Sex distinctions regarding serum zinc levels in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE: Men and women exhibit different presentations in COVID-19. In X chromosome, changes in zinc finger domains cause disorders of sex development. So, we aimed to evaluate sex distinctions regarding serum zinc in severe COVID-19. METHOD: Data from electronic records of severe COVID-19 patients were correlated with serum zinc. Logistic regression investigated predictors and protectors of hypozincemia in men and women. RESULTS: We assessed 188 medical records (men = 114, women = 74). In men, low zinc was correlated with hypertension (cc = 0.303, p < 0.001), diabetes (cc = 0.198, p = 0.031), hemoglobin (cc = -0.258, p = 0.005), and albumin (cc = -0.219, p = 0.027). Low lymphocyte count (cc = 0.315, p = 0.005), C-reactive protein (cc = -0.248, p = 0.037), and enteral nutrition (cc = 0.269, p = 0.016) were correlated with hypozincemia in women. Age correlated with low zinc in men (c = -0.304, p = 0.001) and women (cc = -0.298, p = 0.010). In men, hypertension (OR = 4.905, p = 0.005) and lymphopenia (OR = -0.999, p = 0.019) were low zinc predictors, while lung injury > 50% was a protective factor (OR = -0.280, p = 0.025). Lymphopenia (OR = -0.999, p = 0.005) and difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) (OR = 4.359, p = 0.036) were predictors of hypozincemia in women. Difficult weaning from MV (OR = 3.012, p = 0.003) and age (OR = 1.038, p = 0.002) were hypozincemia predictors regardless sex. CONCLUSION: Hypertension, diabetes, hemoglobin and albumin were correlated with low zinc in men. Lymphopenia, reactive-C protein and enteral nutrition were correlated with low zinc in women. In men, hypertension and low lymphocytes were predictors of hypozincemia. Lymphopenia and difficult weaning from MV were predictors of low zinc in women.

Lignin from sugarcane bagasse as a prebiotic additive for poultry feed.

Diet is a crucial factor on health and well-being of livestock animals. Nutritional strengthening with diet formulations is essential to the livestock industry and animal perfor-mance. Searching for valuable feed additives among by-products may promote not only circular economy, but also functional diets. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse was proposed as a potential prebiotic additive for chickens and incorporated at 1 % (w/w) in commercial chicken feed, tested in two feed forms, namely, mash and pellets. Physico-chemical characterization of both feed types with and without lignin was performed. Also, the prebiotic potential for feeds with lignin was assessed by an in vitro gastrointestinal model and evaluated the impact on chicken cecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. As for the pellet's physical quality, there was a higher cohesion of the pellets with lignin, indicating a higher resistance to breakout and lignin decreases the tendency of the pellets for microbial contamination. Regarding the prebiotic potential, mash feed with lignin showed higher promotion of Bifidobacterium in comparison with mash feed without lignin and to pellet feed with lignin. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse has prebiotic potential as additive to chicken feed when supplemented in mash feed diets, presenting itself as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chicken feed additives supplementation.

From sugarcane to skin: Lignin as a multifunctional ingredient for cosmetic application.

Lignin has been suggested as a promising candidate for cosmetic applications due to its remarkable potential to absorb ultraviolet rays and distinctive antioxidant activity. This study aims at evaluating the performance of lignin from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as natural UV blocker, antioxidant, and pigment. Lignin was extracted from SCB, characterized and incorporated into a blemish balm (BB) cream. The biological potential, concretely, in vitro and in vivo sun protection factor (SPF) and in vitro UVA-PF, and safety were assessed. A high-purity SCB lignin (>92 %) was obtained by a mild alkaline extraction process. The results of cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, skin sensitization and in vivo acute cutaneous irritation demonstrated that SCB lignin is safe for topical applications. Lignin showed capacity to scavenge both ABTS and DPPH radicals, which were preserved after its incorporation into the cosmetic formulation. Notable results were achieved in terms of in vitro and in vivo SPF of 9.5 ± 2.9 and 9.6 ± 0.8, respectively. Furthermore, the tested lignin-based BB cream revealed a broad-spectrum UV protection (critical wavelength of 378 ± 0.5 nm). These results suggest SCB lignin as multifunctional and safe ingredient for use in cosmetic products.

Does the metabolizable energy influence the performance, carcass characteristics and biochemical parameters of European quails from 28 to 42 days of age?

This study was conducted to determine the metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for quails (Cortunix cortunix cortunix) from 28 to 42 days of age. Four hundred and twenty quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 5 treatments (2950, 3000, 3050, 3100 and 3150 kcal of ME/kg of feed), 7 replicates and 12 birds per experimental unit. Performance, relative weights of organs and viscera, carcass characteristics, meat quality, body composition and blood parameters of the birds were evaluated. There was a reduction in feed intake (ADFI) with the use of 3150 kcal ME/kg (p < 0.01), with a quadratic effect on feed efficiency (p < 0.01), estimating the energy requirement in the 3009.4 kcal ME/kg. The breast yield (BY) and the colour b* had an effect (p < 0.01), with better results for 2950 kcal ME/kg, while the meat texture reduced when the birds were fed with 3150 kcal ME/kg. HDL and LDL showed the quadratic effect (p < 0.01) when ME increased to 3111.6 and 3157.4 kcal/kg respectively. Very low density lipoprotein increased linearly (p < 0.01) in birds that received diets with 3000 kcal ME/kg. We conclude that the use of 3009.4 kcal of ME/kg for European quail meets the nutritional needs and provides an improvement in feed efficiency, without affecting the carcass parameters of the birds. Information regarding the nutritional requirements for European quails is still recent; therefore, it is essential to know the adequate levels of metabolizable energy, an important nutritional component for the maximum productive performance of birds.

Como fazer placas interoclusais? Alguns aspectos a se considerar / How to fabricate occlusion splints? Some aspects to consider

Existem diferentes tipos de placas interoclusais. Cada uma delas apresenta desenho e finalidades específicas de acordo com as necessidades funcionais e características oclusais do paciente. Além disso, muitos métodos têm sido sugeridos para a confecção deste tipo de aparelho, porém, cada um apresenta suas vantagens assim como limitações, e devem ser escolhidos de acordo com a situação clínica e expectativa do paciente, variando de acordo com alguns fatores a serem avaliados previamente. Estes fatores dizem respeito às propriedades físicas e mecânicas apresentadas pelo material empregado, praticidade e rapidez da técnica, relacionadas ao grau de urgência apresentado pelo caso, além da disponibilidade de um bom técnico de laboratório, custo e importância estética. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho é apresentar uma revisão de literatura que aborde os diferentes tipos de placas e suas finalidades, assim como os métodos empregados para sua fabricação

There are many types of occlusal splints. Each one shows specific desing and applications according to the patient functional needs and occlusal features. Many methods have been suggested for the fabrication of this kind of appliance. However, each one shows advantages, as well as some limitations. It must be chosen according to the clinic situation and the patient expectancy, depending on some factors that must be evaluated previously. These factors include the mechanical and physical properties of the material used to fabricate the splint, time and fabrication expenses, clinical situation, availability of a laboratory and aesthetic importance. The objective of this work is to present a literature review including the different kinds of splints, as well as the techniques used for its fabrication