ABSTRACT There is a need for greater knowledge about the medium- and long-term effects of prescribed fire management on soil in ecosystems prone to wildfires and more vulnerable to climate change. This study examined the short- and medium-term effects of prescribed fire on soil chemical properties and chemical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) in two positions of the landscape in a high-elevation grassland environment. The ecosystem is located in the mountain peaks of southeastern Brazil associated with the Atlantic Forest biome. Prescribed fire was conducted in 2017 to reduce understory vegetation and thus prevent potential severe wildfires. Soil samples were collected at the layers of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.40 m, at eight composite sampling. The composite samples were collected on five different occasions: before the prescribed fire, and 10, 30, 90, and 240 days after the prescribed fire. Soil chemical properties, total organic carbon, labile C, and chemical fractionation of SOM were analyzed. All soil properties investigated were affected by the prescribed fire, with variations in landscape position, duration of effect, and soil layer. In the backslope area, the medium-term effect of fire was negative and induced soil degradation and induced soil degradation. In the footslope area, the system showed greater resilience to the effects of fire, as indicated by the recovery of the soil’s chemical properties. These results can help assess the suitability of controlled burning of vegetation for managing risks of fire in mountainous regions, such as high-elevation grasslands.

Abstract Objectives: This study aims to investigate if a sampling method using virtual networks is feasible to survey AS adoption among this “hard-to-reach” population of Brazilian doctors. Methods: An online piloted 11-point structured survey questionnaire (designed using Googleforms®) probed the actual treatment patterns for adult patients with PTMCs, including treatment decision-making nonoperative options, was undertaken between 10 November and 30 November 2020. Participants were reached by the mobile phone Application (APP) and a snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit a total of 4783 members (maximum number of potential reach), which is the total of doctors of the all 21 social media WhatsApp® groups. Results: From a total of 4783 members (maximum number of potential reach), there were 657 (13.7%) doctors (actual reach) who clicked the web link of the questionnaire, out of whom 512 (10.7%) fully completed the online survey. Among the survey respondents, 361 were endocrinologists (70.5%) and 151 were surgeons (29.5%). Overall, for low-risk PTMCs in an elderly patient, 118 responders (23%) recommend AS, while 390 (76%) recommend immediate surgery as the management, including lobectomy (18.5%) and Total Thyroidectomy (58.2%). The present responders tended to recommend surgery for PTMCs that were located adjacent to the dorsal surface of the thyroid, were multiple, or raised the size during the follow-up. Conclusion: Using snowball sampling strategy as an innovative route to conduct surveys was feasible and applicable but the rate of response was still very low. Our data also suggests the need to investigate if AS is embraced by Brazilian doctors.

ABSTRACT The production of fingerlings on a large scale is one of the biggest challenges for grouper aquaculture development. Groupers may be more susceptible to skeletal anomalies due to their complex skeleton formation ontogenesis. Such anomalies are normally associated with inadequate larviculture protocols for marine fish. The present study aimed to record the occurrence of skeletal anomalies in dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus. Different degrees of kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis were identified. After the larviculture period (60 days), 42% of the dusky grouper presented skeletal anomalies. Therefore, we have concluded that the current protocol for the dusky grouper larviculture must be re-examined, especially to determine a more appropriate water flow in the tanks.

Abstract Before eliciting an adaptive immune response, SARS-CoV-2 must overcome seven constitutive respiratory defense barriers. The first is the mucus covering the respiratory tract’s luminal surface, which entraps inhaled particles, including infectious agents, and eliminates them by mucociliary clearance. The second barrier comprises various components present in the airway lining fluid, the surfactants. Besides providing low surface tension that allows efficient gas exchange at the alveoli, surfactants inhibit the invasion of epithelial cells by respiratory viruses, enhance pathogen uptake by phagocytes, and regulate immune cells’ functions. The respiratory tract microbiota constitutes the third defense barrier against SARS-CoV-2. It activates the innate and adaptive immune cells and elicits anti-infectious molecules such as secretory IgA antibodies, defensins, and interferons. The fourth defense barrier comprises the antimicrobial peptides defensins, and lactoferrin. They show direct antiviral activity, inhibit viral fusion, and modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Secretory IgA antibodies, the fifth defense barrier, besides protecting the local microbiota against noxious agents, also inhibit SARS-CoV-2 cell invasion. If the virus overcomes this barrier, it reaches its target, the respiratory epithelial cells. However, these cells also act as a defense barrier, the sixth one, since they hinder the virus’ access to receptors and produce antiviral and immunomodulatory molecules such as interferons, lactoferrin, and defensins. Finally, the sensing of the virus by the cells of innate immunity, the last constitutive defense barrier, elicits a cascade of signals that activate adaptive immune cells and may inhibit the development of productive infection. The subject of the present essay is discussing these mechanisms.

The process of adaptation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to humans probably had started decades ago, when its ancestor diverged from the bat coronavirus. The adaptive process comprises strategies the virus uses to overcome the respiratory tract defense barriers and replicate and shed in the host cells. These strategies include the impairment of interferon production, hiding immunogenic motifs, avoiding viral RNA detection, manipulating cell autophagy, triggering host cell death, inducing lymphocyte exhaustion and depletion, and finally, mutation and escape from immunity. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 employs strategies to take advantage of host cell resources for its benefits, such as inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system, hijacking mitochondria functions, and usage of enhancing antibodies. It may be anticipated that as the tradeoffs of adaptation progress, the virus destructive burden will gradually subside. Some evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 will become part of the human respiratory virome, as had occurred with other coronaviruses, and coevolve with its host.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Progress tests are longitudinal assessments of students’ knowledge based on successive tests. Calibration of the test difficulty is challenging, especially because of the tendency of item-writers to overestimate students’ performance. The relationships between the levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, the ability of test judges to predict the difficulty of test items and the real psychometric properties of test items have been insufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychometric properties of items according to their classification in Bloom’s taxonomy and judges’ estimates, through an adaptation of the Angoff method. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study using secondary data from students’ performance in a progress test applied to ten medical schools, mainly in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: We compared the expected and real difficulty of items used in a progress test. The items were classified according to Bloom’s taxonomy. Psychometric properties were assessed based on their taxonomy and fields of knowledge. RESULTS: There was a 54% match between the panel of experts’ expectations and the real difficulty of items. Items that were expected to be easy had mean difficulty that was significantly lower than that of items that were expected to be medium (P < 0.05) or difficult (P < 0.01). Items with high-level taxonomy had higher discrimination indices than low-level items (P = 0.026). We did not find any significant differences between the fields in terms of difficulty and discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that items with high-level taxonomy performed better in discrimination indices and that a panel of experts may develop coherent reasoning regarding the difficulty of items.

Abstract In the absence of vaccines and effective antiviral drugs, control of the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) relies mainly on the adequacy of public health resources and policies. Hence, failure to establish and implement scientifically reliable control measures may have a significant effect on the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, severity of the disease, and death toll. The average number of secondary transmissions from an infected person, or reproduction numbers (R0 and R), and the points at which the collective immunity begins to reduce the transmission of the infection, or herd immunity thresholds, are important epidemiological tools used in strategies of Covid-19 control, suppression, and mitigation. However, SARS-CoV-2 transmission through asymptomatic carriers and, possibly, aerosols, has been ignored, and this may affect the effectiveness of Covid-19 control strategies. Therefore, consideration of the two possible ways of transmission would substantially increase the values of reproduction numbers, but if estimates of the contingent of the population naturally resistant to the virus, plus those with pre-existing cross-immunity to SARS-CoV-2 were considered, the evaluation of herd immunity thresholds should reach their real and achievable levels.

Resumo A ineficiência dos procedimentos operacionais das companhias de saneamento ameaça o abastecimento futuro da população. Assim, o aumento da eficiência hidroenergética mostra-se essencial para atender a demanda. As técnicas de otimização são ferramentas importantes na análise de problema complexos, que é caso das redes de distribuição de água para abastecimento, destacando-se os algoritmos genéticos, consagrados pela literatura. Neste sentido propõe-se aqui um modelo de otimização de operação de rede de distribuição de água utilizando algoritmos genéticos. O diferencial da pesquisa e metodologia baseada na análise dos resultados com o uso de ferramentas de estatística e planejamento de experimentos. A técnica foi aplicada a uma rede teórica desenvolvida para o estudo. Simulações preliminares foram feitas com o uso do Epanet representando as principais causas da ineficiência hidroenergética nas companhias de saneamento brasileiras. Para a aplicação do modelo foram alterados parâmetros tais como: níveis reservatórios, diâmetro das tubulações, pressões de bombeamento e fechamento de válvulas cujos valores foram estabelecidos através de técnicas de planejamento de experimentos. Obteve-se a equação da superfície de resposta, otimizada, que resultou nos valores dos parâmetros hidráulicos estabelecidos. Então, aplicou-se os então os parâmetros obtidos no algoritmo de otimização computacional, resultando em perdas de 26,61%, melhoria de 16,19 p.p. em relação a rede sem otimização, estabelecendo uma estratégia operacional envolvendo três bombas e uma válvula redutora de pressão. Conclui-se que a associação de técnicas de otimização a planejamento de experimentos constitui uma promissora técnica para tratar da complexidade de otimização de rede de distribuição de água.

Abstract Inefficiency of sanitation companies’ operation procedures threatens the population’s future supplies. Thus, it is essential to increase water and energy efficiency in order to meet future demand. Optimization techniques are important tools for the analysis of complex problems, as in distribution networks for supply. Currently, genetic algorithms are recognized by their application in literature. In this regard, an optimization model of water distribution network is proposed, using genetic algorithms. The difference in this research is a methodology based on in-depth analysis of results, using statistics and the design of experimental tools and software. The proposed technique was applied to a theoretical network developed for the study. Preliminary simulations were accomplished using EPANET, representing the main causes of water and energy inefficiency in Brazilian sanitation companies. Some parameters were changed in applying this model, such as reservoir level, pipe diameter, pumping pressures, and valve-closing percentage. These values were established by the design of experimental techniques. As output, we obtained the equation of response surface, optimized, which resulted in values of established hydraulic parameters. From these data, the obtained parameters in computational optimization algorithms were applied, resulting in losses of 26.61%, improvement of 16.19 p.p. with regard to the network without optimization, establishing an operational strategy involving three pumps and a pressure-reducing valve. We conclude that the association of optimization and the planning of experimental techniques constitutes an encouraging method to deal with the complexity of water-distribution network optimization.

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the serum levels of nitric oxide and correlate them with the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver, brain and spinal cord of animals using L-NAME and treated with hydroxyurea. Methods: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was intraperitoneally administered to induce oxidative stress. TBARS and plasma nitric oxide levels were analyzed in all groups. Histopathology of the liver and vascular tissue was performed. Results: Statistically significant differences were seen in liver, brain and spinal cord TBARS levels. Conclusions: Following the use of L-NAME, hepatic tissue increased the number of Kupffer cells as oxidative stress and inflammatory response increased. The use of L-NAME caused an increase in lipid peroxidation products and, consequently, in oxidative stress in animals. Hydroxyurea doses of 35 mg / kg / day reduced TBARS values in liver, brain and spinal cord.

Resumo Introdução: O pulmão é considerado um dos órgãos-alvo do diabetes mellitus, como consequência das alterações secundárias à hiperglicemia crônica, comprometendo a força muscular respiratória. A cirurgia metabólica para a melhora do diabetes mellitus exerce efeitos benéficos na perda de peso e no metabolismo da glicose. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil da força muscular respiratória, avaliada por PImáx e PEmáx, o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a glicemia em jejum de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 antes e após a cirurgia metabólica sem ressecção gástrica. Método: Dezessete pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 participaram do estudo. Os participantes tinham idade média de 44,8±11,81 anos. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram uma diminuição significativa dos valores da PEmáx no pós-operatório imediato, quando comparado ao pré-operatório (p = 0,001), enquanto não foram obtidos resultados significativos para a PImáx. Em relação ao IMC e à glicemia em jejum, observou-se perda significativa de peso e redução significativa dos níveis de glicemia de jejum no pós-operatório tardio (p = 0,006; p= 0,007, respectivamente). Conclusão: A PImáx e a PEmáx foram restabelecidas e resultados satisfatórios foram obtidos para IMC e glicemia de jejum no pós-operatório tardio. Mais estudos são necessários para monitorar pacientes no pré e pós-operatório de cirurgia metabólica, identificando complicações e atuando no cuidado e recuperação desses pacientes.

Abstract Introduction: The lung is considered a target organ in diabetes mellitus as a consequence of alterations secondary to chronic hyperglycemia that compromise respiratory muscle strength. Metabolic surgery for improving diabetes mellitus has beneficial effects on weight loss and glucose metabolism. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength, assessed by MIP and MEP, body mass index (BMI) and fasting glucose profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus before and after metabolic surgery without gastric resection. Method: Seventeen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in the study. The participants had a mean age of 44.8 ± 11.81 years. Results: The results showed a significant decrease of MEP values in the immediate postoperative period when compared to the preoperative period (p=0.001), while no significant results were obtained for MIP. Regarding BMI and fasting glucose, significant weight loss and a significant reduction in fasting glucose levels were observed in the late postoperative period (p=0.006 and p=0.007, respectively). Conclusion: The MIP and MEP were reestablished and satisfactory results were obtained for BMI and fasting glucose in the late postoperative period. Further studies are needed to monitor patients in the pre- and postoperative period of metabolic surgery, identifying complications and acting on the care and recovery of these patients.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes taxas de arraçoamento no desempenho produtivo de bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) criado em águas salobras. Para o experimento, 1.600 juvenis foram distribuídos em 16 cercados instalados em viveiro, em área estuarina. Foram avaliados quatro diferentes níveis de arraçoamento: 1, 3, 5 e 7% do peso vivo (PV) por dia. Avaliaram-se os seguintes parâmetros de desempenho: sobrevivência, biomassa final, taxa de crescimento específico, ganho de peso diário, conversão alimentar aparente, taxa de eficiência proteica, taxa de eficiência lipídica e índice hepatossomático. A sobrevivência foi superior a 80% em todos os níveis de arraçoamento. A conversão alimentar aparente mais eficiente foi obtida com a taxa de arraçoamento de 5% do PV por dia, que também resultou em melhores valores para o índice hepatossomático. A taxa de 5% do PV por dia proporciona melhor desempenho produtivo para o bijupirá em águas salobras.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate different feeding rates on the productive performance of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) grown in brackish waters. For the experiment, 1,600 juveniles were distributed in 16 enclosures installed in an estuarine pond. Four different feeding rates were evaluated: 1, 3, 5, and 7% live weight (LW) per day. The following performance parameters were assessed: survival, final biomass, specific growth rate, daily weight gain, apparent feed conversion, protein efficiency rate, lipid efficiency rate, and hepatosomatic index. Survival was greater than 80% at all feeding rates. The most efficient feed conversion rate was obtained with the feeding rate of 5% LW per day, which also resulted in better values for the hepatosomatic index. The rate of 5% LW per day provides a better productive performance for cobia in brackish waters.

Resumo Introdução: O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma desordem metabólica multifatorial. Considerado um problema de saúde pública necessita de opções de tratamento adicionais. Objetivo: Este estudo prospectivo avaliou a função pulmonar, através da espirometria, antes e após a cirurgia metabólica sem ressecção gástrica em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 17 mulheres com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Elas foram avaliadas no PRE (24 horas antes da cirurgia), pós-operatório imediato POST1 (24 horas após a cirurgia) e no pós-operatório tardio POST2 (dois anos após a cirurgia). Além da análise estatística, foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros expirométricos: capacidade vital forçada (CVF), volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e relação VEF1/CVF (%). Resultados: os parâmetros expirométricos aumentaram quando comparados aos valores PRE e POS2, exceto para CVF e VEF1, os quais não foram estatisticamente significativos. Conclusão: Mulheres diabéticas tipo 2 que realizaram cirurgia metabólica sem ressecção gástrica aumentaram o valor expirométrico após dois anos do procedimento cirúrgico, quando comparadas aos valores no pré-operatório. Estudos adicionais são importantes sobre a função pulmonar, diabetes e cirurgia metabólica sem ressecção gástrica.

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder. As considered a public health problem needing additional treatment options. Objective: This prospective study aimed at evaluating pulmonary function through spirometry, before and after metabolic surgery without gastric resection in type 2 DM patients. Methods: Sample was composed by 17 type 2 DM females. They were analyzed in pre (24 hours before surgical procedure), immediate post-operative period POST1 (24 hours after surgical procedure) and in the late postoperative period POST2 (two years after surgical procedure). Besides statistical analysis, it was evaluated the following spirometric parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the FEV1 / FVC ratio (%). Results: Spirometric parameters showed a value increase when compared PRE and POS2 values, except for FVC and FEV1, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Type 2 DM women submitted to metabolic surgery without gastric resection showed spirometric value increased after two-year surgical procedure, when compared to preoperative period values. It is important additional studies about pulmonary function, diabetic patients and metabolic surgery without gastric resection.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar anatomicamente a origem femoral e inserção tibial das bandas ântero-medial e póstero-lateral do ligamento cruzado anterior. MÉTODOS: Estudados oito joelhos de cadáveres, foram feitas as seguintes medidas no fêmur: distância do centro da banda ântero-medial à cartilagem profunda e a ao teto. Ainda no fêmur, do centro da banda póstero-lateral à cartilagem profunda, a cartilagem inferior e à cartilagem superficial. Na tíbia, foi aferido do bordo ósseo tibial anterior à região anterior da banda ântero-medial, ao centro da banda ântero-medial e ao centro da banda póstero-lateral. Também foi medido o centro da banda póstero-lateral ao bordo ósseo posterior da tíbia e o comprimento ântero-posterior total da inserção tibial do ligamento cruzado anterior. RESULTADOS: No fêmur, a distância do centro da banda ântero-medial à cartilagem profunda foi de 6,3 ±1,4mm e ao teto 11,2 ±2mm. Ainda no fêmur, a medida do centro da banda póstero-lateral à cartilagem profunda 9 ±4mm, à cartilagem superficial 7,6 ±1,8mm e a cartilagem inferior 4,2 ±0,9mm. Na tíbia, a distância do bordo ósseo tibial anterior à região anterior da banda ântero-medial foi de 11,9 ±2,8mm, ao centro da banda ântero-medial 18,8 ±2,6mm e ao centro da banda póstero-lateral 26,5 ±2,3mm. A medida do centro da banda póstero-lateral ao bordo ósseo posterior da tíbia foi 19,6 ±4mm e o comprimento ântero-posterior total da inserção tibial do ligamento cruzado anterior 19,4 ±1,8mm. CONCLUSÃO: O centro da inserção tibial da banda ântero-medial encontra-se a aproximadamente 20mm da extremidade anterior da tíbia, enquanto o centro da póstero-lateral se encontra a 30mm. A distância entre o centro da origem da banda ântero-medial até a cartilagem profunda é 6mm e da póstero-lateral 10mm.

OBJECTIVE: To anatomically evaluate the femoral origin and tibial insertion of the anteromedial and posterolateral bands of the anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: We studied eight cadaver knees as for the following: in the femur, distance from the center of the anteromedial band to the deep cartilage and the ceiling; also in the femur, distance from the center of the posterolateral band to the deep cartilage, to the inferior cartilage and to the superficial cartilage. In the tibia, we measured the distances between the anterior tibial bone edge to the anterior region of the anteromedial band, to the center of the anteromedial band and to the center of the posterolateral band. We also measured the distance between the center of the posterolateral band to the tibial posterolateral bone and the total length of the anteroposterior tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament. RESULTS: In the femur, the distance from the center of the anteromedial band to the deep cartilage was 6.3 ± 1.4 mm, and 11.2 ± 2 mm to the ceiling. Also in the femur, the distance from the center of the posterolateral band to the deep cartilage was 9 ± 4 mm, to the superficial cartilage 7.6 ± 1.8 mm, and to the inferior cartilage 4.2 ± 0.9 mm. In the tibia, the distance from the anterior tibial bone edge to the anterior region of the anteromedial band was 11.9 ± 2.8 mm, to the center of the anteromedial band 18.8 ± 2.6 mm, and to the center of the posterolateral band 26.5 ± 2.3 mm. The distance from the center of the posterolateral band to the tibial posterior bone edge was 19.6 ± 4 mm and the total length of the anteroposterior tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament was 19.4 ± 1.8 mm. CONCLUSION: The center of the tibial insertion of the anteromedial band is approximately 20mm distant from the anterior edge of the tibia, while the center of the posterolateral band is approximately 30mm. The distance between the center of the origin of the anteromedial band to the deep cartilage is 6mm, and to the posterior lateral 10mm.

A salmonelose septicêmica prolongada é uma entidade clinicamente individualizada caracterizada por febre prolongada com hepatoesplenomegalia que ocorre em indivíduos esquistossomóticos coinfectados com salmonelas. Os mecanismos imunopatogênicos são vários e dependem das peculiaridades das interações entre as salmonelas e várias espécies do gênero Schistosoma. As modificações ocasionadas no sistema imunitário pela infecção parasitária são responsáveis pela evolução do quadro da doença. Nesta revisão, analisamos a evolução do conhecimento sobre a entidade e discutimos os possíveis mecanismos imunofisiopatogênicos que concorrem para seu desenvolvimento.

Chronic septicemic salmonellosis is an individualized clinical entity characterized by prolonged fever with enlargement of the liver and spleen that occurs in Schistosoma-infected individuals who are coinfected with Salmonella. Several immunopathogenic mechanisms are involved, and they depend on the peculiarities of the interactions between Salmonella and various species of the genus Schistosoma. The modifications to the immune system that are caused by parasite infection are responsible for the evolution of the disease. In this review, we analyze the evolution of the knowledge on this entity and discuss the possible immuno-physiopathogenic mechanisms that contribute towards its development.