Characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis Glutaminase-Free Asparaginase (MSMEG_3173).

l-asparaginase is an enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of l-asparagine into l-aspartate and ammonia, which is of great therapeutic importance in tumor treatment. However, commercially available enzymes are associated with adverse effects, and searching for a new l-asparaginase with better pharmaceutical properties was the aim of this work. The coding sequence for Mycobacterium smegmatisl-asparaginase (MsA) was cloned and expressed. The recombinant protein showed high activity toward l-asparagine, whereas none was detected for l-glutamine. The enzymatic properties (K m = 1.403 ± 0.24 mM and k cat = 708.1 ± 25.05 s-1) indicate that the enzyme would be functional within the expected blood l-asparagine concentration, with good activity, as shown by k cat. The pH and temperature profiles suggest its use as a biopharmaceutical in humans. Molecular dynamics analysis of the MsA model reveals the formation of a hydrogen bond network involving catalytic residues with l-asparagine. However, the same is not observed with l-glutamine, mainly due to steric hindrance. Additionally, the structural feature of residue 119 being a serine rather than a proline has significant implications. These findings help explain the low glutaminase activity observed in MsA, like what is described for the Wolinella succinogenes enzyme. This establishes mycobacterial asparaginases as key scaffolds to develop biopharmaceuticals against acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Cuidados prestados ao portador de úlcera venosa que auxiliam a cicatrização da ferida / Care provided to patients with venous ulcers to help the wound heal

Objetivo: Identificar na literatura quais são as mais recentes práticas assistenciais prestadas ao paciente portador de úlcera visando a cicatrização da ferida. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada no período de novembro e dezembro de 2022 indexados nos portais LILACS e MEDLINE, os descritores usados na busca foram "Úlcera varicosa" OR "Insuficiência venosa'' AND "cicatrização" AND "Assistência ao paciente". Resultados: foram incluídos 8 artigos, como principais resultados observou-se que a enfermagem realiza várias intervenções para cicatrização das lesões sendo a mais utilizada é o tratamento com terapia compressiva, seguido do tratamento com hidrocoloide e tratamento com gel de plaquetas homólogo. No que tange a avaliação de lesões, prevalece o uso do instrumento PUSH. Considerações finais: faz-se necessário a avaliação adequada, orientação do paciente e cuidador, cuidado multidisciplinar e associação de novas tecnologias para o tratamento de úlceras venosas. A padronização da utilização de escalas como a PUSH na avaliação dos cuidados prestados é essencial para nortear o atendimento.(AU)

Objective: To identify in the literature which are the most recent care practices provided to patients with ulcers, aiming at wound healing. Method: this is an integrative literature review carried out in the period of November and December 2022 indexed in the LILACS and MEDLINE portals, the descriptors used in the search were "Varicose ulcer" OR "Venous insufficiency'' AND "healing" AND "Assistance to the patient". Results: 8 articles were included. With regard to the assessment of injuries, the use of the PUSH instrument prevails. Final considerations: proper assessment, patient and caregiver guidance, multidisciplinary care and association of new technologies for the treatment of venous ulcers are necessary. The standardization of the use of scales such as the PUSH in the assessment of the care provided is essential to guide care.(AU)

Objetivo: Identificar en la literatura cuáles son las prácticas más recientes de cuidados prestados a pacientes con úlceras visando la cicatrización de las heridas. Método: se trata de una revisión bibliográfica integradora realizada en el período de noviembre y diciembre de 2022 indexada en los portales LILACS y MEDLINE, los descriptores utilizados en la búsqueda fueron "Úlcera varicosa" O "Insuficiencia venosa" Y "cicatrización" Y "Cuidados del paciente". Resultados: Se incluyeron 8 artículos, como principales resultados se observó que enfermería realiza diversas intervenciones para la cicatrización de las lesiones, siendo la más utilizada el tratamiento con terapia compresiva, seguida del tratamiento con hidrocoloide y el tratamiento con gel de plaquetas homólogas. En cuanto a la valoración de las lesiones, prevalece el uso del instrumento PUSH. Consideraciones finales: son necesarias una evaluación adecuada, la orientación al paciente y al cuidador, la atención multidisciplinar y la asociación de nuevas tecnologías para el tratamiento de las úlceras venosas. La estandarización del uso de escalas como el PUSH en la evaluación de los cuidados prestados es esencial para orientar la asistencia.(AU)

Phytochemical profile of Brazilian grapes (Vitis labrusca and hybrids) grown on different rootstocks.

Important factors may influence the bioactive compounds in grapes, including scion-rootstock interaction. Therefore, the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in grape skin and pulp fractions of 'Isabel Precoce', 'BRS Carmem', 'BRS Cora', 'BRS Violeta' and 'IAC 138-22 Máximo' were assessed. These cultivars, from genetic improvement programs in Brazil, have good adaptation to subtropical and tropical climate conditions, and can be widely used by winegrowers aiming at adding value to the grape. All grapevines were grafted onto 'IAC 766' and 'IAC 572' rootstocks under tropical conditions in Brazil. The highest concentration of bioactive compounds was found in skins of 'BRS Violeta', followed by 'IAC 138-22 Máximo', both grafted onto 'IAC 766'. There was a strong correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant properties, since antioxidant activity also decreased in the sequence: 'BRS Violeta' > 'IAC 138-22 Máximo' > 'BRS Cora' > 'BRS Carmem' > 'Isabel Precoce'. Skin from hybrid grapes ('BRS Violeta', 'IAC 138-22 Máximo', 'BRS Cora' and 'BRS Carmem') grafted in both rootstocks contains higher levels of (poly)phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity than 'Isabel Precoce' (V. labrusca). Skin from 'BRS Violeta' grafted onto 'IAC 766' stand out from the others due to their high content of bioactive compounds.

Rapid Communication: oxidative stress induced by mixed exposure to glyphosate and silver nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress induced by the binary mixture of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and glyphosate (Gly) in Daphnia magna by measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione (GSH) levels, enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Acute exposure of Daphnia magna to binary mixture of AgNP and Gly resulted in significant biochemical responses indicative of oxidative damage. This response seemed to be related to imbalance in enzymatic/non-enzymatic antioxidant enzymes associated with intracellular overproduction of ROS and significant increase in MDA levels, indicating that the integrity and function of the cell membrane was damaged. These changes adversely affected the fitness and survival of Daphnia magna and negatively influenced offspring growth and reproduction.

Chagas Immunochromatographic Rapid Test in the Serological Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Wild and Domestic Canids.

Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dog) represents a reliable sentinel for the occurrence of a well-established transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi among wild mammals in the surroundings and, consequently, where the risk of human infection exists. Serological diagnosis is the chosen method to identify T. cruzi infection in dogs that, in Brazil, rarely present positive parasitological tests. The use of recombinant chimeric parasitic antigens results in a sensitive and specific serological diagnostic test in contrast to the use of crude T. cruzi antigens. Our objective was to evaluate the Chagas/Bio-Manguinhos Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Rapid Test (Chagas-LFRT) for the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection in domestic dogs and the potential of application of this diagnostic platform to wild canid species. Two recombinant proteins (IBMP-8.1 and IBMP-8.4) that displayed the best performance in the enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) in previous studies were tested in a platform with two diagnostic bands. A panel of 281 dog serum samples was evaluated: 133 positive for T. cruzi by serological diagnosis, including 20 samples with positive blood cultures belonging to different discrete typing units (DTUs); 129 negative samples; and 19 samples from dogs infected by other trypanosomatids: Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma rangeli, Trypanosoma caninum and Crithidia mellificae, in addition to samples infected by Anaplasma platys, Dirofilaria immitis and Erlichia sp. that were employed to evaluate eventual cross-reactions. We also evaluated the Chagas-LFRT to detect T. cruzi infection in 9 serum samples from six wild canid species. We observed that the intensity pattern of the bands was directly proportional to the serological titer observed in IFAT. The sensitivity was 94%, the specificity was 91% according to the ROC curve, and the defined cutoff was an optical density of 4.8. The agreement obtained was considered substantial by the kappa analysis (84%). From T. cruzi positive hemoculture samples, 88.9% were positive by Chagas-LFRT. The test was efficient in recognizing infections by five of the six T. cruzi DTUs. Cross-reactions were not observed in infections by L. infantum, T. rangeli, T. caninum and D. immitis; however, they were observed in sera of dogs infected by Crithidia mellificae, Anaplasma sp. and Erlichia sp. A strong reaction was observed when serum samples from wild canids were submitted to the Protein A affinity test, confirming its applicability for these species. This test will allow rapid preventive actions in areas with high risk to the emergence of Chagas disease in a safer, reliable, low-cost and immediate manner, without the need for more complex laboratory tests.

Visualization of the Final Stage of Sintering in Nanoceramics with Atomic Resolution.

The deep understanding of the sintering mechanism is pivotal to optimizing denser ceramics production. Although several models explain the sintering satisfactorily on the micrometric scale, the extrapolation for nanostructured systems is not trivial. Aiming to provide additional information about the particularities of the sintering at the nanoscale, we performed in situ experiments using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). We studied the pore elimination process in a ZrO2 thin film and identified a high anisotropic pore elimination. Interestingly, there is a redistribution of the atoms from the rough surface in the solid-gas surface, followed by the atom attachment in a faceted surface. Finally, we found evidence of the pore acting as a pin, reducing the GB mobility. These findings certainly can contribute to enhance the kinetic models to describe the densification process of systems at the nanoscale.

Sociodemographic and pharmacoepidemiological profile of people on antiretroviral therapy in the coast of the state of Paraná

The aim of this study was to investigate possible factors related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) that contribute to the understanding of the highest rate of Aids detection on the coast of the state of Paraná, a port region identified administratively as the 1stRegional Health Division (1stHD) in the state of Paraná. Data on the sociodemographic profile of the population undergoing antiretroviral treatment (ART), medication changes, dropout of therapy, proportion of the population undergoing treatment and viral load were obtained through computerized systems. Between July 1, 2018 and June 31, 2019, 1,393 people were on ART in the 1stRS. Of these, 57.6% were male. During this period, 110 people started ART with a predominance of the age group between 30 and 39 years old. ART was switched for169 people and 211 patient dropouts were detected. The proportion of people diagnosed with HIV without treatment (gap) is still high, however 92.7% people on ART have suppressed viral load. It can be concluded that the lower educational level of the population undergoing treatment, the late diagnosis of those infected and the treatment gapprobably contribute to the highest rate of Aids detection in the 1stRS.

Individual and combined multigenerational effects induced by polystyrene nanoplastic and glyphosate in Daphnia magna (Strauss, 1820).

In this study, the acute and multigenerational effects of the individual and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP - 15.6, 31.2 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/L) and glyphosate (Gly - 6.2, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L) on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna were investigated. The acute toxicity interactions were predicted mathematically using Abbott's model and multiple toxicological endpoints. In the multigenerational tests, we evaluated the effects in filial (F1 and F2) generations of daphnids after parental (F0) exposure to Gly and PSNP, as individual compounds and as a mixture, during their life history. Based on Abbott's model, the combined individual toxicities of Gly and PSNP are increased when they are present as a mixture. This indicates synergy between the components of the mixture, especially in the case of co-exposure to Gly and PSNP in higher equitoxic proportions. The mixture of PSNP and Gly caused an increase in immobility and ROS production and decrease in swimming activity. Multigenerational responses indicated that the exposure of F0 daphnids to Gly and PSNP as a mixture induced effects in the F1 and F2 reproduction parameters in the recovery tests. Thus, the results reported herein provide important information on the interaction of hydrophilic organic and nanoplastic pollutants in aqueous ecosystems. This will be useful in future studies on the toxicity of mixtures and multigenerational effects and provide a basis for management decisions aimed at the protection of environmental health.

Substitution of dry corn grain by rehydrated and ensiled corn grain, finely or coarsely ground, on performance of young bulls finished in feedlot

We investigated the effects of corn grain, finely or coarsely ground, rehydrated and ensiled to 35% moisture in substitution of dry corn grain on performance of beef cattle in the feedlot. Forty non-castrated young Angus crossbred bulls with average age of 13±1.4 months and average initial body weight (BW) of 374±14 kg. The experiment was conducted in blocks by weight, and bulls were randomly assigned into four groups of five animals each in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The factors evaluated were particle size (finely and coarsely ground) and two grain sources (dry ground corn and rehydrated corn grain silage). The treatments were diets containing dry corn grain, finely ground (DCF; 1.86 mm); dry corn grain, coarsely ground (DCC; 3.53 mm); rehydrated and ensiled corn grain, finely ground (RCF; 1.86 mm); and rehydrated and ensiled corn grain, coarsely ground (RCC; 3.53 mm). Initial BW, final BW, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, and intake of dry matter (DMI), acid detergent fiber, and metabolizable energy were not affected by treatment. Ensiling corn grain decreased DMI by 10.3% (11.6 vs. 10.4 kg/d for dry and ensiled, respectively) and increased feed efficiency by 13.3% (0.13 vs. 0.15 kg/d for dry and ensiled, respectively), but there was no effect of particle size, grain source, and their interaction on ADG. Effects of particle size and grain source were observed for fecal starch and total tract starch digestion, with evidence that treatments containing rehydrated corn diets showed greater efficiency in the utilization of dietary starch. Animals fed RCF diets showed lower fecal starch losses of 37, 55, and 75% when compared with treatments RCC, DCF, and DCC, respectively. Our results suggested that ensiled rehydrated corn grain improves feed efficiency in substitution of dry corn grain. The finely and coarsely ground of rehydrated and ensiled corn grain increases the digestibility of starch for finishing cattle in feedlot.(AU)

Case Report: Functional Analysis and Neuropsychological Evaluation of Dyshormonogenetic Fetal Goiter in Siblings Caused by Novel Compound Hyterozygous TPO Gene Mutations.

Introduction: It is rare for a euthyroid mother to carry a child with a fetal goiter. However, cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) caused by thyroid dyshormonogenesis have been reported. Even though gene mutations associated with fetal goiter have been reported in a few studies, the effects on intellectual development have not been investigated. This study aimed to characterize and investigate the underlying genetic mechanism of CH and neuropsychological development and growth of two siblings with CH-induced fetal goiters. Case report: Two male siblings from a non-consanguineous marriage with CH and fetal goiter were diagnosed by ultrasonography at 32- and 26-weeks of gestation. This condition was confirmed by cordocentesis in the first pregnancy (TSH: 135 µIU/ml). The mother was euthyroid, and no intra-amniotic levothyroxine treatment was performed. Peripheral blood DNA was screened for TPO mutations. The new deletion p.Cys296Alafs*21 and the p.Arg665Trp mutation, inherited from heterozygous parents, were identified in both patients. Functional analysis showed both mutations reduced the TPO enzyme activity and impaired the membrane localization. The p.Cys296Alafs*21 mutation produces a protein product with a drastically reduced molecular weight. Additionally, a complete clinical and neuropsychological evaluation was also performed. The WISC IV test was employed to provide an overall measure of the siblings' cognitive and intellectual abilities. No growth retardation was detected in either child. In general, both children showed normal neuropsychological development; however, they exhibited slight reduction of Processing Speed Index scores, which are sensitive to neurological and attentional factors and motor maturation activity. Notably, the younger sibling obtained significantly low scores in the Operational Memory Index, a measure of attention capacity and psychoneurological immaturity. Conclusion: We described a new TPO compound heterozygosity that severely impaired the TPO activity and membrane localization leading to severe CH and fetal goiter. This is the first report showing the neuropsychological evaluation in patients with dyshormonogenetic fetal goiter. More studies are needed to understand the neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates with CH-induced fetal goiters.

Crithidia mellificae infection in different mammalian species in Brazil.

Crithidia mellificae, a monoxenous trypanosomatid considered restricted to insects, was recently reported to infect a bat. Herein, C. mellificae has been demonstrated to have a wider range of vertebrate hosts and distribution in Brazilian biomes than once thought. Parasites isolated from haemocultures were characterized using V7V8 SSU rDNA and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. Coatis (Nasua nasua) in the Cerrado; marmosets (Callithrix sp.) and bats (Carollia perspicillata, Myotis lavali, M. izecksohni, Artibeus lituratus) in the Atlantic Forest; crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Pantanal biomes were infected by trypanosomatids that displayed choanomastigote forms in haemoculture in Giemsa-stained slide smears. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic inference confirmed the infection of C. mellificae in these animals. Moreover, slight differences in C. mellificae sequences were observed. Crithidia mellificae growth curves were counted at 27°C, 36°C and 37°C, and the morphotypes were able to grow and survive for up to 16 days. Serological titers for C. mellificae were observed in nonhuman primates, demonstrating that this parasite is able to induce a humoral immune response in an infected mammal. These results showed that host specificity in trypanosomatids is complex and far from understood.

Anticariogenic activities of Libidibia ferrea, gallic acid and ethyl gallate against Streptococcus mutans in biofilm model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Brazil, ethnopharmacological studies show that Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz is commonly used in folk medicine as an antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. In the Amazon region, the dried fruit powder of L. ferrea are widely used empirically by the population in an alcoholic tincture as an antimicrobial mouthwash in oral infections and the infusion is also recommended for healing oral wounds. However, there are few articles that have evaluated the antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens in a biofilm model, identifying active compounds and mechanisms of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-adherence activities of the ethanolic extract, fractions and isolated compounds (gallic acid and ethyl gallate) of the fruit and seed of L. ferrea against Streptococcus mutans. The inhibition of acidicity/acidogenicity and the expression of the S. mutans GTF genes in biofilms were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Cell Adhesion (MICA) were evaluated with ethanolic extract (EELF), fractions, gallic acid (GA) and ethyl gallate (EG) against S. mutans. Inhibition of biofilm formation, pH drop and proton permeability tests were conducted with EELF, GA and EG, and also evaluated the expression of the GTF genes in biofilms. The compounds of dichloromethane fraction were identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: This is the first report of shikimic, pyroglutamic, malic and protocatechuic acids identified in L. ferrea. EELF, GA and EG showed MIC at 250 µg/mL, and MBC at 1000 µg/mL by EELF. EELF biofilms showed reduced dry weight and acidogenicity of S. mutans in biofilms. GA and EG reduced viable cells, glucans soluble in alkali, acidogenicity, aciduricity and downregulated expression of gtfB, gtfC and gtfD genes in biofilms. SEM images of GA and EG biofilms showed a reduction of biomass, exopolysaccharide and microcolonies of S. mutans. CONCLUSIONS: The ethanolic extract of fruit and seed of L. ferrea, gallic acid and ethyl gallate showed great antimicrobial activity and inhibition of adhesion, reduction of acidogenicity and aciduricity in S. mutans biofilms. The results obtained in vitro validate the use of this plant in ethnopharmacology, and open opportunities for the development of new oral anticariogenic agents, originated by plants that can inhibit pathogenic biofilm that leads to the development of caries.

Multigenerational Toxic Effects on Daphnia magna Induced by Silver Nanoparticles and Glyphosate Mixture.

Multigenerational toxicological effects of a binary mixture of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with glyphosate were identified in Daphnia magna using acute and chronic toxicity tests. Acute toxicity interactions were analyzed with the Abbott method. In the chronic tests, the survival, growth, reproduction, and age at first brood were evaluated for the parents and the exposed (F1E) and non-exposed (F1NE) descendants. The scales tested for binary mixture, at the acute level, presented antagonistic and additive interactions, possibly associated with the complexation of the AgNPs by glyphosate. Multigenerational chronic effects related to the parameters, reproduction, and age at first brood were observed in the descendants tested with the individual compounds, with no recovery for F1E and F1NE. In organisms exposed to binary mixture, there was a delay in the age at first brood and also a significant change in the reproduction parameter, with a strong reduction for the parents, F1E, and F1NE, indicating a higher toxicity than the compounds tested individually. Although the results for acute interactions between AgNP and glyphosate did not provide clear evidence, multigenerational chronic binary mixture trials have resulted in unexpected toxicity compared with individual treatments, increasing the concerns associated with this co-exposure in other scenarios. Therefore, the interaction of binary mixture with the organisms merits further investigation and the results reported in the present study will be useful in this regard. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1123-1131. © 2020 SETAC.

Effects of the types of sealing on chemical-fermentation characteristics of corn silage from the feed out face of trench silos / Efeito do tipo de vedação sobre características químico-fermentativas da silagem de milho na porção inicial de silos trincheira

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different types of sealing on the physical losses of dry matter, chemical and fermentation characteristics and in situ digestibility of the dry matter of corn silage stored in the feed out face (ramp) of trench silos. The experimental design used randomized blocks, composed of three treatments, namely: T1 - corn silage preserved with double-sided polyethylene of 110 µm thickness (conventional seal); T2 - corn silage preserved with double-sided polyethylene of 200 µm thickness (double-sided); and T3 - corn silage preserved with oxygen-impermeable film composed of double-sided polyethylene of 80 µm thickness on a translucent vacuum polyamide film of 20 µm thickness (double sealing), with four repetitions each. The use of double-sided polyethylene with 200 µm thickness (double-sided) and oxygen impermeable film composed of double-sided polyethylene and polyamide (double sealing), were effective in preserving the chemical composition, fermentation profile, raw protein composition and fiber quality, in addition, the use of these polymers resulted in greater ruminal digestibility of dry matter and reduced the pH, temperature, temperature gradient and physical losses of corn silage from the feed out face (ramp) of trench silos compared to the conventional sealing.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência dos diferentes tipos de vedação sobre as perdas físicas de matéria seca, as características químicas, fermentativas e digestibilidade in situ da matéria seca da silagem de milho armazenada na porção inicial (rampa) de silos trincheira. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, compostos por três tratamentos, sendo esses: T1 - silagem de milho conservada com polietileno dupla face com espessura de 110 µm (vedação convencional); T2 - silagem de milho conservada com polietileno dupla face com espessura de 200 µm (vedação dupla face); e T3 - silagem de milho conservada com película impermeável ao oxigênio composta de polietileno dupla face com espessura de 80 µm sobreposta a uma película de poliamida translúcida a vácuo com espessura de 20 µm (dupla vedação), com quarto repetições cada. O uso de polietileno de dupla face com espessura de 200 µm (vedação dupla face) e o filme impermeável ao oxigênio composto de polietileno de dupla face e poliamida (dupla vedação), foram eficazes na conservação da composição química, perfil de fermentação, composição da proteína bruta e qualidade da fibra, além disso, o uso desses materiais na vedação proporcionou maior digestibilidade ruminal da matéria seca e reduziu os índices de pH, temperatura, gradiente de temperatura e perdas físicas de silagem de milho da porção inicial dos silos trincheira em comparação com o tipo de vedação convencional.

Effects of the types of sealing on chemical-fermentation characteristics of corn silage from the feed out face of trench silos / Efeito do tipo de vedação sobre características químico-fermentativas da silagem de milho na porção inicial de silos trincheira

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different types of sealing on the physical losses of dry matter, chemical and fermentation characteristics and in situ digestibility of the dry matter of corn silage stored in the feed out face (ramp) of trench silos. The experimental design used randomized blocks, composed of three treatments, namely: T1 - corn silage preserved with double-sided polyethylene of 110 µm thickness (conventional seal); T2 - corn silage preserved with double-sided polyethylene of 200 µm thickness (double-sided); and T3 - corn silage preserved with oxygen-impermeable film composed of double-sided polyethylene of 80 µm thickness on a translucent vacuum polyamide film of 20 µm thickness (double sealing), with four repetitions each. The use of double-sided polyethylene with 200 µm thickness (double-sided) and oxygen impermeable film composed of double-sided polyethylene and polyamide (double sealing), were effective in preserving the chemical composition, fermentation profile, raw protein composition and fiber quality, in addition, the use of these polymers resulted in greater ruminal digestibility of dry matter and reduced the pH, temperature, temperature gradient and physical losses of corn silage from the feed out face (ramp) of trench silos compared to the conventional sealing.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência dos diferentes tipos de vedação sobre as perdas físicas de matéria seca, as características químicas, fermentativas e digestibilidade in situ da matéria seca da silagem de milho armazenada na porção inicial (rampa) de silos trincheira. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, compostos por três tratamentos, sendo esses: T1 - silagem de milho conservada com polietileno dupla face com espessura de 110 µm (vedação convencional); T2 - silagem de milho conservada com polietileno dupla face com espessura de 200 µm (vedação dupla face); e T3 - silagem de milho conservada com película impermeável ao oxigênio composta de polietileno dupla face com espessura de 80 µm sobreposta a uma película de poliamida translúcida a vácuo com espessura de 20 µm (dupla vedação), com quarto repetições cada. O uso de polietileno de dupla face com espessura de 200 µm (vedação dupla face) e o filme impermeável ao oxigênio composto de polietileno de dupla face e poliamida (dupla vedação), foram eficazes na conservação da composição química, perfil de fermentação, composição da proteína bruta e qualidade da fibra, além disso, o uso desses materiais na vedação proporcionou maior digestibilidade ruminal da matéria seca e reduziu os índices de pH, temperatura, gradiente de temperatura e perdas físicas de silagem de milho da porção inicial dos silos trincheira em comparação com o tipo de vedação convencional.(AU)

Effects of including autolyzed yeast in the finishing of feedlot steers / Efeitos da inclusão de leveduras autolisadas na terminação de novilhos confinados

Functional additives, such as autolyzed yeasts, have been used to achieve greater production efficiency and animal health. These compounds are also alternatives to the use of performance-enhancing antimicrobials. The objective was to evaluate the productive performance, ingestive behavior, apparent digestibility of feed DM and the carcass characteristics of beef steers finished in feedlot receiving autolyzed yeasts in the diet. The experimental design was randomized blocks, consisting of three treatments and six repetitions, where each repetition was represented by a stall with two animals. 36 bulls, ½ Angus × ½ Nelore blood, from the same herd, with an average age of 11 months and an average body weight of ± 330 kg were used. The treatments were as follows: CON - yeast-free diet; Y4 - yeast diet (4 g animal day-1) and Y7 - yeast diet (7 g animal day-1). The product used is a functional ingredient containing the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The inclusion of autolyzed yeasts resulted in greater daily body weight gain and better feed conversion in the initial feedlot phase. The apparent digestibility of DM of diets containing autolyzed yeast was superior to the control diet, and its use did not interfere with the animal ingestive behavior. Supplementation with autolyzed yeasts at the inclusion level of 4 g day-1 promoted better results in the finishing of feedlot steers, and that the supplemented groups (4 g animal day-1 and 7 g animal day-1) achieved the same degree of carcass finishing, higher than the control group.(AU)

Os aditivos funcionais como as leveduras autolisadas têm sido usados com objetivo de proporcionar maior eficiência produtiva e saúde animal. Tais compostos são também alternativas ao uso de antimicrobianos melhoradores do desempenho. Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo, o comportamento ingestivo, a digestibilidade aparente da MS da ração e as características de carcaça de novilhos de corte terminados em confinamento sob efeito da inclusão de levedura autolisada na dieta. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, constituído de três tratamentos e seis repetições, onde cada repetição foi representada por uma baia com dois animais. Utilizou-se 36 novilhos inteiros, ½ Angus × ½ Nelore, provenientes de mesmo rebanho, com idade média de 11 meses e peso corporal médio inicial de 330 ± 9,8 kg. Os tratamentos foram assim designados: CON - dieta sem leveduras; Y4­ dieta com leveduras (4 g animal dia-1) e Y7 ­ dieta com leveduras (7 g animal dia-1). O produto utilizado é um ingrediente funcional obtido a partir da levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae. O uso de leveduras autolisadas promoveu maior ganho de peso corporal diário e melhor conversão alimentar na fase inicial do confinamento. A digestibilidade aparente da MS das dietas que continham levedura autolisada foi superior a dieta controle, e seu uso não interferiu no comportamento ingestivo dos animais. Pode-se concluir que a suplementação com leveduras autolisadas ao nível de inclusão de 4 g dia-1 determinou melhores resultados na terminação dos novilhos confinados, e que os grupos suplementados com 4 g animal dia-1 e 7 g animal dia-1 alcançaram o mesmo grau de acabamento de carcaça, superiores ao grupo controle.(AU)

Uma Experiência Estética e didática sobre ciência e tecnologia por meio da literatura / An Aesthetic and Didactic Experience on Science and Technology based on Literature

Resumo Introdução: Discutimos o Potencial Estético-Formativo da Literatura para uma Crítica Estética da tecnologia em seus diversos âmbitos entre estudante dos cursos superiores em Tecnologia em Saúde da UNIFESP. Objetivos: Verificar o potencial estético da literatura para pensar a tecnologia. Metodologia: Leitura de clássicos da literatura universal por meio da Metodologia do Laboratório de Humanidades e Tecnologia, atividade complementar oferecida aos estudantes dos cursos de tecnologia em saúde da UNIFESP. Para coleta dos dados usamos da Observação Participante e História Oral de Vida. Análise fundamentada na Fenomenologia Hermenêutica. Resultados: Com base em uma compreensão Estética da formação da Racionalidade humana, nossa atividade parece ser capaz de promover a análise crítica da tecnologia sob diversos âmbitos, tanto conceituais quanto para uma prática social e produtiva. Conclusão: Sugerimos a metodologia do LabHumTec como meio de possibilitar uma formação estética e humanística para produção e inovação tecnológica.

Abstract Introduction: This paper reflects the Aesthetic-Formative Potential of Literature, considering the various aspects of Aesthetic Criticism of technology, which were discussed among undergraduate students of Health Technology at UNIFESP. Objectives: Our aim is to analyze the aesthetic potential of literature to think about technology. Methodology: Reading and discussions based on classics from universal literature during the meetings of the Complementary Activity, named Methodology of the Humanities and Technology Laboratory, which was offered to students of Health Technology courses at UNIFESP. For data collection, we used Participant Observation and Oral History of Life methods. The analysis was based on Hermeneutic Phenomenology. Results: Based on an Aesthetic understanding of the formation of Human Rationality, our activity seems capable of promoting the critical analysis of science and technology in various areas, both conceptual and social and productive practice. Conclusion: This research suggests the LabHumTec methodology as a way to enable an aesthetic and humanistic formation for production and technological innovation.

Production, physicochemical quality and antioxidant capacity of 'Niagara Rosada' grape grafted on different rootstocks / Produção, qualidade físico-química e capacidade antioxidante da uva 'Niagara Rosada' sobre diferentes porta-enxertos

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of rootstocks on grape production, quality and antioxidant capacity of 'Niagara Rosada' grape in two productive cycles. The work was developed in Jundiaí-SP, Brazil (26° 06' S, 46° 55' W and an average altitude of 745 m). The experimental design was in randomized blocks with subdivided plots, the plots being represented by the rootstocks and the subplots by the production cycles, with four replications, each consisting of 6 plants. The treatments consisted of a combination of 'IAC 313 Tropical', 'IAC 572 Jales', 'IAC 571-6 Jundiaí', 'IAC 766 Campinas' and '106-8 Mgt' as rootstocks and 'Niagara Rosada' as graft, and the production cycles were 2013 and 2014. The number of bunches, production and productivity of the vines, the physical characteristics of bunches, berries and stalks and the physicochemical composition of the must (soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH and the relation soluble solids/titratable acidity) were evaluated in production cycles of 2013 and 2014). The content of chlorophylls, anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids and total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of grapes were also evaluated in grape berries. The rootstocks did not influence the production and physical quality of 'Niagara Rosada' grapes. As for the chemical characteristics, rootstocks only had an effect on solids content, and 'IAC 766' and '106-8 Mgt' rootstocks promoted higher values of this characteristic. Likewise, the total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of the grapes were not influenced by the studied rootstocks. The vines in 2013 presented higher production and better physical characteristics of the grapes, however, the soluble solids content in this cycle was lower than in 2014.

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de porta-enxertos na produção da videira, na qualidade e capacidade antioxidante da uva 'Niagara Rosada' em dois ciclos produtivos. O trabalho foi realizado em Jundiaí-SP, Brasil (26° 06' S, 46° 55' W e uma altitude média de 745m). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos causalizados em parcelas subdivididas, as parcelas foram representas pelos porta-enxertos e as subparcelas pelos ciclos de produção, com quatro repetições, constituídas de 6 plantas. Os tratamentos consistiram na combinação entre os porta-enxertos 'IAC 313 Tropical', 'IAC 572 Jales', 'IAC 571-6 Jundiaí', 'IAC 766 Campinas' e '106-8 Mgt' e a variedade copa 'Niagara Rosada', e os ciclos produtivos de 2013 e 2014. O número de cachos, produção e produtividade das videiras, as características físicas de cachos, bagas e engaços e a composição físico-química do mosto (teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, pH e relação sólidos solúveis/acidez titulável) foram avaliados nos ciclos de produção de 2013 e 2014. Avaliou-se ainda nas bagas das uvas o conteúdo de clorofilas, antocianinas, carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante. Os porta-enxertos não influenciaram a produção e a qualidade física da uva 'Niagara Rosada'. Quanto as características químicas houve efeito dos porta-enxertos apenas no teor de sólidos solúveis, sendo que os porta-enxertos 'IAC 766' e '106-8 Mgt' promoveram maiores valores dessa característica. Da mesma forma, os compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante das uvas não foram influenciados pelos porta-enxertos estudados. As videiras, em 2013 apresentaram maior produção e melhores características físicas das uvas, no entanto, o teor de sólidos solúveis nesse ciclo foi inferior ao de 2014.

Probabilistic model for assessing occupational risk during the handling of nanomaterials.

Exposure to nanomaterials (NMs) can be considered as human, occupational or environmental. Occupational exposure may be experienced by the workers and/or researchers who develop and produce these products and the hazards inherent to exposure are not yet fully known. Quantitative and qualitative methods are available to estimate the occupational risks associated with the handling of NMs, however, both have limitations. In this context, the objective of this study was to create a Bayesian network (BN) that will allow an assessment of the occupational risk associated with the handling of NMs in research laboratories. The BN was developed considered variables related to exposure, the hazards associated with NMs and also the existing control measures in the work environment, such as collective protection equipment (CPE), administrative measures and personal protection equipment (PPE). In addition to assessing the occupational risk, simulations were carried out by the laboratory manager to obtain information on which actions should be taken to reduce the risk. The development of a BN to assess the occupational risk associated with the handling of NMs is a novel aspect of this study. As a distinctive feature, the BN has measurement control variables in addition to considering CPE, administrative measures and PPE. An advantage of this network in relation to other risk assessment models is that it allows the easy execution of simulations and provides a guide for a decision making by identifying which actions should be taken to minimize the risk.

Toxicity of binary mixtures of Al2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles toward fibroblast and bronchial epithelium cells.

The objective of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effects of binary mixtures of Al2O3 and ZnO NPs using mouse fibroblast cells (L929) and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) as biological test systems. The synergistic, additive, or antagonistic behavior of the binary mixture was also investigated. In toxicity experiments, cellular morphology, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), apoptosis, nuclear size and shape, clonogenic assays, and damage based upon oxidative stress parameters were assessed under control and NPs exposure conditions. Although Abbott modeling results provided no clear evidence of the binary mixture of Al2O3 and ZnO NPs exhibiting synergistic toxicity, some specific assays such as apoptosis, nuclear size and shape, clonogenic assay, activities of antioxidant enzymatic enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and levels of glutathione resulted in enhanced toxicity for the mixtures with 1 and 1.75 toxic units (TU) toward both cell types. Data demonstrated that co-presence of Al2O3 and ZnO NPs in the same environment might lead to more realistic environmental conditions. Our findings indicate cytotoxicity of binary mixtures of Al2O3 and ZnO NPs produced greater effects compared to toxicity of either individual compound.