An affordable gradient mixer for chromatography with aqueous and organic solvents.

A gradient mixer for preparative column chromatography has been developed, using a microcontroller, a three-way solenoid valve, and a one-channel pump of any chosen design, controlled by a microcontroller and with specifications for the gradient entered through a touchscreen. The gradient mixer is economical and can be produced with the design files provided.

Municipal solid waste management with recyclable potential in developing countries: Current scenario and future perspectives.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a complex challenge to be solved worldwide, intensified in developing countries since in addition to economic and environmental aspects there is also the social aspect represented by the collector individual. From an integrative bibliographic review this study longitudinally analyses the socio-productive inclusion of collectors in the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) at an international level. Aiming: (a) to identify relevant articles describing/studies on MSWM with social inclusion of scavengers around the world; (b) to analyse these articles in order to present its main characteristics; (c) to describe municipal solid waste management with recyclable potential (MSWRP) with socio-productive inclusion of collectors; (d) the study provides a more detailed summary of MSWRP management in some developing countries: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan; and (e) to provide a framework indicating the future practices and perspectives of MSWRP. As result, this study presents the paradigms and future questions for an effective improvement of WSWM, such as: Professional Training of Scavengers, Cultural Issues, Empowerment of Scavenger, Recycling Cooperatives and Cooperativism, Policy Issues and Recycling Chain, Management Systems and Process Improvement, Quality of Services Provided, Circular Economy and Informal Sector, Health Quality and Safety at Work, Barriers and Solutions for the Inclusion of the Informal Sector, Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits.

Individual Responses of Captive Amazon Parrots to Routine Handling Can Reflect Their Temperament.

Individual responses to physical restraint and temperament have been assessed in birds of several species; however, there is a paucity of research which investigates both aspects, especially in captive parrots. This lack of studies raises doubts about which temperament traits, if any, are evidenced during handling and if the intensity of responses to restraint is affected by behavioral training programs, a common practice used in ex situ conservation programs. To understand more about the subject, this study aimed to identify the main temperament dimensions of parrots and investigate their relationship with response to physical restraint for blood collection. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether parrots exhibited higher responsiveness to physical restraint after training to improve flight capacity and increase aversion to humans. The main dimensions identified were activity, neophilia, vigilance, and fearfulness. The more fearful parrots in temperament evaluations were more responsive to physical restraint, showing more vocalizations and struggle attempts than the less fearful ones. After training, the parrots showed higher responsiveness to physical restraint. We suggest that physical restraint for routine handling, such as blood collection, could be a feasible option for centers of rehabilitation to use to obtain data on individual behavioral differences in fear responses.

Current and Future Therapeutic Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea and Functional Diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and functional diarrhea are disorders of gut-brain interaction presenting with chronic diarrhea; they have significant impact on quality of life. The two conditions may exist as a continuum and their treatment may overlap. Response to first-line therapy with antispasmodics and anti-diarrheal agents is variable, leaving several patients with suboptimal symptom control and need for alternative therapeutic options. Our aim was to discuss current pharmacologic options and explore alternative therapeutic approaches and future perspectives for symptom management in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and functional diarrhea. We conducted a search of PubMed, Cochrane, clinicaltrial.gov, major meeting abstracts for publications on current, alternative, and emerging drugs for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and functional diarrhea. Currently approved therapeutic options for patients with first-line refractory irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and functional diarrhea include serotonin-3 receptor antagonists, eluxadoline and rifaximin. Despite their proven efficacy, cost and availability worldwide impact their utilization. One-third of patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction with diarrhea have bile acid diarrhea and may benefit from drugs targeting bile acid synthesis and excretion. Further understanding of underlying pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and functional diarrhea related to bile acid metabolism, gastrointestinal transit, and microbiome has led to evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches, including fecal microbiota transplantation and enterobacterial "crapsules". These opportunities to treat disorders of gut-brain interaction with diarrhea should be followed with formal studies utilizing large samples of well-characterized patients at baseline and validated response outcomes as endpoints for regulatory approval.

Ten controversies in gastroparesis and a look to the future.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is a complex, challenging gastrointestinal disorder presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, especially nausea and vomiting, with significant impact on patients' quality of life. After ruling out mechanical obstruction, it is essential to identify delay in gastric emptying for definitive diagnosis. The most common causes are idiopathic (no identified etiology), diabetes mellitus, and postsurgical status. Management of gastroparesis focuses on dietary modifications and treatment directed to symptom relief. Unfortunately, approximately one-third of patients are refractory to pharmacological therapy, and the effectiveness of the few nonpharmacological options has been questioned. PURPOSE: Extensive review of the literature identifies several uncertainties or controversies regarding the differential diagnosis based on the spectrum of symptoms, the lack of availability of reliable diagnostic test, and questions regarding effective therapeutic options. In this review, we discuss ten controversies regarding gastroparesis: clinical presentation, diagnosis, overlap syndromes, pathophysiology, etiology, as well as pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic options. In addition, we briefly review studies exploring pathological, inflammatory, and molecular disturbances affecting the intrinsic neuromuscular elements that may be involved in the pathophysiology of gastroparesis and may constitute possible therapeutic targets in the future. Finally, we tabulate future research opportunities to resolve these controversies in the management of patients with gastroparesis.

Postpartum depression: evidences of the predictive power of social support and marital relationship / Depressão pós-parto: evidências do poder preditivo do apoio social e relacionamento conjugal / Depresión posparto: evidencias del poder predictivo del apoyo social y la relación conyugal

This study aimed to evaluate social support and marital relationships in women with and without postpartum depression (PND), investigating the relationship between these constructs and the positive and negative impacts of each of them for the PND. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 67 women (32 with depression and 35 without depression) with children aged between 51 and 77 days. The results indicated that women with PND (assessed through the EPDS) had lower scores in perception of social support and identified their marital relationships as more conflicting. In the hierarchical model, demographic variables (baby's age and maternal education) and marital relationship explained part of the variance of symptoms of PND. Social support did not prove to be a significant predictor in the model. Among the factors evaluated, the quality of the marital relationship was the most important to minimize the risk of developing PND, being an aspect subject to interventions by health professionals. (AU)

O objetivo foi avaliar o apoio social e o relacionamento conjugal em mulheres com e sem depressão pós-parto (DPP), investigando a relação entre esses construtos e os impactos positivos e negativos de cada um deles para a DPP. Conduziu-se um estudo transversal com 67 mulheres (32 com depressão e 35 sem depressão) com filhos com idade entre 51 e 77 dias. Os resultados indicaram que mulheres com DPP (avaliadas por meio da EPDS) relataram menor percepção de apoio social e identificaram seus relacionamentos conjugais como mais conflituosos. No modelo hierárquico, variáveis demográficas (idade do bebê e escolaridade materna) e relacionamento conjugal explicaram em parte a variância dos sintomas de DPP. O apoio social não se revelou um preditor significativo no modelo. Entre os avaliados, a qualidade do relacionamento conjugal foi o mais importante para minimizar o risco de desenvolvimento de DPP, sendo um aspecto passível de intervenções por profissionais da saúde. (AU)

El objetivo fue evaluar el apoyo social y las relaciones maritales en mujeres con y sin depresión posparto (DPP), investigando la relación entre estos constructos y los impactos positivos y negativos de cada uno de ellos a la DPP. Se realizó un estudio transversal con 67 mujeres (32 con depresión y 35 sin depresión) con hijos de entre 51 y 77 días. Los resultados indicaron que las mujeres con DPP (evaluadas a través de la EPDS) presentaron una menor percepción de apoyo social e identificaron sus relaciones maritales como más conflictivas. En el modelo jerárquico, las variables demográficas (edad del bebé y educación materna) y la relación conyugal explicaron una parte de la varianza de los síntomas de la DPP. El apoyo social no resultó ser un predictor significativo en el modelo. Entre los factores evaluados, la calidad de la relación conyugal fue el más importante para minimizar el riesgo de desarrollar DPP, siendo un aspecto sujeto a intervenciones por parte de los profesionales de la salud. (AU)

New dual dye for vitreoretinal surgery with increased transparency.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new dye formulation for vitreoretinal surgery, which shows increased transparency for better intraoperative handling with better parameters important for use. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A new blue dye, DDG, was synthesised and tested for toxicity and staining. Diglycerol as new density-increasing additive was identified, and its toxicity and lack of influence of the staining with trypan blue (TB) on a collagen membrane as model for the epiretinal membrane was determined. Transparency of the dye solution was evaluated. RESULTS: DDG is as alternative to Brilliant Blue G (BBG), with good staining properties for interna limitans models, and a good safety profile. Diglycerol is a new non-toxic additive replacing PEG3350, with reduced viscosity and no reduction in staining, allowing the reduction of TB to achieve the same staining level of the collagen membrane by 40%, with greater transparency of the dye solution and reduced viscosity. Both factors should facilitate a safe removal during surgery. CONCLUSION: A new dye preparation with improved performance in comparison to marketed combinations of BBG and TB was developed. Its reduced TB concentration and viscosity with maintained density allow better tolerance and handling.

Cesarean rates according to the Robson classification: analysis in a municipal maternity in São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of parturients at Hospital Municipal da Vila Santa Catarina Dr. Gilson de Cássia Marques de Carvalho according to the Robson classification, identify the cesarean rate in each Robson Group, and understand which group contributes more to the prevalence of Cesarean sections. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational cross-sectional study conducted through the analysis of medical records of parturients admitted to Hospital Municipal da Vila Santa Catarina Dr. Gilson de Cássia Marques de Carvalho from October 2016 to August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 9,794 births were recorded, and 31% were by Cesarean section. The most prevalent Robson Groups were Group 3 (25.7%-2,519), 1 (22.8%-2,234), and 5 (20.5%-2,006). The relative contribution of Cesarean sections was greatest in Groups 5 (39%), 2 (18%), and 1 (12.5%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the Robson classification is useful to lead to a more critical view, identifying the groups that deserve more attention, since they are the major contributors to cesarean rates; hence, the management protocols could be modified aim to reduce cesarean rates.

Knowledge of gynecologists in the public health system care of women victims of violence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of the obstetricians and gynecologists in the care of women victims of violence in the public health system and the existence of institutional mechanisms to support them. METHODS: A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted with an electronic questionnaire by physicians who provided care in the obstetrics and gynecology emergency unit of the public health system. This study aimed to identify the care for victims of violence who received the institutional mechanisms of support, the difficulties encountered in determining the appropriate care, and estimates of the prevalence of violence against women. RESULTS: Notably, 92 physicians responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 85% had already provided care in one or more cases of violence, and 60% believed that <20% of the women received adequate care in these cases, mainly due to the short-time frame of the consultation, lack of team preparation, and lack of institutional resources. A total of 61% of the participants believed that they were not prepared to provide adequate care in those cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the physicians interviewed, although reported to have sufficient knowledge to adequately treat victims of violence, did not provide such care due to lack of institutional support.

Knowledge of gynecologists in the public health system care of women victims of violence

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of the obstetricians and gynecologists in the care of women victims of violence in the public health system and the existence of institutional mechanisms to support them. METHODS: A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted with an electronic questionnaire by physicians who provided care in the obstetrics and gynecology emergency unit of the public health system. This study aimed to identify the care for victims of violence who received the institutional mechanisms of support, the difficulties encountered in determining the appropriate care, and estimates of the prevalence of violence against women. RESULTS: Notably, 92 physicians responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 85% had already provided care in one or more cases of violence, and 60% believed that <20% of the women received adequate care in these cases, mainly due to the short-time frame of the consultation, lack of team preparation, and lack of institutional resources. A total of 61% of the participants believed that they were not prepared to provide adequate care in those cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the physicians interviewed, although reported to have sufficient knowledge to adequately treat victims of violence, did not provide such care due to lack of institutional support.

Perfil da endocardite infecciosa relacionada a bactérias orais em um hospital terciário de cardiologia / Profile of oral bacteria-related infective endocarditis in a tertiary cardiology hospital

INTRODUÇÃO: A endocardite infecciosa é uma doença caracterizada pela infecção do tecido epicárdio, defeitos estruturais cardíacos e próteses cardíacas. Tem grande taxa de mortalidade e impacto financeiro devido aos longos períodos de internação e muitas vezes com desfechos cirúrgicos. Em relação a condição oral e hábitos de higiene, um tópico associado é a bacteremia transitória relacionada não só a manipulações odontológicas, mas também aos hábitos diários e presença de focos infecciosos na cavidade oral. OBJETIVO: Quantificar os casos de endocardite infecciosa relacionada a bactérias orais em um hospital terciário de Cardiologia e descrever as etiologias cardíacas e doenças bucais mais prevalentes. MÉTODO: Realizado um estudo retrospectivo e transversal através da coleta de informações do banco de dados da seção médica de Infectologia da instituição junto ao sistema de prontuário eletrônico da seção de Odontologia no período de 2009 a 2019. RESULTADOS: Dos 414 casos de endocardite infecciosa com hemocultura positiva, 86 foram relacionados a bactérias orais, representando 20,77% dos casos. Sendo mais predominante no gênero masculino com idade média de 50,83 anos. Maioria dos casos foram de origem valvar, predominantemente em próteses valvares (51%). Sobre a condição oral destacou-se doença periodontal e cárie como as doenças bucais mais encontradas e Streptococcus viridans como os micro-organismos mais presentes na amostra. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo mostra que, como na literatura, os micro-organismos mais presentes na endocardite infecciosa relacionada a bactérias orais são do grupo dos Streptococcus Viridans. Destaca que a doença periodontal seguida da cárie são os problemas bucais mais prevalentes em nossa população e ainda que a manutenção da higiene oral é um aliado na prevenção da doença.

Nanoencapsulation of buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) in porcine gelatin enhances the antioxidant potential and improves the effect on the antibiotic activity modulation.

The present study evaluated the cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial effect on the antibiotic activity modulation of gelatin nanoparticles containing buriti oil (OPG). The cytotoxicity analysis was performed on Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO) using a MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] test. The antioxidant potential of buriti oil and OPG was determined by total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, and the ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test. The modulating antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) concentration against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, gentamicin and norflaxacillin. The nanoformulation of OPG did not show a cytotoxic effect on CHO cells and had a higher antioxidant potential than free buriti oil (p<0.05). The combination of antibiotics with free buriti oil and OPG was more efficient in inhibiting E. coli and P. aeruginosa than isolated norfloxacillin and gentamicin (p<0.05). Regarding the inhibition of S. aureus, OPG in combination with norfloxacillin reduced MIC by 50%. Nanoencapsulation was a viable alternative to enhance functionality and adding commercial value to buriti oil.

Canibalismo de descendentes inviáveis por serpentes da família Boidae: por que as mães se alimentam de seus filhotes?

Intraspecific predation or cannibalism is a phenomenon characterized by the total or partial consumption of another individual belonging to the same species. In maternal cannibalism, the parent female ingests items from the litter such as eggs, embryos, embryonic attachments or young, shortly after parturition or laying. This behavior can be considered as a framework of parental care, avoiding drawing the attention of predators and the proliferation of pathogens to healthy offspring, or the replacement of nutrients for the puerperal female, since eggs and neonates are rich in nutrients and pregnancy demands extremely high energy consumption. The purpose of the present study is to provide general information about reproduction, through video recordings, focusing on maternal cannibalism observed in snakes of the Boidae family. Videos of two females of the genus Epicrates, E. assisi (caatinga rainbow boa) and E. cenchria (amazônia rainbow boa), puerperal from the same breeding site on different dates, were analyzed. Seven videos from the internet, filmed between 2010 and 2022, were also analyzed. Three videos contained females of E. cenchria, three contained females of Eunectes murinus (green anaconda) and one contained a female of E. notaeus (yellow anaconda). We conclude that there is cannibalism of unviable offspring by the progenitors of the analyzed species. However, there are still controversies regarding the hypotheses related to this behavior. The strongest hypothesis concerns the utilization of nutrients. On the other hand, the literature substantially supports the hypothesis of parental care.

Predação intraespecífica ou canibalismo é um fenômeno caracterizado pelo consumo total ou parcial de outro indivíduo pertencente à mesma espécie. No canibalismo materno, a fêmea progenitora ingere itens da ninhada como ovos, embriões, anexos embrionários ou filhotes, logo após o parto ou a postura. Esse comportamento pode ser considerado como um quadro de cuidado parental, evitando chamar a atenção de predadores e a proliferação de patógenos para os descendentes saudáveis, ou a reposição de nutrientes para a fêmea puérpera, visto que ovos e neonatos são ricos em nutrientes e a gestação demanda um consumo extremamente alto de energia. O propósito do presente estudo é fornecer informações gerais sobre a reprodução, por intermédio de registros de vídeo, focando no canibalismo materno observado em serpentes da família Boidae. Foram analisados vídeos de duas fêmeas do gênero Epicrates, E. assisi (jiboia arco-íris da caatinga) e E. cenchria (jiboia arco-íris da amazônia) puérperas do mesmo criadouro em diferentes datas. Também foram analisados sete vídeos oriundos da internet, filmados entre os anos de 2010 a 2022. Três vídeos continham imagens de fêmeas de E. cenchria, três continham imagens de fêmeas de Eunectes murinus (sucuri-verde) e um continha imagens de uma fêmea de E. notaeus (sucuri-amarela). Concluímos que há canibalismo de descendentes inviáveis pelas progenitoras das espécies analisadas. No entanto, ainda há controvérsias quanto às hipóteses relacionadas a esse comportamento. A hipótese mais forte diz respeito ao aproveitamento de nutrientes. Em contrapartida, a literatura corrobora substancialmente com a hipótese de cuidado parental.

Cesarean rates according to the Robson classification: analysis in a municipal maternity in São Paulo

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the distribution of parturients at Hospital Municipal da Vila Santa Catarina Dr. Gilson de Cássia Marques de Carvalho according to the Robson classification, identify the cesarean rate in each Robson Group, and understand which group contributes more to the prevalence of Cesarean sections. Methods This is a retrospective observational cross-sectional study conducted through the analysis of medical records of parturients admitted to Hospital Municipal da Vila Santa Catarina Dr. Gilson de Cássia Marques de Carvalho from October 2016 to August 2019. Results A total of 9,794 births were recorded, and 31% were by Cesarean section. The most prevalent Robson Groups were Group 3 (25.7%-2,519), 1 (22.8%-2,234), and 5 (20.5%-2,006). The relative contribution of Cesarean sections was greatest in Groups 5 (39%), 2 (18%), and 1 (12.5%). Conclusion This study demonstrated the Robson classification is useful to lead to a more critical view, identifying the groups that deserve more attention, since they are the major contributors to cesarean rates; hence, the management protocols could be modified aim to reduce cesarean rates.

Treatment of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with complete response of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease to immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS: A total of 29 patients submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease, were enrolled in this retrospective study, from September 2012 to February 2018. Patients were treated with combined topical dexamethasone solution and topical tacrolimus ointment, combined topical dexamethasone and topical tacrolimus, systemic immunosuppressive medication, and topical dexamethasone only. RESULTS: The mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema, and ulcers using dexamethasone and systemic immunosuppressive medication was of 105, 42 and 42 days, respectively (p=0.013).When we associated dexamethasone, tacrolimus and systemic immunosuppressive medication, the mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema and ulcers was of 91,84 and 77 days (p=0.011). When dexamethasone was used alone, the mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema and ulcers was 182, 140, 21 days, respectively (p=0.042). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that lichenoid lesions require more time to heal. Notably, lichenoid lesions tend to respond better to dexamethasone combined with tacrolimus and systemic immunosuppressive medication, whereas erythema and ulcers respond better to dexamethasone combined with systemic immunosuppressive medication and dexamethasone only, respectively.

Extracellular DNA: Insight of a Signal Molecule in Crop Protection.

Agricultural systems face several challenges in terms of meeting everyday-growing quantities and qualities of food requirements. However, the ecological and social trade-offs for increasing agricultural production are high, therefore, more sustainable agricultural practices are desired. Researchers are currently working on diverse sustainable techniques based mostly on natural mechanisms that plants have developed along with their evolution. Here, we discuss the potential agricultural application of extracellular DNA (eDNA), its multiple functioning mechanisms in plant metabolism, the importance of hormetic curves establishment, and as a challenge: the technical limitations of the industrial scale for this technology. We highlight the more viable natural mechanisms in which eDNA affects plant metabolism, acting as a damage/microbe-associated molecular pattern (DAMP, MAMP) or as a general plant biostimulant. Finally, we suggest a whole sustainable system, where DNA is extracted from organic sources by a simple methodology to fulfill the molecular characteristics needed to be applied in crop production systems, allowing the reduction in, or perhaps the total removal of, chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides application.

Feldspathic and Lithium Disilicate Onlays with a 2-Year Follow-Up: Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.

The present study was a prospective, controlled, randomized, clinical short-term trial aiming to evaluate the clinical performance of adhesively luted, lithium disilicate and feldspathic glass-ceramics onlays over a period up to 2 years. A total of 11 patients (7 female, 4 male; age range: 18-60 years, mean age: 39 years) were selected for this study. Each patient received a maximum of two restorations per group in a split-mouth-design. LD: Eleven onlays, performed with lithium disilicate-based ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), and FP: Eleven onlays, performed with feldspathic ceramic (Vita Mark II, Vita Zanhfabrik, Bad Säckingen). Recalls were performed at 2 weeks (baseline = R1), 1 year (R2) and 2 years (R3) after the cementation by three calibrated blinded independent investigators using mirrors, magnifying eyeglasses, probes and bitewing radiographs. The postoperative sensitivity, secondary caries, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, color match, surface roughness, tooth integrity, and restoration integrity were evaluated. The Friedman test was used to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in time-to-time comparison of the parameters in the ceramics restorations. A total of 95.4% of the restorations were clinically acceptable at the 2-year recall, without a difference for any evaluation parameter for both ceramic materials. Based on the 2-year data, the CAD-CAM onlays manufactured with feldspathic and lithium-disilicate based ceramics showed similar clinical performance.