Ecophysiological mechanisms and growth of Inga vera Willd. under different water and light availability.

Light and water availability can impact plant survival and growth, making ecophysiological studies crucial for understanding their tolerance and to single and combined stresses. The aimed of this study was to investigate the physiological and growth responses of Inga vera Willd. plants induced by different water regimes and light intensities. Three water regimes were implemented based on substrate water retention capacity (WRC) - 50%, 75%, and 100%, along with shading levels (SH) - 0% (full sun), 30%, and 70%. Evaluations were conducted at 25 and 50 days after applying the water regimes, and during a recovery period of 30 days when all treatments were maintained at 75% of WRC. Photochemical efficiency, gas exchange, chlorophylls indices, growth, quality of the seedlings and content proline amino acid were assessed. Overall, I. vera plants showed greater sensitivity to increased exposure to light than to low water availability. The interaction of SH + WRC was beneficial for the gas exchange and chlorophylls indices characteristics under SH 70% + WRC 75-100% at 25 and 50 days, with higher results, greater plant growth and higher proline contents for leaves and roots under SH 30% and 70% + WRC 50%, 75% and 100% at 25 and 50 days. There was no recovery effect for seedlings grown in full sun. The plants grown under shade during the recovery period maintained their values for most of the characteristics evaluated. SH 30% + WRC 75% contributed to an increase in photosynthetic metabolism and, as a result, to the quality of the seedlings.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote the growth of Dipteryx alata Vogel.

The symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fruit tree plants is a sustainable strategy for producing seedlings. However, information for Dipteryx alata Vogel., a native species, is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to identify the most promising AMF inoculum for producing D. alata seedlings and their effects on growth. Seedlings were inoculated with Clareoideoglomus etunicatum, Gigaspora albida, Gigaspora margarita, a mixture of these three species, and an uninoculated control. Height, diameter, and chlorophyll index were evaluated at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after seedling transplanting, while biomass production, quality index, dependence, and mycorrhizal efficiency were evaluated at 180 days. Greater diameter and height values were observed for D. alata seedlings at 180 days and inoculated with G. albida, G. margarita, and the mixture. AMF of the genus Gigaspora positively contributed to biomass production and seedling quality. D. alata seedlings show high mycorrhizal dependence on G. albida and G. margarita inoculum, which had good mycorrhizal efficiency. AMF, especially those of the genus Gigaspora, favor the production of high-quality D. alata seedlings.

Does silicon and salicylic acid contribute in the morphophysiology of Schinus terebinthifolia seedlings under flooding?

Flooding can damage the photosynthetic apparatus and initial growth of Schinus terebinthifolia. We aimed this study evaluates the potential of silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) as mitigating agents on the ecophysiological responses and initial growth of S. terebinthifolia subjected to flooding periods. Seedlings were grown under the following conditions: 1) control (non-flooded): daily irrigation, 2) Flooded (F): storage of seedlings in a 500 L plastic pool, keeping the water depth at ± 2.0 cm above the substrate level, 3) F + 1.0 mM Si, 4) F + 2.0 mM Si, 5) F + 1.5 mM SA, and 6) F + 3.0 mM SA, and evaluated to 15 and 30 days. We observed that flooded seedlings formed hypertrophied lenticels on the stem on the 7th day as a stress adjustment strategy. S. terebinthifolia is sensitive to flooding, although it maintains a stable gas exchange for up to 15 days in this condition. The applications of 1.0 mM Si mitigated the pronounced decrease of gas exchange by 30 days. Using 1.0 mM Si and 3.0 mM SA contributed for integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus and to photochemical activities in the reaction centers, in addition favors to higher seedling biomass and quality under flooding. Foliar application of Si and SA is promising practice for photosynthetic metabolic and initial growth of S. terebinthifolia seedlings under flooded stress.

How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata?

Information from Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) responses regarding the portion of the stem cuttings branch parental plants and the shading level need to be investigated in order to establish techniques for their producing seedlings. We aimed was to evaluate the effect of cutting types and shading levels in the production of P. aculeata seedlings. We studied three cutting types, collected from different portions of the stem cuttings branch: herbaceous, semi-hardwood, and hardwood, which were arranged under two shading levels: 0% (full sun) or 50% (shade). The selected parent plants had an adequate and vigorous phytosanitary aspect. After 90 days after the cuttings, the seedlings were evaluated regarding survival, growth indicators, biomass production and partitioning, and allometric indices. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings and produced under 0% shading showed higher survival. The largest number of sprouts occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. The highest leaf area values ​​occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings under 0% shading. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings had higher biomass allocation in the roots under 50% shading. Seedlings of herbaceous and semi-hardwood portion allocated values ≥ 70% of the biomass in the aerial part. Seedlings of species are able to adjust to different shading levels as a plasticity mechanism. For the production of P. aculeata seedlings, the hardwood portion of the stem cuttings branch under full sun cultivation is recommended. In addition, semi-hardwood cuttings grown under 50% shading can also be used for seedlings production.

Does silicon help to alleviate water deficit stress and in the recovery of Dipteryx alata seedlings?

Water deficit to causes serious problems in the growth and development of plants, impairing their metabolism. Thus, it is necessary to use agents that can mitigate plant damage. This study assesses the potential of silicon to mitigate water deficit stress in Dipteryx alata Vogel seedlings and to help in their recovery after the resumption of irrigation. The study analyzed four water regimes: (I) Continuous irrigation; (II) Water deficit without Si; (III) Water deficit + 0.75 mL Si; and (IV) Water deficit + 1.50 mL Si. Seedlings were evaluated in four periods: (1) (T0 - time zero) at the beginning of the experiment, before irrigation suspension; (2) (P0) when the photosynthetic rates (A) of seedlings under irrigation suspension reached values close to zero, period in which irrigation was resumed; (3) (REC) when A reached values ​​close to those of seedlings under continuous irrigation, characterizing the recovery period; and (4) (END) 45 days after REC, when seedlings were kept under continuous irrigation, similar to the control. Application of 0.75 mL Si alleviates damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of D. alata seedlings that remain longer under water deficit, and contributes to faster physiological recovery after the resumption of irrigation. D. alata seedlings have recovery potential after the stress period, regardless of Si application.

Development and validation of an instrument to assess adherence to occupational health protocols in dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was the creation and validation of an instrument to evaluate adherence to occupational health protocols used in dentistry that arise from official regulations and international recommendations on infection control, biosafety, and occupational health in dentistry. Additionally, in May 2017 the effectiveness of the instrument was documented within the dental care clinics in the postgraduate area. METHODS: The instrument was developed based on constructs of occupational health, infection control, and biosafety in dentistry, made up of 21 indicators of 5 dimensions called protocols. Using direct observation through 35 measurements during 1 week, adherence to occupational health protocols was evaluated in postgraduate residents within the clinical sections of endodontics/pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. RESULTS: The instrument presents an index of 0.88 in Cronbach's alpha analysis. There is a 34.4% adherence within the postgraduate dental clinic to the proposed occupational health protocols. The protocol with the highest adherence at 41.1% was the personal protection protocol. The periodontics section had a 52.9% observance of the proposed protocols and had the highest adherence to occupational health protocols. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed instrument is valid and reliable to evaluate adherence to the proposed occupational health protocols within dental care clinics. Dental clinics must be inspected and evaluated to ensure adherence to infection control, biosafety, and occupational health protocols within routine dental practice.

B-vitamin mixture improves the analgesic effect of diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis: a double blind study.

According to the high consumption of the mixture of B vitamins and diclofenac in several countries, this combination has constituted a frequently used option in pain therapy from inflammatory origin. Although the evidence obtained from inflammatory pain animal models has shown the existence of analgesic synergy between diclofenac and the B vitamins mixture, the corresponding clinical evidence is scarce. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial study was designed to characterize the analgesic effect and safety of diclofenac and B vitamins against diclofenac alone in patients with severe osteoarthritis. Forty eight patients programmed to total knee arthroplasty with a pain level ≥7 in a 1-10 cm visual analogue scale were allocated to receive a single intramuscular injection of sodium diclofenac (75 mg) alone or combined with thiamine (100 mg), pyridoxine (100 mg) and cyanocobalamin (5 mg), and the pain level was evaluated during 12 h post-injection. Diclofenac+B vitamins mixture showed a superior analgesic effect during the assessed period and also a better assessment of the pain relief perception by patients than diclofenac alone. This study constitutes a clinical support on the improvement of the analgesic effect of diclofenac by B vitamins in patients with osteoarthritis programmed to total knee arthroplasty, as a clinical model of inflammatory pain.

Oral pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in the rat using a high-performance liquid chromatography method in micro-whole-blood samples.

The pharmacokinetics of meloxicam, a potent analgesic and antiinflammatory drug used in several rheumatic diseases, has been studied in rats that received oral doses of 3.2, 5.6 or 10 mg/kg of meloxicam. Blood samples were obtained at selected times during 24 h after administration, and meloxicam concentrations were determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, using micro-whole-blood samples, developed in our laboratory. After administration of meloxicam, blood concentrations increased reaching a dose-dependent maximal concentration in about 2 h. Then, concentrations decayed with a half-life of 9 h. An increase in C(max) and AUC as a function of the dose was observed, and no statistically significant difference was observed in AUC/dose or C(max)/dose between doses. However, linearity could not be concluded because of the wide variability observed.

Flexible work hours, health and well-being in the European Union: preliminary data from a SALTSA project.

Demand for flexible work hours (FWH) is increasing in Europe aimed at increasing the number of production hours on one hand, and, on the other, reducing individual working hours and/or increasing autonomy and control on them. In view of the lack of knowledge of the effects of FWH on health and safety, we started a pilot project, funded by the Joint Programme for Working Life Research in Europe (SALTSA), aimed at: a) comparing the most relevant national legislation and how the EU Directive 93/104 "concerning certain aspects of working time" has been implemented in the member States; b) reporting prevalence and trend of FWH in Europe according to the three EU Surveys on Working Conditions carried out in the last decade; c) collecting practical examples of innovative FWH; d) evaluating their impact on health and safety in relation to work sectors, job demands, social life, aging and gender. Consequent actions are going to include information and consultancy for pertinent authorities and social parties involved, as well as training programmes for Union officials and similar groups concerning the organisation of FWH according to ergonomic principles.

alpha 1D-adrenoceptors contribute to the neurogenic vasopressor response in pithed rats.

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of vascular alpha 1D-adrenoceptors in the sympathetic vasopressor response in vivo. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of a selective alpha 1D-adrenoceptor antagonist, BMY 7378 (8-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-8-azaspiro(4,5)dec ane-7,9- dione 2HCl), on the vasopressor response induced by preganglionic (T7-T9) sympathetic stimulation in the pithed rat. The vasopressor response was dose-dependently sensitive to inhibition by intravenous BMY 7378 (0.1, 0.31, 1 and 3.1 mg/kg), doses of 1 and 3.1 mg/kg being equally effective. Like BMY 7378, 5-methylurapidil (0.1, 0.31, 1 and 3.1 mg/kg) antagonized the vasopressor response to spinal stimulation; doses of 1 and 3.1 mg/kg were also equally effective. In combination experiments, BMY 7378 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) and the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, 5-methylurapidil (1 mg/kg, i.v.), showed an additive effect. The present results demonstrate that the alpha 1D-adrenoceptor subtype plays an important role in the pressor response to sympathetic nerve stimulation in the pithed rat, and confirm the participation of the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype in the same response.

In situ saphenous vein arterial bypass for infrainguinal revascularization: initial experience using an open technique.

The authors describe their initial experience with the use of the in situ saphenous vein arterial by-pass technique for infrainguinal revascularization. From December 1986 to August 1989, we performed 101 in situ saphenous vein arterial by-passes. From these 101 by-pass, 18 composite or partial in situ vein by-passes (in situ + reversed vein) and 2 extra-anatomical sequencial by-passes (one axillofemoral and one cross-over femorofemoral proximal by-passes extended by in situ saphenous vein femoropopliteal arterial by-passes) were withdrawn from the statistics, with the purpose of analysing the natural evolution of the in situ vein arterial by-pass without the insertion of reversed vein segments and/or the influence of artificial grafts to improve arterial inflow. Therefore only 81 in situ by-pass cases will be analysed in the present paper. From these 81 cases, 44 (54.3%) were performed in diabetic patients and limb salvage was the indication for by-pass in 63 (81%). The saphenous vein valves were rendered incompetent utilising the retrograde Mills-Leather valvulotome and exposing the greater saphenous vein with a continuous incision. In the 81 cases, wound complications occurred in 18 limbs (22%) and operative mortality (30 days) was 6.1%. Primary cumulative patency rate of the 81 cases was 77% and secondary cumulative patency rate was 80%, at the end of the analysed period. The open technique, using a retrograde valvulotome and exposing the entire conduit of the greater saphenous vein, became our preferred technique for infrainguinal revascularization.

L-carnitine supplementation of a soybean-based formula in early infancy: plasma and urine levels of carnitine and acylcarnitines.

The absence of carnitine in the diet of normal infants results in marked reduction of plasma carnitine levels. In order to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation of soybean formula, plasma and urine levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitine were compared in infants receiving carnitine-free soybean protein-based formula and the same formula supplemented with 50 and 250 nmol/ml L-carnitine. In infants receiving soybean formula with 50 nmol/ml L-carnitine, the plasma levels of free carnitine were not significantly different from those in infants receiving formula with 250 nmol/ml L-carnitine; however, urine levels of free carnitine were significantly increased when the infants received formula with 250 nmol/ml L-carnitine. In normal full-term infants, supplementation of soybean formula with 50 nmol/ml L-carnitine was sufficient to maintain normal plasma levels that were comparable to breast-fed infants.

Breast-vs. bottle-feeding. A study of morbidity in upper middle class infants.

This study compares the morbidity of two groups of healthy, full-term infants (25 in each group) who were exclusively either bottle-fed or breast-fed for 5 months. There were no statistically significant differences in morbidity between the two groups except for a borderline greater frequency of upper respiratory infections in the bottle-fed group. Although the study groups are limited in size, the results suggest that, when appropriate hygienic measures are taken and statistical biases eliminated, differences in morbidity between bottle-fed and breast-fed babies are relatively minor. The data also show that modern infant formulas seem to be nutritionally complete in that there was no difference in the rate of growth or in hematological parameters measured in the bottle-fed and breast-fed group.

Results of feeding a special formula to very low birth weight infants.

Fifty-eight premature infants weighing less than 1,600 g at birth were fed a special formula. The formula contained nutrients in amounts recommended by the Committee ono Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The feeding studies were carried out at newborn nurseries in Tampa, Florida (study A, n = 25), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (study B, n = 20), and Oaklawn, Illinois (study C, n = 13). Study subjects were comparable in birth weight, gestational age, and in the duration of follow-up in the nurseries. All study subjects grew at rates of weight acquisition equivalent to the comparative fetal counterpart. Routine anthropometric measurements were similar to those of fetal development curves. Mean protein intake ranged from 2.3 to 3.7 g/kg/day and mean caloric intake from 105 to 150 kcal/kg/day. Late metabolic acidosis in association with prematurity was absent in all subjects studied as demonstrated by normal pH values, bicarbonate, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Serum sodium and serum chloride levels were normal. Serum calcium ranged from 8.3 to 10.1 mg/dl and serum phosphorus from 6.0 to 7.5 mg/dl. Total serum protein levels ranged from 4.5 to 5.1 g/dl. Blood urea nitrogen diminished progressively from 5.1 to 2 mg/dl in the course of the study. Serum glucose levels in samples taken prior to and 2 h after feeding did not demonstrate any evidence of reactive hypoglycemia.