Cotton genotypes selection through artificial neural networks.

Breeding programs currently use statistical analysis to assist in the identification of superior genotypes at various stages of a cultivar's development. Differently from these analyses, the computational intelligence approach has been little explored in genetic improvement of cotton. Thus, this study was carried out with the objective of presenting the use of artificial neural networks as auxiliary tools in the improvement of the cotton to improve fiber quality. To demonstrate the applicability of this approach, this research was carried out using the evaluation data of 40 genotypes. In order to classify the genotypes for fiber quality, the artificial neural networks were trained with replicate data of 20 genotypes of cotton evaluated in the harvests of 2013/14 and 2014/15, regarding fiber length, uniformity of length, fiber strength, micronaire index, elongation, short fiber index, maturity index, reflectance degree, and fiber quality index. This quality index was estimated by means of a weighted average on the determined score (1 to 5) of each characteristic of the HVI evaluated, according to its industry standards. The artificial neural networks presented a high capacity of correct classification of the 20 selected genotypes based on the fiber quality index, so that when using fiber length associated with the short fiber index, fiber maturation, and micronaire index, the artificial neural networks presented better results than using only fiber length and previous associations. It was also observed that to submit data of means of new genotypes to the neural networks trained with data of repetition, provides better results of classification of the genotypes. When observing the results obtained in the present study, it was verified that the artificial neural networks present great potential to be used in the different stages of a genetic improvement program of the cotton, aiming at the improvement of the fiber quality of the future cultivars.

Evaluation of genetic diversity among soybean (Glycine max) genotypes using univariate and multivariate analysis.

The genetic diversity study has paramount importance in breeding programs; hence, it allows selection and choice of the parental genetic divergence, which have the agronomic traits desired by the breeder. This study aimed to characterize the genetic divergence between 24 soybean genotypes through their agronomic traits, using multivariate clustering methods to select the potential genitors for the promising hybrid combinations. Six agronomic traits evaluated were number of days to flowering and maturity, plant height at flowering and maturity, insertion height of the first pod, and yield. The genetic divergence evaluated by multivariate analysis that esteemed first the Mahalanobis' generalized distance (D2), then the clustering using Tocher's optimization methods, and then the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA). Tocher's optimization method and the UPGMA agreed with the groups' constitution between each other, the formation of eight distinct groups according Tocher's method and seven distinct groups using UPGMA. The trait number of days for flowering (45.66%) was the most efficient to explain dissimilarity between genotypes, and must be one of the main traits considered by the breeder in the moment of genitors choice in soybean-breeding programs. The genetic variability allowed the identification of dissimilar genotypes and with superior performances. The hybridizations UFU 18 x UFUS CARAJÁS, UFU 15 x UFU 13, and UFU 13 x UFUS CARAJÁS are promising to obtain superior segregating populations, which enable the development of more productive genotypes.

Breast feeding among Brazilian adolescents: practice and needs.

OBJECTIVES: to characterise breast feeding practices among Brazilian adolescents and identify their breast feeding needs. METHODS: the study was undertaken in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil in two stages. The first stage analysed data from the Second National Survey of Breast-feeding Prevalence, held in August 2008, which included 229 adolescent mothers. The second stage was a qualitative approach, and involved interviews with 10 adolescent mothers in a primary care unit. The data from the first stage were analysed in June 2010 based on descriptive statistics. The data obtained from the interviews were transcribed and organised using thematic content analysis. FINDINGS: breast feeding was reported by 75% of the adolescent mothers. Of the 144 mothers with infants aged <180 days, 84% reported that they were breast feeding: 19% were breast feeding exclusively, 17% were breast feeding predominantly, 49% were providing complementary feeding, and 16% had weaned their infants. Analysis of the interviews led to the identification of three thematic units: concern for the child's health; breast feeding difficulties; and health team and family support. CONCLUSIONS: the majority of the adolescent mothers presented conditions that were favourable to breast feeding (e.g. did not work outside the home, only had one child, breast fed in the first hour post partum). However, the practice of breast feeding still failed to meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The interviews led to identification of the breast feeding needs and demands of adolescent mothers, many of which were related to the needs of their infants. It is important to know what adolescent mothers think about breast feeding, in order to encourage the establishment of practices to keep breastfeeding as longer as possible in a satisfactory way for both mothers and infants.

Detection and expression of bovine papillomavirus in blood of healthy and papillomatosis-affected cattle.

Papillomaviruses (PV) are double-stranded DNA viruses that can cause benignant and malignant tumors in amniotes. There are 13 types of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1 to -13); they have been found in reproductive tissues and body fluids. Normally these viruses are detected in epithelial tissue. We looked for BPV in the blood of healthy cattle and cattle with papillomatosis, using PCR and RT-PCR. BPV types 1 and 2 were detected in 8/12 blood samples of asymptomatic bovines and in 8/9 samples from cattle with papillomatosis. Six of 8 asymptomatic samples positive for BPV also showed expression for BPV. Five of 6 samples were positive for E2 expression, while 3/6 samples were positive for E5 expression. Five of 8 symptomatic samples positive for BPV also showed BPV expression. Five of 5 were positive for E2 expression, while 1/5 was positive for E5 expression. Two of 6 blood samples of asymptomatic cattle and 1/5 symptomatic blood samples scored positive for both E2 and E5 expression. This is the first study showing expression of BPV genes in the blood of asymptomatic and papillomatosis-affected animals.

Co-infection of Bovine Papillomavirus and feline-associated Papillomavirus in bovine cutaneous warts.

The diversity of papillomavirus (PV) found in bovine cutaneous warts from Brazilian cattle was evaluated using the PCR technique with the utilization of consensus primers MY09/11 and by PCR using Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) type-specific primers followed by sequencing. Eleven cutaneous warts from 6 cattle herds were selected. Six warts were positive for the presence of PV. The presence of BPV types 1, 2, 3, 6 and feline sarcoid-associated PV (FeSarPV) in cutaneous wart lesions, as well as the presence of co-infections, was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that FeSarPV is described co-infecting a cutaneous wart in Brazil. The present study confirms the previous finding of FeSarPV infecting cattle. These results show the necessity of more studies to investigate the diversity of PV in cattle, its diversity and the possibility of co-infection in cattle and other animals.

Patients with nephrolithiasis and blood hypertension have higher calciuria than those with isolated nephrolithiasis or hypertension?

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine urinary excretion of calcium, uric acid and sodium and to evaluate insulin resistance in patients with nephrolithiasis and blood hypertension, isolated and in association, and in healthy controls, in absence of obesity and diabetes. METHODS: The study included 83 non-obese or diabetic patients: 17 with nephrolithiasis and hypertension (group D); 25 with nephrolithiasis (group C); 17 with hypertension (group B) and 24 healthy controls (group A). Urinary analysis was done in 24-hour urine collection and insulin resistance was evaluated through the HOMA-IR index. RESULTS: Calciuria was higher in group D in relation to groups A (P<0.01), B (P<0.01) and C (P=0.01). There was no significant difference between groups A and B (P=0.32), A and C (P=0.10) and B and C (P=0.68). Correlation analysis between urinary calcium detected strong correlation with uric acid in group A, regular in groups B and C and, strong with sodium in groups B and C. No differences were detected in uric acid and sodium excretion or insulin resistance among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with blood hypertension and nephrolithiasis present higher calciuria than healthy people, with hypertension or with lithiasis and do not have the positive correlation observed in these latter groups with renal excretion of uric acid and sodium. These results suggest that impaired renal calcium reabsorption in non-obese or diabetic individuals is involved in the association between hypertension and urolithiasis.

226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th in scale and sludge samples from the Campos Basin oilfield E&P activities.

More than 40 scale and sludge samples from the Campos Basin oilfield were analysed in terms of 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th. Although the exact origin of the samples was not known, scale samples derived from production pipes and sludge samples from water-oil separation units. Reported values ranged from 0.13 to 331 kBq.kg(-1) for 226Ra, from 0.10 to 245 kBq.kg(-1) for 228Ra and <0.10 to 272 kBq.kg(-1) for 228Th in sludge samples. The concentrations in scales were much more regular than in sludges and ranged from 16.2 to 93.2 kBq.kg(-1) for 226Ra, from 4.0 to 36.9 kBq.kg(-1) for 228Ra and from 4.5 to 18.5 kBq.kg(-1) for 228Th. Based on the Basic Safety Standards recommendations and on the derived results, these activities cannot be regarded as exempted and specific procedures should be designed for their radiological control.

Structural study of the porcine Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1 gene and its 5'-flanking region.

The Na+/H+ exchanger is an ubiquitous mammalian plasma membrane protein that is important for the regulation of intracellular pH and cell volume. In order to provide some insight into the molecular basis of NHE1 expression we have isolated and characterized genomic DNA clones containing the coding region and 5'-flanking region of the porcine NHE1 gene. The gene spans more than 30 kb in length and consists of twelve exons that are flanked by typical splice donor and acceptor sequences at the exon-intron boundaries. The positions of the splicing sites are conserved in relation to the human NHE1 gene. The 5' distal transcription initiation site, identified by primer extension analysis, is positioned 766 bp upstream of the translation initiation codon and 36 bp downstream of a TATA box. A 5'-flanking region of 1.62 kb in length contains a number of potential regulatory elements, and exhibits several features that distinguish the pig gene from those of rabbit, mouse and human. The NHE1 gene is located in a CpG island. The promoter sequence of 500 bp is compared with that for NHE1 genes from different species. The homology between the porcine and the human, rabbit and mouse genes is 78, 76 and 75%, respectively. Several consensus elements for transcription factors, including AP-1, C/EBP, and Sp1 are phylogenetically conserved between pig and human, while AP3 and PEA3 are found only in pig. Some conserved elements are found in the pig in multiple copies. These results suggest broadly similar regulatory mechanisms for NHE1 transcription among the different mammalian species but show some species or tissue-specific differences.

[Accidents with children in the region of Campinas, Brazil] / Acidentes com crianças e sua evolução na região de Campinas, SP.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate prospectively the frequency and cause of accidents in children seen at the Pediatric Emergency Service of a University Hospital. The main aim is to subsidize the development of education and preventive programs.METHODS: Data of all children, less than 14 years old, from March 1997 to February 1998 were collected with a standard questionnaire.RESULTS: Accidents in 3,214 children were studied, 11.4% of the total. Males predominated (62.1%). Accidents were more common in the 9 to 13 year age group (33.4%), 2 to 5 year age group (27.2%) and 5 to 9 year group (25,5%). Traumatism, mainly due to falls, was the cause in 74%. Head trauma was important in the younger than 1 year, and trauma involving the extremities in the 9 to 13 age group. Bites and stings predominated in the 5 to 13 year age group, intoxication and foreign bodies in the 2 to 5 years age group. Burns predominated in the younger than 5 years. Most accidents (89.7%) were of low complexity but 20 patients had to be admitted to an ICU and 4 died in the Emergency Room.CONCLUSIONS: The child older than 9 years, male, with trauma of the extremities due to a fall was the most frequent case of accident. Prevention programs must be targeted to specific age ranges. Accidents are responsible for a great part of the overload of Emergency Services as 89.7% were of low complexity. Primary care health facilities personnel must be trained to manage accidents that do not involve complex procedures.

[Health assistance model and nursing care given to women planning to breast feed]. / O modelo assistencial de saúde e o atendimento de enfermagem prestado à mulher com vistas ao aleitamento materno (AM).

The present study shows that the nursing practices used on women's assistance, looking forward breast-feeding, transcend an individual technical action. It is known that the kind of assistance practiced will depend on the guidelines set by each institutional organization. These guidelines are based on a prevailed health model which is determined by social and organizational relations that are part of different societies and institutions. The objective of this study is to analyse the relation between the model of breast-feeding assistance established by SUS (Unique Health System) and the actual nursing practice within the Basic Health Units (UBS) of SMS-RP (Municipal Health Office of Ribeirão Preto). Semi-structured interviews with nursing workers were adopted in order to have a report of their practices concerning breast-feeding assistance. The data was examined on the basis of the analyses of content of Bardin (1977). Results showed that there is a considerable difference between the theoretical postulate, and the assistance that is actually practiced. This happens because the nursing practices are submitted to a biomedical model, centered on patients' complaints, which favors medical assistance actions and reinforces prompt assistance. For this reason the study couldn't detect any significant changes regarding the uniqueness of health actions. It was observed that some nursing workers were closer to a better understanding of women care assistance, however the daily determinations have hindered more concrete actions that could transform this practice.

[Inguinal hernia repair with the Shouldice technique]. / Repardo da hérnia inguinal pela técnica de Shouldice.

The authors analyze the result of Shouldice inguinal hernia repair in 1000 patients. In a total of 1034 hernias, 966 of them were unilateral and 68 bilateral. The hernias were indirect (61.7%), direct (24.9%) and combined (3.5%). There were 102 recurrent hernias (9.9%) and the mean age of the patients was 50 years. In most cases the patients were male (96.9%) and peasants (47.6%). The post-operative follow-up was annual in 65.8% of the patients, for a period up to 10 years. The recurrence rate was 0.8% in the cases of primary hernias and 4.9% in the case of recurrent ones.

[Prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni and parasitic intestinal diseases among students of the rural area of the Municipality of Jaboticatubas, MG, 1992-1993]. / Prevalência da esquistossomose mansoni e de parasitoses intestinais em escolares da área rural do Município de Jaboticatubas, MG, 1992-1993.

Students from a Rural Boarding house of UFMG School of Medicine performed a survey of prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni and other intestinal parasites in 20 rural schools in Jaboticatubas, MG. An evaluation of house and sanitation conditions was made and stool parasitological examinations were realised in all school children. It was noticed that 15.43% of the children presented S. mansoni's ova in stool--that was the most prevalent parasite. From the examinations we verify 13.76% positive cases for G. lamblia; 12.89% for S. stercoralis; 11.13% for A. lumbricoides; 9.96% for hookworms; 9.57% for E. histolytica. The other parasites appeared with lower prevalence. All the children that presented parasite's ova in stool received treatment. The result that was found shows that schistosomiasis mansoni is a very serious problem of public health and basic sanitation actions are necessary to the endemic control.