Metabarcoding expands knowledge on diversity and ecology of rare actinobacteria in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Rare and unknown actinobacteria from unexplored environments have the potential to produce new bioactive molecules. This study aimed to use 16 s rRNA metabarcoding to determine the composition of the actinobacterial community, particularly focusing on rare and undescribed species, in a nature reserve within the Brazilian Cerrado called Sete Cidades National Park. Since this is an inaccessible area without due legal authorization, it is understudied, and, therefore, its diversity and biotechnological potential are not yet fully understood, and it may harbor species with groundbreaking genetic potential. In total, 543 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across 14 phyla were detected, with Actinobacteria (41.2%), Proteobacteria (26.5%), and Acidobacteria (14.3%) being the most abundant. Within Actinobacteria, 107 OTUs were found, primarily from the families Mycobacteriaceae, Pseudonocardiaceae, and Streptomycetaceae. Mycobacterium and Streptomyces were the predominant genera across all samples. Seventeen rare OTUs with relative abundance < 0.1% were identified, with 82.3% found in only one sample yet 25.5% detected in all units. Notable rare and transient genera included Salinibacterium, Nocardia, Actinomycetospora_01, Saccharopolyspora, Sporichthya, and Nonomuraea. The high diversity and distribution of Actinobacteria OTUs indicate the area's potential for discovering new rare species. Intensified prospection on underexplored environments and characterization of their actinobacterial diversity could lead to the discovery of new species capable of generating innovative natural products.

Beta-Carotene Supplementation for Sows: Reproductive Parameters and Productive Performance of Piglets.

The rapid fetal development and the increased demand for milk result in a catabolic state and oxidative stress in hyperprolific sows. Despite animal defense mechanisms, the dietary supplementation of antioxidants is being evaluated to reduce the impacts of excess free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of beta-carotene supplementation for sows on the reproductive response and performance of suckling piglets. A total of 120 sows were distributed in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of three supplementation levels (B0-no supplementation, B200-200 mg beta-carotene/day and B400-400 mg beta-carotene/day) and four groups of parity order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, above 4th). Beta-carotene supplementation during lactation resulted in a higher litter weight at weaning. A higher average weight of piglets and litter weight at birth were observed, as well as a greater number of piglets weaned and litter weight at weaning in sows supplemented with 400 mg of beta-carotene during gestation and lactation periods. Supplementation with 200 and 400 mg of beta-carotene resulted in a greater weight at weaning and daily weight gain in piglets. Daily supplementation with 400 mg of beta-carotene in the prepartum and lactation phases provides a greater litter weight at weaning and, when supplemented in the pre-gestation and gestation periods, results in a greater litter weight at birth and at weaning.

Increasing Doses of Bacterial Phytase (Citrobacter braakii) Improves Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs in Growing and Finishing Phases.

The effects of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (Citrobacter braakii) on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs was evaluated. A total of 120 barrows weighing 25.16 ± 2.80 kg and 68 days old were submitted to five treatments: positive control diet (PC) containing inorganic phosphorus (P) and limestone (Ca); negative control (NC) with reductions in P (by 0.13%) and Ca (by 0.11%); and three NC diets supplemented with 1500 (NC15), 3000 (NC30) and 4500 (NC45) units of phytase (FYT)/kg. The daily weight gain (DWG) in growth phase I (68-91 days) was higher in the PC, NC15 and NC30, compared to the NC (1.06, 1.06, 1.06 vs. 0.95, respectively). The DWG in finishing phase II (141-156 days) was higher in the NC15 (1.20 kg) and NC30 (1.14 kg) than in the NC45 (0.94 kg). The final weights (LW156) in the NC15 (122.95 kg LW) were higher than NC (116.47 kg LW) and NC45 (114.43 kg LW). Over the entire period, a quadratic effect (2012 FYT) was observed for the DWG. The increasing levels of phytase in corn and soybean meal-based diets improved the DWG and carcass traits; however, the addition of more than 3000 FYT/kg of feed should be carefully studied to determine enzyme viability.

Acceptance of Low-Sodium Hospital Diet by Cardiac Patients: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of hospitalization. Dietary salt restriction is indicated as part of clinical treatment, however, it is not always well accepted by the patients, resulting in low food intake and malnutrition. Objective To compare acceptance of a low-sodium diet cooked with salt with a standard low-sodium diet in cardiac inpatients. Methods A randomized controlled crossover trial in patients with low-sodium diet prescriptions (Clinical Trials NCT03481322). Patients were given a control standard low sodium diet (cooked without salt; salt [2g per meal] added by the patient at the time of consumption) on one day and on the next day patients were given the intervention diet - a low sodium diet cooked with salt (2 grams of salt, divided between preparations). Dietary acceptance was evaluated by weighing leftover food and calculating intake. A questionnaire was used to verify reasons that influenced acceptance. For data analysis, parametric data are presented as mean and standard deviation, Student's t test was used to compare means, with significance defined as p<0.05. Results Sixty-four patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 66 ± 11.3 years; 64% were male. There were no differences in percentage acceptance between the standard low-sodium diet and the low-sodium diet cooked with salt at lunch (p= 0.876) or at dinner (p= 0.255). Around 80% of what was offered at each meal was consumed by the patients, with no significant difference between groups. Conclusions The low-sodium diet cooked with salt was well accepted, but there was no difference when compared with the standard low-sodium diet, which also had adequate acceptance.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in protected environmental areas in the Eastern Amazon: the case of São Félix do Xingu, Pará, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted to men and animals by infected female phlebotomine sandflies and is considered a great environmental and public health problem in the Amazon region. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of this disease in São Félix do Xingu, in the state of Pará, Brazil, and its relationship with epidemiological and environmental variables, in the period from 2012 to 2016. METHODOLOGY: The data used were from the Information System of the Pará State Secretariat of Health, the National Institute for Space Research and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The statistical and spatial analysis of the variables were done using non-parametric chi-square statistical test, kernel interpolation technique and the Bivariate Global Moran Index. RESULTS: The municipality had 183 confirmed cases, non-homogeneously distributed in 5 administrative districts. The individuals most affected were adult males with brown skin, an elementary level of education and rural area residents. In the case series, a direct relationship was observed between the increase of the number of cases and deforestation in the study area. The spatial analysis showed different types of land use and cover related to case clusters in the municipality. Additionally, there was a presence of cases in protected areas and a great epidemiological silence in indigenous lands. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, this disease is a large and complex public health problem in the municipality, related to social and environmental risk factors.

Impact of zinc oxide, benzoic acid and probiotics on the performance and cecal microbiota of piglets.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal health remains a key factor in animal production because it is essential for digestion, absorption and bacterial fermentation. Feed additives have been used to attenuate the weaning stress such as Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and benzoic acid (C7H6O2). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of of benzoic acid and probiotics (BA + P) on performance, diarrhea and cecal microbiota of piglets in the nursery phase (23 to 65 days). RESULTS: One hundred and sixty weaned piglets with an initial weight of 6.335 ± 0.698 kg and 23 days of age were submitted to four treatments: supplementation with 2500 ppm of Zinc oxide (ZnO), supplementation with a commercial blend of benzoic acid and probiotics (Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415; Vevogut P®) (BA + P), supplementation with Zinc oxide plus benzoic acid and probiotics (ZnO + BA + P), and controls receiving only the basal diet without any supplementation. At 65 days of age, 32 piglets (n = 8 per treatment) were slaughtered for the evaluation of the cecal microbiota. Supplementation with ZnO and BA + P were associated with better feed conversion (P < 0.05) in the early stage (23 to 49 days) and with an improvement in all performance parameters over the entire experimental period. The occurrence of diarrhea was lower (P < 0.05) in the BA + P group. The 4 most abundant phyla along with unclassified bacteria represented 93% of all sequences. Firmicutes dominated the cecal microbiota of all groups, followed by Bacteroidetes. Richness represented by the observed number of genera and by the Chao index were statistically lower in ZnO and ZnO + BA + P supplemented animals compared to controls. The beta diversity analysis that compares similarities between bacterial communities demonstrated formation of two distinct clusters containing samples with and without supplementation with ZnO, confirming a strong influence of ZnO on the intestinal microbiota. CONCLUSION: The use of Benzoic acid with probiotics yields similar performance results with lower impact on the gut microbiota compared to ZnO, and it should be considered as a potential alternative in swine production.

PD-L1 Expression Associated with Epstein-Barr Virus Status and Patients' Survival in a Large Cohort of Gastric Cancer Patients in Northern Brazil.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a worldwide health problem, making it one of the most common types of cancer, in fifth place of all tumor types, and the third highest cause of cancer deaths in the world. There is a subgroup of GC that consists of tumors infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and is characterized mainly by the overexpression of programmed cell death protein-ligand-1 (PD-L1). In the present study, we present histopathological and survival data of a thousand GC patients, associated with EBV status and PD-L1 expression. Of the thousand tumors analyzed, 190 were EBV-positive and the vast majority (86.8%) had a high relative expression of mRNA and PD-L1 protein (p < 0.0001) in relation to non-neoplastic control. On the other hand, in EBV-negative samples, the majority had a low PD-L1 expression of RNA and protein (p < 0.0001). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probability of survival and increased overall survival of EBV-positive GC patients was impacted by the PD-L1 overexpression (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively). However, the PD-L1 low expression was correlated with low overall survival in those patients. Patients with GC positive for EBV, presenting PD-L1 overexpression can benefit from immunotherapy treatments and performing the quantification of PD-L1 in gastric neoplasms should be adopted as routine.

Communicative Function of Pointing and Expressive Vocabulary Acquisition / A Função Comunicativa do Apontar e a Aquisição do Vocabulário Expressivo / La función Comunicativa del Señalar y la Adquisición del Vocabulario Expresivo

Abstract There is evidence of a strong association between the pointing gesture and early vocabulary acquisition. This study examined the extent to which this association is moderated by the communicative function of children's pointing. A total of 35 children participated in the study. Their use of the pointing gesture and their expressive vocabulary were assessed at 13 and 18 months using the Early Social Communication Scales and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory, respectively. The results of multiple linear regression analyses indicated that variations in the frequency of declarative pointing at 13 months significantly contributed to variations in vocabulary size at both 13 and 18 months, independently of variations in maternal education. In contrast, variations in the frequency of imperative pointing did not concurrently or longitudinally correlate with children's vocabulary sizes. These results suggest that the relation between pointing and early vocabulary acquisition is moderated by the communicative function of the pointing gesture.

Resumo Há evidência de forte associação entre o gesto de apontar e a aquisição inicial do vocabulário. Este estudo teve por objetivo examinar em que medida essa associação é moderada pela função comunicativa do gesto de apontar. Participaram do estudo 35 crianças. O uso do gesto de apontar e o vocabulário expressivo foram avaliados aos 13 e 18 meses através das Escalas de Comunicação Social Inicial e do Inventário MacArthur-Bates de Desenvolvimento Comunicativo, respectivamente. Análises de regressão linear múltipla mostraram que variações na frequência do apontar declarativo aos 13 meses contribuíram significativamente para variações no vocabulário aos 13 e 18 meses, independentemente de diferenças na educação materna. Por outro lado, variações na frequência do apontar imperativo não se correlacionaram, concorrentemente ou longitudinalmente, com variações no vocabulário das crianças. Esses resultados sugerem que a relação entre o apontar e a aquisição do vocabulário é moderada pela função comunicativa do gesto de apontar.

Resumen Hay evidencia de fuerte asociación entre el gesto de señalar y la adquisición temprana del vocabulario. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar en que medida esa asociación es moderada por la función comunicativa del señalar. Participaron del estudio 35 niños. El uso del señalar y el vocabulario expresivo fueron evaluados a los 13 y 18 meses con las Escalas de Comunicación Social Temprana y el Inventario MacArthur-Bates de Desarrollo Comunicativo, respectivamente. Análisis de regresión lineal múltiple mostraron que variaciones en la frecuencia del señalar declarativo a los 13 meses contribuyeron significativamente para variaciones en el vocabulario a los 13 y 18 meses, independientemente de diferencias en la educación materna. En cambio, variaciones en el señalar imperativo no se correlacionaron, concurrentemente o longitudinalmente, con diferencias de vocabulario entre los niños. Esos resultados sugieren que la función comunicativa del señalar modera la relación entre ese gesto y la adquisición del vocabulario.

Benzoic Acid Combined with Essential Oils Can Be an Alternative to the Use of Antibiotic Growth Promoters for Piglets Challenged with E. coli F4.

Benzoic acid (BA) and essential oils (EOs) (thymol, 2-methoxyphenol, eugenol, piperine, and curcumin) are being studied to minimize the impairment of gastrointestinal functions in weanling piglets. This study evaluates the effects of combining BA and EO on the performance and intestinal health of piglets challenged with E. coli F4 (1 mL, 106 CFU/mL). In total, 270 weaned piglets were used in a randomized block design with six treatments: positive control, with 40 mg/kg colistin (PC); negative control, without the growth promoter (NC); negative control +5 g/kg benzoic acid (BA); negative control +2 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO2); negative control +3 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO3); negative control +4 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO4). BA+EO3 presented a greater average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.0013) and better feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.0138), compared to NC, from 21 to 35 days age. For the total period, BA, BA+EO3, and BA+EO4 were similar to PC and superior to NC for ADG (p = 0.0002) and final body weight (BW) (p = 0.0002). No difference (p > 0.05) was verified for diarrhea, microbial population, production of volatile fatty acids, pH, weight of organs, cellular proliferation, and cholecystokinin count. NC and BA+EO4 resulted in a higher villus height in the jejunum (p = 0.0120) compared to BA+EO3. The use of BA or the combination of BA and EO at 3 g/kg provides improved performance, aside from being an economically viable alternative to replace colistin.

Physiotherapy services in the face of a pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy services are necessary for hospitalized patients of COVID-19 as well as chronic patients. Thus, physiotherapists present an increased risk of exposure to coronavirus. This study aimed to determine the number of physiotherapists who interrupted their services because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to verify the procedures adopted by the ones who are still working. METHODS: The sample comprised 619 physiotherapists who worked in Portugal, 154 (24.9%) male and 465 (75.1%) female, aged between 22 and 67 years (34.47±8.70). The measurement instrument was an on-line questionnaire applied in late March 2020 through contacts and social networks. RESULTS: 453 (73.2%) physiotherapists interrupted their work activities in person because of the pandemic and 166 (26.8%) continue to work in person. The main measures adopted by physical therapists who continue to work in person included: hand washing (21.5%), mask use (20.3%), material disinfection (19.3%) and, glove use (19.3%). Of the physiotherapists who are not working in person (n = 453), 267 (58.9%) continue to monitor their patients at a distance, and 186 (41.1%) are not monitoring the patients. The main measures used by physiotherapists to monitor their patients at a distance included: written treatment prescription (38%), making explanatory videos (26.7%), and synchronous video conference treatment (23.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that most of the physiotherapists interrupted their face-to-face practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, once they do not follow up their patients' treatment in person, most of them adapted to monitor their patients from a distance.

The use of an alternative feed additive, containing benzoic acid, thymol, eugenol, and piperine, improved growth performance, nutrient and energy digestibility, and gut health in weaned piglets.

This research evaluated a feed additive (benzoic acid, eugenol, thymol, and piperine), associated or not with colistin, in weaned piglets feeding. The parameters evaluated were growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, relative weights of digestive organs, microbial diversity, and the percentages of operational taxonomic units of microorganisms in the cecum content of pigs. One-hundred and eight crossbred piglets (5.3 ± 0.5 kg) were used in a three-phase feeding program (21 to 35, 36 to 50, 51 to 65 d of age) and fed a control diet with no inclusion of growth promoter feed additive, a diet with 40 ppm of colistin, a diet with 0.3% of alternative additive, and a diet with 0.3% of alternative additive and 40 ppm of colistin. The diets were based on corn, soybean meal, dairy products, and spray-dried blood plasma and formulated to provide 3.40, 3.38, and 3.20 Mcal of ME/kg and 14.5, 13.3, and 10.9 g/kg of digestible lysine, in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The piglets were housed three per pen, with nine replicates per diet, in a complete randomized block design based on initial BW. The data were submitted to ANOVA and means were separated by Tukey test (5%), using SAS. Pigs fed diets with the alternative feed additive had greater (P < 0.05) ADG (114.3 vs. 91.8 g) and ADFI (190.1 vs. 163.3 g) in phase 1 than pigs fed diets without the product. The alternative additive improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of crude protein (CP) in phase 1 (71.0% vs. 68.6%), gross energy in phases 1 (77.4% vs. 75.2%) and 3 (79.0% vs. 77.1%), and dry matter in phase 3 (79.1% vs. 77.1%). The antibiotic inclusion in the diets increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of CP in phase 1 (71.5% vs. 68.2%). The alternative feed additive tended (P = 0.06) to increase (46%) normal feces frequency, decreased (P < 0.05) goblet cells count (104.3 vs. 118.1) in the jejunum, and decreased (P < 0.05) small intestine (4.60% vs. 4.93%) and colon (1.41% vs. 1.65%) relative weights, compared with pigs not fed with the alternative additive. There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for a lower concentration of Escherichia-Shigella (1.46% vs. 3.5%) and lower (P < 0.05) percentage of Campylobacter (0.52% vs. 10.21%) in the cecum content of piglets fed diets containing essential oils and benzoic acid compared with pigs fed diets without the alternative feed additive. The alternative feed additive was effective in improving growth performance, diets digestibility, and gut health in piglets soon after weaning.

Leg ulcers in sickle cell disease patients.

Leg ulcers are the most common cutaneous complication of sickle cell disease. These lesions occur mainly in homozygous forms, are slow to heal and often relapse, causing negative physical, emotional, and economic impacts. In this paper, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of sickle cell leg ulcers and their implications for treatment.

Úlceras de perna em pacientes com anemia falciforme / Leg ulcers in sickle cell disease patients

Resumo As úlceras de perna são as complicações cutâneas mais comuns em pacientes com anemia falciforme. Acometem principalmente indivíduos homozigotos e são lesões de difícil cicatrização e recidivantes, com impactos físicos, psicológicos e econômicos. Neste trabalho, discutimos a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico, a fisiopatologia das úlceras falcêmicas e as suas implicações sobre a terapêutica.

Abstract Leg ulcers are the most common cutaneous complication of sickle cell disease. These lesions occur mainly in homozygous forms, are slow to heal and often relapse, causing negative physical, emotional, and economic impacts. In this paper, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of sickle cell leg ulcers and their implications for treatment.

Physiotherapy services in the face of a pandemic

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Physiotherapy services are necessary for hospitalized patients of COVID-19 as well as chronic patients. Thus, physiotherapists present an increased risk of exposure to coronavirus. This study aimed to determine the number of physiotherapists who interrupted their services because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to verify the procedures adopted by the ones who are still working. METHODS The sample comprised 619 physiotherapists who worked in Portugal, 154 (24.9%) male and 465 (75.1%) female, aged between 22 and 67 years (34.47±8.70). The measurement instrument was an on-line questionnaire applied in late March 2020 through contacts and social networks. RESULTS 453 (73.2%) physiotherapists interrupted their work activities in person because of the pandemic and 166 (26.8%) continue to work in person. The main measures adopted by physical therapists who continue to work in person included: hand washing (21.5%), mask use (20.3%), material disinfection (19.3%) and, glove use (19.3%). Of the physiotherapists who are not working in person (n = 453), 267 (58.9%) continue to monitor their patients at a distance, and 186 (41.1%) are not monitoring the patients. The main measures used by physiotherapists to monitor their patients at a distance included: written treatment prescription (38%), making explanatory videos (26.7%), and synchronous video conference treatment (23.5%). CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that most of the physiotherapists interrupted their face-to-face practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, once they do not follow up their patients' treatment in person, most of them adapted to monitor their patients from a distance.

SUMMARY INTRODUÇÃO Os serviços de fisioterapia são necessários para o tratamento de pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 e também para pacientes crônicos. Assim, os fisioterapeutas apresentam um maior risco de exposição ao coronavírus. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o número de fisioterapeutas que interromperam seus serviços devido à pandemia do COVID-19 e verificar os procedimentos adotados pelos fisioterapeutas que continuam trabalhando. METODOLOGIA A amostra foi constituída por 619 fisioterapeutas, que trabalhavam em Portugal, sendo 154 (24,9%) do sexo masculino e 465 (75,1%) do sexo feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 22 e 67 anos (34,47 ± 8,70 anos). O instrumento de medida utilizado consistiu num questionário online, tendo sido aplicado em finais de março de 2020, através de contatos e redes sociais. RESULTADOS 453 (73.2%) fisioterapeutas interromperam as suas atividades laborais de forma presencial por causa da pandemia e 166 (26.8%) continuam a trabalhar presencialmente. As principais medidas adotadas pelos fisioterapeutas que continuam a trabalhar presencialmente incluíram: lavagem das mãos (21.5%), uso de máscaras (20.3%), desinfecção do material (19.3%) e uso de luvas (19.3%). Dos fisioterapeutas que não estão a trabalhar presencialmente (n=453), 267 (58.9%) continuam a acompanhar os seus pacientes à distância e 186 (41.1%) não estão a acompanhar os pacientes. As principais medidas utilizadas pelos fisioterapeutas para acompanhar os seus pacientes à distância incluíram: prescrição do tratamento por escrito (38%), realização de vídeos explicativos (26.7%) e tratamento por videoconferência de forma síncrona (23.5%). CONCLUSÕES Os dados do presente estudo revelaram que a maioria dos fisioterapeutas interromperam as suas práticas presenciais em virtude da pandemia COVID-19, no entanto, apesar de não estarem a acompanhar os seus pacientes pessoalmente, a maioria deles elaborou ferramentas para monitorar seus pacientes à distância.

Increasing doses of phytase from Citrobacter braakii in diets with reduced inorganic phosphorus and calcium improve growth performance and lean meat of growing and finishing pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (RONOZYME HiPhos) on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing pigs. The study included 120 castrated males with initial weight of 23.21 ± 1.91 kg and 68 days of age, distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments and eight replicates with three animals each. The pigs were fed five corn-soybean meal-based diets: positive control (PC), supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and calcium; negative control (NC), with 0.13% reduction in available phosphorus and 0.11% in calcium; and three NC diets supplemented with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 phytase units (FYT)/kg in the feed. Compared with the NC diets without phytase, diets with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 FYT/kg inclusion increased the daily weight gain by +12% (quadratic, p<0.05) during the growing I period; +2.9, +2.9, and +10.5% (linear, p<0.01), respectively, during the growing II period; and +4.1, +5.1, and +8.2% (linear, p<0.001), respectively, over the entire experimental period. The daily feed intake increased by 0, +2.8, and +4.3% (linear, p<0.05), respectively, considering the entire experimental period; and the final live weight increased by +3.2, +4.2, and +6.1% (linear, p<0.001), respectively. The phytase treatments did not influence feed conversion ratio, carcass weight and yield, backfat thickness, loin depth and carcass lean meat. According to the European Carcass Classification (SEUROP), however, the animals fed the PC diet and the three phytase levels had more carcasses classified as E (between 55-60% lean meat) when compared to carcasses of pigs fed the NC. Supplementing increasing levels of phytase to a corn- and soybean meal-based diet with inorganic P and Ca reduction improved daily weight gain and feed intake of growing pigs, and such effects were maintained until slaughter age.

Statistical learning and spelling: Evidence from Brazilian prephonological spellers.

We analyzed the spelling attempts of Brazilian children (age 3 years, 3 months to 6 years, 0 months) who were prephonological spellers, in that they wrote using letters that did not reflect the phonemes in the words they were asked to spell. We tested the hypothesis that children use their statistical-learning skills to learn about the appearance of writing and that older prephonological spellers, who have had on average more exposure to writing, produce more wordlike spellings than younger prephonological spellers. We found that older prephonological spellers produced longer spellings and were more likely to use letters and digrams in proportion to their frequency of occurrence in Portuguese. There were also some age-related differences in children's tendency to use letters from their own names when writing other words. The results extend previous findings with learners of English to children who are learning a more transparent orthography.

Situação Problema Como Estratégia de Ensino a Distância Sobre Prevenção de Lesão por Pressão / Situation resolution as a distance teaching strategy on pressure injury prevention

Objetivo: descrever o desenvolvimento de uma plataforma virtual de aprendizagem com resolução situacional de problemas como ferramenta inovadora de ensino de prevenção de lesão por pressão. Metodologia: Estudo metodológico, de abordagem descritiva, com estratégia pedagógica de resolução de situação problema segundo Vilma de Carvalho, desenvolvido em 06 etapas didáticas. Resultados: O delineamento metodológico adotado prevê o desenvolvimento das seguintes etapas: 1ª etapa ­ apresentação do curso e resolução de pós-teste; 2ª etapa ­ leitura de situação ­ problema e resolução de situações problemas; 3ª etapa ­ realização de pesquisa em bases de dados e fórum de discussão; 4ª etapa ­ apresentação gráfica e audiovisual de conteúdo pedagógico; 5ª etapa ­ resolução de pós ­ teste; 6ª etapa ­ avaliação do produto desenvolvido. Conclusão: A incorporação da metodologia de educação a distância e de resolução de situação problema são de extrema relevância ao desenvolvimento do raciocínio crítico ­ reflexivo na qualificação e atualização profissional em saúde. (AU)

Objective: To describe the development of a virtual learning platform with situational problem solving as an innovative teaching tool for pressure injury prevention. Methodology: Methodological study, descriptive approach, with pedagogical strategy of problem solving according to Vilma de Carvalho, developed in 06 didactic steps. Results: The adopted methodological design foresees the development of the following steps: 1st stage - course presentation and post-test resolution; 2nd stage - situation reading - problem and problem solving; 3rd stage - conducting research in databases and discussion forum; 4th stage - graphic and audiovisual presentation of pedagogical content; 5th step - post test resolution; 6th step - evaluation of the developed product. Conclusion: The incorporation of the distance education methodology and problem situation resolution are extremely relevant to the development of critical - reflexive reasoning in the qualification and professional updating in health. (AU)

Objetivo: describir el desarrollo de una plataforma virtual de aprendizaje con resolución de problemas situacionales como una herramienta de enseñanza innovadora para la prevención de lesiones por presión. Metodología: Estudio metodológico, enfoque descriptivo, con estrategia pedagógica de resolución de problemas según Vilma de Carvalho, desarrollado en 06 pasos didácticos. Resultados: El diseño metodológico adoptado prevé el desarrollo de los siguientes pasos: 1ª etapa: presentación del curso y resolución posterior a la prueba; 2da etapa - lectura de la situación - problema y resolución de problemas; 3ª etapa: investigación en bases de datos y foro de discusión; 4ª etapa: presentación gráfica y audiovisual de contenido pedagógico; 5to paso - resolución posterior a la prueba; Sexto paso: evaluación del producto desarrollado. Conclusión: La incorporación de la metodología de educación a distancia y la resolución de situaciones problemáticas son extremadamente relevantes para el desarrollo del razonamiento crítico - reflexivo en la calificación y actualización profesional en salud. (AU)

Tecnologia virtual de aprendizagem: curso a distância de situação-problema como estratégia de ensino para prevenção de lesão por pressão / Virtual learning technology: distance learning from problem situations as a teaching strategy for pressure injury prevention

Estudo desenvolvido no Mestrado Profissional de Ensino e Saúde cujo objeto é uma tecnologia educativa a distância sobre prevenção de lesão por pressão para enfermeiros e acadêmicos de enfermagem através de uma abordagem situacional de ensino. Embora as organizações de saúde tentem diminuir as taxas de lesões por pressão nos diferentes cenários assistenciais, estas se constituem em um dos grandes problemas de saúde pública devido ao impacto social, econômico e de qualidade de vida decorrentes dos diferentes tratamentos necessários. No Brasil, as taxas de incidência e prevalência em idosos e pacientes em terapia intensiva variam de 17,7% a 35,2%, fazendo com que a assistência de enfermagem à pessoa com ferida requeira práticas consistentes, condutas qualificadas e competências trabalhadas ao longo da graduação e da vida profissional. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho visa atualizar enfermeiros e acadêmicos de enfermagem através de um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem, com estratégia de ensino de situação-problema, sobre prevenção de lesões por pressão como tecnologia educacional inovadora. Estudo metodológico, de abordagem qualitativa e tipo discursivo, com estratégica pedagógica de resolução de situações-problema, segundo Vilma de Carvalho. São participantes do estudo, especialistas em enfermagem dermatológica e acadêmicos do projeto de extensão da comissão de prevenção e tratamento de feridas da instituição. Os dados foram obtidos de 30 de julho a 07 de agosto de 2019, através das atividades contidas na plataforma virtual de aprendizagem construída, cuja análise ocorreu por meio de estatística descritiva simples e análise temática de conteúdo. O estudo foi submetido e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da instituição, sob o parecer n.º 3.375.082 e CAEE n.º 12129719.1.0000.5243. Como resultados, a maior parte da amostra estudada demonstra compreensão da temática de lesão por pressão, da necessidade de prevenção, dos cuidados envoltos à prática profissional e do planejamento do risco. Porém, sugere fragilidade de compreensão dos aspectos relacionados às temáticas de avaliação de risco, dos dispositivos de prevenção e de indicadores de risco. Assim, conclui-se que a integração da metodologia de educação a distância com a de resolução de situação-problema trabalha o raciocínio crítico-reflexivo de maneira inovadora, trazendo avanços para a enfermagem nos diversos campos de atuação e ensino, com extrema relevância para a qualificação e atualização profissional e possibilidade de aplicabilidade como complementação teórica na graduação e pós-graduação em saúde

Study developed at the Professional Master of Teaching and Health whose object is a distance educational technology on pressure injury prevention for nurses and nursing academics through a situational teaching approach. Although health organizations try to decrease the rates of pressure injuries in different care settings, they are one of the major public health problems due to the social, economic and quality of life impact of the different treatments required. In Brazil, the incidence and prevalence rates in the elderly and in intensive care patients range from 17.7% to 35.2%, making nursing care for the injured person require consistent practices, qualified conduct and skills worked throughout. of graduation and professional life. Thus, the objective of this paper is to update nurses and nursing academics through a virtual learning environment, with a problem - situation teaching strategy, on pressure injury prevention as an innovative educational technology. Methodological study with a qualitative approach and discursive approach, with a pedagogical strategy for problem solving - problem according to Vilma de Carvalho. Study participants are dermatological nursing specialists and academics of the extension project of the institution's wound prevention and treatment committee. Data were obtained from July 30 to August 7, 2019, through the activities contained in the built virtual learning platform, which analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The study was submitted and approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the institution, under opinion n.º 3,375,082 and CAEE n.º 12129719.1.0000.5243. As a result, most of the studied sample demonstrates understanding of the theme of pressure injury, the need for prevention, care involved in professional practice and risk planning, however, suggests poor understanding of aspects related to risk assessment themes, prevention devices and risk indicators. Thus, it is concluded that the integration of the distance education methodology with the problem solving methodology works the critical - reflexive thinking in an innovative way, bringing advances for nursing in the different fields of action and teaching, with extreme relevance for the qualification and professional updating and possibility of applicability as theoretical complementation in undergraduate and graduate health.

Granulação natural em reator operado em bateladas sequenciais: características dos grânulos e desempenho no tratamento de esgoto sanitário / Natural granulation in sequencing batch reactor: granules characteristics and performance for domestic wastewater treatment

RESUMO Os reatores operados em bateladas sequenciais (RBS) com biomassa granular aeróbia são uma tecnologia compacta e promissora no tratamento de águas residuárias. Porém, sua utilização com esgoto sanitário ainda é um desafio, devido à instabilidade e desintegração dos agregados. O presente trabalho avaliou a granulação da biomassa em um RBS em escala piloto, sem a adição de inóculo, para o tratamento de esgoto sanitário. O estudo foi dividido em três estratégias operacionais com ciclos compostos pelas fases: enchimento, anóxica, aeróbia, sedimentação, descarte e repouso. Trabalhou-se com variações no tempo dos ciclos, 4 horas (estratégias I e II) e 6 horas (estratégia III), e na fase anóxica, 13, 30 e 90 minutos nas estratégias I, II e III, respectivamente. O desenvolvimento dos grânulos ocorreu de forma natural, sem inoculação, e o reator tratou o esgoto sanitário atendendo às exigências nacionais de padrões de lançamento de efluentes. As características do lodo granular aeróbio e o desempenho do reator no tratamento de esgoto melhoraram com o aumento da fase anóxica. Grânulos (200 a 400 µm) compreenderam mais de 80% da biomassa com boas características de sedimentabilidade (a razão entre os índices volumétricos de lodo após 30 e 10 minutos de sedimentação - IVL30/IVL10 - esteve entre 0,7 e 1,0) na estratégia III. As variáveis de maior relevância no processo foram a razão IVL30/IVL10 e a razão entre a demanda química de oxigênio solúvel do efluente e do anóxico (DQOS efluente/DQOS anóxico), polissacarídeos e temperatura, indicando a importância desses parâmetros para a manutenção da estabilidade operacional de um RBS com grânulos.

ABSTRACT Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with aerobic granular biomass is a compact and promising technology in wastewater treatment. However, its use for sanitary sewage is still a challenge due to the instability and disintegration of the aggregates. The present work evaluated the biomass granulation in a pilot SBR, without addition of inoculum, for sanitary sewage treatment. The study was divided into three operational strategies with cycles composed by the phases of: filling, anoxic, aerobic, settling, effluent withdrawal and idle. The variations in the operational cycle time were: 4 hours (strategies I and II) and 6 hours (strategy III); and anoxic phase of 13, 30 and 90 minutes in strategies I, II and III, respectively. The granules development occurred in a natural way, without inoculation, and the reactor treated the sanitary wastewater meeting the national requirements of effluent discharge standards. The characteristics of the aerobic granular sludge and the reactor's performance improved with the anoxic phase increase. Granules (200-400 µm) were more than 80% of the biomass with good sedimentation characteristics (SVI30/SVI10 ratio between 0.7-1.0), in strategy III. The greatest relevance variables for the process were SVI30/SVI10 and COD Effluent/CODS Anoxic ratios, polysaccharides and temperature, indicating the importance of these parameters for the maintenance of the operational stability of granular SBR.