ABSTRACT Objective: Robotic intracorporeal neobladder reconstruction is a complex procedure in which the approximation of the reservoir to the urethral stump can be a demanding step. The aim of the study is to evaluate the reproducibility of a modified posterior reconstruction (PR) during the reconfiguration of intracorporeal neobladder after robot assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Materials and Methods: From July 2021 to July 2022, 35 RARC were performed, and 17 patients underwent intracorporeal neobladder reconstruction. A PR was planned in males (14). Intra- and peri-operative data were collected. Surgical technique: RARC and node dissection are performed. Afterwards, 40-cm ileal segment is isolated; the portion with the more adequate mesenteric length is brought down to the pelvis. A modified PR is performed with a double-armed barbed suture: a first layer connects the Denonvillier's fascia to the rhabdosphincter in a running fashion; the second layer is created with the other arm and approximates the posterior side of the ileal segment towards the urethral stump. In the anterior caudal part of the ileum, a 1.5-cm incision is made to realize the neobladder neck; the neovesical-urethral anastomosis is performed with a second bidirectional suture. Results: Anastomotic and PR time were 14 (range 7-20) and 5 minutes (4-8), respectively. A single Clavien IIIa complication was recorded in a patient who underwent NAC and had a C. albicans superinfection in the post-operative course. All patients were discharged with complete or acceptable bladder voiding. Twelve patients with follow-up >90-days reported a satisfying daytime continence. Conclusions: PR represents a simple technical refinement that improves neobladder-urethral anastomosis by favoring ileal approximation to the urethral stump and decreasing anastomotic tension.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the performance, egg quality, relative weight of the gastrointestinal organs, and the intestinal morphometry of laying quails fed diets containing levels of dried cassava residue (DCR). A total of 120 150-day-old Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0.0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; and 10.0% of DCR), four replicates, and six birds per experimental unit. The dietary inclusion of DCR did not affect (p>0.05) performance, internal egg quality, yolk color, and the values of villus height, crypt depth, and villus height/crypt depth ratio for the segments of the small intestine. However, a linear increase (p<0.05) was found for eggshell thickness, relative weight of the gizzard, and small intestine with increased dietary levels of the residue. For the relative weight of the pancreas, a quadratic effect (p<0.05) was observed, with the lower relative weight estimated at 4.04% DCR inclusion. Comparing to the control group (0% of DRC inclusion) the quails fed 5% of DRC showed a lower relative weight of the pancreas. The inclusion of up to 10% of dried cassava residue in laying quail’s diets does not interfere with the performance. Among the organs of gastrointestinal tract, the inclusion of dried cassava residue increased the relative weight of gizzard and small intestine. In addition, it improves eggshell quality by increasing eggshell thickness.

Resumo Utilizamos os métodos de entrevista narrativa biográfica e reconstrução de caso biográfico para compreender e explicar as experiências de mobilidade de migrantes da África Ocidental no Brasil. O artigo está fundamentado na sociologia do conhecimento, na sociologia de orientação fenomenológica e na sociologia dos processos e figurações. Os resultados indicam a) a limitação de categorias restritivas para a compreensão do fenômeno, como a baseada em eixos geográficos; b) a necessidade de reconstrução dos deslocamentos anteriores e posteriores dos migrantes para explicar seus cursos migratórios; e c) a tradução dos pertencimentos étnico e religioso e de ativos pessoais e familiares em estratégias que impedem reduzir a explicação das motivações para migrar a determinantes estruturais.

Abstract We used the methods of biographical narrative interview and biographical case reconstruction to understand and explain the experiences of mobility of migrants from West Africa in Brazil. The article is theoretically grounded on the sociology of knowledge, the phenomenological sociology, and the sociology of figurations and processes. The results point out to a) the limitations of the use of restrictive categories for the understanding of the phenomenon, as the ones based on geographic axes; b) the importance of reconstructing the movements of migrants before and after their migration courses; and c) the transformation of ethnic and religious belongings and of personal and family assets in strategies that avoid reducing the causes for migration to structural constraints.

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is an excellent alternative for joining dissimilar and similar materials in comparison to conventional welding processes. In this sense, this work aims at qualifying FSW to similar AA5083-O and AA5052-O aluminum alloys, with 6.35 mm thickness, in a CNC machining center. Therefore, four welding experiments were undertaken. At first, two types of plate surface finish were considered before joining. Afterward, two tool probe geometries, and changes in the base material position were evaluated. Hence, the welds were mainly analyzed by metallography, tensile testing, and bending tests. Results showed that the machining step to oxides removal and plates alignment is beneficial for the weld processing and the factor that has significant influence to achieve suitable joints is the tool probe geometry. Finally, by obtaining an average ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of around 191 MPa, enhanced microhardness, and bent angle of approximately 150°, the best joint was chosen.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of technical cashew nutshell liquid (TCNSL) in European quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) diets from 1 to 35 days of age on the performance, carcass traits, and development of the digestive organs. 575 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% TCNSL), five replicates, and 23 birds per experimental unit. Live performance was evaluated by weight gain, average feed intake, and feed to conversion ratio. The relative weight of the digestive organs (proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, liver, small intestine, and large intestine), length of the small and large intestine, and carcass and parts yield (breast, wing, and leg) were determined at the end of the experimental period (35 days). The supplementation of quail diets with TCNSL did not influence live performance or carcass and parts yields. The relative weights of the proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine, and the length of the small intestine and large intestine were not affected by the dietary inclusion of TCNSL. However, TCNSL supplementation had a quadratic effect (p<0.05) on liver relative weight, with the lowest relative weight predicted at 0.33% TCNSL. Quails fed 1% TCNSL showed higher liver relative weight compared with those fed the TCNSL-free diets. The dietary inclusion of up to 1% TCNSL did not influence the performance, carcass traits, or development of the digestive organs of European quails.

ABSTRACT Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

RESUMO Em bovinos, o desenvolvimento embrionário é caracterizado pelo surgimento de duas camadas distintas, o trofectoderma e a massa celular interna. Este último irá sofrer diferenciação para formar o disco embrionário, o qual consiste em epiblasto e hipoblasto. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar ultraestruturalmente o embrião bovino proveniente de diferentes técnicas de produção in vitro, com ênfase no trofectoderma e na massa celular interna. Embriões bovinos com sete dias de gestação (fecundação = D1), derivados de técnicas de produção in vitro, foram fixados para processamento de microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão. Os resultados sugerem que os embriões produzidos por transferência nuclear de células somáticas e partenogênese apresentaram alterações significativas em suas estruturas macro e microscópica. O tamanho foi reduzido, e a massa celular interna não tinha uma forma definida. Além disso, organelas responsáveis por processos de absorção, comunicação, crescimento e metabolismo celular estavam em menor número e tinham alterações na forma quando comparadas aos resultados em embriões produzidos por fertilização in vitro. Conclui-se que os embriões produzidos por SCNT e partenogênese apresentam diferenças morfológicas quando comparados aos embriões de fertilização in vitro, tais como blastocele pouco desenvolvida, massa celular interna pouco definida e diferenças morfológicas nas organelas.

In cattle, embryo development is characterized by the appearance of two distinct cell layers, the trophectoderm and the inner cell mass. The latter will undergo differentiation to form the embryonic disc consisting of the epiblast and hypoblast. The aim of this study was to ultrastructurally characterize the bovine embryo from different in vitro production techniques, with emphasis on trophectoderm and inner cell mass cells. Bovine embryos on day 7 (conception = D1) of pregnancy, derived via in vitro production techniques, were fixed for light and transmission electron microscopy processing. Results suggested that embryos produced by nuclear transfer of somatic cells and parthenogenesis showed significant changes in macroscopic and microscopic structure. Size was reduced, and the inner cell mass had no defined shape. Furthermore, organelles responsible for the absorption processes, communication, growth, and cellular metabolism were fewer and had changes in shape, when compared to results in embryos produced by in vitrofertilization. We concluded that embryos produced by parthenogenesis and SCNT exhibit morphological differences when compared with IVF embryos, such as undeveloped blastocoel, poorly defined distribution of ICM, and morphological differences in organelles.

Nesta revisão, apresentamos alguns problemas clínicos encontrados nos animais derivados de PIV, principalmente derivados de transferência de núcleo, e discutimos o possível papel da epigenética em tais processos. Além disso, uma vez que vesículas secretadas por células têm sido descritas como possíveis reguladores de processos reprodutivos fisiológicos importantes, tais como a foliculogênese e a fertilização, estas são aqui apresentadas como uma possível nova ferramenta para a manipulação do período embrionário pré-implantacional através de moléculas efetoras, contidas em tais vesículas.

This review aim to present some clinical problems found in IVP-derived animals focusing on NT procedures and to discuss the possible role of epigenetics in such process. Also, as cell-secreted vesicles have been reported as possible regulators of important physiological reproductive processes such as folliculogenesis and fertilization, it is also presented herein a new perspective of manipulating the pre-implantation period trough effector molecules contained in such vesicles.

Tecnologias de modificação genética têm se tornado ferramentas essenciais para o desenvolvimento de biotecnologias animais. A clonagem animal mediante transferência nuclear de célula somática (TNCS) possibilitou a geração de animais geneticamente modificados através da utilização de linhagens celulares previamente modificadas e selecionadas como doadoras de núcleo, garantindo desta maneira a geração de rebanhos homogênoes expressando a modificação desejada. O presente estudo objetivou discutir o uso da TNCS como importante metodologia para a produção de rebanhos transgênicos, assim como experiências recentes na manipulação genética de células doadoras de núcleo e possíveis efeitos da indução gênica à pluripotência na TNCS.

Transgenic technology has become an essential tool for the development of animal biotechnologies, and animal cloning through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) enabled the generation of genetically modified animals utilizing previously modified and selected cell lineages as nuclei donors, assuring therefore the generation of homogeneous herds expressing the desired modification. The present study aimed to discuss the use of SCNT as an important methodology for the production of transgenic herds, and also some recent insights on genetic modification of nuclei donors and possible effects of gene induction of pluripotency on SCNT.

Millions of people and animals suffer from superficial infections caused by a group of highly specialized filamentous fungi, the dermatophytes, which only infect keratinized structures. With the appearance of AIDS, the incidence of dermatophytosis has increased. Current drug therapy used for these infections is often toxic, long-term, and expensive and has limited effectiveness; therefore, the discovery of new anti dermatophytic compounds is a necessity. Natural products have been the most productive source for new drug development. This paper provides a brief review of the current literature regarding the presence of dermatophytes in immunocompromised patients, drug resistance to conventional treatments and new anti dermatophytic treatments.

Background: The Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) is an effective treatment for alcohol misuse but has not been adequately tested for use in helplines for alcoholics. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-based BMI for Brazilians seeking help with alcohol use cessation. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was performed with Brazilian subjects. Participants were randomly assigned to either the minimal intervention group (i.e., given reference materials) or the BMI group. Alcohol abstinence was evaluated in a 6-month follow-up telephone counseling session. The analysis was based on the intention to treat (ITT). Results: Of the 5,896 drug users who called the helpline, 700 (12%) used alcohol, 637 of whom enrolled in this study. At 6-month follow-up, 70% of the BMI group had stopped consuming alcohol compared to 41% in the control group (odds ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-1.9; p = 0.001). Conclusions: A helpline-based BMI helps alcohol users achieve abstinence.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a produtividade agroeconômica do mangarito 'Comum', cultivado sob três e quatro fileiras de plantas em canteiro, sem amontoa, com uma amontoa [aos 28 dias após as brotações (DAB)] ou com duas amontoas (aos 28 e 56 DAB). O delineamento experimental usado foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 3. Para o plantio foram utilizados rizomas-filhos, selecionados com massa média de 2,97 g. A colheita foi realizada aos 236 dias após o plantio. As produtividades de massa fresca de folhas e as de massas frescas e secas de rizomas-filho não-comerciais (RFNC) apresentaram diferenças significativas na interação número de fileiras de plantas no canteiro e amontoas. Para massa fresca de folhas, o maior valor foi obtido no tratamento onde as plantas foram cultivadas sob três fileiras e duas amontoas, superando em 1,67 t ha-1 (+106,37%) as do tratamento três fileiras e sem amontoa, que tiveram a menor produtividade. As plantas cultivadas sob quatro fileiras apresentaram produtividades de massa fresca (média de 3,62 t ha-1) e massa seca (1,0 t ha-1) de RFNC semelhantes àquelas sob três fileiras (3,74 t ha-1 e 0,97 t ha-1, respectivamente), apesar do estande ter sido 25% maior. As maiores produtividades de massa fresca de rizomas-mãe foram obtidas nos tratamentos sem amontoa e com duas amontoas, que superaram em 15,06 e 10,84% aquele com uma amontoa. As maiores produtividades de rizomas-filho comercializáveis foram dos tratamentos com duas e com uma amontoa, que superaram em 70,54 e 61,00%, respectivamente, aquele sem amontoa. A melhor forma de cultivar o mangarito foi em canteiros com quatro fileiras de plantas e com duas amontoas durante o ciclo produtivo da cultura.

The aim of this study was to evaluate agro-economic yield of 'Comum' tannia, grown under three and four rows of plants in seedbed, without hilling, with one hilling [at 28 days after sprouting (DAB)] or with two hilling (at 28 and 56 DAB). The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replications, the treatments being arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial scheme. Cormels with an average weight of 2.97 g were planted. Harvest was done at 236 days after planting. Yield of fresh weight of leaves and fresh and dried weight of non-commercial cormels (RFNC) showed significant differences in the interaction between number of rows per plot and hilling. For fresh weight of leaves, the highest value was obtained in the treatment where plants were cultivated under three rows and two hillings, which was superior in 1.67 t ha-1 (+ 106.37%) than the treatment with three rows and without hilling, which had the lowest yield. Plants that were cultivated under four rows showed yield of fresh weight (average of 3.62 t ha-1) and dried weight (1.0 t ha-1) of RFNC similar to those under three rows (3.74 t ha-1 and 0.97 t ha-1, respectively), although the stand was 25% higher. The highest yields of fresh weight of corms were obtained from treatments without hilling and with two hillings, which were superior in 15.06 and 10.84% than those with one hilling. The highest yields of commercial cormels were from treatments with two and one hilling, which were superior in 70.54 and 61.00%, respectively, than those without hilling. Under conditions in which the research was carried out and considering the higher net income calculated, the best way to cultivate tannia is in seedbeds with four rows of plants and two hillings during the production cycle of the crop.