Thermal favorability for the Oidium caricae and Asperisporium caricae in areas of edaphoclimatic aptitude for the Carica papaya.

Objective this study aimed to determine the thermal favorability for the oidium (Oidium caricae) and early blight (Asperisporium caricae) in areas of edaphoclimatic aptitude for the papaya (Carica papaya) in the Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The edaphoclimatic zoning was based on the overlapping of maps that characterize the average annual air temperature obtained by multiple linear regression, annual water deficiency calculated by the Thornthwaite and Matter method (1955) and favorable soil classes to the development of papaya. The results indicated that as regards the edaphoclimatic zoning for the papaya crop it was observed that 71.70% of the area is classified as apt for its development. In relation to agrometeorological favorability for the occurrence of fungal diseases, there was a favorability of 7.64% for the development without restrictions of the oidium and a predominance of 64,56% of favorability with thermal restriction. For the early blight fungus, it was observed that the zones of favorability without restriction correspond to 11.66% of the area apt for the papaya cultivation and that 55.13% of the area has favorability with restriction of humidity. The edaphoclimatic zoning for the papaya crop showed compatibility with the most productive areas of this crop in the state of Espírito Santo. The zoning of thermal favorability for the occurrence of papaya fungal diseases proved to be a valuable tool for studies of plant diseases, allowing the establishment of plans for the allocation of resistant varieties, in order to minimize the risks of loss of crop productivity due to the disease. This methodology presents potential to be used in other areas, cultures and phytopathological diseases.

Computational techniques applied to volume and biomass estimation of trees in Brazilian savanna.

The Brazilian Savannah, known as Cerrado, has the richest flora in the world among the savannas, with a high degree of endemic species. Despite the global ecological importance of the Cerrado, there are few studies focused on the modeling of the volume and biomass of this forest formation. Volume and biomass estimation can be performed using allometric models, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and mixed regression models. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the use of AI techniques and mixed models to estimate the volume and biomass of individual trees in vegetation of Brazilian central savanna. Numerical variables (diameter at height of 1.30 m of ground, total height, volume and biomass) and categorical variables (species) were used for the training and fitting of AI techniques and mixed models, respectively. The statistical indicators used to evaluate the training and the adjustment were the correlation coefficient, bias and Root mean square error relative. In addition, graphs were elaborated as complementary analysis. The results obtained by the statistical indicators and the graphical analysis show the great potential of AI techniques and mixed models in the estimation of volume and biomass of individual trees in Brazilian savanna vegetation. In addition, the proposed methodologies can be adapted to other biomes, forest typologies and variables of interest.

Predictors of cancer in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur as a manifestation of an underlying cancer and be of paraneoplastic aetiology. A previously unknown cancer is sometimes diagnosed after the acute PE diagnosis. The identification of a group of patients with elevated probability of having an occult cancer underlying PE was never performed. We aimed to determine predictors of occult cancer in acute PE. Our hypothesis was that the D-dimer levels would be a predictor of cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a cohort of patients hospitalized with acute PE. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: <18 years, venous embolism only of veins other than pulmonary territory or when the embolism was considered chronic, and no image confirmation of acute PE. Patients were grouped according to the timing of cancer diagnosis: 1) known concomitant active cancer, 2) cancer diagnosed during acute PE admission or in the following 2 years and, 3) no known cancer during the 2-year follow-up since PE diagnosis. Predictors of concomitant cancer were determined using a logistic regression analysis. Multivariate models were built. RESULTS: We studied 562 patients; median age was 72 years and 219 (39.0 %) were men. In 223 (39.7 %) of the patients the PE was of central arteries and 61.4 % presented with bilateral PE. PE was considered unprovoked at time of discharge in 47.7 %. Median (interquartile range) D-dimer level was 7.98 (3.30-14.99) µg/mL. A total of 126 (22.4 %) patients were in group 1, 47 in group 2 (cancer diagnosed after the diagnosis of acute PE and up to 2 years) and 389 patients were in group 3. Elevated D-dimer levels were independently associated with already known cancer. D-dimer were independent predictors of future cancer diagnosis: OR = 1.07 ((95 % CI: 1.01-1.14) per each 5 ng/mL increase; for patients with D-dimer >15.0 µg/mL the OR of future cancer was 2.10 (1.05-4.18). If only patients with unprovoked PE upon admission (n = 307) were to be considered results were similar considering D-dimer; anaemia also predicted unknown cancer [OR = 2.13 (1.08-4.16)]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with D-dimer >15 µg/mL presented a >2-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with a cancer condition in the upcoming 2 years. D-dimer may help clinicians in identifying which patients are at higher risk of occult cancer.

Outbreaks of dermatopathy caused by Tephrosia noctiflora intoxication in Brazilian cattle.

This study aims to update the knowledge concerning the intoxication by Tephrosia noctiflora in Brazilian cattle herds by reporting new cases of intoxication in lactating cows, their calves and bulls and highlight the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathogenesis, gross, and microscopic lesions. The morbidity and mortality of this intoxication in the farms studied was low. Gross lesions in all affected cattle consisted of dermatitis with hyperpigmentation, crusts, ulceration, erythema, and lichenification in the skin of limbs, ventral abdomen, perianal and perineal areas of lactating calves and adult cattle. Microscopically, the main lesion observed consisted of severe dermatitis with parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, papillated proliferation, and diffuse, accentuated lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate in the epidermis and dermis. The presence of skin lesions mainly in the limbs and ventral abdomen of cattle implies the pathogenesis of intoxication is related to a primary contact dermatitis, and the occurrence of similar lesions on the skin of nursing calves reinforces this hypothesis. The putative toxins of T. noctiflora have been thought to be rotenoids. Additional work is needed to define better if these compounds are the main toxin responsible for the dermatopathy observed in these herds.

The Influence of Gender in The Prognostic Impact of Diabetes mellitus in acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) predicts ominous outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The influence of gender on the prognostic impact of DM in PE is unknown. We did a retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients hospitalized with PE between 2006 and 2013. The exclusion criteria were age <18, non-pulmonary veins thromboembolism, recurrent PE, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, no radiologic confirmation of PE, and active neoplasia. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The follow-up was from diagnosis until October 2017. We assessed the prognostic impact of DM using a multivariate Cox regression analysis. The analysis was stratified according to gender. The interaction between gender and DM in the outcome of patients with PE was tested. We studied 577 PE patients (median age 65 years, 36.9% men, 19.8% diabetic). The genders were similar regarding the prevalence of DM, the extension and location of PE, and the thrombolytic therapy or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) value. Diabetics presented higher all-cause mortality (Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.33 (95% confidence Interval (CI) 1.513.61)) when compared with non-diabetics. However, when analysis was stratified according to gender, DM was independently associated with a worse prognosis only in women (HR = 2.31 (95% CI 1.453.65)), while in men the HR was 1.10 (95% CI 0.592.04). The interaction between gender and DM was significant (p = 0.04). Gender influences the prognostic impact of DM in acute PE. Diabetic women with PE have twice the long-term mortality risk, while DM is not mortality-associated in men.

Estimation of the aboveground biomass and carbon stocks in open Brazilian Savannah developed on sandy soils.

BACKGROUND: The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and the most biodiverse tropical savannah in the world and acts as a great sequester of atmospheric carbon. The lack of studies related to the quantification of its total biomass compromises the understanding of the dynamics of CO2 in this biome. Thus, it is relevant to develop studies aiming at obtaining accurate estimates of the carbon stock in the different phytophysiognomies that make the Cerrado, to include them in appropriate forest management models. Based on the hypothesis that the amount of carbon stored can vary according to the vegetation typology and vegetation compartments, the aerial stock of dry biomass and carbon were estimated in different compartments (arboreal, herbaceous-shrub and litter). The study was developed in open Brazilian savannah and soils on the sandstone and discussed the effect of fire on this phytophysiognomy. For the arboreal compartment were adjusted mathematical models to fit the biomass equations to estimate the individual stock of the trees in this compartment. The results of the stocks were discussed considering the effect of fire on the phytophysiognomy. RESULTS: Based on the precision and extra distribution measures, the Schumacher-Hall (non-logarithmic) equation presented better results to estimate the individual biomass and carbon stocks of the open Brazilian savannah trees. The aboveground biomass was 12.88 Mg ha-1, corresponding to a total carbon stock of 5.91 Mg ha-1, where most of the stocks are in the herbaceous-shrub compartment (44%). The arboreal compartment accounts for the smallest part of the stocks, followed by the litter. CONCLUSIONS: The observed values are in the interval verified for other areas of savannah studied in Brazil. The values verified for the open Brazilian savannah in sandy soils are at the lower limit of this range, due to the nutrient-poor nature of this type of soil. The distribution of stocks in the different compartments above the ground points to the fragility of this environment to the random fire effect, common in the region. That shows the need for conservation measures for vegetation maintenance and soil protection to preserve adequate nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.

Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries. / Anomalias congénitas das artérias coronárias.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are modifications of their origin, course or structure and its incidence varies between 0,2 and 5,6% of the general population. Although the majority is asymptomatic, they are the second leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The aim of this study is to highlight the main anomalies with hemodynamic significance, including the anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus and anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from pulmonary artery. The anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus accounts for 14-16% of all cardiac deaths, that unexpectedly occur in healthy children or young athletes during or immediately after exercise. The mechanism responsible for the compression/occlusion of the coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus is still unclear and there are several proposed mechanisms. The clinical presentation of these patients is variable and physical examination is normal in most individuals. Transthoracic echocardiogram is the diagnostic test most commonly used. Treatment and management are controversial topic. The anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from pulmonary artery is a very rare condition and without surgery, most infants die within the first 12 months of life. The echocardiogram is also the method of choice for diagnostic confirmation. The diagnosis of this congenital anomaly in an infant, usually seriously ill, is an indication for urgent surgery. Because these anomalies produce hemodynamic changes, it is important an early diagnosis and treatment.

Is Low-Dose Radiation Exposure a Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Disease?

Nontargeted late effects of radiation include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, although this is still debatable in the context of low-dose radiation. Tinea capitis patients treated in childhood with X rays to induce scalp epilation received a low dose of radiation to their carotids. To better clarify this issue, we evaluated carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of such patients treated in 1950-1963 in Portugal. A group of 454 individuals randomly chosen from previously observed Portuguese tinea capitis patients and a control group mainly composed of their spouses (n = 280) were enrolled. Cardiovascular risk factors such as waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure and tobacco consumption, as well as biochemical measurements were obtained. Ultrasound imaging of carotid arteries for intima media thickness and stenosis evaluation were performed according to a standardized protocol. In comparison to the control group, the irradiated cohort members were significantly older, more frequently never smokers, hypertensive, and presented higher glycated hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase levels. In addition, the irradiated cohort showed a higher frequency of carotid stenosis ≥30% than the nonirradiated group (13.9% vs. 10.7%), although this was not significant ( P = 0.20). Stenosis was ≥50% in 2.9% of the irradiated group and 0.4% of the nonirradiated group ( P = 0.02). Likewise, the frequency of intima media thickness ≥1 mm was significantly higher in the irradiated group (16.8% vs. 10.7%; P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis, including other cardiovascular risk factors, showed that exposure to low-dose radiation increased the risk of carotid stenosis by ≥50% [odds ratio (OR) = 8.85; P = 0.04] and intima media thickness by ≥1 mm (OR = 1.82; P = 0.02). These findings confirm that low-dose exposure is a risk factor of carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Avaliando a redução do tamanho do conglomerado para estimar o volume de madeira em uma floresta amazônica / Assessing reduction of cluster size to estimate wood volume in an Amazonian forest

Enquanto o Inventário Florestal Nacional Brasileiro (IFN) está em andamento, há uma demanda crescente para entender o efeito da área do conglomerado sobre a exatidão e precisão da estimativa de atributos florestais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a área mínima de um conglomerado para estimar o volume comercial (VC) com a mesma acurácia e precisão que as estimativas derivadas do conglomerado original de 8.000 m². A base de dados é proveniente de um inventário realizado em uma unidade florestal (Floresta Nacional do Bom Futuro) no sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira, onde 22 conglomerados foram distribuídos em um desenho amostral em dois estágios. Foram avaliados três produtos: (i) VC de árvores com diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) ≥ 20 cm (P1); (ii) VC de árvores com DAP ≥ 50 cm (P2); e (iii) VC de espécies comerciais com DAP ≥ 50 cm e qualidade de fuste 'nível 1' ou 'nível 2' (P3). O estudo avaliou dez cenários em que a área do conglomerado foi reduzida de 8.000 a 800 m². A acurácia de P1, P2 e P3 foi significativamente menor para reduções < 2.400 m². A precisão foi mais sensível à variação no tamanho do conglomerado, sobretudo para P2 e P3. Os tamanhos mínimos de conglomerado foram ≥ 2.400 m² para estimar P1, ≥ 4.800 m² para estimar P2 e ≥ 7.200 m² para estimar P3. Concluímos que é possível reduzir a área do conglomerado sem perder acurácia e precisão do conglomerado original do IFN. Um conglomerado de 2.400 m² fornece estimativas com a mesma acurácia que o conglomerado original, independentemente do produto avaliado. (AU)

IL6-174 G>C Polymorphism (rs1800795) Association with Late Effects of Low Dose Radiation Exposure in the Portuguese Tinea Capitis Cohort.

Head and neck cancers, and cardiovascular disease have been described as late effects of low dose radiation (LDR) exposure, namely in tinea capitis cohorts. In addition to radiation dose, gender and younger age at exposure, the genetic background might be involved in the susceptibility to LDR late effects. The -174 G>C (rs1800795) SNP in IL6 has been associated with cancer and cardiovascular disease, nevertheless this association is still controversial. We assessed the association of the IL6-174 G>C SNP with LDR effects such as thyroid carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and carotid atherosclerosis in the Portuguese tinea capitis cohort. The IL6-174 G>C SNP was genotyped in 1269 individuals formerly irradiated for tinea capitis. This sampling group included thyroid cancer (n = 36), basal cell carcinoma (n = 113) and cases without thyroid or basal cell carcinoma (1120). A subgroup was assessed for atherosclerosis by ultrasonography (n = 379) and included matched controls (n = 222). Genotypes were discriminated by real-time PCR using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. In the irradiated group, we observed that the CC genotype was significantly associated with carotid plaque risk, both in the genotypic (OR = 3.57, CI = 1.60-7.95, p-value = 0.002) and in the recessive (OR = 3.02, CI = 1.42-6.42, p-value = 0.004) models. Irradiation alone was not a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis. We did not find a significant association of the IL6-174 C allele with thyroid carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma risk. The IL6-174 CC genotype confers a three-fold risk for carotid atherosclerotic disease suggesting it may represent a genetic susceptibility factor in the LDR context.

Wastewater from swine farming in the growth and nutrition of Khaya senegalensis (DESR. ) A Juss seedlings / Água residuária da suinocultura no crescimento e nutrição de mudas de khaya senegalensis (DESR. ) a juss

This study evaluated the use of wastewater from swine farming in the growth and nutritional balance of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. (African mahogany) seedlings. The experiment was setup in a shade house on the Professor Cinobelina Elvas Campus of the Federal University of Piauí, in Bom Jesus, in the State of Piauí, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomised, with five concentrations of swine farm wastewater (SFW) (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) added to the irrigation water. The growth and nutritional balance of the seedlings were evaluated 100 days after sowing, by measuring shoot height (H), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves (NL), total chlorophyll (TC), leaf area (LA), shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW), and by calculating the total dry weight (TDW), leaf (LBA), stem (SBA), and root (RBA) biomass allocation, Dickson Quality Index (DQI) and average Nutritional Balance Index (NBIm). It was found that K. senegalensis seedlings responded to the SFW, showing the best results for growth and nutritional balance at concentrations of around 50%.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização da água residuária da suinocultura no crescimento e no balanço nutricional de mudas de Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. (mogno-africano). O experimento foi instalado no Campus Profa. Cinobelina Elvas, Universidade Federal do Piauí, em Bom Jesus, PI, dentro de uma casa de sombra. O experimento foi implantado em delineamento inteiramentecasualizado, com cinco concentrações de água residuária de suinocultura (ARS) (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100%) na água de irrigação. O crescimento e balanço nutricional das mudas foram avaliados aos 100 dias após a semeadura, com a mensuração da altura da parte aérea (H), diâmetro do coleto (DC), número de folhas (NF), clorofila total (CT), área foliar (AF), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA) e do sistema radicular (MSR) e calculadas a massa seca total (MST), as alocações de biomassa foliar (ABF), caule (ABC), raízes (ABR), o Índice de Qualidade de Dickson (IQD) e Índice de Balanço Nutricional médio (IBNm). Constatou-se que a as mudas de K. senegalensis responderam à ARS, apresentando os melhores resultados de crescimento e equilíbrio nutricional em concentrações em torno de 50%.

Spatial dependency and correlation of properties of soil cultivated with oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, in agroforestry systems in the eastern Brazilian Amazon / Dependência espacial e correlação das propriedades do solo cultivado com dendezeiro, Elaeis guineensis, em sistemas agroflorestais na Amazônia Oriental

Geostatistics is a tool that can be used to produce maps with the distribution of nutrients essential for the development of plants. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the spatial variation in chemical attributes of soils under oil palm cultivation in agroforestry systems in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, and their spatial dependence pattern. Sixty spatially standardized and georeferenced soil samples were collected at each of three sampling sites (DU1, DU2, and DU3) at 0-20 cm depth. Evaluated soil chemical attributes were pH, Al3+, H+Al, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, cation exchange capacity (CEC), P, and organic matter (OM). The spatial dependence of these variables was evaluated with a semivariogram analysis, adjusting three theoretical models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian). Following analysis for spatial dependence structure, ordinary kriging was used to estimate the value of each attribute at non-sampled sites. Spatial correlation among the attributes was tested using cokriging of data spatial distribution. All variables showed spatial dependence, with the exception of pH, in one sampling site (DU3). Highest K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and OM levels were found in the lower region of two sampling sites (DU1 and DU2). Highest levels of Al3+ and H+Al levels were observed in the lower region of sampling site DU3. Some variables were correlated, therefore cokriging proved to be efficient in estimating primary variables as a function of secondary variables. The evaluated attributes showed spatial dependence and correlation, indicating that geostatistics may contribute to the effective management of agroforestry systems with oil palm in the Amazon region.

A geoestatística é uma ferramenta utilizada para produzir mapas de distribuição de nutrientes essenciais para o desenvolvimento das plantas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a variação espacial dos atributos químicos do solo sob cultivo de dendê em sistemas agroflorestais na Amazônia Oriental brasileira, e seu padrão de dependência espacial. Sessenta amostras de solo espacialmente padronizadas e georreferenciadas foram coletadas em cada um de três locais de amostragem (UD1, UD2 e UD3), na profundidade de 0-20 cm. Os atributos químicos do solo avaliados foram: pH, Al3+, H+Al, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, capacidade de troca catiônica do solo (CTC), P e matéria orgânica (MO). A dependência espacial dos atributos foi avaliada com análise semivariográfica, ajustando-se três modelos teóricos (esférico, exponencial e gaussiano). Após a análise de dependência espacial, a krigagem ordinária foi empregada para estimar os valores de cada atributo em locais não amostrados. A correlação espacial entre os atributos foi testada utilizando a cokrigagem para espacialização dos dados. Todas as variáveis mostraram dependência espacial, exceto pH em UD3. Os maiores teores de K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ e MO foram encontrados na região mais baixa da paisagem, em UD1 e UD2. Os maiores teores de Al3+ e H+Al foram observados na região mais baixa da paisagem, em UD3. Algumas variáveis foram correlacionadas, portanto a cokrigagem mostrou-se eficiente na estimativa das variáveis primárias em função das secundárias. Os atributos avaliados mostraram dependência e correlação espacial, indicando que a geoestatística pode contribuir para o manejo efetivo de sistemas agroflorestais com dendê na região amazônica.

A arte da sedução: sexualidade feminina na Colônia / The art of seduction: feminine sexuality in the Colony

Mostra que a sexualidade feminina na época colonial manifestava-se sob vários aspectos, sempre esgueirando-se pelos desvãos de uma sociedade misógina e suportando a culpa do pecado a ela atribuído pela Igreja. A mulher podia ser mãe, irmã, filha, religiosa, mas de modo algum amante. O desejo muitas vezes rebentava o grilhão das convenções e das imposições, e aí mesmo, no momento da transgressão, é que o historiador pode aproximar-se do sentimento que, em peças incriminatórias, sobreviveu aos séculos.

A arte da seduçäo: sexualidade feminina na Colônia / The art of seduction: feminine sexuality in the Colony

Mostra que a sexualidade feminina na época colonial manifestava-se sob vários aspectos, sempre esgueirando-se pelos desväos de uma sociedade misógina e suportando a culpa do pecado a ela atribuído pela Igreja. A mulher podia ser mäe, irmä, filha, religiosa, mas de modo algum amante. O desejo muitas vezes rebentava o grilhäo das convenções e das imposições, e aí mesmo, no momento da transgressäo, é que o historiador pode aproximar-se do sentimento que, em peças incriminatórias, sobreviveu aos séculos.(AU)