Biomass production and uptake of sulfur, chromium and micronutrients by Tanzania guinea grass grown with sulfur and chromium.

Soil contamination caused by improper waste disposal can affect plant growth. Tropical forage plants have rapid growth, high biomass production and vigorous regrowth. Chromium (Cr) is one of the most common contaminants in the environment. Sulfur (S) is a nutrient involved in various cell detoxification processes. The objective was to assess the effects of excess Cr on biomass production and concentrations of this metal, S and cationic micronutrients, under conditions of varying supply of S for Tanzania guinea grass. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete blocks in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to three levels of S (0.1, 1.9 and 3.7 mmol L-1) and four levels of Cr (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mmol L-1) in three replicates. Root surface area, shoot and root biomass production, concentrations of total S, sulfate-S, Cr and cationic micronutrients, and Cr transport factor were determined. S level of 1.9 mmol L-1 reduced the toxicity by Cr in Tanzania guinea grass, expressed by the higher shoot and root dry weight production, greater stability in the cellular concentration of sulfate-S and higher concentrations of micronutrients. It was concluded that the high availability of S reduced the toxicity by Cr(VI) in Tanzania guinea grass, expressed by the higher shoot and root dry weight production, greater stability in the cellular concentration of sulfate-S and higher concentration of micronutrients in the grass shoots.

Percutaneous ruminostomy guided by rumenoscopy: study in an experimental model in bovine fetus.

BACKGROUND: Endosurgery is a surgical subspecialty that has been widely used in production animals, because it enables good visualization of abdominal organs and the diagnosis and treatment of several conditions in a minimally invasive manner, while preserving the animal's well-being and causing a lower impact on animal production. Rumenostomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in ruminants. This procedure is used to allow access to the rumen for various purposes, especially nutritional and therapeutic studies, and it can be performed either in a conventional way or in a minimally invasive video-assisted manner. Another possibility of access to ruminants is through the rumenoscopy technique. The objective of this study is to describe a minimally invasive technique for rumenostomy using an endoscope, working on a bovine fetal corpse as an experimental model. RESULTS: The execution of the endoscopy-guided rumenostomy technique was simple and did not present major difficulties. The endoscope, its lighting and air pump, and the decubitus used provided a good anatomical visualization of the rumen, and it was possible to evaluate several regions of the organ. The mean duration of the procedure was 11.15 min. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic rumenostomy technique using anatomical pieces of calves was shown to be feasible. It was performed in a simple and efficient way, particularly regarding the premise of preserving the animal's well-being, due to its minimally invasive nature.

Laparoscopy assisted abomasal cannulation in cadavers of bovine fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Due to the complexity of ruminant digestion, cannulation of organs of the digestive tract has been carried out in order to advance the understanding of digestive physiology, nutrient degradability, gastrointestinal diseases and biotechnological research. The abomasal cannulation is interesting for nutritional studies, especially in suckling calves, to obtain fluid and abomasal content, evaluation of abomasal flow and function, and infusion of nutrients and drugs when it is intended to reach high concentrations in the organ. Conventionally, access and cannulation of digestive organs of ruminants has been performed by laparotomy, a method often criticized and classified as cruel by some sectors related to ethics and animal welfare. The aim of this present study is to describe and standardize a minimally invasive by laparoscopy assisted abomasal cannulation in bovine fetuses (cadavers), which had been previously slaughtered by accident and would be discarded in local slaughterhouses. RESULTS: The abomasal cannulation technique was feasible, simple and did not present major difficulties. The surgical time for cannulation of the abomasum, from the insertion of the trocars to the completion of the technique with fixation of the organ to the abdominal wall, ranged from 9 to 27 min, with an average of 15.5 ± 6.62 min. CONCLUSIONS: The Laproscopic assisted abomasal cannulation in bovine fetuses was feasible and safe with minimal tissue injury to the abdominal wall and with short surgical time. More studies in the clinical routine related to minimally invasive abomasal content collection, abomasopexy and abomasotomy are required in order to demonstrate its impact and importance in bovine clinic.

Gibbs Sampling Detection for Large MIMO and MTC Uplinks with Adaptive Modulation.

Wireless networks beyond 5G will mostly be serving myriads of sensors and other machine-type communications (MTC), with each device having different requirements in respect to latency, error rate, energy consumption, spectral efficiency or other specifications. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems remain a central technology towards 6G, and in cases where massive antenna arrays or cell-free networks are not possible to deploy and only moderately large antenna arrays are allowed, the detection problem at the base-station cannot rely on zero-forcing or matched filters and more complex detection schemes have to be used. The main challenge is to find low complexity, hardware feasible methods that are able to attain near optimal performance. Randomized algorithms based on Gibbs sampling (GS) were proven to perform very close to the optimal detection, even for moderately large antenna arrays, while yielding an acceptable number of operations. However, their performance is highly dependent on the chosen "temperature" parameter (TP). In this paper, we propose and study an optimized variant of the GS method, denoted by triple mixed GS, and where three distinct values for the TP are considered. The method exhibits faster convergence rates than the existing ones in the literature, hence requiring fewer iterations to achieve a target bit error rate. The proposed detector is suitable for symmetric large MIMO systems, however the proposed fixed complexity detector is highly suitable to spectrally efficient adaptively modulated MIMO (AM-MIMO) systems where different types of devices upload information at different bit rates or have different requirements regarding spectral efficiency. The proposed receiver is shown to attain quasi-optimal performance in both scenarios.

Defining dysmorphic facial features in congenital Zika syndrome.

Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) constitutes a recently identified malformation caused by Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Limited data is available to date on the facial dysmorphic features of these patients. This study evaluated the facial dysmorphisms of children with CZS, compared with clinically healthy children, using clinical examination and standardized photographic images. Sixty-three children with CZS (9.70 ± 3.2 months-age), and 31 Controls (8.67 ± 6.2 months-age) joined the study. Seven out of 15 indices differed between groups: midfacial height (MFH)/horizontal facial reference (HFR) (p = .0003), interalar distance/HFR (p = .0027), nasal root depth/MFH (p = .0030), posterior nasal length/MFH (p = .0002), vertical position of the ear/MFH (p <.0001), ear length/MFH (p = .0005), chin height/total facial height (CH/TFH) (p <.0001). A CH/TFH of 0.229 showed 93.9% sensitivity and 80.6% specificity in diagnosing CZS. Children with CZS had broad, short faces, decreased intercanthal distance, short posterior nasal length, prominent nasal root, broad nasal wings, and high-set and long ears. Increased chin height index provided the most accurate diagnostic potential.

Sulfur supply reduces barium toxicity in Tanzania guinea grass (Panicum maximum) by inducing antioxidant enzymes and proline metabolism.

Sulfur (S) can play essential roles in protecting plants against abiotic stress, including heavy metal toxicity. However, the effect of this nutrient on plants exposed to barium (Ba) is still unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the S supply on oxidative stress and the antioxidant system of Tanzania guinea grass under exposure to Ba, grown in a nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions. It was studied the influence of S/Ba combinations in nutrient solution on oxidative stress indicators (hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and proline) and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). The treatments consisted in thirteen S/Ba combinations in the nutrient solution (0.1/0.0; 0.1/5.0; 0.1/20.0; 1.0/2.5; 1.0/10.0; 1.9/0.0 - control; 1.9/5.0; 1.9/20.0; 2.8/2.5; 2.8/10.0; 3.7/0.0; 3.7/5.0 and 3.7/20.0 mM of S and Ba, respectively). The plants were grown for two growth periods, which consisted of fourteen days of S supply and the eight days of Ba exposure each one. The severe S deficiency decreased the superoxide dismutase activity, regardless of Ba exposure in recently expanded leaves and culms plus sheaths. However, supplemental S supply (above 1.9 mM S, which corresponds to S supply adequate to plant growth) it improved the superoxide dismutase activity in these tissues under high Ba concentrations. Conversely, the severe S deficiency increased the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in grass leaves slightly, without Ba exposure influence. It was observed that the supplemental S supply also induced the guaiacol peroxidase activity and proline production in culms plus sheaths under high Ba rates, showing values until 2.5 and 3.1 folds higher than the control treatment, respectively. In plants under exposure to 20.0 mM Ba, the supplemental S supply decreased the malondialdehyde content in culms plus sheaths in 17% compared to 1.9 mM S. These results indicate that supplemental S supply can mitigate Ba toxicity in Tanzania guinea grass, mainly by improving superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase activities, and proline metabolism.

Partial replacement of nitrate by ammonium increases photosynthesis and reduces oxidative stress in tanzania guinea grass exposed to cadmium.

In order to grow and effectively uptake and accumulate cadmium (Cd), plants used for phytoextraction have to cope with toxicity, which may be influenced by the supply of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+). Thus, we evaluated the effect of these nitrogen forms on the photosynthetic and antioxidant enzyme activities of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania (tanzania guinea grass) under Cd stress. Plants were grown in nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions and subjected to a 3 × 3 factorial experiment. They were supplied with three NO3-/NH4+ ratios (100/0, 70/30 and 50/50) and exposed to three Cd rates (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mmol L-1), being arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Gas exchange parameters, oxidative stress indicators, proline concentration and antioxidant enzyme activities were studied. Exposure to Cd reduced photosynthesis by causing stomatal closure and impairing electron transport. However, the simultaneous supply of NO3- and NH4+, particularly at a 50/50 ratio, restored gas exchange and improved the function of photosystem II, increasing the photosynthetic capacity of the grass. Plants grown with 50/50 showed reduced lipid peroxidation along with increased proline synthesis. Moreover, this NO3-/NH4+ ratio increased the tolerance of tanzania guinea grass to Cd by inducing high superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities in shoots and roots, respectively, maintaining cellular homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress. The negative effects of Cd on photosynthesis and on the balance between oxidants and antioxidants are attenuated by the partial replacement of NO3- by NH4+ in the nutrient solution.

Nitrate and ammonium proportion plays a key role in copper phytoextraction, improving the antioxidant defense in Tanzania guinea grass.

Various nitrate and ammonium proportions (NO3-/NH4+) in the growth media can increase metal phytoextraction compared to supplying solely NO3-. However, there are no studies showing these effects in plants under copper (Cu) contamination as well as their consequences in plant stress tolerance. The objective was to evaluate the effect of NO3-/NH4+ proportions in Cu phytoextraction by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania and its consequence in the oxidative stress, photosynthesis, and antioxidant system under Cu stress. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, by using a 3 × 4 factorial with six replications. Three NO3-/NH4+ proportions (100/0, 70/30, and 50/50) were combined with four Cu rates (0.3, 250, 500, and 1000 µmol L-1) in the nutrient solution. It was found that the largest Cu accumulation in the shoots occurred at the first harvest of the plants supplied with 70/30 NO3-/NH4+ and Cu 1000 µmol L-1. Such plants also displayed high concentrations of proline in the shoots as well as high superoxide dismutase activity in the roots. Malondialdehyde concentration was high in the plant parts at the Cu rate of 1000 µmol L-1. Hence, transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, quantum efficiency of photosystem II, electron transport rate, and net photosynthesis were all low at the Cu rate of 1000 µmol L-1. Catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities in the roots were high when plants were exposed to Cu 1000 µmol L-1. In conclusion, the combination of NO3- with NH4+ increases copper phytoextraction that causes oxidative stress, but also favors the antioxidant system of Tanzania guinea grass in attempt to tolerate such stress.

Tropical soils cultivated with tomato: fractionation and speciation of Al.

Soil acidity and the associated problems of aluminum (Al) toxicity and scarce exchangeable bases are typically the most important limiting factors of agricultural yield in wet tropical regions. The goals of this study were to test how soil lime rates affect the forms and distribution of Al in the soil fractions and how different levels of bioavailable Al affect two tomato genotypes grown in wet tropical soils. The tomato genotypes CNPH 0082 and Calabash Rouge were grown in two wet tropical soils in a greenhouse. Soil lime rates of 0, 560, and 2240 mg kg(-1) soil (clay soil) and 0, 280, and 1120 mg kg(-1) soil (sandy soil) were applied to modify Al concentrations. Dry mass production and Al concentrations were determined in shoots and roots. Al was fractionated in the soil, and the soil solution was speciated after cultivation. The Calabash Rouge genotype possesses mechanisms to tolerate Al3+, absorbed less Al, exhibited smaller reduction in growth, and lower Al concentrations in plant parts than the CNPH 0082. Increased soil pH reduced the exchangeable Al fraction and increased the fraction mainly linked to organic matter. Al in the soil in the form of complexes with organic compounds and Al(SO4)+ (at the highest lime rate) did not affect plant development. Soil acidity can be easily neutralized by liming the soil, which transforms toxic Al3+ in the soil into forms that do not harm tomato plants, thereby avoiding oxidative stress in the plants. Al-induced stress in tomatoes varies with genotypes and soil type.

Tropical soils with high aluminum concentrations cause oxidative stress in two tomato genotypes.

Tropical and subtropical soils are usually acidic and have high concentrations of aluminum (Al). Aluminum toxicity in plants is caused by the high affinity of the Al cation for cell walls, membranes, and metabolites. In this study, the response of the antioxidant-enzymatic system to Al was examined in two tomato genotypes: Solanum lycopersicum var. esculentum (Calabash Rouge) and Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (CNPH 0082) grown in tropical soils with varying levels of Al. Plant growth; activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes; stress-indicating compounds (malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide); and morphology (root length and surface area) were analyzed. Increased levels of Al in soils were correlated with reduced shoot and root biomass and with reduced root length and surface area. Calabash Rouge exhibited low Al concentrations and increased growth in soils with the highest levels of Al. Plants grown in soils with high availability of Al exhibited higher levels of stress indicators (MDA and hydrogen peroxide) and higher enzyme activity (CAT, APX, GPOX, and GR). Calabash Rouge absorbed less Al from soils than CNPH 0082, which suggests that the genotype may possess mechanisms for Al tolerance.

Depression among patients with end-stage renal disease in hemodialysis.

Depression is frequent in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and predicts mortality in dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of depression among patients on hemodialysis. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study at two hemodialysis centres in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between September and October 2010. The occurrence of depression was evaluated according to Beck Depression Inventory II. Among 148 patients interviewed, the mean age was 46 ± 13 years and 54% were male. The average time on dialysis was 5.3 ± 5.2 years. Depression was found in 101 (68.2%) cases. Depression was classified as mild (49.5%), moderate (41.5%) and severe (9%). Only 15.5% had prior depression diagnosis. Follow-up with Psychologist was being done in only 32.4% of cases. Patients with depression had a higher frequency of antidepressant use (20.7% vs. 4.2%, p=.01) and benzodiazepines (33.6% vs. 8.5%, p=.001). Among patients using antidepressant, improvement of symptoms was reported by 81.6%. Depression is one potentially modifiable risk factor in ESRD. The investigation and multidisciplinary approach of depression should be part of routine evaluation of patients on dialysis.

Nitrate fertilization enhances manganese phytoextraction in Tanzania guinea grass: a novel hyperaccumulator plant?

Manganese (Mn) is essential for plants but very toxic at high rates. However, hyperaccumulators can tolerate high Mn concentrations in plant tissue, especially when properly fertilized with N. Tanzania guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq.) has been indicated as metal tolerant and a good candidate for Mn phytoextraction due to its fast growth and high biomass. The objective was to evaluate the Mn hyperaccumulator potential of Tanzania guinea grass grown as affected by proportions of nitrate/ammonium (NO3-/NH4+). An experiment in a growth chamber with nutrient solution, combining NO3-/NH4+ proportions (100/0 and 70/30) and Mn rates (10, 500, 1500, and 3000 µmol L-1), was carried out. The highest Mn concentration was verified in plants grown with 100/0 NO3-/NH4+ and Mn at 3000 µmol L-1, reaching up to 5500 and 21,187 mg kg-1 in shoots and roots, respectively, an overall concentration of 13,345 mg kg-1. These numbers are typically seen in hyperaccumulators. At that combination, Mn accumulation in shoots was also the highest, reaching up to 76.2 mg per pot, a phytoextraction rate of 23.1%. Excess Mn increased both H2O2 concentration in roots and non-photochemical quenching and therefore decreased net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, electron transport rate, and photochemical quenching. Nevertheless, proline concentration in roots affected by excess Mn was high and indicates its important role for mitigating stress since Mn rates did not even affect the dry biomass. Tanzania guinea grass is highly tolerant to excess Mn as much as a hyperaccumulator. However, to show all its potential, the grass needs to be supplied with N as NO3-. We indicate Tanzania guinea grass as a Mn hyperaccumulator plant.

Electricity consumption dataset of a local energy cooperative.

Real-world data collections are generally not easily available. Energy measurements from buildings, houses and other devices can be used within different areas of research while being employed to plan or train models, allowing the improvement of power grid energy efficiency or providing more insight on how an energy community can work. This paper provides a dataset concerning a Portuguese community of 172 households that are geographically close to each other, enabling the establishment of relationships among buildings and the analysis of a community's power consumption. In addition to the consumed energy values, the related local weather information is included in the data. The intersection of weather data and energy measurements can be helpful to train AI models, contributing to explain variations in energy consumption and the absolute values of the energy readings. The inclusion of these weather parameters aims to unveil features that can correlate to the energy measurements, enabling them to be used in multiple areas of research. Hence, it will provide added value to the data as it can be reused to explore Machine Learning algorithms or community energy planning by grid operators.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Frozen or Glycerinated Bradypus variegatus Cadavers: A Comprehensive View with Emphasis on Anatomical Aspects.

Bradypus variegatus has unique anatomical characteristics, and many of its vascular and digestive tract aspects have yet to be clearly understood. This lack of information makes clinical diagnoses and surgical procedures difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical aspects of frozen and glycerinated corpses of B. variegatus using computed tomography (CT), emphasizing vascular and digestive contrast studies. Nine corpses that died during routine hospital were examined via CT in the supine position with scanning in the craniocaudal direction. In frozen cadavers, the contrast was injected into a cephalic vein after thawing and, subsequently, was administered orally. In addition to bone structures, CT allowed the identification of organs, soft tissues, and vascular structures in specimens. Visualization of soft tissues was better after contrast been administered intravenously and orally, even without active vascularization. Furthermore, the surfaces of the organs were highlighted by the glycerination method. With this technique, it was possible to describe part of the vascularization of the brachial, cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, in addition to highlighting the esophagus and part of the stomach. CT can be another tool for the evaluation of B. variegatus cadavers by anatomists or pathologists, contributing to the identification of anatomical structures.

A Single-Port, Multiple-Access, Custom-Made Device Used in Laparoscopically Assisted Cryptorchidectomy in Standing Horses-A Preliminary Study.

This study evaluates a new multiport device with single access to the abdominal cavity produced with routine hospital supplies that could be applied to laparoscopically assisted cryptorchidectomy in standing horses. Initially, the new device was evaluated on five cadavers of bovine fetuses (n = 5), placed assisted in a minilaparotomy performed in the flank region. Subsequently, the device was evaluated in four cryptorchid horses treated during the hospital routine. During the evaluation of the new device, the possibilities of exploring the abdominal cavity, inspection, and intra-abdominal manipulation with two Babcock forceps were verified. The possibilities were described, and surgical time data were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the cadavers, a wide exploration of the abdominal cavity was possible, with a laparoscopic inspection through the right paralumbar fossa and manipulation of intra-abdominal structures with Babcock forceps inserted by the new device. In cryptorchid horses, laparoscopically assisted cryptorchidectomy with a new device was feasible in two patients, and in the others, it allowed the diagnosis of adhesions and ectopic locations in the inguinal region of testicles retained in the cavity. Therefore, the new device was efficient in exploring the inguinal region of cryptorchid horses in the standing position. The present study is preliminary and can support future studies that aim to improve the developed prototype.

Development of a Proposal for a Program to Promote Positive Mental Health Literacy among Adolescents: A Focus Group Study.

Over the last years, there have been several studies that have shown insufficient levels of adolescents' mental health literacy (MHL). Knowledge about intervention programs that promote positive mental health literacy (PMeHL) among adolescents is still very scarce. In this sense, we defined as objectives to identify and describe the necessary components to design a program proposal that promotes adolescents' PMeHL. We conducted an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study using two focus groups in July and September 2022 with an intentional non-probability sample of eleven participants (nine professional experts and two adolescents). Data were analyzed using content analysis, using NVivo® 12 software (version 12, QRS International: Daresbury Cheshire, UK). We obtained a total of four categories and eighteen subcategories: structure (context; format; contents; length and frequency; pedagogical methods; pedagogical techniques; resources; denomination), participants (target group; program facilitators), assessment (timing; evaluation instruments), other components (planning, articulation and adaptation; involvement; training; special situations; partnerships; referral). The perspectives of the professional experts and of the adolescents that we obtained from this study contributed to the design of a proposal for a program to promote adolescents' PMeHL.

New method of video-assisted vaginoscopy in Nellore heifers.

Vaginoscopy allows an intravaginal endoscopic evaluation and can help in the diagnosis of female bovine genital tract disorders. The aim of this study is to validate a new method of gynaecological examination using a Scope VOR&GDI videovaginoscope. Twenty-six heifers were used, divided into 2 groups with 13 animals, control group (GC) and videovaginoscopic group (GV). In the CG, vaginoscopy was performed with a vaginal speculum and in the GV with a Scope VOR&GDI videovaginoscope. All heifers underwent vaginoscopy on day 0 (D0), and 9 days later, on day 9 (D9). Vaginoscopy provided adequate intravaginal inspection. In the CG, 23% (3/13) of the heifers showed discomfort during the test. In GV, vaginal inspection was better due to better image quality. The videovaginoscope is the most effective equipment for carrying out the vaginoscopy procedure in Nellore heifers, as it produces sharper and clearer images and can help in the diagnostic and therapeutic routine of veterinarians.

Testicular alterations and semen quality in a selected group of breeding buffaloes.

Testicular ultrasound enables the evaluation of changes in the testicular parenchyma. This study aimed to report the occurrence of hypoechogenic testicular alterations and their relationship with semen quality in five breeding buffaloes. Two buffaloes presented with hyperechoic points characteristic of fibrosis and anechoic density content between the parietal and visceral tunica. The two bulls without ultrasonographic changes showed higher average trajectory speed, linear velocity, curvilinear velocity, amplitude of lateral displacement of the spermatic head, total motility, progressive motility, fast speed, and acrosomal membrane values within the normal range. The number of spermatozoa with major and total defects was higher in the group of animals without alterations. The three buffaloes that presented with testicular alterations produced semen within established freezing standards.

Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous correction of abdominal wall defects in the umbilical region in a cadaveric model of bovine fetus.

Abdominal wall defects in calves are commonly diagnosed and treated via laparotomy. This technique has witnessed several advancements in the management of these disorders. This study aimed to create a study model and evaluate the feasibility of video-assisted percutaneous correction of abdominal wall defects in bovine fetuses (corpses) compared with the conventional technique. Sixteen bovine fetuses from pregnant cows slaughtered in slaughterhouses were included in this study. The fetuses were categorized into the control group (CG, n = 8), which was subjected to umbilical abdominorrhaphy via laparotomy, and the video-surgical group (VG, n = 8), which received video-assisted percutaneous sutures with two lateral accesses on the right flank. An abdominal wall defect was created in the VG group to generate a study model, which was corrected using the laparoscopic technique. The procedures were performed in two steps. The first step consisted of creating an abdominal wall defect in the umbilical region by laparoscopic approach in an iatrogenic manner (Step 1: E1). The second stage consisted of conventional abdominorrhaphy of the umbilical region wall defect in the CG group and video-assisted percutaneous suturing of the edges of the iatrogenic abdominal wall defect in the VG group, until reversal of the laparoscopic accesses (Step 2: E2). Step 1 showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, a significant statistical difference (p < 0.0001) was observed between the two groups in step 2. The surgical time of step 2 was longer in the CG group (33.10 ± 0.43 minutes) than that in the VG group (10.13 ± 0.68 minutes, p < 0.0001), and the total surgical time was also longer in the CG group (38.48 ± 0.35 minutes) than that in the VG group (15.86 ± 0.67 minutes). The proposed laparoscopic technique allowed the creation of a study model for video-assisted percutaneous suturing with two portals and reduced the surgical time compared with the conventional technique. However, this method needs to be studied further in live animals.

Potassium reduces oxidative stress in tanzania guinea grass under cadmium toxicity.

Plants used for phytoextraction of metals need to tolerate toxicity conditions. Potassium (K) participates in physiological and biochemical processes that can alleviate toxicity by heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of K on photosynthesis and on the changes in the antioxidant system of tanzania guinea grass [Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania (syn. Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq,) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs)] under Cd toxicity. Plants were grown in a greenhouse, in nutrient solution, in a randomized complete block design, arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial, with three replications. Plants were supplied with three K levels (0.4 [K deficiency], 6.0, and 11.6 mmol L-1) and exposed to four Cd levels (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mmol L-1). Two plant growth periods were evaluated. High Cd level (1.5 mmol L-1) led to a reduction in net photosynthesis (76%) by causing low stomatal conductance and losses in quantum efficiency of photosystem II. However, high K supply (11.6 mmol L-1) increased the net photosynthesis by 15% in plants exposed to 1.0 mmol L-1 Cd, due to upregulation of proline synthesis. Cd toxicity resulted in increases in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide concentration (35 and 50%; 25 and 30%, at first and second harvest, respectively) and reduction by 80-100% in activity of the antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in the shoots of the grass. However, the high K supply (11.6 mmol L-1) increased the activity of these enzymes (about 50-75%) and reduced lipid peroxidation (36%), restoring cellular homeostasis. Moreover, high K supply promoted a 25% increase in spermidine and spermine concentrations in the shoots. Therefore, K reduced the Cd-induced oxidative stress and increased the net photosynthesis in tanzania guinea grass by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and proline and polyamines synthesis, which enhances the tolerance of this grass to Cd.