Retraction Note: Study of liver toxicity and DNA damage due to exposure to the pesticide Mancozeb in an experimental animal model - A pilot model.

The article "Study of liver toxicity and DNA damage due to exposure to the pesticide Mancozeb in an experimental animal model - A pilot model", by N.D. Suarez Uribe, M.F. Pezzini, J. Dall'Agnol, N. Marroni, S. Benitez, D. Benedetti, J. Da Silva, C.T. Cerski, E. Dallegrave, S. Macedo, S.C.W.S.E.F. de Oliveira, D. Joveleviths, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (13): 6374-6383-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202307_32997-PMID: 37458654 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons: After publication, concerns were raised by an unidentified reader who underlined some similarities between this publication and a previous publication published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. After being informed, the authors claimed the previous journal published the article without consent, and, therefore, the authors promptly withdrew the previous publication. The retraction published by the other journal does not contain any information regarding the reason for withdrawal. As a matter of fact, the journal does not have any evidence about the authors' claim and still considers this research a duplicate publication. For the above-mentioned reasons, the Editor in Chief decided to withdraw the manuscript. This manuscript has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32997.

Leaf Fluctuating Asymmetry and Herbivory of Tibouchina heteromalla in Restored and Natural Environments.

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a parameter to measure developmental stability in plants, which can be altered by disturbances, pollution, and biotic factors such as herbivory. We evaluated the effects of environmental stress and herbivory on the FA levels in individuals of Tibouchina heteromalla (Melastomataceae) that occur in natural and undergoing restoration areas in rupestrian grasslands at Serra do Cipó, Brasil. Individuals were collected and measured in seven restored and five natural areas, totalizing 240 individuals. We found that individuals in restored areas had greater leaf area, higher levels of insect herbivory and FA compared to individuals that occurred in natural areas. In both environments, the proportion of individuals with leaf damage caused by herbivory was higher than the proportion of undamaged individuals. In addition, FA was positively correlated with herbivory and total leaf area in both restored and natural areas. These results suggest that more favorable conditions in the restored areas enhanced leaf growth, resulting in higher FA.

Optimization of standard patient radiographic images for chest, skull and pelvis exams in conventional x-ray equipment.

Optimized radiographic techniques for clinical images of chest, skull and pelvis using conventional single-phase, three-phase and high-frequency x-ray units for a standard patient have been developed. Optimization of image contrast and optical density was obtained by using a homogeneous phantom (PEP) and an Anderson Rando anthropomorphic phantom. Image quality was evaluated by nine radiologists in independent analyses, leading to the choice of the optimized technique. A course of action to implement and validate these techniques in other radiographic systems has also been introduced. A realistic-analytic phantom (RAP) was constructed to certify the validation process. The optimized radiographic technique was implemented in the routine of our home hospital radiodiagnostic routine, enabling a reduction in patient doses around 25, 14 and 72%, respectively, for chest, skull and pelvis exams when compared with the previously used techniques. In addition, a corresponding reduction in the x-ray tube load of 68, 14 and 62% for the respective mentioned exams has been observed. In conclusion, implemented optimal techniques can lead to a reduction in the rate of film rejection, thus contributing to a better risk-benefit relationship for the patient and cost-benefit for the radiodiagnostic facility.

Maturity degree of composts from municipal solid wastes evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in association with chemical analysis was applied to assess the maturity reached by the organic fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) subjected to composting processes with manual and fixed aeration and sampled at different composting times. Thermograms showed that the difference in the treatments, i.e., the manual aeration and the fixed aeration, had no relevant effect on the stabilization and maturation of OM in the substrates. Common thermal effects observed were: a low temperature endotherm assigned to dehydration and/or loss of peripheral polysaccharides chains; a medium temperature exotherm assigned to loss of peptidic structures, and a high temperature exotherm assigned to oxydation and polycondensation of aromatic nuclei of the molecule. Results obtained suggest that in the experimental conditions used, a shorter time of composting (about 30 d) appears adequate, in order to limit the extended mineralization of OM, whereas a prolonged composting time (up to 132 d) would produce a compost of poor quality with high ash content and low OM content.

[Hereditary pancreatitis]. / Pancreatite hereditária.

Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a rare cause of chronic pancreatitis. Recurrent abdominal pain is the most common clinical manifestation, with onset in childhood or adolescence. PURPOSE--Report of a case of HP with atypical presentation and a review of the literature. METHODS--A non-alcoholic patient, without history of abdominal pain, with steatorrhea and malnutrition was investigated. The diagnostic evaluation revealed severe chronic pancreatitis. Two close relatives with early onset calcifying pancreatitis were detected. Epidemiologic and clinical features of HP were reviewed. CONCLUSION--Although uncommon, HP should be regarded in the differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Familial screening of suspected cases should be routinely performed.