Enhancing Methylene Blue Dye Removal using pyrolyzed Mytella falcata Shells: Characterization, Kinetics, Isotherm, and Regeneration through Photolysis and Peroxidation.

The potential of pyrolyzed Mytella falcata shells as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue dye molecules from aqueous solutions was investigated. The study found that the adsorbent produced at 600 °C of pyrolysis temperature, with an adsorbent mass of 0.5 g, particle diameter of 0.297-0.149 mm, and pH 12.0, demonstrated the highest dye molecule removal efficiency of 82.41%. The material's porosity was observed through scanning electron microscopy, which is favorable for adsorption, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis analyses confirmed the presence of calcium carbonate in the crystalline phases. The pseudo-second order model was found to be the best fit for the data, suggesting that the adsorption mechanism involves two steps: external diffusion and diffusion via the solid pores. The Redlich-Peterson isotherm model better represented the equilibrium data, and the methylene blue adsorption was found to be spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. The hydrogen peroxide with UV oxidation was found to be the most efficient method of regeneration, with a regeneration percentage of 63% achieved using 600 mmol.L-1 of oxidizing agents. The results suggest that pyrolyzed Mytella falcata shells could serve as an ecologically viable adsorbent alternative, reducing the amount of waste produced in the local environment and at the same time removing pollutants from the water. The material's adsorption capacity remained almost constant in the first adsorption-oxidation cycles, indicating its potential for repeated use.

Self-care nursing interventions: A qualitative study into electronic health records' contents.

AIMS: This study aims to (1) analyse all self-care-related interventions Portuguese nurses documented, (2) determine potential issues that may impair semantic interoperability and (3) propose a new set of interventions representing nursing actions regarding self-care that may integrate any HER application. BACKGROUND: As populations age and chronic diseases increase, self-care concerns rise. Individuals who seek healthcare, regardless of context, need prompt access to accurate health information. Healthcare professionals need to understand the information in all places where care is provided, creating the need for semantic interoperability within electronic health records. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive and exploratory study was conducted in two phases: (1) a content analysis of nursing interventions e-documentation and (2) a focus group with fifteen registered nurses exploring latent criteria or insights gleaned from the findings of content analysis. The COREQ statement was used to guide research reporting. RESULTS: We extracted 1529 nursing intervention sentences from the electronic health records and created 209 intervention categories. We identified the main issues with semantic interoperability in nursing intervention identification. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, nurses cooperate with clients, offering physical aid and encouraging them to overcome functional limitations to self-care tasks hampered by their conditions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY: This article provides evidence to warn policy makers against decisions to use locally customised electronic health records, as well as evidence on the importance of policy promoting the adoption of a nursing ontology for electronic health records. And, as a result, the harmonisation and effective provision of high-quality nursing care and the reduction of healthcare costs across nations.

Hybrid odontogenic lesions: A systematic review of 203 cases reported in the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid odontogenic lesions combine histopathological characteristics of two or more odontogenic cysts and/or tumours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available data on hybrid odontogenic lesions (HOL) and to analyse their epidemiological/clinical features and biological behaviour. METHODS: An electronic search was done in January 2021 using multiple databases. Eligibility criteria encompassed publications with sufficient clinical and histological information to confirm the tumours' diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 147 articles were included in this study, comprising 203 cases. Calcifying odontogenic cyst associated with odontoma (COC/OD) (37/18.2%) was the most common HOL. Females were more affected with a mean age of 24.9 years. Lesions presented as asymptomatic swellings, with a mean evolution time of 8.2 months (0.3-96), and mean tumour size of 4.8 cm (0.3-7). Radiographic aspects frequently showed radiolucent (139/68.4%) and unilocular (52/25.6%) images with well-defined limits (48/23.6%). The lesions mostly affected mandibular pre-molars (69/34%) and mandibular molars (69/34%) regions. Enucleation (89/43.8%) and surgical excision (59/29%) were the most common treatment modalities. The mean follow-up time was 33.8 months (0.5-216 months) and recurrences were observed in four cases (1.9%), all of which were central odontogenic fibroma associated with central giant cell granuloma (COF/CGCG). CONCLUSION: COC/OD is the most common HOL and recurrence is a rare event, being usually associated with the diagnosis of COF/CGCG.

Heating stability, physical and chemical analysis of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers.

AIM: To evaluate possible modifications in root canal sealers subjected to a variety of heating conditions using vibrational spectroscopy and analysis of physical and chemical properties. METHODOLOGY: EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow, Bio-C Sealer, BioRoot RCS and AH Plus were analysed chemically using Raman spectroscopy (25-220 °C) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) (37-100 °C ). For FT-IR, the materials were tested individually and mixed with root dentine powder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to evaluate surface and chemical elements. ISO 6876-2012 and ASTM-C266-07 specifications were followed to evaluate flow, setting time (moist and dry), solubility and radiopacity. Also, pH analysis at 37 and 100 °C was performed. Shapiro-Wilk and Mixed ANOVA (within and between the effects of the subjects), Levene, and a post hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Vibrational spectroscopy revealed peaks of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate and zirconium dioxide. Chemical changes in the Raman spectra during heating were discrete, as the inorganic content predominated the signalling for all root canal sealers. FT-IR analysis exhibited spectral changes in water absorption for EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow and Bio-C Sealer, probably related to dehydration. For BioRoot RCS and AH Plus, no significant chemical changes were observed. Bio-C Sealer exhibited a band of polyethylene glycol only after heating to 100 °C, probably related to its thermal decomposition. SEM/EDS analysis corroborated the composition results observed in vibrational spectroscopy for all materials. Heating to 100 °C significantly changed the flowability of all calcium silicate-based sealers with a wide variation in setting times at both temperatures, along with solubility levels above ISO standards. For all tested sealers, radiopacity fulfilled the requirements, and pH exhibited alkaline values. CONCLUSIONS: The tested calcium silicate-based sealers were affected by heating. Calcium silicate-based root canal sealers had high solubility which is a concern for their clinical use. AH Plus was the only root canal sealer that was stable after heating.

Morphophysiological study of digestive system litter-feeding termite Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar, 1832).

Termites are the major decomposers of lignocellulosic biomass on Earth and are commonly considered as biological reactor models for lignocellulose degradation. Despite their biotechnological potential, few studies have focused on the morphophysiological aspects of the termite digestive system. We therefore analyze the morphology, ultrastructure and gut luminal pH of the digestive system in workers of the litter-feeding termite Cornitermes cumulans (Blattodea: Termitidae). Their digestive system is composed of salivary glands and an alimentary canal with a pH ranging from neutral to alkaline. The salivary glands have an acinar structure and present cells with secretory characteristics. The alimentary canal is differentiated into the foregut, midgut, mixed segment and hindgut, which comprises the ileum (p1), enteric valve (p2), paunch (p3), colon (p4) and rectum (p5) segments. The foregut has a well-developed chewing system. The midgut possesses a tubular peritrophic membrane and two cell types: digestive cells with secretory and absorptive features and several regenerative cells in mitosis, both cell types being organized into regenerative crypts. The mixed segment exhibits cells rich in glycogen granules. Hindgut p1, p4 and p5 segments have flattened cells with a few apical invaginations related to mitochondria and a thick cuticular lining. Conversely, the hindgut p3 segment contains large cuboid cells with extensive apical invaginations associated with numerous mitochondria. These new insights into the morphophysiology of the digestive system of C. cumulans reveal that it mobilizes lignocellulose components as a nutritional source by means of a highly compartmentalized organization with specialized segments and complex microenvironments.

Efficiency and toxicity: comparison between the Fenton and electrochemical processes.

This study aimed to determine the best method to treat a textile effluent containing the dye basic blue 99 (BB). Treatments by the electrochemical and the Fenton processes were compared by means of a 2(3) experimental design, and the interaction of experimental conditions for BB oxidation were determined. The electrochemical treatment gave better results in the presence of NaCl as electrolyte and high current density (30 mA cm(-2)); the Fenton reaction provided better results at H2O2 and Fe(2+) concentrations of 10 mg L(-1) and 0.5 mmol L(-1), respectively. Electrochemical treatment was 23 times faster than the Fenton reaction because formation of chlorinated species during electrooxidation significantly contributed to dye oxidation. Although the electrochemical process was more efficient, the resulting treated effluent was more toxic to Lactuca sativa germination and growth, which indicated some biotoxicity. Results demonstrated that both processes efficiently remediated effluents containing the dye BB, but they need to be combined with other processes to ensure complete adequacy of the effluent for disposal.

Impact on antibody responses of B-cell-restricted transgenic expression of a viral gene inhibiting activation of NF-κB and NFAT.

In this work, we have assessed the impact in vivo of the evasion gene A238L of African swine fever virus, an inhibitor of both NF-κB- and NFAT-mediated transcription. The A238L gene was selectively expressed in mouse B lymphocytes using the promoter and enhancer sequences of the mouse Ig µ heavy chain. The IgM primary and IgG2b secondary serological responses and the number of splenic germinal centres in response to the TD antigens DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin and sheep red blood cells, respectively, were both lower in the transgenic mice, whereas the response to the TI type-1 and type-2 antigens DNP-Ficoll and DNP-LPS, respectively, were normal, except for the increased levels of IgG3 at day 14 in the DNP-LPS-immunized mice. Thus, it appears that neither p65 (NF-κB) nor NFAT is essential for B-cell development but, in a manner that is still unclear, may be relevant for their function.

Development of a system for treatment of coconut industry wastewater using electrochemical processes followed by Fenton reaction.

The coconut processing industry generates a significant amount of liquid waste. New technologies targeting the treatment of industrial effluents have emerged, including advanced oxidation processes, the Fenton reaction, and electrochemical processes, which produce strong oxidizing species to remove organic matter. In this study we combined the Fenton reaction and electrochemical process to treat wastewater generated by the coconut industry. We prepared a synthetic wastewater consisting of a mixture of coconut milk and water and assessed how the Fenton reagents' concentration, the cathode material, the current density, and the implementation of associated technologies affect its treatment. Electrochemical treatment followed by the Fenton reaction diminished turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 85 and 95%, respectively. The Fenton reaction followed by the electrochemical process reduced turbidity and COD by 93 and 85%, respectively. Therefore, a combination of the Fenton and electrochemical technologies can effectively treat the effluent from the coconut processing industry.

Nursing Process Related to the Nursing Focus "Airway Clearance": A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Airway clearance impairment has a significant impact on self-care and quality of life. Identifying clinical data, nursing diagnoses, and nursing interventions is essential to clinical reasoning and enhancing nursing care. This study aims to map the existing evidence on clinical data, nursing diagnoses, and nursing interventions addressing the nursing focus on "airway clearance". METHODS: Research was conducted based on Joanna Briggs's Scoping Review Methodology. We searched four databases for published studies until December 2023. RESULTS: From the initial 1854 studies identified, 123 were included in the review. The findings highlighted two areas of nursing attention: one related to signs and symptom management, and the other related to education and coping strategies. The data that led to nursing diagnoses were divided into cognitive and clinical data. The nursing diagnoses were mostly related to secretion retention, excessive mucus production, and airway obstruction. The most commonly identified nursing interventions were educational interventions assembled into predesigned education programs rather than patient-tailored programs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings can add substantial value for systematizing the nursing process related to "airway clearance", improving nursing decision-making and care quality. This study was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF) on 02 December 2022, with the registration number wx5ze.

Is Galleria mellonella model a good alternative to study virulence in Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis?

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the agents of bovine mastitis of hardest control due to a complex pathogenesis comprising a variety of virulence factors, which ensures its persistence in the mammary gland, causing significant health and economic losses. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of this agent is imperative. Galleria mellonella has stood out as an invertebrate animal model for the study of infectious diseases that affect several hosts. This work aimed to evaluate G. mellonella larvae as an experimental model for the study of virulence phenotypes in an S. aureus population isolated from bovine mastitis. Thirty genetically divergent S. aureus strains were chosen based on PFGE analysis. After experimental infection, larvae survival rates, bacterial growth in hemolymph, melanization intensity of the dorsal vessel, and histological characteristics of the infected tissues were evaluated. The G. mellonella model showed a clear diversity in the S. aureus pathogenicity pattern, allowing the differentiation of strains with virulence phenotypes ranging from high to low degrees. Histological analysis confirmed that the strains tested were capable of inducing the formation of nodules and melanization spots in the dorsal vessels of the larvae in different magnitudes. The strains 16S-717, 19C-828, and 31S-1443 presented the highest virulence intensity among the bacteria tested and will be used further for the generation of S. aureus mutant populations to prospect genetic targets aimed to develop control strategies of bovine mastitis. Altogether, our results suggest that G. mellonella is an attractive and low-cost animal model for characterizing virulence phenotypes of large S. aureus populations.

Developing nursing clinical data models addressing delusion and hallucination with Meleis transitions theory as the theoretical reference model: A focus group study.

PURPOSE: To build the final clinical data models regarding the nursing focuses "Delusion" and "Hallucination" with Meleis transitions theory as the theoretical reference model. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was adopted, using two focus groups. FINDINGS: The clinical data models obtained by this study recognize a perspective centered on the client's transition, which emphasizes the role of nursing in relation to a client suffering from delusion and hallucination. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: These clinical data models may contribute towards improving nursing clinical decision-making and nursing care quality regarding these areas.

Nursing knowledge of people with paresis of voluntary muscles: a living scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to continuously map the nursing knowledge about people with paresis of voluntary muscles in any context of care. INTRODUCTION: Muscle paresis is a condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Nurses have a crucial role in managing this condition, particularly paresis of voluntary movement muscles. However, nursing knowledge about patients with paresis of voluntary muscles is dispersed, hampering the integration of evidence within the structure of information systems. Mapping how the nursing process components are identified is the first step in creating a Nursing Clinical Information Model for this condition, capable of integrating evidence into information systems. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review will consider studies focusing on the nursing process regarding people with paresis of voluntary muscles in all care contexts. The review will include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods study designs, systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, dissertations, and theses. METHODS: The review process will follow JBI's scoping review guidance, as well as the Cochrane Collaboration's guidance on living reviews. Screening of new literature will be performed regularly, with the review being updated according to new findings. The search strategy will map published and unpublished studies. The databases to be searched will include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, JBI Evidence Synthesis , and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Searches for unpublished studies will include OpenGrey and Repositorios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal. Studies published in English and Portuguese from 1975 will be considered for inclusion. REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/d7c9g/.

Nursing knowledge on skin ulcer healing: a living scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to continuously map the nursing knowledge on skin ulcer healing in any context of care. INTRODUCTION: Chronic wounds are an increasing concern for society and health care providers. Pressure ulcers and venous ulcers, among others, have devastating effects on morbidity and quality of life and require a systematic approach. The nursing process is an important method that allows a better organization and overall care quality for a systematic and continuous professional approach to nursing management of skin ulcers. The integration of this nursing knowledge in informatics systems creates an opportunity to embed decision-support models in clinical activity, promoting evidence-based practice. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review will consider articles on nursing data, diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes focused on people with skin ulcers in all contexts of care. This review will include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods study designs as well as systematic reviews and dissertations. METHODS: JBI's scoping review guidance, as well as the Cochrane Collaboration's guidance on living reviews, will be followed to meet the review's objective. Screening of new literature will be performed regularly, with the review updated according to new findings. The search strategy will map published and unpublished studies. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, JBI Evidence Synthesis, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PEDro. Searches for unpublished studies will include OpenGrey and Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal. Studies published in English and Portuguese since 2010 will be considered for inclusion. SCOPING REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/f6s4e/.

Magnetic Zinc Oxide/Manganese Ferrite Composite for Photodegradation of the Antibiotic Rifampicin.

In this study, a composite of zinc oxide and manganese ferrite was synthesized using co-precipitation and hydrothermal routes, to be used as photocatalysts in reactions with UV/Vis light source. The synthesized materials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM, where it was possible to verify the efficiency of the syntheses performed, through the identification of the resulting phases, the evaluation of the structural morphology of the particles, and the analysis of the detachments of the main vibration bonds present in these materials. The composite ZnO/MnFe2O4 was used in photodegradation reactions of the antibiotic rifampicin, with catalyst dosage of 0.20; 0.40, and 0.60 g and 10 ppm of rifampicin, reactions using pure ZnO as a catalyst were also performed as a comparative parameter of the influence of MnFe2O4 in this system. The composite ZnO/MnFe2O4 showed a maximum percentage of rifampicin decontamination of 94.72% and ZnO, 74.20%using 0.20 g of photocatalyst after 90 min, which indicates a positive influence on this process. The solution treated with ZnO/MnFe2O4 was subjected to magnetic field induction for attraction and consequently accelerated removal of the solids present, successfully, compacting for the application of ZnO/MnFe2O4 to be presented as a promising material for decontamination of emerging pollutants through photocatalytic reactions.

Laparoscopic Pancreatectomy in Rats: The Development of an Experimental Model.

INTRODUCTION: several pancreatectomy techniques in rats have been described and utilized for research concerning the pancreas endocrine and exocrine functions. However, we did not find a description of any kind of laparoscopic pancreatectomy in rats in the consulted databases. The objective of this study is to describe a laparoscopic splenic lobe pancreatectomy in rats. METHODS: ten Wistars rats weighting more then 300 g were operated for standardizing the laparoscopic pancreatosplenectomy technique, aided by previous descriptions of laparoscopic splenectomy and open pancreatectomy in rats. Adjustments have been progressively adopted for technical refinement. RESULTS: In five animals a low-cost rat laparoscopic set was used. In other five animals we used a standard laparoscopic set. Three rats died early due to different causes: transection of the gastroesophageal junction, hemorrhagic shock and inadvertent colonic injury. The postoperative period of the other seven rats was uneventful until the seventh postoperative day. DISCUSSION: laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in rats is feasible and safe, even with a low-cost set, in which the results were alike the standard laparoscopic set.

Molecular diagnosis of 5α-reductase type II deficiency in Brazilian siblings with 46,XY disorder of sex development.

The steroid 5α-reductase type II enzyme catalyzes the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and its deficiency leads to undervirilization in 46,XY individuals, due to an impairment of this conversion in genital tissues. Molecular analysis in the steroid 5α-reductase type II gene (SRD5A2) was performed in two 46,XY female siblings. SRD5A2 gene sequencing revealed that the patients were homozygous for p.Gln126Arg missense mutation, which results from the CGA > CAA nucleotide substitution. The molecular result confirmed clinical diagnosis of 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) for the older sister and directed the investigation to other family members. Studies on SRD5A2 protein structure showed severe changes at NADPH binding region indicating that structural modeling analysis can be useful to evaluate the deleterious role of a mutation as causing 5α-reductase type II enzyme deficiency.

Social skills in women with Turner Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a group of women with Turner Syndrome (TS) in interpersonal situations where several social skills were required, and to compare the results with unaffected sisters. Fifty-two TS females aged 15-35 years and 33 sisters aged 16-43 were evaluated using Del-Prette Social Skills Inventory (SSI) and individual interviews. Thirty mothers to subjects and sisters answered questionnaires. It was found that TS girls' performance in SSI was as good as their sisters' and even better in meeting new people and facing unknown situations (p = 0.020). Older TS women scored better than younger ones, differently from their sisters. There were no significant correlations between total score of TS women and their age at diagnosis, time of follow-up and height z-score. Mothers reported having more problems with TS girls than with sisters. Although TS girls demonstrated having social difficulties, just a few of them spontaneously complained about interpersonal problems in the interview. Results suggest that social difficulties may not cause TS girls major problems nor make them unhappy with their social lives, and/or TS girls may not be able to perceive their own difficulties. Good performance in SSI also suggests that TS girls can identify adequate skills in presented situations and answer in a way to obtain good scores, but they may not necessarily use their skills due to other factors like anxiety and shyness. They may also have a tendency to answer SSI in a way they consider socially desirable, masking their real difficulties.

Splenic tuberculosis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab.

We present a rare case of splenic tuberculosis in a 42-year old man with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab. We review the association between antitumor necrosis factor therapy and splenic tuberculosis. Our case, like many other reported cases, illustrates that the index of suspicion of tuberculosis in patients treated with anti TNF therapies must be high and emphasizes that this rare infection may occur even with negative tuberculosis screening before the initiation of therapy.

Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress.

This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3- and ammonium - NH4+) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4+ form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ and Na+/Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-1 reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4+ under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3- form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

Osmoprotection in Salvia hispanica L. seeds under water stress attenuators.

Salvia hispanica cultivation is recent in Brazil and occurs in the off-season, when there is lower water availability in the soil. Water deficit is one of the abiotic factors that most limit germination for compromising the sequence of metabolic events that culminate with seedling emergence. Several attenuating substances have been used to mitigate the effects resulting from this stress and give higher tolerance to the species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the action of different agents as water stress attenuators in the germination and accumulation of organic compounds in S. hispanica seedlings. The treatments consisted of pre-soaking the seeds for 4 hours in salicylic acid (1 mM.L-1), gibberellic acid (0.4 mM.L-1), distilled water and control treatment (without soaking). The seeds were germinated at osmotic potentials of 0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3 and -0.4 MPa, using PEG 6000 as an osmotic agent. The variables germination percentage, germination speed index, shoot and primary root lengths, total dry mass, proline, total soluble sugars and total free amino acids were analyzed. Salicylic acid and gibberellic acid led to the best results among the attenuators tested, increasing germination, length, dry mass and biochemical components of S. hispanica seedlings under water deficit. Therefore, salicylic and gibberellic acids are efficient in mitigating water stress in S. hispanica seeds up to the potential of -0.4 MPa.