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BACKGROUND: Essential Hypertension (EH) is a global health issue, responsible for approximately 9.4 million deaths annually. Its prevalence varies by region, with genetic factors contributing 30-60% to blood pressure variation. Despite extensive research, the genetic complexity of EH remains largely unexplained. This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of EH in African-derived individuals from partially isolated quilombo remnant populations in Vale do Ribeira (SP-Brazil). METHODS: Samples from 431 individuals (167 affected, 261 unaffected, 3 with unknown phenotype) were genotyped using a 650k SNP array. Global ancestry proportions were estimated at 47% African, 36% European, and 16% Native American. Additional data from 673 individuals were used to construct six pedigrees. Pedigrees were pruned, and three non-overlapping marker subpanels were created. We phased haplotypes and performed local ancestry analysis to account for admixture. We then conducted genome-wide linkage analysis (GWLA) and performed fine-mapping through family-based association studies (FBAS) on imputed data and through EH-related genes investigation. RESULTS: Linkage analysis identified 22 ROIs with LOD scores ranging from 1.45 to 3.03, encompassing 2363 genes. Fine-mapping identified 60 EH-related candidate genes and 118 suggestive or significant variants (FBAS). Among these, 14 genes, including PHGDH, S100A10, MFN2, and RYR2, were strongly associated with hypertension and harbors 29 SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: Through a complementary approach - combining admixture-adjusted genome-wide linkage analysis based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, association studies on imputed data, and in silico investigations - genetic regions, variants, and candidate genes were identified, offering insights into the genetic etiology of EH in quilombo remnant populations.

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Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the first line treatment for bladder cancer and it is also proposed for melanoma immunotherapy. BCG modulates the tumor microenvironment (TME) inducing an antitumor effective response, but the immune mechanisms involved still poorly understood. The immune profile of B16-F10 murine melanoma cells was assessed by infecting these cells with BCG or stimulating them with agonists for different innate immune pathways such as TLRs, inflammasome, cGAS-STING and type I IFN. B16-F10 did not respond to any of those stimuli, except for type I IFN agonists, contrasting with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) that showed high production of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, we confirmed that BCG is able to infect B16-F10, which in turn can activate macrophages and spleen cells from mice in co-culture experiments. Furthermore, we established a subcutaneous B16-F10 melanoma model for intratumoral BCG treatment and compared wild type mice to TLR2-/-, TLR3-/-, TLR4-/-, TLR7-/-, TLR3/7/9-/-, caspase 1-/-, caspase 11-/-, IL-1R-/-, cGAS-/-, STING-/-, IFNAR-/-, MyD88-/-deficient animals. These results in vivo demonstrate that MyD88 signaling is important for BCG immunotherapy to control melanoma in mice. Also, BCG fails to induce cytokine production in the co-culture experiments using B16-F10 and BMDMs or spleen cells derived from MyD88-/- compared to wild-type (WT) animals. Immunotherapy with BCG was not able to induce the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the TME from MyD88-/- mice, impairing tumor control and IFN-γ production by T cells. In conclusion, MyD88 impacts on both innate and adaptive responses to BCG leading to an efficient antitumor response against melanoma.

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Animals need to switch between motivated behaviours, like drinking, feeding or social interaction, to meet environmental availability, internal needs and more complex ethological needs such as hiding future actions from competitors. Inflexible, repetitive behaviours are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. However, how the brain orchestrates switching between the neural mechanisms controlling motivated behaviours, or drives, is unknown. This is partly due to a lack of appropriate measurement systems. We designed an automated extended home-cage, the Switchmaze, using open-source hardware and software. In this study, we use it to establish a behavioural assay of motivational switching in mice. Individual animals access the Switchmaze from the home-cage and choose between entering one of two chambers containing different goal objects or returning to the home-cage. Motivational switching is measured as a ratio of switching between chambers and continuous exploitation of one chamber. Behavioural transition analysis is used to further dissect altered motivational switching. As proof-of-concept, we show environmental manipulation, and targeted brain manipulation experiments which altered motivational switching without effect on traditional behavioural parameters. Chemogenetic inhibition of the prefrontal-hypothalamic axis increased the rate of motivation switching, highlighting the involvement of this pathway in drive switching. This work demonstrates the utility of open-design in understanding animal behaviour and its neural correlates.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of repeated corneal cross-linking in eyes of children and adolescents with progressive keratoconus. Methods: This retrospective study included nine eyes of nine consecutive patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent repeated corneal cross-linking 3.9 (range of 1.6 to 5.6) years after a primary one. All patients were followed for a mean period of 9.11 (range of 6 to 11) years after first treatment and 5.44 (range of 4 to 9) years, after corneal cross-linking retreatment. Results: Nine eyes of nine patients (six male) with progressive keratoconus underwent primary corneal cross-linking from 2009 to 2011. Despite the stability achieved with the epi-off corneal cross-linking, keratoconus continued to progress after some time. Mean time to documented evidence of keratoconus progression after primary corneal cross-linking was 3.9 (range of 1.6 to 5.6) years. All eyes were retreated as soon as progression was noted. At the last follow-up visit, 5.44 (range of 4 to 9) years after repeated corneal cross-linking, there was a significant decrease of 2.02 D in mean maximum topographic K-value (p = 0.045) and 1.95D in mean topographic K-value (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Repeated corneal cross-linking seems to be a safe and effective procedure to halt keratoconus progression after a primary corneal cross-linking failure.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a segurança e a eficácia a longo prazo da repetição do cross-linking corneano em olhos de crianças e adolescentes com ceratocone progressivo. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo que incluiu nove olhos de nove pacientes consecutivos com ceratocone progressivo, que foram submetidos a retratamento com cross-linking corneano de 3,9 (variação de 1,6 a 5,6) anos após tratamento primário com cross-linking corneano. Todos os pacientes foram acompanhados por um período médio de 9,11 (variação de 6 a 11) anos após o primeiro tratamento e 5,44 (variação de 4 a 9) anos após retratamento com cross-linking corneano. Resultados: Nove olhos de nove pacientes (seis homens) com progressão do ceratocone foram submetidos a cross-linking corneano primário de 2009 a 2011. Apesar da estabilidade alcançada com o epi-off cross-linking corneano, o ceratocone continuou a progredir após algum tempo. O tempo médio para evidência documentada de progressão do ceratocone após cross-linking corneano primário foi de 3,9 (intervalo de 1,6 a 5,6) anos. Todos os olhos foram retratados com cross-linking corneano, assim que a progressão foi observada. Na última consulta de acompanhamento, 5,44 (variação de 4 a 9) anos após a repetição do cross-linking corneano, houve diminuição significativa de 2,02 D na média da curvatura máxima (p = 0,045) e 1,95 D na média da curvatura média (p = 0,007). Conclusão: O retratamento com cross-linking corneano parece ser um procedimento seguro e eficaz para interromper a progressão do ceratocone após falha primária do cross-linking corneano.

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Descorna cirúrgica em bovinos é uma prática bastante realizada na medicina veterinária, com indicação principalmente para evitar acidentes com fraturas, trabalhadores e outros animais. O objetivo do presente relato seria ressaltar o uso de analgésicos e sedativos em bovinos submetidos a este procedimento cirúrgico, compartilhar técnica cirúrgica utilizada, informações de monitoramento de sinais vitais no trans cirúrgico e recomendações pré, trans e pós-cirúrgicas, assim como possíveis complicações. Foi atendido um bovino da raça Jersey, fêmea, 1 ano de idade, pesando cerca de 222kg, submetido a descorna bilateral devido ao comportamento agressivo. Contido em tronco de contenção e tranquilizado com acepromazina, recebeu meloxicam e associação de sulfa com trimetropim. Após tricotomia e antissepsia foi realizado bloqueio perineural do ramo cornual do nervo zigomático temporal e bloqueio infiltrativo ao contorno de cada corno com lidocaína sem vasoconstritor. Com os cornos insensíveis, se deu início ao procedimento de descorna cirúrgica pela associação das técnicas de serra de gigli com o alicate do tipo Dick Kaber. Concluímos ser de extrema importância a execução da técnica cirúrgica por médico veterinário apto, realizando o procedimento de forma asséptica e com analgesia visando o bem estar do animal. No caso em questão, a associação das técnicas de serra de gigli com o alicate do tipo Dick Kaber foi parcialmente satisfatória, o animal apresentou boa margem de fechamento da sutura e sem deiscência dos pontos, porém houve dificuldades de retirada de margens ósseas pontiagudas após uso do alicate. A tranquilização associada ao bloqueio local foi efetiva para tal procedimento.(AU)

Surgical dehorning in cattle is widely performed practice in veterinary medicine, primarily indicated to prevent accidents involving workers, fights between animals, and skull fractures. This procedure involves the removal of the horns of the horns of cattle and should be performed using ethical methods by a qualified veterinarian. The objective of this case report is to highlight the use of analgesics and sedatives in cattle undergoing this surgical procedure, share the surgical technique employed, information on vital sign monitoring during the procedure, and pre-, intra-, and post-surgical recommendations, as well as potential complications. A Jersey cattle, female, 1 year old, weighing approximately 222kg, underwent bilateral dehorning due to aggressive behavior. Restrained in a cattle chute and tranquilized with acepromazine, she received meloxicam and a combination of sulfadiazine with trimethoprim. After trichotomy and antiseptic preparation, perineural blockade of cornual branch of the zygomatic temporal nerve was performed, follows by infiltrative blockade around each horn with lidocaine without vasoconstrictor. With the horns desensitized, the surgical dehorning procedure began using a combination of Gigli saw and Dick Kaber-type wire snare. In conclusion, it is of utmost importance for the surgical technique to be performed by a qualified veterinarian, ensuring aseptic procedure and correct analgesia for the well-being of the cattle. In this case, the combination of Gigli saw and Dick Kaber-type wire snare was partially satisfactory; the animal had a good suture closure margin and did not present suture dehiscence, but there were difficulties in we moving pointed bony margins after using the wire snare. Tranquilization combined with local blockade was effective for this procedure.(AU)

El descornado quirúrgico del ganado bovino es una práctica muy utilizada en medicina veterinaria, indicada principalmente para prevenir accidentes que involucren fracturas, trabajadores y otros animales. El objetivo de este informe sería resaltar el uso de analgésicos y sedantes en bovinos sometidos a este procedimiento quirúrgico, compartir la técnica quirúrgica utilizada, información sobre el monitoreo de signos vitales durante la cirugía y recomendaciones pre, trans y posquirúrgicas, así como posibles complicaciones. Se trata de una hembra bovina Jersey, de 1 año de edad, con un peso aproximado de 222 kg, siendo sometida a descornado bilateral por comportamiento agresivo. Se recibieron contenidos en un baúl de contención y tranquilizados con acepromacina, meloxicam y una combinación de sulfas y trimetopim. Mediante tricotomía y antisepsia se realizó bloqueo perineural de la rama cornual del nervio temporal cigomático y bloqueo infiltrativo en todo el contorno de cada miembro con lidocaína sin vasoconstrictor. Con cuerpos insensibles se inició el procedimiento de descornado quirúrgico, combinando técnicas de aserrado con alicates Dick Kaber. Concluimos que es de suma importancia realizar la técnica quirúrgica por un veterinario calificado, realizando el procedimiento de manera aséptica y con analgesia administrada para el bienestar del animal. En el caso que nos ocupa, la asociación de técnicas de la sierra con la pinza tipo Dick Kaber fue parcialmente satisfactoria, el animal presentó un buen margen de cierre de sutura y ninguna dehiscencia de los puntos, sin embargo, hubo dificultades para eliminar los márgenes óseos afilados después de usar alicates La tranquilidad asociada al bloqueo local fue eficaz para este procedimiento.(AU)

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OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration in detecting benign and malignant neoplasm in comparison with post-thyroidectomy histopathological findings among patients who received a thyroidectomy. METHODS: Retrospective observational data collected between 2011-2021 were included from patients who received partial or total thyroidectomy. The Bethesda system was used to classify neoplasms from fine-needle aspiration procedures as benign or malignant. Sample characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients (n=360) who underwent thyroidectomy were analyzed, of whom 142 (39.4%) and 218 (60.6%) had benign and malignant neoplasms, respectively. Using the Bethesda system, 23 (6.4%) were classified as unsatisfactory result (BI), 83 (23.1%) as benign (BII), 50 (13.9%) as atypia of undetermined significance (BIII), 23 (6.4%) as suspected follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasia (BIV), 102 (28.3%) as suspected malignancy (BV) and 79 (21.9%) as malignant (BVI). The fine-needle aspiration diagnostic accuracy for carcinomas was 92%, while the sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 86.9%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 87.9% and 93.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fine-needle aspiration has high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, and is a reliable test for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid pathologies.

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SUMMARY: Computational methods for the quantification and visualization of the relative contribution of molecular interactions to the stability of biomolecular structures and complexes are fundamental to understand, modulate and engineer biological processes. Here, we present Surfaces, an easy to use, fast and customizable software for quantification and visualization of molecular interactions based on the calculation of surface areas in contact. Surfaces calculations shows equivalent or better correlations with experimental data as computationally expensive methods based on molecular dynamics. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: All scripts are available at https://github.com/NRGLab/Surfaces. Surface's documentation is available at https://surfaces-tutorial.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html.

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In this study, we examine markers of oxidative stress in the tetra Hyphessobrycon luetkenii collected from two locations in the copper contaminated João Dias creek (southern Brazil). Also, specimens were translocated from a clean reference section of the creek to a polluted stretch and vice-versa. Fish were held at in submerged cages for 96 h and then sacrificed. Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes and total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in gills, brain, liver and muscle displayed similar trends in both groups. Lipid peroxidation increased in all tissues of individuals translocated to the polluted site but only in liver and muscle of those translocated to the reference site. Increased protein carbonylation was also observed in gills of individuals translocated to the reference location. These results suggest similar oxidative stress among fish from the reference and polluted locations and that long-term metals exposure may require adaptations toward oxidative stress responses.

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Given the high cost of production of animal-based meats and the increase in the number of adepts of meatless diets, the need for plant-based meat substitutes is growing. In this prosperously growing market, there is a lack of knowledge about the nutritional value of these meat substitutes and their ingredients. This study aims to review the nutritional composition and ingredients of meat substitutes commercialized worldwide. An integrative review was performed with a systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and 11 studies were selected to compose the sample of this review. Data on meat substitutes' nutritional composition and ingredients from different categories were collected and analyzed. The results showed that meat substitutes commonly present lower energy values and higher amounts of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Protein values varied according to the meat substitute category, with some showing a higher concentration than others, more specifically in substitutes for bovine meat. Higher values were found in the Pieces category and lower in Seafood substitutes. Unlike animal meat, vegan meat has a proportion of carbohydrates higher than protein in most samples, except for chicken substitutes. Meat substitutes presented similar total and saturated fat content compared to their animal-based counterparts. Higher amounts of fat were found in the "Various" category and lower in "Pieces". Ingredients such as soy, pea, and wheat were the primary protein sources in meat substitutes, and vegetable oils were their primary fat source. Methylcellulose, various gums, and flavorings were the most used food additives. In general, meat substitutes presented high concentrations of sodium, possibly collaborating with an excessive sodium intake, highlighting the need for developing sodium-reduced or sodium-free alternatives. Most of the included samples did not describe the concentration of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Further studies are needed to develop meat substitutes with better nutritional composition, fulfilling the need for equivalent substitutes for animal-based meat.

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Zercoseius luizdequeirozi n. sp. is described based on adult females collected from soil/litter samples taken from disturbed areas of the natural vegetation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. This new species differs from Zercoseius spathuliger (Leonardi, 1899), presently the only species included in this genus, reported so far from Europe, northern Africa and northwestern USA, more obviously by the shape of the dorsal shield setae and by having seta s1.

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ABSTRACT Objective To establish the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration in detecting benign and malignant neoplasm in comparison with post-thyroidectomy histopathological findings among patients who received a thyroidectomy. Methods Retrospective observational data collected between 2011-2021 were included from patients who received partial or total thyroidectomy. The Bethesda system was used to classify neoplasms from fine-needle aspiration procedures as benign or malignant. Sample characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were evaluated. Results Patients (n=360) who underwent thyroidectomy were analyzed, of whom 142 (39.4%) and 218 (60.6%) had benign and malignant neoplasms, respectively. Using the Bethesda system, 23 (6.4%) were classified as unsatisfactory result (BI), 83 (23.1%) as benign (BII), 50 (13.9%) as atypia of undetermined significance (BIII), 23 (6.4%) as suspected follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasia (BIV), 102 (28.3%) as suspected malignancy (BV) and 79 (21.9%) as malignant (BVI). The fine-needle aspiration diagnostic accuracy for carcinomas was 92%, while the sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 86.9%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 87.9% and 93.9%, respectively. Conclusion Fine-needle aspiration has high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, and is a reliable test for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid pathologies.

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Resumo A hipertensão arterial é uma condição médica caracterizada pela elevação crônica e patológica da pressão arterial, afetando 1,13 bilhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e constituindo grave problema de saúde pública. Tem natureza multifatorial, sendo influenciada por fatores genéticos/epigenéticos, ambientais e sociais. No Brasil, a hipertensão acomete quase um quarto da população geral. No entanto, a literatura tem demonstrado que populações afrodescendentes, frequentemente às margens dos serviços básicos de saúde, são as mais acometidas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo levantar dados de prevalência e traçar um panorama nacional da doença nas comunidades quilombolas no século XXI, por meio de revisão da literatura. Foram selecionados 15 estudos publicados entre 2001 e 2021 que preencheram os critérios metodológicos de inclusão. Os estudos retratam 140 comunidades quilombolas localizadas em 11 estados brasileiros. A prevalência global média de hipertensão nas comunidades foi de 32,1% (13,8-52,5%). Esse panorama deixa explícito que a hipertensão é um problema de saúde recorrente e de suma importância para essas populações, demandando estratégias específicas para o seu manejo.

Abstract Hypertension is a chronic medical condition characterized by pathological elevation of blood pressure, affecting 1.13 billion individuals globally and presenting a significant public health concern. Its etiology is multifactorial, influenced by genetic/epigenetic, environmental, and social factors. In Brazil, nearly a quarter of the general population experiences hypertension; however, the literature underscores its disproportionate impact on Afro-descendant communities, often marginalized from basic healthcare services. This study aims to gather prevalence data and establish a nationwide overview of hypertension within 21st-century quilombola communities through a comprehensive literature review. Fifteen studies published between 2001 and 2021, meeting the specified methodological criteria, were selected. These studies collectively encompass 140 quilombola communities spanning 11 Brazilian states. The aggregate prevalence of hypertension across these communities averages at 32.1% (ranging from 13.8% to 52.5%). This panorama unequivocally highlights the recurring and paramount health challenge posed by hypertension within these populations, underscoring the need for tailored management strategies.

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Worldwide, there is an increasing demand for plant-based food due to sustainable, health, ethical, religious, philosophical, and economic reasons. In Brazil, 14% of the population declares themselves vegetarians, and a noticeable increase in the consumption of vegan products is also noted. Substitution of animal dairy and egg is challenging from both sensory and nutritional aspects. Yet, there are no data regarding the nutritional value and ingredients of Brazilian commercial dairy and egg substitutes. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the nutritional composition and used ingredients in Brazilian commercial vegan alternatives to dairy and eggs to provide information for Brazilian consumers of these products. A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out in three steps: (i) sample mapping. (ii) data collection, and (iii) statistical analysis. A total of 152 samples were included. No differences were found between the energy value and total fat of vegan products and their animal counterparts. Vegan products showed higher amounts of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and only the vegan versions of beverages and cheeses showed less protein than their counterparts. Cashews, rice, coconut, and soy were the most used ingredients in dairy substitutes. Emulsions of oil, starch, and isolated protein were used in vegan egg products. Most vegan beverages presented sugar in their composition. Vegan alternatives of dairy and eggs might be suitable for substituting their animal counterparts, but given that traditional versions of cheeses and milk are sources of protein in omnivorous diets, for equivalent nutritional replacement in vegan products, it is necessary to improve the protein content of their vegan counterparts.

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Fish living in the João Dias creek (southern Brazil) have to deal with trace-metal contamination in the long-term basis, as this aquatic environment has been historically impacted by copper mining activities. In order to survive in this harsh environment, the local biota had to develop adaptations related to pollution tolerance. The aim of this study was to test if biochemical mechanisms related to osmoregulation were among these adaptations, using translocation experiments. Water ionic and trace-metal compositions were measured in a nonmetal impacted site (NMIS) and in a metal impacted site (MIS) of this creek. Also, whole-body metal accumulation, ion concentration and branchial enzyme activity (Na,K-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase) were evaluated in Hyphessobrycon luetkenii. In both NMIS and MIS, fish were collected and immediately stored, kept caged or translocated from sites. The result shows that waterborne Cu was 3.4-fold higher at the MIS. Accordingly, animals that had contact with this site showed elevated whole-body Cu levels. Moreover, both translocated groups showed elevated Na,K-ATPase activity. Additionally, fish translocated from the NMIS to the MIS showed lower carbonic anhydrase activity. These findings indicate that H. luetkenii chronically or acutely exposed to naturally elevated waterborne Cu showed a rapid Cu bioaccumulation but was unable to readily excrete it. Moreover, classic Cu osmoregulatory toxicity related to Na,K-ATPase inhibition was not observed. Conversely, impacts in ammonia excretion related to carbonic anhydrase inhibition may have occurred.

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BACKGROUND: The house fly, Musca domestica L., and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are important and harmful organisms. The cosmopolitan house fly is not parasitic, but the adults are annoying and a known vector of several pathogens. The importance of the stable fly has increased in Brazil in the last 40 years, after major changes in sugarcane cultivation practices were implemented, including the widespread application of vinasse (byproduct in sugarcane mills) and the parallel reduction of sugarcane preharvest burning. These changes have favored the development of this fly, which can reach high populations, that can negatively affect cattle and other animals. The control of these flies relies heavily on the use of chemical products, which very often do not provide adequate population reduction. Predatory mites of the family Macrochelidae have been evaluated under laboratory conditions for the biological control of these organisms, especially of the house fly. The objective of this study was to examine the predation capacity of the macrochelids Macrocheles embersoni Azevedo, Castilho & Berto and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) on the house fly and the stable fly, under semi-field conditions (screen-houses). RESULTS: Reductions of 83 to 90% of the house fly and 66 to 73% of the stable fly populations were observed, with the release of 100 of these predators per square meter. CONCLUSIONS: The number of adults of both fly species was much lower in the units where the predators had been released than in the others. However it is suggested that provisioning and or conserving alternative food sources for these macrochelids, such as free-living nematodes, could further improve biocontrol efficacy.

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3D-HEVC is the state-of-the-art standard to compress three-dimensional videos. One of the 3D-HEVC novel tools is the DIS tool, which is used to efficiently compress smooth and homogeneous areas of depth maps by using four different prediction modes. The decision of which DIS mode will be used is done through the SVDC similarity criterion in the DIS original definition. This article proposes the substitution of the complex SVDC criterion for simpler and more hardware friendly criteria as SATD, SSE, and SAD. These alternative criteria were evaluated in terms of encoding efficiency and hardware impacts in comparison with the SVDC. Dedicated DIS hardware were designed using each one of each criterion and these designs were described in VHDL and synthesized for TSMC 40 nm. The best results were found with SAD criteria, with losses of only 0.2% in coding efficiency and with expressive gains of more than 50 times in power and more than 35 times in area, when compared with SVDC. The reached results showed that the use of a simpler similarity criterion is an important alternative to be used in DIS tool, mainly if an efficient hardware design is required.

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PURPOSE: The objective of the study is to compare the radiographic and clinical results of two techniques for the treatment of hallux valgus that have the same indication, the open scarf/Akin (SA) technique and the percutaneous Chevron/Akin (PECA). METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed with the studies found during a systematic review of articles included in electronic databases until 30 May 2020. The pooled analysis was summarized according to clinical outcomes, such as visual analog pain scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, radiographic outcomes and complications, with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Three studies comparing the open scarf/Akin (SA) versus the PECA techniques were added to the analysis, corresponding to 235 feet, 102 in the PECA group and 133 in the SA. The final mean difference in the hallux valgus angle was 0.80 degrees and in the intermetatarsal angle 0.53, in the last radiographic evaluation. In the AOFAS score, the final mean difference was 4.97 points and in the VAS 0.14 in relation to the last clinical evaluation. Exposure to radiation during the surgical procedure was higher in the PECA group with a mean of 35.53 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The PECA surgical technique for the treatment of hallux valgus when compared with SA demonstrated similar radiographic correction, pain and function after six months of follow-up but with a longer radiation exposure time. REGISTER OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEW (PROSPERO): CRD42018096613.

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The finite numerical resolution of digital number representation has an impact on the properties of filters. Much effort has been done to develop efficient digital filters investigating the effects in the frequency response. However, it seems that there is less attention to the influence in the entropy by digital filtered signals due to the finite precision. To contribute in such a direction, this manuscript presents some remarks about the entropy of filtered signals. Three types of filters are investigated: Butterworth, Chebyshev, and elliptic. Using a boundary technique, the parameters of the filters are evaluated according to the word length of 16 or 32 bits. It has been shown that filtered signals have their entropy increased even if the filters are linear. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between order and Shannon entropy of the filtered signal using the elliptic filter. Comparing to signal-to-noise ratio, entropy seems more efficient at detecting the increasing of noise in a filtered signal. Such knowledge can be used as an additional condition for designing digital filters.

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BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for the specific control of oral biofilms. However, its effects on maxillofacial prostheses have been barely explored. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial effect of PDT using methylene blue (MB) and laser against a Staphylococcus aureus biofilm developed on the surface of scleral acrylic resin. METHODS: Sixty-six specimens of acrylic resin designed for ocular prostheses were fabricated in a disk-shaped format (3 × 10 mm). S. aureus biofilm was grown on the surface of the specimens for 24 h and the disks were then treated with MB at different concentrations (25, 50, 75 or 100 µg/mL), with or without PDT (GaAlAs diode laser; 660 nm; 100 mW; 9 J; 321.4 J.cm-2; 3.5 W.cm-2 and 90 s). Control groups were treated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) or phosphate buffered saline. After the treatments, colony forming units (CFU) were counted and the samples were qualitatively evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed descriptively and by nested ANOVA and the Tukey test (α = .05). RESULTS: PDT groups with MB concentrations at 75 and 100 µg/mL formed fewer CFU compared to the other groups (P < 0.001) and the 2% CHX group did not form any CFU. SEM images revealed that the surface of the polymers in these groups did not show bacterial colonies. CONCLUSIONS: PDT significantly reduced S. aureus biofilm in the scleral acrylic resin when associated with an MB dilution of 75 µg/mL or higher. Thus, PDT can be a promising candidate for disinfecting ocular prostheses.

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RESUMEN

RESUMO O objetivo do artigo foi analisar a influência do exercício físico durante a gestação, correlacionando a sua prática com o desfecho materno fetal. O estudo realizado foi de caráter observacional, descritivo, quantitativo e retrospectivo, com entrevistas realizadas com as puérperas primigestas internadas no serviço de pós-parto em uma maternidade pública de Joinville, SC. Os questionários perguntavam sobre informações prévias da puérpera, condições da gestação, exercícios físicos realizados durante a gestação e dados acerca do recém-nascido (RN). As puérperas foram divididas em dois grupos: ativo (n=110) e inativo (n=122), possibilitando, desta maneira, a análise dos diferentes desfechos entre os grupos. Evidenciou-se que o grupo ativo apresentou maiores chances de obter ganho de peso adequado durante a gestação (RC 1,556) e de realização de parto normal (RC 1,899). Em contrapartida, apresentou maiores chances de o RN ser pequeno para a idade gestacional (PIG) (RC 2,436), considerando o intervalo de confiança de 95%. Os dados do presente estudo sugerem que a atividade física durante o período gestacional traz benefícios tanto para a saúde materna quanto para o recém-nascido, desde que realizado de maneira programada, bem orientada e dentro de um limite de intensidade e duração.

ABSTRACT The aim of the article was to analyze the influence of physical exercise during pregnancy, correlating its practice with the fetal maternal outcome. The study was observational, descriptive, quantitative and retrospective, with interviews conducted with primiparous mothers who were in the postpartum service in a public maternity hospital in Joinville, SC. The questionnaires asked about previous information on the postpartum women, pregnancy conditions, physical exercises performed during pregnancy and data about the newborn (NB). The postpartum women were divided into two groups: active (n = 110) and inactive (n = 122), allowing the analysis of the different outcomes between the groups. It was shown that the active group was more likely to obtain adequate weight gain during pregnancy (OR 1,556) and normal delivery (OR 1,899). On the other hand, it was more likely that the newborn was small for gestational age (SGA) (OR 2,436), considering the 95% confidence interval. The data from the present study suggest that physical activity during pregnancy brings benefits to both maternal and newborn health, provided that it is performed in a regular, well-oriented manner and within a limit of intensity and duration.