First trimester prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus using plasma biomarkers: a case-control study.

Objectives To evaluate the first trimester maternal biomarkers for early pregnancy prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods The study was a case-control study of healthy women with singleton pregnancies at the first trimester carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Clinica Davila, Santiago, Chile. After obtaining informed consent, peripheral blood samples of pregnant women under 14 weeks of gestation were collected. At 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, women were classified as GDM (n=16) or controls (n=80) based on the results of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In all women, we measured concentrations of fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, uric acid, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), adiponectin, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), leptin and placental growth factor (PGF). Results The GDM group displayed an increased median concentration of cholesterol (P=0.04), triglycerides (P=0.003), insulin (P=0.003), t-PA (P=0.0088) and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) (P=0.003) and an increased mean concentration of LDL (P=0.009) when compared to the control group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for significant variables achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.870, a sensitivity of 81.4% and a specificity of 80.0%. The OGTT was positive for GDM according to the IADPSG (International Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group) criteria. Conclusion Women who subsequently developed GDM showed higher levels of blood-borne biomarkers during the first trimester, compared to women who did not develop GDM. These data warrant validation in a larger cohort.

Physical attributes of Ultisol of Brazil's northeastern semiarid under organic farming of wine grapes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic farming of wine grapes under physical and chemical characteristics of Ultisol Brazil's northeastern semiarid region. The samples of soil were collected from the row and interrow of the farming and from the fallow area, at the depths of 0.0-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.60 m. The samples were collected at six and twelve months after the culture implementation to evaluate the state of aggregation, bulk density and total soil porosity, flocculation index and organic matter contents, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. The results were submitted to statistical analysis. The adoption of organic farming contributed to the soil aggregation process. The bulk density and total soil porosity did not differ significantly between the evaluations, but were within the critical limits for sandy soils. The index flocculation did not have a great influence on the aggregates formation, being this process influenced by organic matter. The period of one year was considered short to obtain conclusive results in improving the soil quality by organic farming, since there are difficulties in tropical soils in promoting significant increases in organic matter content in short time.

Epidural Catheter Migration: A Case Report of a CT Scan Examination.

Epidural catheter placement is one of the most effective, secure, and worldwide used pain control modalities. Epidural catheter dislodgment is a common cause of epidural block failure. The diagnosis of this situation is usually presumptive, and cases in which the actual trajectory and final location of the catheter are witnessed by imaging are rare. We present two cases of the insufficient epidural block due to catheter migration, confirmed by a CT scan with radiopaque contrast injection through the catheter. In the first case, the catheter tip was identified in the left major psoas muscle. Some catheter holes were probably located in a border zone between two compartments, which made the analgesic efficacy dependent on the infusion rate. In the second case, the catheter tip was identified as lodged in the left paravertebral space, which explains only unilateral left pain relief. In selected situations, like repeated ineffectiveness and in pretended long-duration catheters, imaging tests may be useful to determine the actual position of the catheter and identify anatomical variations that may lead to an incorrect replacement.

Enamel demineralization model in primary teeth: Micro-CT and SEM assessments of artificial incipient lesion.

Many studies have analyzed different tooth demineralization models, which generate artificial incipient lesions; however, most of them are complex, slow, not clear and results could not be employed in both primary and permanent teeth because of chemical content differences among them. This study evaluates a demineralization model on primary enamel, under three incubation periods; quantifying artificial incipient lesions formation, and depth by micro-CT, complementing with SEM for morphological characterization. Sixteen healthy human anterior primary teeth extracted for prolonged retention and orthopedic/orthodontic reasons were included in this study, previous informed consent. The sample was randomly assigned to four groups n = 4: G_Control, G_2D, G_4D, and G_7D. Micro-CT and SEM were performed during two stages: before demineralization (BD) and after demineralization (AD). A t-student test was carried out to determine differences among groups (p ≤ .05). No incipient lesions were observed in control group. Artificial lesion depth was similar among experimental groups; values were from 38.16 ± 05.40 µm to 42.61 ± 04.75 µm. An amount of 14 to 17 artificial incipient lesions were formed per group, the extension and distribution were different for each incubation period. Five erosive lesions were produced in G_7D. All experimental groups were able to form incipient artificial lesions in primary enamel. SEM characterization revealed more pronounced changes on the enamel surface, as the days of immersion in the demineralization solution increased. The 4-day incubation period is the most recommended for the demineralization model, due to the formation of incipient lesions only and its extension, which facilitates their assessment.

Synthesis of gamma radiation-induced PEGylated cisplatin for cancer treatment.

The use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) for the development of novel PEGylated biomolecules is playing an increasingly meaningful role in cancer treatment. Cisplatin (CDDP), is a useful chemotherapy drug. However, it is unclear whether PEGylated cisplatin (CDDPPEG) has potential as an alternative therapeutic agent. Here we prepared a PEGylated cisplatin by gamma radiation-induced synthesis, for the first time. PEGylated drugs were characterized using Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as scanning electron microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). The results show that the cisplatin can be successfully PEGylated by this method. Furthermore, we show a proposal for the mechanism of the PEGylation reaction. The novel product exhibits in vitro therapeutic potential comparable to cisplatin at concentrations lower than 23 µM (Pt), causing differences in cell cycle checkpoints, which suggest changes in the signaling pathways that control growth arrest and cause apoptosis of A549 cells.

Redução da emissão de material particulado em função da inserção de misturas do biodiesel de soja e mamona ao diesel / Reduction emission of particulate matter as a function of insertion of biodiesel mixtures from soybean and castor bean in diesel

RESUMO Preocupações ambientais e econômicas resultantes da demanda por combustíveis fósseis corroboram a necessidade de alternativas para redução dos impactos ambientais e econômicos advindos da crescente utilização de veículos e máquinas movidas a diesel. A diversificação das matérias-primas para produção do biodiesel pode possibilitar a melhoria da qualidade do combustível e das emissões resultantes de sua utilização nos motores. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a emissão de material particulado (MP) utilizando biodiesel de soja e de mamona em misturas diesel/biodiesel, bem como sua viscosidade e estabilidade à oxidação (pré-requisitos de qualidade). Para isso, testaram-se diferentes proporções de biodiesel de soja e de mamona (SyMx), em que y e x representam os percentuais de biodiesel de soja e de mamona, respectivamente: S100M0, S75M25, S50M50, S25M75 e S0M100, em mistura ao diesel (BX), nos seguintes percentuais: 7 (diesel B7), 25 (B25), 40 (B40), 50 (B50), 75 (B75) e 100% (B100). A opacidade da fumaça, a viscosidade e a estabilidade à oxidação foram determinadas conforme as normas NBR 13037, NBR 10441 e EN 14112, respectivamente. Entre as misturas analisadas, o diesel comercial (B7) emitiu maior quantidade de MP, ao passo que as demais misturas, que atenderam aos pré-requisitos de qualidade (B25 e B40), emitiram menos MP, conforme aumento do percentual de biodiesel de mamona nas misturas SyMx, bem como com o aumento de biodiesel na mistura BX. Também foram obtidos ganhos relativos à qualidade em função das diferentes composições SyMx.

ABSTRACT Environmental and economic concerns resulting from demand for fossil fuels corroborate the need for alternatives to reduce environmental and economic impacts arising from the increasing use of diesel-powered vehicles and machines. The diversification of raw materials used to produce biodiesel can allow the improvement of fuel quality and of emissions resulting from their use in engines. This study evaluated the emission of particulate matter (PM) using biodiesel from soybean and castor bean in diesel/biodiesel mixtures, as well as its viscosity and oxidation stability (prerequisites for quality). For this purpose, biodiesel with different proportions of soybean and castor bean (SyMx) were evaluated, where y and x represent soybean and castor bean biodiesel percentages, respectively: S100M0, S75M25, S50M50, S25M75 and S0M100, mixed with diesel (BX), in the following percentages: 7 (diesel B7), 25 (B25), 40 (B40), 50 (B50), 75 (B75) and 100% (B100). The smoke opacity, viscosity and oxidation stability were determined according to NBR 13037, NBR 10441 and EN 14112, respectively. Among the analyzed mixtures, the commercial diesel (B7) emitted higher amounts of PM, whereas other mixtures, which met the prerequisites for quality (B25 and B40), emitted smaller amounts of PM as increased castor bean biodiesel percentage in mixtures SyMx, as well as with the increase of biodiesel in the mixtures BX. They were also achieved gains in quality as a function of the different compositions SyMx.

Componentes morfológicos do milho com modelos de roda compactadora, cargas verticais e lâminas de irrigação / Morphological components of with models of press wheel, vertical loads and irrigation blades

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de avaliar três modelos de rodas compactadoras de semeadoras, dois níveis de carga vertical sobre as mesmas e duas lâminas de irrigação durante os períodos de pré e pós-emergência das plântulas de milho. O ensaio foi conduzido na UNESP de Jaboticabal, com o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC) no esquema fatorial 3x2x2, combinando de três modelos de rodas compactadoras (roda lisa com estria, roda lisa com nervura e roda duplo angulada), com dois níveis de carga (162 N e 260 N) e dois teores de água (15 e 19,5 mm dia-¹) sob três repetições. Os parâmetros analisados foram: produtividade, número de grãos por espiga, massa de 100 grãos, matéria seca de plantas, número de dias para emergência, altura das plantas, diâmetro dos colmos das plantas e altura de inserção da primeira espiga. A variável diâmetro do colmo obteve melhor resultado sob a influência de maior lâmina de água, diferente da variável matéria seca de plantas. A inserção da primeira espiga foi afetada pela carga utilizada sobre a roda compactadora durante a semeadura. Quanto maior a carga utilizada, menor é a altura da inserção da primeira espiga. A interação roda x lâmina foi significativa para a variável número de grão.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate three models of sowing press wheels, with two levels of vertical load and two irrigation blades during pre- and post-emergence periods of corn seedling. The experiment was carried out at UNESP in the city of Jaboticabal, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with complete randomized design (DIC) on a 3x2x2 factorial scheme, combining three press wheels (plain rubber with groove, plain wheel with vein and double-angled wheel), with two levels of load (162 N and 260 N), two water contents (15 and 19 mm day-1) and three replicates. The parameters analyzed were: productivity, number of grains in the ear, mass of 100 grains, dry mass of plants, number of days until emergence, plan height, stem diameter of plants and insertion height of the first ear. The variable diameter of stem showed the best result under the influence of a larger water blade, different from the variable dry mass of plants. The insertion of the first ear was affected by the load used on the press wheel during sowing. The heavier the load the lower is the insertion height of the first ear. The wheel-blade interaction was significant or the number of grains variable.

Tractor perfomance as a function of speed and seeder’s tire inflation pressure / Desempenho de trator em função da velocidade e da pressão de inflação dos pneus da semeadora

The performance of agricultural tractors under field conditions results from the interaction between tire and wheel affected by displacement speed. This work was developed to assess the performance of an agricultural tractor under different seeder's tire inflation pressure (518; 483 and 414kPa) and in two different gears providing speeds of 3.0 and 6.0km h-1. The experiment was performed at Jaboticabal Campus of São Paulo State University (UNESP). The experimental design used was entirely randomized in a 2-factor factorial design (3x2) with four replications. The draft force was influenced by the gear as well as by the required power; however, tire inflation pressure in the seeder did not change these parameters. Also, fuel consumption was influenced only by the tractor gear. Energy consumption was greater as speed increased, caused by gear shifting. The displacement speed was greater for the 518kPa pressure due to a lesser slippage in the seeder under this pressure. Tractor slippage did not change.

O desempenho de tratores agrícolas em condições de campo resulta da interação entre pneu e rodado, influenciado pela velocidade de deslocamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de um trator agrícola sob diferentes pressões de inflação dos pneus da semeadora (518, 483, and 414kPa) e em duas marchas que proporcionaram velocidades de 3,0 e 6,0km h-1. O experimento foi realizado no campus de Jaboticabal da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi fatorial inteiramente casualizado (3x2), com quatro repetições. A força de tração foi influenciada pela marcha e pela potência exigida; no entanto, a pressão de inflação do pneu da semeadora não alterou esses parâmetros. Além disso, o consumo de combustível foi influenciado apenas pela marcha do trator. O consumo de energia foi maior com o aumento da velocidade, ocasionada pela mudança de marcha. A velocidade de deslocamento foi maior para a pressão de 518kPa, em razão da menor patinagem da semeadora promovida por essa pressão. A patinagem do trator não foi alterada pelos fatores testados.

Influência da profundidade de semeadura e da compactação do solo sobre a semente na produtividade do amendoim / Influence of sowing depth and the compacting of the ground on the seed in the peanut productivity

A profundidade de semeadura e a compactação do solo sobre a semente são específicas para cada cultura e dependem de vários atributos. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a influência da compactação do solo sobre a semente e de diferentes profundidades de semeadura em um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Eutroférrico típico na emergência e produtividade do amendoim. As cargas verticais impostas para compactação foram 0; 98,1; 196,2 e 294,3 N e as profundidades de semeadura de 0,04, 0,06 e 0,08 m. A compactação do solo na linha de semeadura não interferiu na produtividade da cultura. As profundidades de 0,04 e 0,06 m foram mais favoráveis para o desenvolvimento da cultura do amendoim. A interação profundidade versus compactação não apresentou correlação.

The sowing depth and compaction of the ground on seed are specific for each culture and depend on some attributes. Thus, are aimed to evaluate the influence of the compaction of ground on the seed in different sowing depths in a typical eutrustox red latosoil in peanut emergency and productivity. The vertical loads on the imposed for compacting were 0; 98.1; 196.2 and 294.3 N and sowing depths of 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 m. The compaction of the ground in the sowing line did not interfere in the development of the culture. The depths of 0.04 and 0.06 m were more favorable for the growing of the culture of peanut. The interaction productivity versus compacting did not show correlation.

Desempenho operacional do conjunto trator-recolhedora de feijão / Operational performance of a pull-type bean combine

A colheita mecanizada do feijão apresenta altos custos. Além disso, as características botânicas e a alta tendência ao acamamento do feijoeiro dificultam o uso de colhedoras combinadas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho operacional do conjunto trator-recolhedora-trilhadora de feijão e quantificar as perdas ocasionadas durante a colheita, em Jaboticabal, SP. Foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com fatorial 2 x 3, combinando-se dois sistemas de preparo de solo (convencional e plantio direto) e três velocidades teóricas de trabalho (V1, V2 e V3, correspondendo a 4,0; 4,9 e 5,8km h-1, respectivamente), com quatro repetições, totalizando 24 observações. O nível de ruído, os consumos volumétrico e ponderal, a taxa de alimentação da máquina, a matéria seca e a densidade da palhada, as perdas na plataforma da recolhedora e totais não são influenciadas pelos sistemas de preparo do solo (preparo convencional e plantio direto) e pelas velocidades de trabalho. As perdas ocorridas no sistema de trilha, separação e limpeza são menores na velocidade de 4,9km h-1.

Mechanized harvesting of beans has a high cost. On the other hand, the botanical characteristics and the high tendency for lodging of bean planting make the combined use of harvesters difficult. This paper aimed to evaluate the operational performance of the pull-type bean combine and to quantify losses in bean harvest. The experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the São Paulo State University in the city of Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The field trial was in randomized blocks, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme, combining two soil tillage systems (conventional and no-tillage) and three theoretical working speeds (V1, V2 and V3, respectively 4.0, 4.9 and 5.8km h-1). Four repetitions of the scheme totaled up 24 observations. The analyzed factors (tillage systems and working speeds) did not affect noise level, volume and weight of fuel consumption, machine feeding flow, dry matter and straw density, losses at the harvester platform and total losses. The losses with threshing, separation and cleaning were lesser in the 4.9km h-1 speed.

Avaliação da influência de cargas verticais sobre diferentes rodas compactadoras no ciclo de semeadura do milho / Evaluation of the influence of vertical loads on different press whels in the cycle of sowing of the corn

Assim como outras culturas de origem tropical, o milho exige durante o seu ciclo vegetativo, calor e umidade para se desenvolver, e as condições de instalação da cultura podem definir uma boa ou má produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de cargas verticais sobre rodas compactadoras no ciclo da cultura do milho. Este trabalho foi conduzido nas Faculdades Associadas de Uberaba - FAZU, no município de Uberaba (MG), e instalado no delineamento em blocos ao acaso com três modelos de rodas compactadoras e três cargas verticais com duas repetições, na Pista de Ensaios de Semeadura, constituída de canais de solo. Observou-se que o número de dias para emergência, altura de plantas, número de folhas e a produção não foram afetados significativamente para os tratamentos estudados.

As well as other cultures of tropical origin, the corn demands during vegetative cycle, heat and humidity to develop, and the conditions of installation of the culture can define a good or bad yield. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of vertical loads on press wheels in the cycle of the culture of the corn. This work was driven at Faculdades Associadas de Uberaba - FAZU, in the municipal district of Uberaba (MG), and installed in randomized blocks design with three models of press wheels and three vertical loads with two repetitions, in the Track of Rehearsals of Sowing, constituted of soil channels. Observed that the number of days for emergency, height of plants, number of leaves and the yield were not affected significantly for the studied treatments.