ABSTRACT Increasing orchard productivity is among the main objectives of pitaya producers. However, the commercial productivity may reduce due to reduction of fruit size as a function of the high amount per plant. This study evaluated the influence of the number of fruit per cladode in commercial productivity and in quality of fruits of two pitaya species at different harvest times. The experiment was carried out in a six-year-old orchard formed by the species Selenicereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus. At each flowering time, the number of fruits set per cladode was counted and plants with two, four, five and six fruits per cladode were selected, and surplus fruits removed. The evaluations followed a split plot design over time, with the main plot as the number of fruit per cladode and the subplot as the harvest seasons: December, February and March, with four replicates and one plant per plot. Plants grown with two fruits per cladode presented the highest percentage of fruits with commercial size and commercial productivity. Both species showed fruits with commercial size in the first harvest of the cycle (December). S. undatus fruits classified as Class I and H. polyrhizus fruits classified as Extra and Class I showed the best quality.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da poda e do tipo de sistema de condução sobre o desempenho agronômico do cultivo perene de fisalis (Physalis peruviana), em regiões de clima tropical de altitude e temperado úmido no Sudeste brasileiro. Os experimentos foram realizados nos municípios de Diamantina (clima temperado úmido) e Couto de Magalhães de Minas (clima tropical de altitude), ambos no estado de Minas Gerais, em dois ciclos (2017/2018 e 2018/2019). No primeiro ciclo, foram avaliados dois tipos de sistema de condução, um com poda de formação para definir o número de hastes para condução em espaldeira e outro livre (sem poda e espaldeira). No segundo ciclo, avaliou-se a poda de renovação em cada sistema de condução. O cultivo de fisalis em regiões de clima temperado úmido, com temperaturas amenas, favorece produções altas e frutos grandes. O sistema de condução em espaldeira com poda de formação facilita o manejo das plantas e aumenta a produtividade. A viabilidade do cultivo perene de fisalis varia de acordo com as condições climáticas do local de cultivo e o sistema de condução adotado.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of pruning and training system type on the agronomic performance of the perennial cultivation of physalis (Physalis peruviana), in high-altitude tropical and humid temperate regions in Southeastern Brazil. The experiments were carried out in the municipalities of Diamantina (humid temperate climate) and Couto de Magalhães de Minas (high-altitude tropical climate), both in the state of Minas Gerais, in two cycles (2017/2018 and 2018/2019). In the first cycle, two types of training system were evaluated, one with formation pruning to define the number of stems for espalier training and the other free (without pruning and espalier). In the second cycle, renewal pruning was evaluated in each training system. Physalis cultivation in regions with humid temperate climate and mild temperatures favors high yields and large fruits. The training system in espalier with formation pruning facilitates plant management and increases productivity. The viability of the perennial cultivation of physalis varies according to the climatic conditions of the cultivation site and to the training system adopted.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the personal and professional characteristics, and the physical, psychiatric/psychological, and professional issues that exist among master’s-, doctoral-, and post-doctoral-level health professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online, self-reported survey of 452 postgraduates who completed master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral degrees in one graduate program in pediatrics in São Paulo, Brazil, was conducted. RESULTS: The response rate was 47% (211/453). The majority of participants were women (78%) and physicians (74%), and the median age was 47 years (28-71). Master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral degrees were reported by 73%, 53%, and 3%, respectively. High workload (>40 hours/week) occurred in 59%, and 45% earned ≥15 minimum wages/month. At least one participation in scientific meeting in the past year was reported by 91%, and 79% had published their research. Thirty-nine percent served as a member of a faculty of an institution of higher learning. The data were analyzed by two age groups: participants aged ≤48 years (group 1) and participants aged >48 years (group 2). The median rating of overall satisfaction with the profession in the past year [8 (0-10) vs. 9 (1-10), p=0.0113]; workload >40 hours/week (53% vs. 68%, p=0.034); and ≥15 minimum wages/month (37% vs. 56%, p=0.0083) were significantly lower in group 1. Further analysis by gender revealed that the median rating of overall satisfaction with the profession in the past year [8 (0-10) vs. 9 (3-10), p=0.0015], workload >40 hours/week (53% vs. 83%, p=0.0002), and ≥15 minimum wages/month (37% vs. 74%, p=0.0001) were significantly lower in women compared with men. The median rating of overall satisfaction with the mentorship supervision provided was significantly higher among the women 10 (5-10) vs. 10 (2-10), p=0.0324]. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of master’s-, doctoral-, and post-doctoral-level health professionals were women and physicians, and had published their thesis. Younger postgraduates and women reported low salaries, less likelihood of working >40 hours/week, and less overall satisfaction with their profession. Further longitudinal and qualitative studies are warranted to assess career trajectories after graduation.

RESUMO: Sobremesas lácteas contendo galactomanana de semente de Caesalpinia pulcherrima tiveram suas propriedades reológicas estáticas e dinâmicas avaliadas. As variações nos índices de consistência (K) e comportamento de fluxo (n), assim como na tensão inicial de fluxo e na tixotropia das sobremesas mostraram o efeito da galactomanana sobre a tensão de cisalhamento e viscosidade aparente dos sistemas lácteos. Todas as sobremesas exibiram comportamento pseudoplástico, com índices de comportamento de fluxo (n) variando entre 0,06 e 0,37. A reologia dinâmica dos grupos MD (alto teor de sólidos) e MD/2 (metade do teor de sólidos), mostrou G’ > G’’ e módulos dependentes da frequência e da temperatura. Alterações químicas nos componentes das sobremesas foram observadas a 50° C em virtude da maior sensibilidade dos valores de G’ e G” a partir dessa temperatura. A galactomanana de C. pulcherrima contribuiu para o desenvolvimento de géis mais fortes e resistentes nas sobremesas lácteas, bem como mostrou sinergismo com amido, proteína do leite e sacarose.

ABSTRACT: Dairy desserts containing Caesalpinia pulcherrima seed galactomannan were evaluated to determine their static and dynamic rheological behaviors. Variations in consistency index (k), flow behavior (n), yield stress and thixotropy of the desserts indicated that the galactomannan caused an increase in the shear stress and apparent viscosity of the system. All samples exhibited shear-thinning behavior with flow behavior index values (n) between 0.06 and 0.37. Dynamic rheological behavior was evaluated for MD (high solid levels) and MD/2 (half the amount of solids) groups, and both G’ and G’’ moduli were depended on the frequency. The MD and MD/2 groups showed variations in the elastic modulus (G’) throughout the temperature range (mainly at 50 °C), showing greater sensitivity at high temperatures. C. pulcherrima galactomannan was able to promote synergism with starch, milk protein and sucrose and to improve the development of stronger and more resistant gels.

BACKGROUND: The cutaneous mycoses, mainly caused by dermatophyte fungi, are among the most common fungal infections worldwide. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of the population will be infected by a dermatophyte at some point in their lives, thus making this a group of diseases with great public health importance. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic profile of dermatophytosis in patients enrolled at the Dermatology service of Universidade do Estado do Pará, Brazil, from July 2010 to September 2012. METHOD: A total of 145 medical records of patients diagnosed with dermatophytosis were surveyed. Data were collected and subsequently recorded according to a protocol developed by the researchers. This protocol consisted of information regarding epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease and the therapy employed. RESULTS: The main clinical form of dermatophyte infection was onychomycosis, followed by tinea corporis, tinea pedis, and tinea capitis. Furthermore, the female population and the age group of 51 to 60 years were the most affected. Regarding therapy, there was a preference for treatments that combine topical and systemic drugs, and the most widely used drugs were fluconazole (systemic) and ciclopirox olamine (topical). CONCLUSION: This study showed the importance of recurrent analysis of the epidemiological profile of dermatophytosis to enable correct therapeutic and preventive management of these conditions, which have significant clinical consequences, with chronic, difficult-totreat lesions that can decrease patient quality of life and cause disfigurement.

Adequate denture hygiene can prevent and treat infection in edentulous patients. They are usually elderly and have difficulty for brushing their teeth. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of complete denture biofilm removal using chemical (alkaline peroxide-effervescent tablets), mechanical (ultrasonic) and combined (association of the effervescent and ultrasonic) methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty complete denture wearers participated in the experiment for 21 days. They were distributed into 4 groups (n=20): (1) Brushing with water (Control); (2) Effervescent tablets (Corega Tabs); (3) Ultrasonic device (Ultrasonic Cleaner, model 2840 D); (4) Association of effervescent tablets and ultrasonic device. All groups brushed their dentures with a specific brush (Bitufo) and water, 3 times a day, before applying their treatments. Denture biofilm was collected at baseline and after 21 days. To quantify the biofilm, the internal surfaces of the maxillary complete dentures were stained and photographed at 45º. The photographs were processed and the areas (total internal surface stained with biofilm) quantified (Image Tool 2.02). The percentage of the biofilm was calculated by the ratio between the biofilm area multiplied by 100 and the total area of the internal surface of the maxillary complete denture. RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison among groups followed by the Dunn multiple-comparison test. All tests were performed respecting a significance level of 0.05. Significant difference was found among the treatments (KW=21.18; P<0.001), the mean ranks for the treatments and results for Dunn multiple comparison test were: Control (60.9); Chemical (37.2); Mechanical (35.2) and Combined (29.1). CONCLUSION: The experimental methods were equally effective regarding the ability to remove biofilm and were superior to the control method (brushing with water). Immersion in alkaline peroxide and ultrasonic vibration can be used as auxiliary agents for cleaning complete dentures.