Cactus-sorghum intercropping combined with management interventions of planting density, row orientation and nitrogen fertilisation can optimise water use in dry regions.

Some strategies can optimise the use of water in crops under deficit, either by increasing yield or by reducing actual crop evapotranspiration (ET), to promote the sustainable intensification of production systems. The objective was to evaluate how the spacing, planting orientation, nitrogen fertilisation and intercropping strategies impact the dynamics of water in the soil, ET partitioning, and water use indicators for forage cactus and cactus-sorghum intercropping. Four experiments were conducted between 2018 and 2020 in the Brazilian semi-arid region. In the first two sites (I and II), the cladodes of the intercropped forage cactus and sorghum were spaced at 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 m with rows-oriented east-west and north-south. In site III, the intercropped rows were spaced at 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 m. Site IV, which contained the forage cactus crop exclusively, was treated with four nitrogen levels (50, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha-1). The management interventions improved water use more by increasing dry matter than by reducing ET in the cropping system. Intercropping promoted the greatest increase in water productivity (130 %). Increasing N doses in the forage cactus-only crop reduced ET by up to 39 % but increased deep drainage losses by up to 365 %. The most promising management practices for optimising water resources were as follows: spacing of 0.10 m between cactus plants in the intercropping trial under east-west row orientation, as it promoted greater water use efficiency (76 %); spacing of 0.30 m in the north-south orientation; and row spacing of 1.50 m, as it improved water productivity (6.89 kg m-3). Thus, interventions in management should be adopted to optimise water use in intercropping systems with forage cactus, aiming at sustainable intensification in dry environments.

N-Methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, the major bioactive compound from Sideroxylon obtusifolium, attenuates pilocarpine-induced injury in cultured astrocytes.

Glial cells have been implicated in temporal lobe epilepsy in humans and in its models. Astrocytes are lost in several brain regions after acute seizures induced by pilocarpine and may suffer hyperplasia at subsequent time points. This study investigated the effect of N-methyl-(2S,4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) on astrocytes exposed to cytotoxic concentrations of pilocarpine. Astrocytes were incubated with pilocarpine (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)=31.86 mM) for 24 h. Afterwards, they were treated with NMP at concentrations ranging from 3.12 to 100 µg/mL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) were analyzed by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and rhodamine-123 (Rho123), respectively. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC-1) were measured by western blot. Pilocarpine significantly decreased cell viability and mitochondrial potential and increased ROS concentration significantly by 6.7 times compared to the control. NMP concentrations ≥25 µg/mL protected astrocytes against pilocarpine-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, NMP reduced cytoplasmic ROS accumulation to 27.3, 24.8, and 12.3% in the groups treated with 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL NMP, respectively. NMP also protected mitochondria from pilocarpine-induced depolarization. These effects were associated with improvement of pilocarpine-induced GFAP and VDAC-1 overexpression, which are important biomarkers of astrocyte dysfunction. In conclusion, the improvement of ROS accumulation, VDAC-1 overexpression, and mitochondrial depolarization are possible mechanisms of the NMP protective action on reactive astrocytes.

N-Methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, the major bioactive compound from Sideroxylon obtusifolium, attenuates pilocarpine-induced injury in cultured astrocytes

Glial cells have been implicated in temporal lobe epilepsy in humans and in its models. Astrocytes are lost in several brain regions after acute seizures induced by pilocarpine and may suffer hyperplasia at subsequent time points. This study investigated the effect of N-methyl-(2S,4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) on astrocytes exposed to cytotoxic concentrations of pilocarpine. Astrocytes were incubated with pilocarpine (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)=31.86 mM) for 24 h. Afterwards, they were treated with NMP at concentrations ranging from 3.12 to 100 μg/mL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) were analyzed by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and rhodamine-123 (Rho123), respectively. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC-1) were measured by western blot. Pilocarpine significantly decreased cell viability and mitochondrial potential and increased ROS concentration significantly by 6.7 times compared to the control. NMP concentrations ≥25 µg/mL protected astrocytes against pilocarpine-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, NMP reduced cytoplasmic ROS accumulation to 27.3, 24.8, and 12.3% in the groups treated with 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL NMP, respectively. NMP also protected mitochondria from pilocarpine-induced depolarization. These effects were associated with improvement of pilocarpine-induced GFAP and VDAC-1 overexpression, which are important biomarkers of astrocyte dysfunction. In conclusion, the improvement of ROS accumulation, VDAC-1 overexpression, and mitochondrial depolarization are possible mechanisms of the NMP protective action on reactive astrocytes.

Dicke and Fano-Andreev reflections in a triple quantum-dot system.

This article studies quantum interference effects and their influence on the electronic transport through a parallel triple quantum-dot system coupled to normal and superconducting leads in the linear response and non-equilibrium regime. We model the system by a triple impurity Anderson Hamiltonian including the Coulomb intra-dot correlations in all quantum-dots. Using the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism, we calculate the Andreev conductance and the transmittance for energies within the superconductor gap. Our results show that the Andreev reflection spectra, both in the presence and absence of Coulomb interaction, reveal Fano and Dicke-like resonances in analogy to the Fano and Dicke effects in atomic physics. As one of the main results, we obtain that the charge shows abrupt changes due to the Dicke effect.

Biochemical characterization of pathogenic bacterial species using Raman spectroscopy and discrimination model based on selected spectral features.

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the Raman spectra of nine clinical species of bacteria isolated from infections (three Gram-positive and six Gram-negative species), correlating the spectra with the chemical composition of each species and to develop a classification model through discriminant analysis to categorize each bacterial strain using the peaks with the most significant differences. Bacteria were cultured in Mueller Hinton agar and a sample of biomass was harvested and placed in an aluminum sample holder. A total of 475 spectra from 115 different strains were obtained through a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm) with exposure time of 50 s. The intensities of the peaks were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the peaks with significant differences were related to the differences in the biochemical composition of the strains. Discriminant analysis based on quadratic distance applied to the peaks with the most significant differences and partial least squares applied to the whole spectrum showed 89.5% and 90.1% of global accuracy, respectively, for classification of the spectra in all the groups. Raman spectroscopy could be a promising technique to identify spectral differences related to the biochemical content of pathogenic microorganisms and to provide a faster diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Insatisfação com a imagem corporal e fatores associados em estudantes universitários / Dissatisfaction with body image and associated factors in university students

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal e os fatores associados entre universitários da área da saúde. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, de caráter transversal e abordagem quantitativa, com 364 acadêmicos matriculados em cinco cursos da área da saúde. Para a obtenção dos dados, foram utilizados seis instrumentos autoaplicáveis: questionário socioeconômico, demográfico e de hábitos de vida adaptado do Vigitel, o Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), o Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), o Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). Foram coletadas, ainda, as medidas antropométricas. A associação entre as variáveis estudadas e a insatisfação com a imagem corporal foi verificada por análise bivariada seguida de regressão logística, com variância robusta. Resultados Houve prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal de 9,1% entre os universitários. As variáveis que, após análise múltipla, se mostraram associadas a maior prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal foram: cor da pele não branca, realização de tratamento para perder peso, presença de atitudes para transtorno alimentar, estado de saúde regular/ruim, ansiedade moderada/grave e circunferência abdominal. Conclusão A prevalência com a insatisfação com a imagem corporal nos universitários foi baixa, entretanto fatores sociodemográficos, estilo de vida, estado de saúde e condições clínicas e antropométricas mostraram-se associados com a prevalência da insatisfação com a imagem corporal.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and associated factors among university students in the health field. Methods This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, with 364 students enrolled in five health courses. To obtain the data, six self-administered instruments were used: socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle habits adapted from Vigitel, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Anthropometric measurements were also collected. The association between the studied variables and dissatisfaction with body image was verified by bivariate analysis followed by logistic regression, with robust variance. Results There was a prevalence of body image dissatisfaction of 9.1% among university students. The variables that, after multiple analysis, were associated with a higher prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image were: non-white skin color, undergoing treatment to lose weight, presence of attitudes towards eating disorder, regular/poor health status, moderate/severe anxiety and waist circumference. Conclusion It is concluded that the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image in university students was low, however, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health status and clinical and anthropometric conditions were shown to be associated with the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image.

Estratégias formativas em serviços-escola de psicologia: revisão bibliográfica da produção científica / Educational strategies in psychology school-services: a bibliographic review of scientific publications / Estrategias de formación en servicios escolares de psicología: revisión bibliográfica de la producción científica

O artigo apresenta revisão bibliográfica sobre estratégias formativas em serviços-escola de Psicologia. Reúne artigos completos disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde em Psicologia (BVS-psi), publicados entre 2011 e 2015. A pesquisa a partir dos termos, em separado: formação de psicólogos; formação profissional e clínica-escola, identificou 13 artigos, que foram organizados em três blocos temáticos: ensino/transmissão da psicanálise; relatos de procedimentos pedagógicos; referências a supervisor e/ou supervisão. Ainda é expressiva, nas publicações, a presença da área da Psicologia Clínica, com destaque para a prática da psicoterapia. A psicanálise tem sido revisitada, em especial, quanto à possibilidade de sua transmissão na Universidade. Relatos de procedimentos pedagógicos e produções sobre a relação supervisão-estagiário/a têm a importante função de ampliar o debate sobre projeto político-pedagógico e sua execução na rotina das instituições de ensino e de serviços-escola. Entendemos que a psicanálise tem encontrado mediações para a questão que lhe é peculiar de questionar-se sobre a possibilidade de sua transmissão em instituição com regras próprias, como a Universidade. Os relatos de procedimentos explicitam estratégias micropolíticas na relação docente-estudante, supervisor/a-estagiário/a. As questões sobre supervisor/a e/ou supervisão indicam a complexidade de aspectos envolvidos na relação e as especificidades de vivência de cada um dos envolvidos. Consideramos que o tema em questão carece de estudos que explicitem estratégias macropolíticas de formação, bem como pesquisas que abordem o que se passa com o/a estagiário/a em seu processo formativo. Otimistas, acreditamos que a riqueza de experiências em torno das estratégias formativas, não necessariamente ganharam as páginas de periódicos...(AU)

The article presents a literature review on educational strategies in Psychology School-Services. It brings together complete articles available in the Virtual Library of Health in Psychology (BVS-psi), published between 2011 and 2015. The research of the terms, individually: training of psychologists; professional training and clinical-school, identified 13 articles, which were organized into three thematic blocks: teaching/transmission of psychoanalysis; reports of pedagogical procedures; references to supervisor and/or supervision. It is still expressive in the publications the presence of the area of Clinical Psychology, with emphasis on the practice of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis has been revised, in particular, regarding the possibility of its transmission in the University. Reports of pedagogical procedures and productions on the supervisor-intern relationship have the important function of broadening the debate on Psychology's political-pedagogical project and its execution in the routine of educational institutions and School-Services. We understand that psychoanalysis has found mediations for its peculiar question of the possibility of its transmission in an institution with its own rules, such as the University. The reports of procedures explain micropolitical strategies in the teacher-student relationship, supervisor/intern. Supervisory and/or supervision issues indicate the complexity of aspects involved in the relationship and the specificities of the experience of each of those involved. We consider that the subject in question needs studies that explain macro-political educational strategies, as well as research that addresses what happens to the intern in his/her educational process. Optimists, we believe that the wealth of experiences around the educational strategies hasn't necessarily been brought to the pages of journals...(AU)

El artículo presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre estrategias de capacitación en servicios escolares de psicología. Reúne artículos completos disponibles en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud en Psicología (BVS-psi), publicados entre 2011 y 2015. La investigación basada en los términos, por separado: capacitación de psicólogos; la formación profesional y la clínica-escuela identificaron 13 artículos, que se organizaron en tres bloques temáticos: enseñanza/transmisión del psicoanálisis; informes de procedimientos pedagógicos; referencias al supervisor y/o supervisión. La presencia del área de Psicología Clínica sigue siendo significativa en las publicaciones, con énfasis en la práctica de la psicoterapia. El psicoanálisis ha sido revisado, en particular, con respecto a la posibilidad de su transmisión en la Universidad. Los informes de procedimientos pedagógicos y producciones sobre la relación supervisión-pasante tienen la importante función de expandir el debate sobre el proyecto político-pedagógico y su ejecución en la rutina de las instituciones educativas y los servicios escolares. Entendemos que el psicoanálisis ha encontrado mediaciones para el tema que le es peculiar: cuestionarse sobre la posibilidad de su transmisión en una institución con sus propias reglas, como la Universidad. Los informes de procedimiento explican las estrategias micro-políticas en la relación profesor-alumno, supervisor(a)/pasante. Las preguntas sobre el supervisor(a) y/o supervisión indican la complejidad de los aspectos involucrados en la relación y los detalles de la experiencia de cada uno involucrado. Consideramos que el tema en cuestión carece de estudios que expliquen las estrategias de capacitación macro-política, así como de investigaciones que aborden lo que sucede con el pasante en su proceso de capacitación. Optimistas, creemos que la riqueza de experiencias en torno a las estrategias de capacitación, no necesariamente han tenido destaque en las páginas de los periódicos...(AU)

Correction: Health conditions associated with overweight in climacteric women.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218497.].

Health conditions associated with overweight in climacteric women.

This study aims to investigate the association between health conditions and overweight in climacteric women assisted by primary care professionals. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 874 women from 40 to 65 years of age, selected by probabilistic sampling between August 2014 and August 2015. In addition to the outcome variable, overweight and obesity, other variables such as sociodemographic, reproductive, clinical, eating and behavioural factors were evaluated. Descriptive analyses of the variables investigated were performed to determine their frequency distributions. Then, bivariate analyses were performed through Poisson regression. For the multivariate analyses, hierarchical Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with overweight and obesity in the climacteric period. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 74%. Attending public school (PR: 1.30-95% CI 1.14-1.50), less schooling (PR: 1.11-95% CI 1.01-1.23), gout (PR: 1.18-95% CI 1.16-1.44), kidney disease (PR: 1.18-95% CI 1.05-1.32), metabolic syndrome (MS) (PR: 1.19-95% CI 1.05-1.34) and fat intake (PR: 1.12-95% CI 1.02-1.23) were considered risk factors for overweight. Having the first birth after 18 years of age (PR: 0.89-95% CI 0.82 to 0.97) was shown to be a protective factor for overweight and obesity. The presence of overweight and obesity is associated with sociodemographic, reproductive, clinical and eating habits.

Análise comparativa de Ibuprofeno em diferentes formulações farmacêuticas através da espectroscopia Raman / Comparative analysis of Ibuprofen in different pharmaceutical formulations by Raman spectroscopy

Objetivo ­ Avaliar o uso da espectroscopia Raman como possível instrumento para a detecção do Ibuprofeno em diferentes formulações farmacêuticas a fim de se propor uma metodologia a ser utilizada em processos de controle de qualidade na produção destes medicamentos. Métodos ­ 05 amostras de cada grupo do medicamento (referência, genérico e similar) concentrado em 100 mg/dL, foram submetidas a espectroscopia Raman (espectrômetro dispersivo com 830 nm e 300 mW de excitação acoplado a um cabo de fibras ópticas Raman probe) e as aquisições foram replicadas 10 vezes de 3 segundos, com exposição total de 30 s para a coleta de cada espectro. Resultados ­ Ao se comparar o medicamento similar com o de referência, percebem-se picos mais elevados e largos no similar, principalmente nos deslocamentos de 510, 660 e 884 cm­1. Já os espectros dos medicamentos de referência e genérico mostraram-se mais semelhantes entre si. Conclusão ­ As três apresentações comerciais contêm o princípio ativo Ibuprofeno, porém os picos em diferentes intensidades sugerem diferentes concentrações nas formulações avaliadas.

Objective ­ To evaluate the use of Raman spectroscopy as a possible instrument for the detection of ibuprofen in different pharmaceutical formulations in order to propose a methodology to be used in quality control processes in the production of these drugs. Methods ­ 05 samples from each drug group (reference, 100 mg / dL, were subjected to Raman spectroscopy (830 nm dispersive spectrometer and 300 mW excitation coupled to a Raman probe fiber optic cable) and acquisitions replicated 10 times 3 seconds with exposure 30 s total for the collection of each spectrum. Results ­ When comparing the similar drug with the reference drug, higher and broader peaks in the similar one can be noticed, especially in the displacements of 510, 660 and 884 cm­1. Already the spectra of reference and generic drugs were more similar to each other. Conclusion ­ The three commercial presentations contain the active ingredient Ibuprofen, but the peaks at different intensities suggest different concentrations in the formulations evaluated.

Modalidades de atendimento à população por serviços-escola de Psicologia: panorama das publicações / Types of services available to the population by Psychology Training Clinics: a comprehensive view of publications

O artigo toma como objeto de estudo as modalidades disponibilizadas de atendimento à população por serviços-escola de Psicologia. Parte do pressuposto de que a formação e a atuação em Psicologia têm sido perpassadas por significativas mudanças no contexto sócio-histórico-político do Brasil. Das clássicas áreas educação, saúde e trabalho, a Psicologia passa a responder demandas de distintos campos da vida da população. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, quantitativoqualitativo, constituído de levantamento bibliográfico da produção científica (2011 a 2015) sobre o tema. Vinte e quatro artigos foram identificados na pesquisa e sistematizados em três blocos de conteúdo: atividades educacionais, de autoavaliação e clínicas. As publicações versam prioritariamente sobre atividades educacionais e clínicas, sendo estas as que reúnem maior quantidade de artigos. Devido à tarefa dirigida à Psicologia de responder a demandas com as quais historicamente não se envolveu, pelo menos de forma hegemônica, é indispensável problematizar o Serviço-escola em sua função pedagógica, ético-política e social.

This article investigates the types of service available to the population by Psychology Training Clinics. It is based on the assumption that training and practice in Psychology have been permeated by significant changes in the sociohistorical-political context of Brazil. From the classic fields of school, health and work, Psychology starts to respond to demands from different areas of population life. This is a descriptive, quantitative-qualitative study, consisting of a literature review on the subject (2011 to 2015). 24 articles were identified in the search of the literature and analysed in three content blocks: school, self-assessment and clinical activities. The publications are primarily about educational and clinical activities, and they bring together a greater number of articles. Due to the task directed to Psychology to respond to the demands with which it has historically not been involved, at least in a hegemonic way, it is indispensable to problematize the Psychology Training Clinic in its pedagogical, ethical-political and social function.

Trials with the Haemonchus vaccine, Barbervax®, in ewes and lambs in a tropical environment: Nutrient supplementation improves protection in periparturient ewes.

Haemonchus contortus is an economic problem in sheep farms worldwide, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. A vaccine against haemonchosis, called Barbervax®, was evaluated in ewes under two nutritional status, naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Ewes were divided into four groups: Supplemented Diet - Vaccine; Supplemented Diet - No vaccine; Basal Diet - Vaccine and Basal Diet - No vaccine. Their lambs were divided in Vaccinated and No vaccine. Ewes were immunised six times starting about 1 month of pregnancy with the first three doses at 3 week intervals and the last three shots at 4 week intervals. Supplemented ewes had higher body weight, body score and packed cell volume compared with those fed a basal diet. Both groups of vaccinated ewes showed a similar response in circulating anti-vaccine antibodies but the vaccine had no discernible effect on either body weight, body score and packed cell volume. There was a marked group difference in the number of ewes that received precautionary treatments with anthelmintic. All 14 Basal Diet - No vaccine ewes required treatment. In contrast only 7 ewes, in the Supplemented Diet - Vaccine group required anthelmintic treatment. In the Basal Diet - Vaccine and in the Supplemented Diet - No Vaccine groups, 12 and 13 ewes needed anthelmintic treatment, respectively. Vaccinated lambs showed much higher antibody titres resulting in 80% less Haemonchus spp. egg counts comparing with no vaccine lambs. Taken together these results clearly suggest that in pregnant and lactating ewes a combined protective effect between vaccination and improved nutrition resulted in fewer precautionary anthelmintic treatments. Thus, it was possible to achieve a more sustainable level of control of the haemonchosis, less dependent on anthelmintic drugs.

Spectral model for diagnosis of acute leukemias in whole blood and plasma through Raman spectroscopy.

Acute leukemias are oncohematological diseases that compromise the bone marrow and have a complex diagnostic definition, leading to a high mortality when diagnosed late. This study proposed to determine the spectral differences between whole blood and plasma samples of healthy and leukemic subjects based on Raman spectroscopy (RS), correlating these differences with their resulting biochemical alterations and performing discriminant analysis of the samples (n = 38 whole blood and n = 40 plasma samples). Raman spectra were obtained using a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830-nm wavelength, 280-mW laser power, 30-s exposure time) with a Raman probe. The exploratory analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) of the blood and plasma sample's spectra showed loading vectors with peaks related to amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and carotenoids, being the spectral differences related to amino acids and proteins for whole blood samples, and mainly carotenoids for plasma samples. Discriminant models based on partial least squares (PLS) and PCA were developed and classified the spectra as healthy or leukemic, with sensitivity of 91.9% (PLS) and 83.9% (PCA), specificity of 100% (both PLS and PCA), and overall accuracy of 96.5% (PLS) and 93.0% (PCA) for the whole blood spectra. In plasma, the sensitivity was 95.7% (PLS) and 11.6% (PCA), specificity of 98% (PLS) and 100% (PCA), and overall accuracy of 97.1% (PLS) and 64.1% (PCA). The study demonstrated that RS is a technique with potential to be applied in the diagnosis of acute leukemias in whole blood samples.

Anemia and associated factors in women at reproductive age in a Brazilian Northeastern municipality. / Anemia e fatores associados em mulheres de idade reprodutiva de um município do Nordeste brasileiro.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia and associated factors in women at reproductive age in the city of Vitoria de Santo Antão, Pernambuco. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 322 women aged between 15 and 49 years. Anemia was diagnosed by measuring hemoglobin below 12 g/dL. The independent variables were: demographic and socioeconomic conditions (age, race/color, education, literacy, presence of children aged < 5 years in the household, regime of residence occupation, ownership of assets, and per capita income), housing conditions (number of people in the household, number of bedrooms, and basic sanitation), food and nutrition security and women's health conditions (menarche, number of pregnancies, history of miscarriages, body mass index, and ferritin). Poisson regression was used to analyze the factors associated with anemia. RESULTS: The mean age of women surveyed was 31.1 ± 6.61 years old (standard deviation - SD) and the prevalence of anemia was 18.6% (95%CI 14.7 - 23.3). After multivariate analysis, anemia was significantly associated with age ≤ 19 years and low ferritin. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia is characterized as a mild public health problem and follows the world trend in developing countries.

Anemia e fatores associados em mulheres de idade reprodutiva de um município do Nordeste brasileiro / Anemia and associated factors in women at reproductive age in a Brazilian Northeastern municipality

RESUMO: Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de anemia e seus fatores associados em mulheres em idade reprodutiva do município de Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra representativa de 322 mulheres, com idade entre 15 e 49 anos. A anemia foi diagnosticada pela dosagem de hemoglobina abaixo de 12 g/dL. As variáveis independentes foram: condições demográficas e socioeconômicas (idade, raça/cor, escolaridade, alfabetização, presença de crianças com idade < 5 anos no domicílio, regime de ocupação de residência, posse de bens e renda familiar per capita), condições de moradia (número de pessoas no domicílio, número de dormitórios e condições de saneamento básico), segurança alimentar e nutricional e condições de saúde das mulheres (menarca, número de gestações, passado de abortos, índice de massa corporal e ferritina). A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para a análise dos fatores associados à anemia. Resultados: A média de idade das mulheres investigadas foi de 31,1 ± 6,61 anos (desvio padrão - DP) e a prevalência de anemia, de 18,6% (IC95% 14,7 - 23,3). Após análise multivariável, a anemia apresentou associação significativa com idade ≤ 19 anos e com baixo índice de ferritina. Conclusão: A prevalência de anemia encontrada se caracteriza como um problema de saúde pública de grau leve e segue a tendência mundial de países em desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To identify the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia and associated factors in women at reproductive age in the city of Vitoria de Santo Antão, Pernambuco. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 322 women aged between 15 and 49 years. Anemia was diagnosed by measuring hemoglobin below 12 g/dL. The independent variables were: demographic and socioeconomic conditions (age, race/color, education, literacy, presence of children aged < 5 years in the household, regime of residence occupation, ownership of assets, and per capita income), housing conditions (number of people in the household, number of bedrooms, and basic sanitation), food and nutrition security and women's health conditions (menarche, number of pregnancies, history of miscarriages, body mass index, and ferritin). Poisson regression was used to analyze the factors associated with anemia. Results: The mean age of women surveyed was 31.1 ± 6.61 years old (standard deviation - SD) and the prevalence of anemia was 18.6% (95%CI 14.7 - 23.3). After multivariate analysis, anemia was significantly associated with age ≤ 19 years and low ferritin. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia is characterized as a mild public health problem and follows the world trend in developing countries.

Biological and physicochemical properties of biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus jensenii P6A and Lactobacillus gasseri P65.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus species produce biosurfactants that can contribute to the bacteria's ability to prevent microbial infections associated with urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts and the skin. Here, we described the biological and physicochemical properties of biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus jensenii P6A and Lactobacillus gasseri P65. RESULTS: The biosurfactants produced by L. jensenii P6A and L. gasseri P65 reduced the water surface tension from 72 to 43.2 mN m-1 and 42.5 mN m-1 as their concentration increased up to the critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of 7.1 and 8.58 mg mL-1, respectively. Maximum emulsifying activity was obtained at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg mL-1 for the P6A and P65 strains, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data revealed that the biomolecules consist of a mixture of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The gas chromatography-mass spectrum analysis of L. jensenii P6A biosurfactant showed a major peak for 14-methypentadecanoic acid, which was the main fatty acid present in the biomolecule; conversely, eicosanoic acid dominated the biosurfactant produced by L. gasseri P65. Although both biosurfactants contain different percentages of the sugars galactose, glucose and ribose; rhamnose was only detected in the biomolecule produced by L. jensenii P6A. Emulsifying activities were stable after a 60-min incubation at 100 °C, at pH 2-10, and after the addition of potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, but not in the presence of sodium chloride. The biomolecules showed antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, with MIC values of 16 µg mL-1, and against Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 128 µg mL-1. The biosurfactants also disrupted preformed biofilms of microorganisms at varying concentrations, being more efficient against E. aerogenes (64%) (P6A biosurfactant), and E. coli (46.4%) and S. saprophyticus (39%) (P65 biosurfactant). Both strains of lactobacilli could also co-aggregate pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: This report presents the first characterization of biosurfactants produced by L. jensenii P6A and L. gasseri P65. The antimicrobial properties and stability of these biomolecules indicate their potential use as alternative antimicrobial agents in the medical field for applications against pathogens that are responsible for infections in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts and the skin.

Leiomiossarcoma gástrico associado a hérnia de hiato em cão da raça Shar-pei: relato de caso / Gastric leiomyosarcoma associated with hiatal hernia in a Shar-pei: a case report

Os tumores do sistema digestório não são comuns na medicina veterinária e as neoplasias de estômago representam menos de 1% de todos os tumores malignos. O leiomiossarcoma é o segundo tumor que mais acomete o trato gastrointestinal de cães, com predisposição para as regiões de jejuno e ceco, mas qualquer porção pode ser afetada, desde o esôfago até o reto. O presente trabalho relata um caso em um canino da raça Shar-pei, macho, com 13 anos de idade e histórico de episódios eméticos pós- prandiais e emagrecimento progressivo havia oito meses. Após avaliação radiográfica e endoscópica, foi indicada intervenção cirúrgica e observada tumoração gástrica associada a hérnia de hiato. O diagnóstico de leiomiossarcoma gástrico foi estabelecido por meio de análise histopatológica. O paciente apresentou pouco tempo de sobrevida, entretanto destaca-se a raridade desse tipo de neoplasia gástrica e da associação desse tipo tumoral com hérnias de hiato, assim como a importância da análise histopatológica para o correto diagnóstico desse tipo de patologia.(AU)

Gastrointestinal system tumors are not common in Veterinary Medicine and stomach neoplasia represents less than 1% of all malignant tumors. Among digestive neoplasias, the leiomyosarcoma is the second most common with predisposition to the regions of the jejunum and cecum, but any portion from the esophagus to rectum can be potentially affected. This is a case report of a 13-year-old male Shar-pei dog with medical history of post prandial emetic episodes and progressive weight loss lasting eight months. Surgical intervention was indicated after radiographs and endoscopic evaluation, where a gastric mass and hiatal hernia were found. The diagnosis of gastric leiomyosarcoma was established only after histopathological analysis. Despite the patient having little survival time, this clinical presentation of a gastric tumor associated with hiatal hernia is rare, and exalts the importance of histopathological studies as a tool for the correct diagnosis in these unusual diseases.(AU)

Effect of piglet castration with nonsurgical sterilant on the zootechnical performance and pork carcass quality / Efeito da castração de leitões com esterilizante não cirúrgico no desempenho zootécnico e na qualidade da carcaça suína

A non-surgical sterilant (NSS) was used with the objective of assessing the zootechnical performance, carcass and meat quality, and hormone levels. 90 male piglets were selected with birthweights varying between 1.5kg to 2.0kg. The control group was constituted of 45 males castrated by the conventional surgical method, at the seventh day of age, and the treated group was constituted of 45 males castrated with NSS (active principle of zinc gluconate in the concentration of 26.2mg/mL associated to the dimethyl sulfoxide at 0.5%), with the application of the first dose on the seventh day of age and the second dose on the fourteenth day of age. The zootechnical assessments were carried out on the farm and consisted: weight gain in the periods per animal and feed conversion. The slaughter of the animals and the assessment of the carcass and meat quality and hormone levels were carried out in a slaughterhouse and the municipality of Campinas (SP). The study demonstrated that the use of NSS was a viable alternative in relation to the zootechnical performance and the carcass quality. In relation to the meat quality there was no significant difference in the majority of the assessed parameters.(AU)

Foi utilizado esterilizante não cirúrgico (ENC) com o objetivo de se avaliar o desempenho zootécnico e a qualidade de carcaça, de carne e de níveis hormonais. Foram selecionados 90 leitões machos de peso entre 1,5kg e 2,0kg ao nascimento. O grupo controle foi constituído por 45 machos castrados pelo método cirúrgico convencional, ao sétimo dia de idade, e o grupo tratado foi constituído por 45 machos castrados com ENC (princípio ativo de gluconato de zinco na concentração de 26,2mg/mL associado ao dimetil sulfóxido a 0,5%), com primeira dose de aplicação ao sétimo dia de idade e a segunda dose ao 14° dia de idade. As avaliações consistiram de: ganho de peso nos períodos por animal e conversão alimentar. O abate dos animais e a avaliação da carne e de níveis hormonais foram realizados em um frigorífico, na cidade de Campinas (SP). O uso de ENC foi uma alternativa viável em relação ao desempenho zootécnico e à qualidade da carcaça. Em relação à qualidade da carne, não houve diferença significativa na maioria dos parâmetros avaliados.(AU)

Provável extrusão de núcleo pulposo aguda e não compressiva em um cão: relato de caso / Probable acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion in a dog: case report

A extrusão discal aguda e não compressiva é caracterizada pela extrusão de caráter agudo/hiperagudo e não compressivo do núcleo pulposo de um disco intervertebral não degenerado. Pode ser chamada de hérnia de disco de baixo volume e alta velocidade ou explosões discais e geralmente está associado a exercícios intensos ou episódios traumáticos. O núcleo pulposo é fortemente forçado através de uma pequena fissura no ânulo fibroso dorsal, provocando uma contusão espinhal. Este relato tem como objetivo apresentar um caso de provável extrusão aguda de núcleo pulposo não compressiva. Foi atendido um cão macho, três anos e seis meses de idade, maltês, pesando 4,1kg. Como queixa principal, o proprietário relatou dificuldade locomotora e dor à manipulação há um dia, sem histórico de trauma. Foi constatada paraparesia não ambulatória de início agudo com ausência de propriocepção e dor superficial em membros pélvicos e dor à palpação epaxial da coluna toracolombar. A ressonância magnética (RM) evidenciou extensa área de hipersinal em segmento toracolombar da medula espinhal, sem sinais de compressão medular e de atenuação da intensidade do núcleo pulposo do disco intervertebral L1-L2. Foi feito diagnóstico presuntivo de mielopatia focal não compressiva com edema medular de todo segmento toracolombar, característico de uma extrusão aguda de núcleo pulposo não compressiva. Foi prescrito tratamento com anti-inflamatório esteroidal, analgésico, repouso absoluto e protocolo de reabilitação com acupuntura e fisioterapia. Após sete dias de tratamento, o animal recuperou a sensibilidade dolorosa superficial em membros pélvicos e evoluiu para paraparesia ambulatória. Os resultados deste relato sugerem que a RM pode ser útil para fazer um diagnóstico presuntivo em cães com histórico e sinais clínicos compatíveis. Além disso, o tratamento conservativo em extrusões discais não compressivas é preconizado e o paciente pode apresentar boa recuperação.(AU)

Acute and non-compressive disc extrusion is characterized by the acute character of extrusion of the nucleus pulposus without real compression of the spine. It has been called low-volume and high speed disc herniation or disc explosions, and usually is associated with an intense exercise or traumatic episode. This report aims to present a case of an acute extrusion of nucleus pulposus with no compression of the spinal cord. A 3.5 year-old male dog of the Maltes breed, weighing 4.1kg was presented at the Veterinary Hospital with locomotion disorders and pain during manipulation with no history of trauma. At the physical and neurological examination, non-ambulatory paraparesis of acute onset with absence of proprioception and superficial pain in hind limbs was found, as well as pain on palpation of epaxial thoracolumbar spine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive hyper intense area in the thoracolumbar spinal cord, with no signs of spinal cord compression, and decreased intensity of the nucleus pulposus of the L1-L2 intervertebral disc. Additionally, a spinal cord edema in all thoracolumbar segments was seen that is characteristic of an acute extrusion of non-compressive nucleus pulposus. A presumptive diagnosis of non-compressive myelopathy was assumed. The dog was prescribed steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic, absolute rest and rehabilitation protocol, including acupuncture and physiotherapy. The patient recovered superficial pain in the pelvic limbs and evolved into ambulatory paraparesis after seven days. The results of this report suggested that MRI can be useful for making a presumptive diagnosis in dogs with a history of compatible clinical signs. Moreover, the conservative treatment in non-compressive disc extrusions can be feasible.(AU)