Land-use and climate change risks in the Amazon and the need of a novel sustainable development paradigm.

For half a century, the process of economic integration of the Amazon has been based on intensive use of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, which has brought significant basin-wide environmental alterations. The rural development in the Amazonia pushed the agricultural frontier swiftly, resulting in widespread land-cover change, but agriculture in the Amazon has been of low productivity and unsustainable. The loss of biodiversity and continued deforestation will lead to high risks of irreversible change of its tropical forests. It has been established by modeling studies that the Amazon may have two "tipping points," namely, temperature increase of 4 °C or deforestation exceeding 40% of the forest area. If transgressed, large-scale "savannization" of mostly southern and eastern Amazon may take place. The region has warmed about 1 °C over the last 60 y, and total deforestation is reaching 20% of the forested area. The recent significant reductions in deforestation-80% reduction in the Brazilian Amazon in the last decade-opens up opportunities for a novel sustainable development paradigm for the future of the Amazon. We argue for a new development paradigm-away from only attempting to reconcile maximizing conservation versus intensification of traditional agriculture and expansion of hydropower capacity-in which we research, develop, and scale a high-tech innovation approach that sees the Amazon as a global public good of biological assets that can enable the creation of innovative high-value products, services, and platforms through combining advanced digital, biological, and material technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in progress.

Block allograft for reconstruction of alveolar bone ridge in implantology: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the literature regarding clinical efficacy and predictability of block allograft for restoration of vertical and/or horizontal bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane databases about studies reporting the use of block allografts. The review included studies published in English from 1960 to 2011 and excluded single-case reports and articles that did not use block allograft stabilized by fixation screws. RESULTS: The search revealed 567 articles, but only 14 were included, which were conducted in humans with a total of 194 patients treated with block allografts, totalizing 253 blocks. CONCLUSIONS: Although a high success rate has been reported for the bone allograft survival, this systematic review demonstrated low level of scientific evidence articles with short follow-up time and diversified methodology with difficult possibilities to compare their results.

Relapses after using Carnoy's solution in treating aggressive benign odontogenic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Chemical curettage has become popular in the definitive treatment of benign aggressive odontogenic lesions. Therefore, this study aims to verify the relapse rate and associated factors after the enucleation protocol, peripheral ostectomy and Carnoy's solution. METHODS: This is a retrospective sectional study with 30 patients, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, submitted to the protocol from 2008 to 2018. The study was composed by the data collection phase of the medical records and clinical and radiographic analysis of the patients in order to verify the presence of relapses. Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed using the Stata/IC version 14.0 program (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). The Mann-Whitney Test, Fisher's Exact Test and the χ2 Test, as well as the Kaplan Meier method and the Log-rank Test were used to verify the possible prognostic factors for relapses, adopting P<0.05. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 22 patients with odontogenic keratocysts (73.3%), 3 odontogenic myxomas (10%) and 5 ameloblastomas (16.7%). Relapses affected 7 patients (23.3%), all in odontogenic keratocysts, and the relapse time was between 12-34 months. There was no statistical difference between the evaluated factors and relapse development. Patients who remained with teeth adjacent to the lesion after treatment had an earlier relapse time, a cumulative risk of more than 80% for relapse after 29 months postoperatively, and a 5.5 times greater chance of developing relapses than patients who had their teeth extracted. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol is advantageous when compared to isolated treatments and can be used as an alternative to resection.

The association of HLA-G polymorphisms and the synergistic effect of sMICA and sHLA-G with chronic kidney disease and allograft acceptance.

The HLA-G and MICA genes are stimulated under inflammatory conditions and code for soluble (sMICA and sHLA-G) or membrane-bound molecules that exhibit immunomodulatory properties. It is still unclear whether they would have a synergistic or antagonistic effect on the immunomodulation of the inflammatory response, such as in chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to a better prognosis after the kidney transplantation. In this study, we went from genetic to plasma analysis, first evaluating the polymorphism of MICA, NKG2D and HLA-G in a cohort from Southern Brazil, subdivided in a control group of individuals (n = 75), patients with CKD (n = 94), and kidney-transplant (KT) patients (n = 64). MICA, NKG2D and HLA-G genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with specific oligonucleotide probes, Taqman and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Levels of soluble forms of MICA and HLA-G were measured in plasma with ELISA. Case-control analysis showed that the individuals with haplotype HLA-G*01:01/UTR-4 have a lower susceptibility to develop chronic kidney disease (OR = 0.480; p = 0.032). Concerning the group of kidney-transplant patients, the HLA-G genotypes +3010 GC (rs1710) and +3142 GC (rs1063320) were associated with higher risk for allograft rejection (OR = 5.357; p = 0.013 and OR = 5.357, p = 0.013, respectively). Nevertheless, the genotype +3010 GG (OR = 0.136; p = 0.041) was associated with kidney allograft acceptance, suggesting that it is a protection factor for rejection. In addition, the phenotypic analysis revealed higher levels of sHLA-G (p = 0.003) and sMICA (p < 0.001) in plasma were associated with the development of CKD. For patients who were already under chronic pathological stress and underwent a kidney transplant, a high sMICA (p = 0.001) in pre-transplant proved to favor immunomodulation and allograft acceptance. Even so, the association of genetic factors with differential levels of soluble molecules were not evidenced, we displayed a synergistic effect of sMICA and sHLA-G in response to inflammation. This increase was observed in CKD patients, that when undergo transplantation, had this previous amount of immunoregulatory molecules as a positive factor for the allograft acceptance.

An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Local Hemostatic Measures in Dental Patients Taking Oral Anticoagulants: A Critical Review of the Literature Over the Past Two Decades.

The increased risk of bleeding observed in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) undergoing outpatient oral surgical procedures has been reported in the literature and remains a major concern in the care of these patients. This is still of great concern to dental surgeons that discontinuing OAT medication increases the risk of thromboembolism, while maintaining the therapeutic dose increases the risk of hemorrhage. Several local hemostatic measures have been used to control bleeding in patients on OAT. However, the effectiveness of these measures has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of local hemostatic measures in patients taking oral anticoagulants. Various databases were searched using the key terms. Selection criteria included publications in English, Spanish, or Portuguese within the last 20 years. The titles and abstracts of papers were initially screened, and reports of 18 clinical trials were selected for a critical review and scored according to CONSORT 2010 guidelines. The data extracted from these trials represented 1821 patients receiving OAT, 4116 tooth extractions, and 144 cases of postoperative bleeding. In most studies, there were no differences in the effectiveness of various local hemostatic measures, and only tranexamic acid was proven effective as compared with a placebo group. The reported INR values varied widely among studies; the lowest INR value was 0.9 and the highest was 5.0. All local hemostatic methods showed low rates of bleeding; and when bleeding occurred, the use of these methods was essential for controlling postoperative bleeding. While local hemostatic measures appear to be effective in controlling postoperative bleeding, additional controlled randomized clinical trials are needed to assess the true effectiveness of these measures in patients taking OAT.

Cell-based therapies for myocardial repair: emerging role for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of the chronically injured heart.

Accumulating data support the use of bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs in animal models (e.g., swine) to restore cardiac function and tissue perfusion in chronic cardiac injury. Based on results obtained in swine, we are currently conducting phase I/II clinical trials to address the safety, cell type, cell dose, delivery technique, and efficacy of MSCs in patients with chronic heart failure. MSCs for these trials are isolated from harvested BM and then processed and expanded for intracardiac injection. The BM-MSCs in use for the clinical trials are of clinical grade having been processed successfully in an FDA-approved cGMP facility.

Metabolismo energético, proteico e mineral de ovelhas Santa Inês hígidas e com mastite subclínica / Energy, protein and mineral metabolism in Santa Inês ewes, both healthy and with subclinical mastitis

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o metabolismo energético, proteico e mineral de ovelhas Santa Inês hígidas e com mastite subclínica acompanhadas durante o final da gestação e na lactação. Foram acompanhadas ovelhas submetidas ao mesmo sistema de criação semi-intensivo. Os animais foram avaliados conforme os momentos a seguir: 10 dias que precedeu o parto (dap) e 15 dias pós parto (dpp), 30 dpp, 60 dpp e 90 dpp. Os metabólitos sanguíneos foram avaliados a partir do momento que antecedeu ao parto e os metabólitos no soro lácteo nos momentos subsequentes. Após exame clínico e bacteriológico foi realizada a triagem das ovelhas acompanhadas neste estudo, sendo 12 hígidas e 18 com mastite subclínica. Durante a lactação, mantendo os mesmos critérios de triagem, foram selecionadas 11 glândulas mamárias sadias e 20 infectadas, das quais foi colhido o leite para obtenção do soro lácteo. Foram mensurados no soro sanguíneo os metabólitos do perfil energético (ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNEs), β-hidroxibutirato (BHB), frutosamina, colesterol e triglicérides), do perfil proteico (proteína total, albumina, uréia e creatinina) e do perfil mineral (ferro, cobre, zinco, magnésio, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, sódio e potássio). No soro lácteo foram mensurados os íons cálcio, sódio e potássio, bem como os AGNEs e o BHB. A bioquímica sanguínea revelou haver influência (P<0,05) do período do periparto e da lactação sobre as concentrações sanguíneas dos AGNEs, BHB, colesterol, albumina, uréia, cálcio ionizado e no soro lácteo sobre o íon potássio. As ovelhas portadoras de mastite subclínica apresentaram valores sanguíneos superiores (P<0,05) de colesterol, albumina e cobre e no soro lácteo teores superiores do íon sódio e dos AGNEs e inferiores do íon potássio. O bom escore corporal das ovelhas observado durante o estudo aliado aos achados bioquímicos permitiu concluir ter ocorrido maior requerimento energético no primeiro mês da lactação, porém não o suficiente para desencadear qualquer transtorno metabólico e o aparecimento de um quadro de cetonemia, sendo estas discretas alterações mais expressivas nas ovelhas com mastite subclínica.

The study aimed to evaluate the energy, protein and mineral metabolism in Santa Inês ewes, healthy and with subclinical mastitis, followed up during late gestation and lactation periods. Ewes subjected to the same semi-intensive nursing system were followed up. The animals were evaluated according to the following stages: 10 days before parturition (dbp) and 15 days postpartum (dpp), 30 dpp, 60 dpp, and 90 dpp. Blood metabolites were evaluated starting from the stage previous to parturition and whey metabolites were evaluated in the subsequent stages. A screening of the ewes followed up in this study (12 healthy and 18 with subclinical mastitis) was performed after a clinical and bacteriological examination. During lactation, maintaining the same screening criteria, 11 healthy and 20 infected mammary glands were selected; the milk for whey extraction was collected from these glands. Energy profile metabolites (non-esterified fatty acids [NEFAs], β-hydroxybutyrate [BHB], fructosamine, cholesterol and triglycerides), protein profile (total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine) and mineral profile (iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, total calcium, ionized calcium, sodium, and potassium) were measured in the blood serum. Calcium, sodium and potassium ions, as well as NEFAs and BHB were measured in the whey. Blood biochemistry revealed an influence (P<0.05) of the peripartum and lactation periods on the blood concentrations of NEFAs, BHB, cholesterol, albumin, urea, ionized calcium. An analysis of the whey also revealed an influence on the potassium ion. Ewes with subclinical mastitis showed higher (P<0.05) blood levels of cholesterol, albumin and copper; higher sodium ion concentrations and NEFAs, and lower potassium ion in whey. Good physical score of ewes observed during this study, combined with the biochemical findings, allowed us to conclude that there was a larger energy requirement in the first month of lactation; however, this requirement was not enough to trigger any metabolic disorder or the emergence of ketonemia, and these discrete changes were more apparent in ewes with subclinical mastitis.

Research of Salmonella spp. and evaluation of pathogenicity, cytotoxicity of Escherichia coli isolates proceeding from sparrows (Passer domesticus) / Pesquisa de Salmonella spp. e avaliação da patogenicidade, citotoxidade de isolados de Escherichia coli procedentes de pardais (Passer domesticus)

The aim of this study was to research the occurrence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in feces samples of sparrows, as well as to identify the pathogenicity, cytotoxicity and sensitivity profile of the isolates to antimicrobial use. Two hundred and twenty eight sparrows were captured in eight farms. The in vitro pathogenicity test was performed by the isolates culture on congo red-magnesium oxalate Agar, whilst the in vivo pathogenicity test was performed in one day-old chicks. In order to study the cytotoxic effects of indicators, samples were inoculated into Vero cells. The results obtained for Escherichia coli isolation confirmed the presence of this microorganism in 30 (13.2%) of the evaluated samples. Out of those isolates, 10 (33.3%) presented the capacity of absorbing ongo red. As for in vivo pathogenicity a 68.0% of mortality rate of the evaluated samples was observed. Out of 20 isolates tested for cytotoxin production, none of them presented cytotoxic effect in the Vero cells. The Salmonella spp was isolated only in one sample (0.04%), and it was identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae. Results obtained through this research indicate the need for new studies to identify other virulence factors of E. coli samples and to delineate the phylogenetic profile of the isolates in order to establish a relation with colibacillosis outbreaks in chickens and broilers in the studied region, as well as to analyze the critical points in the aviculture productive chain to identify the source of Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae.

Objetivou-se com este estudo pesquisar a ocorrência de Salmonella spp. e Escherichia coli em amostras de fezes de pardais, além de avaliar a patogenicidade, citotoxicidade e perfil de sensibilidade dos isolados frente a antimicrobianos. Foram capturados 228 pardais em oito granjas. O teste de patogenicidade in vitro foi realizado por meio do cultivo dos isolados em ágar oxalato de magnésio acrescido de vermelho de congo, enquanto o teste de patogenicidade in vivo foi realizado em pintos de um dia. Para o estudo dos indicadores dos efeitos citotóxicos, as amostras foram inoculadas em células Vero. Os resultados obtidos quanto ao isolamento de Escherichia coli confirmaram a presença deste microorganismo em 30 (13,2%) amostras analisadas. Destes isolados, dez (33,3%) apresentaram capacidade de absorção do vermelho congo. Quanto à patogenicidade in vivo observou-se uma taxa de mortalidade de 68,0% das amostras analisadas. Dos 20 isolados testados quanto à produção de citotoxina, nenhum apresentou efeito citotóxico nas células Vero. Obteve-se o isolamento de Salmonella spp. em apenas uma amostra (0,04%), sendo tipificada em Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa indicam a necessidade da realização de novos estudos para identificar outros fatores de virulência das amostras de E. coli e traçar o perfil filogenético dos isolados para estabelecer uma relação com surtos de colibacilose em galinhas e frango de corte na região estudada, além de analisar os pontos críticos na cadeia produtiva da avicultura para identificar a origem da Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae.

Sparrows (Passer domesticus L) as intermediary hosts of Toxoplasma gondii in poultry farms from the agreste region of Pernambuco, Brazil / Pardais (Passer domesticus L) como hospedeiro intermediário do Toxoplasma gondii em granjas avícolas no agreste de Pernambuco

This paper aimed to identify Toxoplasma gondii infection in house sparrows (Passer domesticus, Linneaus 1758) coming from poultry farms in the "agreste" region of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. 151 sparrows (Passer domesticus) captured in eight broiler, egg layer and commercial laying poultry farms, were used. Indirect hemagglutination test was used to research anti-T. gondii antibodies. Animals that presented titration of 1:16 were destined to DNA research through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, followed by Nested-PCR. It was observed that, from 151 analyzed samples. 91 (60.3 percent) were reagents and 60 (39.7 percent) were not reagents. It was verified, through analysis of the distribution of infected animals frequency per farm, that in only one farm (12.5 percent) no animal reagent to T. gondii was captured. It was also observed that three (30.00 percent) of the ten samples destined to DNA research for T. gondii were positive to PCR and four (40.00 percent) were positive to Nested-PCR. Anti-T gondii antibodies occurrence and the molecular identification of the agent confirmed natural T. gondii infection in sparrows from poultry farms in Brazil. Other studies must be carried out to highlight the real importance of these animals in the epidemiological chain and their efficiency in the transmission of the parasite to felines. Therefore, researches that use parasite isolation and molecular techniques to determine genomic profile of the agent present in these poultry farms are needed.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em pardais domésticos (Passer domesticus, Linneaus 1758) procedentes de granjas avícolas no agreste do estado de Pernambuco. Foram utilizados 151 pardais (Passer domesticus) capturados em oito granjas de frango de corte, matrizes e poedeiras comerciais. Para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T. gondi utilizou-se o teste de hemaglutinação indireta, aqueles animais que apresentaram titulação 1:16 foram encaminhados para pesquisa do DNA por meio da técnica de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) seguida do Nested-PCR. Das 151 amostras analisadas observou-se que 91 (60,3 por cento) foram reagentes e 60 (39,7 por cento) não reagentes. Na análise da distribuição de freqüência dos animais infectados por granja constatou-se que em apenas uma (12,5 por cento) não foi capturado animal reagente para T. gondii. Das dez amostras que foram encaminhadas para pesquisa do DNA do T. gondii, observou-se que três (30,00 por cento) foram positivas ao PCR e quatro (40,00 por cento) ao Nested-PCR. A ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii e a identificação molecular do agente confirmam a infecção natural por T. gondii em pardais em granjas avícolas no Brasil. Outros estudos devem ser conduzidos para elucidar a real importância destes animais na cadeia epidemiológica e sua eficiência da transmissão do parasito para felinos. Para tal serão necessárias pesquisas que utilizem técnicas de isolamento do parasito e molecular para determinar o perfil genômico do agente presente nestas granjas.