a challenge to the mental health of health professionals working in direct paciente care. Research data is important to assist with the implementation of interventions and protective measures. Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors related to anxiety, depression and stress in the health team of a referral hospital in the care of patients with COVID-19 four months after the first confirmed case in Brazil. Method: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study with nurses, nursing technicians, physiotherapist and physicians. A sociodemographic and profesional aspects related to COVID-19 questionnaire were used. To assess anxiety, depression and stress the DASS-21 scale was used. Results: 112 people participated in the study, of which 52,68% had depression symptoms, 57,14% of anxiety and 78,57% of stress. There was an association of depression with the position of nurse, with being under psychological monitoring prior the pandemic, with absence of participation in care training. Anxiety was associated with female gender and the fear of falling ill. Stress was associated with the younger age, 30 to 39 years, and with marital status, married or in stable union. Conclusion: during the initial phase of COVID-19 outbreak there was a high prevalence of mental disorders among professionals directly assisting patients and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were manifested in most participants in a moderated or severe manner.

Resumen Introdución: La pandemia del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) representa un desafío a la salud mental de los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en la atención directa al paciente. Se necesitan datos de investigación para apoyar la implementación de las intervenciones e las medidas de protección. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia y factores relacionados con la ansiedad, depresión y estrés en el equipo de salud de un hospital de referencia en la atención de pacientes con COVID-19 cuatro meses después del primer caso confirmado en Brasil. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal, descriptivo y cuantitativo con enfermeros, técnicos de enfermería, fisioterapeutas y médicos. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y los aspectos profesionales relacionados a la COVID-19. Se utilizó la escala DASS-21 para evaluar la ansiedad, depresión y el estrés. Resultados: Participaron de la investigación 112 personas, de las cuales el 52,68% presentaron síntomas de depresión, el 57,14% de ansiedad y el 78,57% de stress. Hubo asociación de depresión con el puesto de enfermero, con el hecho de estar bajo acompañamiento psicológico previo a la pandemia, con la ausencia de participación en capacitaciones para la asistencia. La ansiedade presentó asociacion con el sexo feminino y con el miedo a enfermarse. El estrés se asoció a una edad más joven, de 30 a 39 años y al estado civil casado o en unión estable. Conclusión: Durante la fase inicial del brote de COVID-19 hubo una alta prevalencia de trastornos mentales entre los profesionales de la asistencia directa al paciente y los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se manifestaron en la mayoría de los participantes de manera moderada y severa.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) at a conservation center: infestation and Rickettsia parkeri infection dynamics along nine years.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship between the populations of the ticks Amblyomma triste Koch, 1844, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, the pathogenic bacteria Rickettsia parkeri and a marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) population after its removal from a pristine environment. For this purpose, ticks were collected from the cervical region of deer at the Marsh Deer Conservation Center in Promissão, São Paulo State, Brazil for nine consecutive years (2000 - 2008). Deer in captivity at the Center were kept in 2,000 m² paddocks surrounded by two-meter-high fences in the Tiete-river marsh. In total, 1,012 ticks of 26 deer were collected. Prevalence of the species A. triste among tick-infested hosts was the highest in the first triennium but decreased to the second and further to the third triennium. In contrast, the R. microplus prevalence amidst infested host population, increased from the first to the third triennium and was the species that attained the highest infestation intensity. Amblyomma sculptum was the tick with the lowest infestation prevalence and intensity throughout the period. The change in the proportion between the two most prevalent species was attributed to the new environment, specifically its restricted size and within it a dry area more suitable for R. microplus. DNA of 424 ticks processed in 276 pools was tested for Rickettsia genetic material by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Twenty samples of the study were positive for the rickettsial gltA gene. Of these, 18 were from A. triste ticks and revealed the presence of the ompA spotted fever group gene as well. Eleven samples were sequenced and showed 100% identity with R. parkeri sensu stricto. Two samples from R. microplus did not amplify ompA gene neither yielded product in a PCR specific for Rickettsia bellii. Sequencing of the gltA gene in the DNA of these two ticks was also 100% identical with R. parkeri s.s. In conclusion, the changes in the deer environment modified the tick populations but maintained, at least temporary, R. parkeri bacteria in A. triste ticks. Rhipicephalus microplus was refractory to the R. parkeri infection and bacterial DNA in this tick species indicated DNA spill over from other tick species. It was demonstrated that captive marsh deer may sustain cattle tick populations on its own. This would hardly occur under pristine conditions because of the inadequacy the marsh deer´s naturally humid habitat for the cattle tick. However, deer transportations of R. microplus ticks from one farm to another may occur whenever habitat loss pushes this wild animal towards farms.

Rhipicephalus microplus and Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae) infestation of Nellore cattle (Bos taurus indicus) in a farm of the Brazilian Cerrado: seasonality and infestation patterns.

We herein describe zebuine cattle tick infestation in a farm in southeast Brazil with an examination accurate enough to detect tick immatures and species other than R. microplus. Cattle were inspected monthly for ticks from May 2015 to May 2017 and 7604 ticks were collected along 276 bovine inspections. Rhipicephalus microplus was the dominant species (7197 specimens, 94.5% from the total), but Amblyomma sculptum was also collected (407/5.5%). Horse tick infestations were evaluated for comparison purposes of A. sculptum infestations of a primary host sharing pastures with bovines. Ticks were counted on the left side of 4-12 horses every 3 months from October 2015 to October 2017. Overall, 68 horse inspections were performed and 1702 ticks were collected: Dermacentor nitens (805 specimens/47.3% of the total), A. sculptum (733/43.1%) and R. microplus (164/9.6%). Overall mean tick abundance on bovines was low if compared to that of taurine cattle and counting revealed four annual generations of R. microplus. The interval between infestation peaks was 3 months, irrespective of the season, and an increase in tick counts from spring onward, as described in the south of Brazil, was not seen. Amblyomma sculptum infestation abundance was minor but constant and in high prevalence. Cattle infestation with A. sculptum seems to depend on pasture sharing with other domestic and wild hosts that are its primary hosts and provide engorged females to complete their life cycle. The impact of such tick sharing among several host species on tick-borne pathogen transmission remains to be elucidated.

IRRISENS: An IoT Platform Based on Microservices Applied in Commercial-Scale Crops Working in a Multi-Cloud Environment.

Research has shown the multitude of applications that Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and forecast technologies present in every sector. In agriculture, one application is the monitoring of factors that influence crop development to assist in making crop management decisions. Research on the application of such technologies in agriculture has been mainly conducted at small experimental sites or under controlled conditions. This research has provided relevant insights and guidelines for the use of different types of sensors, application of a multitude of algorithms to forecast relevant parameters as well as architectural approaches of IoT platforms. However, research on the implementation of IoT platforms at the commercial scale is needed to identify platform requirements to properly function under such conditions. This article evaluates an IoT platform (IRRISENS) based on fully replicable microservices used to sense soil, crop, and atmosphere parameters, interact with third-party cloud services for scheduling irrigation and, potentially, control irrigation automatically. The proposed IoT platform was evaluated during one growing season at four commercial-scale farms on two broadacre irrigated crops with very different water management requirements (rice and cotton). Five main requirements for IoT platforms to be used in agriculture at commercial scale were identified from implementing IRRISENS as an irrigation support tool for rice and cotton production: scalability, flexibility, heterogeneity, robustness to failure, and security. The platform addressed all these requirements. The results showed that the microservice-based approach used is robust against both intermittent and critical failures in the field that could occur in any of the monitored sites. Further, processing or storage overload caused by datalogger malfunctioning or other reasons at one farm did not affect the platform's performance. The platform was able to deal with different types of data heterogeneity. Since there are no shared microservices among farms, the IoT platform proposed here also provides data isolation, maintaining data confidentiality for each user, which is relevant in a commercial farm scenario.

Exploring the Adoption of Precision Agriculture for Irrigation in the Context of Agriculture 4.0: The Key Role of Internet of Things.

In recent years, the concept of Agriculture 4.0 has emerged as an evolution of precision agriculture (PA) through the diffusion of the Internet of things (IoT). There is a perception that the PA adoption is occurring at a slower pace than expected. Little research has been carried out about Agriculture 4.0, as well as to farmer behavior and operations management. This work explores what drives the adoption of PA in the Agriculture 4.0 context, focusing on farmer behavior and operations management. As a result of a multimethod approach, the factors explaining the PA adoption in the Agriculture 4.0 context and a model of irrigation operations management are proposed. Six simulation scenarios are performed to study the relationships among the factors involved in irrigation planning. Empirical findings contribute to a better understanding of what Agriculture 4.0 is and to expand the possibilities of IoT in the PA domain. This work also contributes to the discussion on Agriculture 4.0, thanks to multidisciplinary research bringing together the different perspectives of PA, IoT and operations management. Moreover, this research highlights the key role of IoT, considering the farmer's possible choice to adopt several IoT sensing technologies for data collection.

Dental adhesive microtensile bond strength following a biofilm-based in vitro aging model.

OBJECTIVE: Laboratory tests are routinely used to test bonding properties of dental adhesives. Various aging methods that simulate the oral environment are used to complement these tests for assessment of adhesive bond durability. However, most of these methods challenge hydrolytic and mechanical stability of the adhesive- enamel/dentin interface, and not the biostability of dental adhesives. To compare resin-dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS) after a 15-day Streptococcus mutans (SM) or Streptococcus sobrinus (SS) bacterial exposure to the 6-month water storage (WS) ISO 11405 type 3 test. METHODOLOGY: A total of 31 molars were flattened and their exposed dentin was restored with Optibond-FL adhesive system and Z-100 dental composite. Each restored molar was sectioned and trimmed into four dumbbell-shaped specimens, and randomly distributed based on the following aging conditions: A) 6 months of WS (n=31), B) 5.5 months of WS + 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31), C) 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31) and D) 15 days of a SS-biofilm challenge (n=31). µTBS were determined and the failure modes were classified using light microscopy. RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed that each type of aging condition affected µTBS (p<0.0001). For Group A (49.7±15.5MPa), the mean µTBS was significantly greater than in Groups B (19.3±6.3MPa), C (19.9±5.9MPa) and D (23.6±7.9MPa). For Group D, the mean µTBS was also significantly greater than for Groups B and C, but no difference was observed between Groups B and C. CONCLUSION: A Streptococcus mutans- or Streptococcus sobrinus-based biofilm challenge for 15 days resulted in a significantly lower µTBS than did the ISO 11405 recommended 6 months of water storage. This type of biofilm-based aging model seems to be a practical method for testing biostability of resin-dentin bonding.

Mechanical behavior of thoracolumbar coronal split fractures: finite element analysis / Comportamento mecânico das fraturas toracolombares do tipo split coronal: estudo por elementos finitos / Comportamiento mecánico de las fracturas toracolumbares del tipo split coronal: estudio por elementos finitos

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the behavior of thoracolumbar fractures of the coronal split type using the finite element method. Methods Two comparative studies were conducted through simulation of coronal split fractures in a finite model in which the first lumbar vertebra (L1) was considered to be fractured. In the first case, the fracture line was considered to have occurred in the middle of the vertebral body (50%), while in the second model, the fracture line occurred in the anterior quarter of the vertebral body (25%). The maximum von Mises stress values were compared, as well as the axial displacement between fragments of the fractured vertebra. Results The stress levels found for the fracture located at half of the vertebral body were 43% higher (264.88 MPa x 151.16 MPa) than those for the fracture located at the anterior 25% of the vertebra, and the axial displacement of the 50% fractured body was also greater (1.19 mm x 1.10 mm). Conclusions Coronal split fractures located in the anterior quarter of the vertebral body incurred less stress and displacements and are more amenable to conservative treatment than 50% fractures occurring in the middle of the vertebral body. Level of Evidence III; Experimental study.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar o comportamento das fraturas toracolombares do tipo split coronal através de elementos finitos. Métodos Foram realizados dois estudos comparativos através da simulação de fratura do tipo split coronal, em modelo finito, considerando que a primeira vértebra lombar (L1) estava fraturada. No primeiro caso, considerou-se que o traço da fratura ocorria na metade do corpo vertebral (50%), já no segundo modelo, o traço de fratura ocorria na porção anterior do corpo (25%). Foram comparados os valores de tensão máxima segundo von Mises, assim como o deslocamento axial sofrido entre os fragmentos da vértebra fraturada. Resultados Na fratura localizada ao nível da metade do corpo vertebral, os níveis de tensões encontrados foram 43% maiores (264,88 MPa x 151,16 MPa) do que aqueles na fratura a 25% no terço anterior do corpo vertebral, em que o deslocamento axial da porção fraturada também foi mais elevado (1,19 mm x 1,10 mm). Conclusões As fraturas do tipo split coronal localizadas no quarto anterior do corpo vertebral concentram menos tensões e deslocamentos, sendo mais passíveis de tratamento conservador em comparação às fraturas que ocorrem na metade do corpo vertebral. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo experimental.

RESUMEN Objetivo Analizar el comportamiento de las fracturas toracolumbares del tipo split coronal a través de elementos finitos. Métodos Se realizaron dos estudios comparativos a través de la simulación de fractura del tipo split coronal, en modelo finito, considerando que la primera vértebra lumbar (L1) estaba fracturada. En el primer caso, se consideró que el trazo de la fractura ocurría en la mitad del cuerpo vertebral (50%), ya en el segundo modelo, el trazo de la fractura ocurría en la porción anterior del cuerpo (25%). Fueron comparados los valores de tensión máxima según von Mises, así como el desplazamiento axial sufrido entre los fragmentos de la vértebra fracturada. Resultados En la fractura localizada al nivel de la mitad del cuerpo vertebral, los niveles de tensiones encontrados fueron 43% mayores (264,88 MPa x 151,16 MPa) que aquellos en la fractura a 25% en el tercio anterior del cuerpo vertebral, en que el desplazamiento axial de la porción fracturada fue también más elevado (1,19 mm x 1,10 mm). Conclusiones Las fracturas del tipo split coronal localizadas en el cuarto anterior del cuerpo vertebral concentran menores tensiones y desplazamientos, siendo más susceptibles de tratamiento conservador en comparación a las fracturas que ocurren en la mitad del cuerpo vertebral. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudio experimental.

The Resilience of Adolescent Participants in Social Projects for Sport.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resilience of adolescents participants and non-participants of social projects for sports relating it to their sociodemographic profile. Cross-section Study, comparative and analytical, covered 134 adolescents, from ages 12 to 17, residing in a social zone of high vulnerability in a Northeastern Brazilian city. The data collected was obtained through structured interviews and a questionnaire/resilience scale, developed by Wagnild and Young (1993). The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used, especially the Student 'T' Test for the independent samples and the chi-square test. In both cases, the statistical significance level adopted was p < 0.05. The overall mean resilience was 110.6 (±15.9) and the participants in social projects demonstrated better resilience (p = 0.063), with a predominance of male gender, age group 15 to 17 years old, without health problems, parents (father/mother) self-employed, retired, pensioner or unemployed with income less than 1 minimum wage, without alcohol/cigarette and other drugs. The participants of the social projects presented a better level of resilience, even though there were several unfavorable situations and many risks presented as well.

Species composition of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in caves of Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Caves are extreme and inhospitable environments that can harbor several species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Among these animals are phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies of four caves, a cave located at Moeda Sul (MS) and three at Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were collected with automatic light traps. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, using a dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard index, and Multivariate Permutation Analysis were used to evaluate sand fly species composition among entrance, interior, and the surrounding environments of each sampled cave and to infer biological mechanisms from patterns of distribution among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies representing 14 species and six genera were collected. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi (6.1%), Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). Thirty individuals were collected at MS, 16 inside the cave and 14 from its surroundings. At PESRM, five individuals were collected from the surroundings of cave RM38, 190 individuals from cave RM39 (48 in the cave and 142 from its surroundings) and 150 individuals from cave RM40 (42 in the cave and 108 from its surroundings). The results revealed a rich sand fly fauna with similar species compositions among the entrance, interior, and surrounding environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for maintaining sand fly communities.

The Resilience of Adolescent Participants in Social Projects for Sport / Resiliência em Adolescentes Participantes de Projetos Sociais Esportivos

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the resilience of adolescents participants and non-participants of social projects for sports relating it to their sociodemographic profile. Cross-section Study, comparative and analytical, covered 134 adolescents, from ages 12 to 17, residing in a social zone of high vulnerability in a Northeastern Brazilian city. The data collected was obtained through structured interviews and a questionnaire/resilience scale, developed by Wagnild and Young (1993). The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used, especially the Student 'T' Test for the independent samples and the chi-square test. In both cases, the statistical significance level adopted was p < 0.05. The overall mean resilience was 110.6 (±15.9) and the participants in social projects demonstrated better resilience (p = 0.063), with a predominance of male gender, age group 15 to 17 years old, without health problems, parents (father/mother) self-employed, retired, pensioner or unemployed with income less than 1 minimum wage, without alcohol/cigarette and other drugs. The participants of the social projects presented a better level of resilience, even though there were several unfavorable situations and many risks presented as well.

Resumo A pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar a resiliência de adolescentes participantes e não participantes de projetos sociais esportivos relacionando- a ao seu perfil sociodemográfico. Estudo de corte transversal, comparativo e analítico, abrangeu 134 adolescentes, com faixa etária compreendida de 12 a 17 anos, residentes em zona de alta vulnerabilidade social de um município do nordeste brasileiro. A coleta de dados deu-se com a realização de entrevista estruturada e a aplicação do questionário/escala de resiliência desenvolvida por Wagnild e Young (1993). Utilizou-se de análise estatística descritiva e inferencial, especialmente o uso do teste T para amostras independentes e o teste qui-quadrado. Para ambos, adotou-se um nível de significância estatística de p < 0,05. A resiliência média geral foi 110,6 (±15,9) e os participantes de projetos sociais apresentaram melhor resiliência (p = 0,063), com predomínio de gênero masculino, faixa etária de 15 a 17 anos, sem problemas de saúde, pais (pai/mãe) autônomos, aposentado, pensionista ou desempregado com renda menor do que 1 salário mínimo, sem uso de bebida alcoólica/cigarro e outras drogas. Os participantes de projetos sociais apresentaram melhor nível de resiliência, mesmo em diversas situações desfavoráveis, com fatores de riscos presentes.

A novel sample design for determining color compatibility between layered resin composite and vita shade guides.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the color of double-layered (DL) resin-composite (RC) samples with variant enamel-thicknesses (ET) to their corresponding shade-tabs from VITA classical (VC) and 3D-Master (V3DM). METHODS: A2-DL samples (N = 30) fabricated using three pairs of custom-made molds with an ET of 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mm. Shades were selected according to the manufacturer's instructions of two RC brands: Clearfil-Majesty (CM), and Vita-l-essence (VL). A spectrophotometer measured CIE L*a*b* color parameters. We used ΔE 00 to calculate color differences among DL samples, VC, and V3DM shade-tabs. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey test (∝=0.05). RESULTS: ΔE 00 between DL samples A2 and 2M2 shade tabs were all greater than the predetermined 50:50% acceptability threshold (ΔE 00 = 6.6-10.4). Depending on the shade tabs compared, the ΔE 00 among CM and VL ET subgroups were statistically different (P < .001). ET and L* were negatively correlated for CM and VL. For CM, ΔE 00 and L* correlated on the A2 shade tab, whereas for VL, ΔE 00 , and ET correlated on the 2M2 shade tab (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The DL samples produced unacceptable color matches to their corresponding shade. An enamel layer thickness of 0.7 mm corresponded to the lowest ΔE 00 . The use of V3DM for RC shade selection should be investigated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding color interaction between RC layers is important to achieve consistent results in esthetic clinical procedures. The thickness of the enamel layer can critically alter the overall shade for a given RC shade and brand. This variation is difficult for the clinician to predict and negatively impacts patient satisfaction, increasing overall procedure costs, and decreasing efficiency. This color interaction study aims to facilitate consistency in shade reproduction.

Profilaxia para a internet aberta e a dark web / Prophylaxis for open internet and dark web

A Internet aberta, amplamente conhecida e utilizada, é considerada um terreno onde há livre circulação de ideias, sem direcionamento de conteúdos, tendo como antagonista a Dark Web, ambiente criptografado e hostil, origem de crime e de conteúdos maliciosos de toda ordem, com destaque para conteúdos perigosos à saúde física e mental. Neste ensaio, é discutido o que é a Dark Web, bem como quais são de fato seus conteúdos e suas tecnologias básicas. Da mesma forma, é abordado o que é a Internet aberta, explicitando-se que essa está muito longe de ser o território da liberdade e livre expressão, pois pode sim controlar o que é oferecido para o Internauta. Tal controle pode ser feito em parte por causa da tecnologia fundamental da rede, assim como, pelo comportamento das pessoas e pela organização do conteúdo, que segue uma estrutura matemática, chamada de redes complexas. Essas estruturas podem ser utilizadas para se criar bolhas de opiniões ou situações que podem ser utilizadas para infindáveis propósitos. Por fim, pontua-se que a educação e o conhecimento dos fatos sobre ambas as redes são elementos profiláticos para utilizá-las de forma mais segura e saudável.

Dental adhesive microtensile bond strength following a biofilm-based in vitro aging model

Abstract Laboratory tests are routinely used to test bonding properties of dental adhesives. Various aging methods that simulate the oral environment are used to complement these tests for assessment of adhesive bond durability. However, most of these methods challenge hydrolytic and mechanical stability of the adhesive- enamel/dentin interface, and not the biostability of dental adhesives. Objective To compare resin-dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) after a 15-day Streptococcus mutans (SM) or Streptococcus sobrinus (SS) bacterial exposure to the 6-month water storage (WS) ISO 11405 type 3 test. Methodology A total of 31 molars were flattened and their exposed dentin was restored with Optibond-FL adhesive system and Z-100 dental composite. Each restored molar was sectioned and trimmed into four dumbbell-shaped specimens, and randomly distributed based on the following aging conditions: A) 6 months of WS (n=31), B) 5.5 months of WS + 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31), C) 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31) and D) 15 days of a SS-biofilm challenge (n=31). μTBS were determined and the failure modes were classified using light microscopy. Results Statistical analyses showed that each type of aging condition affected μTBS (p<0.0001). For Group A (49.7±15.5MPa), the mean μTBS was significantly greater than in Groups B (19.3±6.3MPa), C (19.9±5.9MPa) and D (23.6±7.9MPa). For Group D, the mean μTBS was also significantly greater than for Groups B and C, but no difference was observed between Groups B and C. Conclusion A Streptococcus mutans- or Streptococcus sobrinus-based biofilm challenge for 15 days resulted in a significantly lower μTBS than did the ISO 11405 recommended 6 months of water storage. This type of biofilm-based aging model seems to be a practical method for testing biostability of resin-dentin bonding.

Evidências de validade e normas do TEPIC-M para crianças e adolescentes / Evidences of validity and standards of the TEPIC-M for children and adolescents / Evidencias de validez y normas de la TEPIC-M para niños y adolescentes

O TEPIC-M é um teste que avalia a memória visual de curto prazo, validado e normatizado para a faixa etária de 17 a 89 anos, com o objetivo de encontrar evidências de validade de critério e normas para crianças e adolescentes. Este estudo contou com 542 estudantes com idade entre seis e 16 anos, de instituições de ensino públicas e privadas da cidade de Natal/RN. Verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa na média de acertos quando comparados os desempenhos dos participantes em função do tipo de escola (p < 0,001), bem como em função da idade (p < 0,001). Por outro lado, não foram verificadas diferenças na média de acertos entre sexos (p = 0,808). Conclui-se que o instrumento é adequado para a avaliação da memória visual de curto prazo entre crianças e adolescentes brasileiros, podendo ser utilizado em futuros estudos com essa população. (AU)

The TEPIC-M is a test that evaluates short-term visual memory that has been validated and standardized for the 17 to 89 years age group. Participants of this study were 542 students aged between six and 16 years, of public and private educational institutions in the city of Natal, Brazil. The study aimed to find evidence of criterion validity and standards for children and adolescents. Statistically significant difference were found in the mean number of correct answers when comparing the performances of the participants according to the type of school (p <0.001) and age (p <0.001). Conversely, there were no differences in the mean number of correct answers between the sexes (p = 0.808). It was concluded that the instrument is suitable for the evaluation of short-term visual memory among Brazilian children and adolescents and can be used in future studies with this population. (AU)

El TEPIC-M es un test que evalúa la memoria visual a corto plazo, validada y regulada para la franja etaria de 17 a 89 años. Con el objetivo de encontrar evidencias de validez de criterio y normas para niños y adolescentes, este estudio contó con 542 estudiantes con edades entre seis y 16 años de instituciones de enseñanza pública y privada de la ciudad de Natal - RN. Se verificó diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la media de aciertos cuando se compararon los resultados de los participantes en función del tipo de escuela (p <0,001), así como en función de la edad (p <0,001). Por otro lado, no se verificaron diferencias en la media de aciertos entre sexos (p = 0,808). Se concluye que el instrumento es adecuado para la evaluación de la memoria visual de corto plazo entre niños y adolescentes brasileños, pudiendo ser utilizado en futuros estudios con esa población. (AU)