ABSTRACT Integration of forage grasses with grain crops, such as maize, allows maintaining soil cover. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tensile strength, friability, and stability of soil aggregates in the maize and forage grass intercropping under no-tillage system. The study used a completely randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in two seasons (2015 and 2016) at 0–0.10 m and 0.10–0.20 m soil depth. The following properties of soil aggregates were measured: tensile strength (TS), friability (F), gravimetric moisture (GM), weighted mean diameter (WMD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and aggregate stability index (ASI). The intercropping of maize with Urochloa ruziziensis presented higher WMD and GMD at 0.10–0.20 m soil depth. Moreover, TS at 0.10–0.20 m soil depth was lower in maize without intercropping. The effects of the intercropping system on soil aggregates were better detected by aggregate stability than by TS or F. The intercropping of maize and U. ruziziensis improved soil aggregation to a higher extent than those systems with other forage grasses.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de fitomassa (folhas e caules) de culturas anuais e plantas de cobertura semeadas em safrinha e seus efeitos na produtividade da soja em sucessão. O experimento foi conduzido nas safras de 2014/2015 e 2015/2016. A soja foi semeada nas safras e nas safrinhas, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em nove sistemas de produção (tratamentos) constituídos de culturas anuais (milho, girassol e feijão-caupi) e plantas de cobertura (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria breviflora, C. spectabilis, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes sp. e U. brizantha), em cultivos solteiros ou consorciados, além de pousio como controle. Os cultivos solteiros de P. glaucum e U. ruziziensis apresentaram estabelecimento e crescimento mais rápido, maior fitomassa total e taxa de cobertura do solo na safra de 2014. Em 2015, o milho consorciado com U. ruziziensis e C. spectabilis, e o girassol com U. ruziziensis se destacaram na produção de fitomassa total, durante o florescimento e após a colheita dos grãos do milho e do girassol. A composição das fitomassas nos sistemas apresentou maiores proporções de caules do que de folhas, com destaque para C.spectabilis após a senescência. Semeada em safrinha, C. spectabilis promove aumento de produtividade de soja em sucessão, no sistema plantio direto.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the biomass (leaves and stems) production of annual and cover crops sown as second crop, and its effects on soybean yield in succession. The experiment was carried out in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 crop seasons. Soybean was sown in the crop season and in the second crop, in a randomized complete block design, in nine production systems (treatments) consisting of annual crops (corn, sunflower, and cowpea) and cover crops (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria breviflora, C. spectabilis, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes sp., and U. brizantha), which were grown in monocropping or intercropping systems, besides fallow as a control. Monocropped P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis showed a faster establishment and growth of plants, higher-total biomass and soil cover rate in the 2014 crop season. In 2015, corn intercropped with U.ruziziensis and C.spectabilis, and sunflower with U.ruziziensis stood out for total biomass production during flowering and after harvesting of corn and sunflower grains. Biomass composition in the systems showed greater proportions of stems than of leaves, and C.spectabilis stood out after senescence. Sown as a second crop, C. spectabilis promotes yield increase of soybean grown in succession in the no-tillage system.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Perioperative, oncologic, and functional results between open radical prostatectomy and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are still the subject of debate. OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative, oncologic, and functional results between open radical prostatectomy and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, and analytic study was conducted by analyzing the medical records of patients that underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and patients that underwent open radical prostatectomy, within the time frame of January 2012 and June 2016. The follow-up period for the patients with robotic-assisted prostatectomy was from 3 to 21 months and that of open radical prostatectomy was from 1 to 4 years. Preoperative variables (age, ECOG functional status, comorbidities, prostate-specific antigen concentration, Gleason score, NCCN risk group), perioperative variables (intraoperative blood loss, surgery duration, days of hospital stay, time with transurethral catheter, postoperative complications), and oncologic variables (clinical stage, surgical specimen Gleason criteria, positive surgical margins, disease persistence and biochemical recurrence, urinary continence [at 3, 6, and 12 months], sexual potency or performance [at 6 and 12 months]) were analyzed. The SPSS program was used for the statistical analysis. Frequencies were calculated and normality tests were performed. The Pearson’s ꭓ2 test was employed for the qualitative variables and the Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the quantitative variables. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and 36 had open radical prostatectomy. For robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus open radical prostatectomy, the mean age of the patients was 64 vs 63 years, surgery duration was 286 min (68) vs 225 min (±65) (p<0.001). intraoperative blood loss was 869 mL (±657) vs 1567 mL (±1110) (p=0.001), and the transfusion rate was 37 vs 47% (p=0.26), respectively. Mean hospital stay was 5 days for the two procedures. Postoperative complications presented in 29 vs 28% (p=0.58) of the patients, there were positive surgical margins in 63 vs 33% (p=0.01), and the continence rate at 3 months was 57 vs 53% (p=0.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the benefits of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in relation to intraoperative blood loss and transfusion. In addition, the rest of the parameters evaluated were similar, but not inferior, to those for open radical prostatectomy.

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: hay controversia en cuanto a los resultados perioperatorios, oncológicos y funcionales entre la prostatectomía radical abierta versus la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot. OBJETIVO: comparar los resultados perioperatorios, oncológicos y funcionales entre la prostatectomía radical abierta versus prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y analítico, efectuado mediante el análisis de los expedientes de pacientes posoperados de prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot y prostatectomía radical abierta, de enero de 2012 a junio de 2016. El seguimiento de los pacientes con prostatectomía asistida por robot fue de 3 a 21 meses y de prostatectomía radical abierta de 1-4 años. Se analizaron variables preoperatorias (edad, estado funcional según los criterios del ECOG, comorbilidades, concentración de antígeno prostático específico, escala de Gleason y grupo de riesgo de la NCCN), perioperatorias (sangrando transoperatorio, tiempo quirúrgico, requerimiento de transfusión sanguínea, días de estancia hospitalaria, tiempo de permanencia de la sonda transuretral y complicaciones posquirúrgicas) y oncológicas (estadio clínico, criterios de Gleason de la pieza quirúrgica, márgenes positivos, persistencia y recurrencia bioquímica de la enfermedad; continencia urinaria [3, 6 y 12 meses] y potencia o desempeño sexual [6 y 12]. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa SPSS; se calcularon frecuencias y pruebas de normalidad. Se implementó la ꭓ2 de Pearson para variables cualitativas, y la t de Student y U de Mann-Whitney para variables cuantitativas. RESULTADOS: se registraron 35 pacientes con prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot y 36 con prostatectomía radical abierta. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 64 vs 63 años; tiempo quirúrgico de 286 ± 68 vs 225 ± 65 minutos (p<0.001); sangrando transoperatorio de 869 ± 657 vs 1567 1110 mL (p=0.001); tasa de transfusión de 37 vs 47% (p=0.26), respectivamente, y estancia hospitalaria de 5 días para ambos procedimientos. Se registraron complicaciones posquirúrgicas en 29 vs 28% (p=0.58) de los pacientes; márgenes positivos de 63 vs 33% (p=0.01) y tasa de continencia a los 3 meses de 57 vs 53% (p=0.7), respectivamente. El seguimiento de los pacientes con prostatectomía asistida por robot fue de 3 a 21 meses y de prostatectomía radical abierta de 1 a 4 años. CONCLUSIONES: este estudio confirma las ventajas de la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot: menor sangrado transoperatorio y de trasfusión; los parámetros restantes fueron similares, pero no inferiores, a los de la prostatectomía radical abierta.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de plantas de cobertura semeadas em diferentes sistemas de cultivo quanto à produção de fitomassa e acúmulo de nutrientes, no cerrado piauiense. O experimento foi instalado no ano agrícola 2010/2011, na Serra do Quilombo, município de Bom Jesus (Piauí). O arranjo utilizado foi em parcelas subdivididas, com os seguintes sistemas de manejo do solo: preparo convencional e plantio direto avaliados nas parcelas e, nas subparcelas, os sistemas de produção: S1 - Soja no verão em monocultura; S2 - Soja no verão e Penissetum glaucum na safrinha; S3 - P. glaucum pré-soja de verão e sobressemeadura de Urochloa ruziziensis na soja no estádio R5.5; S4 - Soja de verão e sobressemeadura de P. glaucum na soja no estádio R5.5; S5 - Milho verão + U. ruziziensis simultâneo. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os sistemas com a sobressemeadura do P. glaucum e do U. ruziziensis na soja e o consórcio de milho + U. ruziziensis destacaram-se na produção de fitomassa seca, cobertura do solo e acúmulo de nutrientes durante a entressafra no cerrado piauiense. Os nutrientes com maior taxa de acúmulo pelas plantas de cobertura foram o nitrogênio e o potássio.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biomass production and nutrient accumulation in potential cover crops sown in different cropping systems in the Brazilian Cerrado of Piauí State. The experiment was conducted in the crop season 2010/2011 in the Serra do Quilombo, county of Bom Jesus, Piauí, Brazil. This study was arranged in split plot scheme, with soil management systems (conventional tillage and no-tillage) evaluated in plots and crop systems in subplots: S1- Soybean monoculture in the crop-season; S2 - Soybean in crop-season and Pennisetum glaucum for off-season; S3 - P. glaucum before soybean crop-season and Urochloa ruziziensis oversown on soybean in the phenological stage R5.5; S4 - Soybean crop-season and P. glaucum oversown on soybean in R5.5; S5 - Maize + U. ruziziensis simultaneously in crop-season. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four replications. The crop systems with oversown of P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis on soybean and the consortium maize + U. ruziziensis improved the biomass production, soil coverage and nutrient accumulation during the off-season in the Cerrado from Piauí State, Brazil. The nutrients with greater accumulation rate by cover crops were nitrogen and potassium.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de plantas de cobertura quanto à fitomassa, ao acúmulo e à liberação de nutrientes, durante a entressafra, em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, no Cerrado. O experimento foi realizado em Santo Antônio de Goiás e Rio Verde, GO, de novembro de 2007 a outubro de 2008. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com as plantas de cobertura avaliadas nas parcelas principais e com os períodos de coleta de fitomassa nas subparcelas, com quatro repetições. As espécies avaliadas foram: Urochloa brizantha, U. ruziziensis, Pennisetum glaucum e U. ruziziensis + Cajanus cajan e, como referência, pousio com vegetação espontânea. As épocas de coleta foram seis em Santo Antônio de Goiás e cinco em Rio Verde, a partir da data de dessecação do P. glaucum, aos 60 dias após a semeadura. O P. glaucum apresentou as maiores quantidades de fitomassa seca no início da entressafra, enquanto as outras coberturas apresentaram acúmulos significativos de fitomassa e nutrientes no final da entressafra.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of cover crops regarding biomass production and nutrient accumulation and release during the off-season in a clayey Red Latossol (Ferralsol) in the Cerrado. The assay was carried out at Santo Antônio de Goiás and Rio Verde, GO, Brazil from November/2007 to October/2008. A randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement in time was used, with the cover crops evaluated in the main plot and with biomass sampling time in the subplot, with four replicates. The evaluated species were: Urochloa brizantha, U. ruziziensis, Pennisetum glaucum e U. ruziziensis + Cajanus cajan and, as reference, a fallow treatment with spontaneous vegetation. Sampling times were six in Santo Antônio de Goiás and five in Rio Verde, since the desiccation date of P. glaucum, 60 days after cover crop sowing. P. glaucum showed the largest quantities of dry biomass at the beginning of the off-season, while the other covers showed significant accumulations of biomass and nutrients at the end of the off-season.

The present study evaluated snakebite cases recorded by the Southwest II Regional Health Bureau [Regional de Saúde Sudoeste II], Goiás State, Brazil. The following data were analyzed: accident period; patient's age and gender; bite site; envenomation severity; and time elapsed between the bite and medical treatment. We evaluated 211 cases recorded between January 2002 and December 2005, which resulted in an incidence coefficient of 32.4/100,000 inhabitants. Most accidents were due to the bite of snakes from the Bothrops genus (78.2%). The months between January and April had a larger number of accidents (93%-44.1%), although no significant differences were observed. Only one death occurred, resulting in a mortality rate of 0.5%. The lower limbs were the most frequently affected (66.3%). The majority of the victims were male (75.1%). The age group of most of the patients was from 21 to 30 years (20.8%). The accidents were classified as mild, moderate and severe, representing 44.9%, 47.6% and 7.5% of the cases, respectively. The time elapsed between the accident and medical treatment was less than 3h in most of the cases (80.7%), reflecting the high frequency of mild and moderate accidents (92.5%) as well as the large number of healed patients.