ABSTRACT This case report describes the clinical characteristics and ophthalmic management of a patient who developed corneal perforation due to severe enophthalmos consistent with “silent brain syndrome.” A 27-year-old man with a history of congenital hydrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunt was referred with complaints of “sinking of the eyeballs” and progressively decreasing vision in the left eye. Examination revealed severe bilateral enophthalmos in addition to superonasal corneal perforation with iris prolapse in the left eye. The patient underwent therapeutic keratoplasty the next day. Orbital reconstruction with costochondral graft and shunt revision of the intracranial hypotension were performed the next month to prevent further progression.

RESUMO Este relato de caso descreve as características clínicas e o manejo cirúrgico de um paciente que teve perfuração da córnea devido à enoftalmia grave consistente com a “síndrome do cérebro silencioso”. Um homem de 27 anos com história de hidrocefalia congênita e derivação ventrículo-peritoneal foi encaminhado com queixas de “afundamento dos globos oculares” e diminuição progressiva da visão no olho esquerdo. O exame revelou enoftalmo bilateral importante, além de perfuração superonasal da córnea com prolapso iriano no olho esquerdo. A paciente foi submetida à ceratoplastia terapêutica no dia seguinte. Foi realizado no mês seguinte a reconstrução da órbita com enxerto costocondral e revisão do shunt para evitar progressão e piora do caso.

RESUMO O óleo de Caryocar villosum é usado na medicina popular amazônica para tratar dores e condições inflamatórias. Assim, avaliamos as propriedades antiinflamatórias e antinociceptivas do extrato etanólico obtido das cascas dos frutos desta espécie. Os testes de contorções induzidas por ácido acético, hiperalgesia mecânica induzida por carragenina, formalina, edema de pata induzido por carragenina e peritonite induzida por carragenina foram usados em camundongos. O extrato etanólico de C. villosum obtido das cascas dos frutos inibiu significativamente o número de contorções abdominais, a hiperalgesia mecânica e o tempo de lambida da pata na segunda fase do teste de formalina. Na dose de 300 mg kg-1, o extrato também reduziu significativamente o volume de edema formado na fase tardia e reduziu o recrutamento de leucócitos e neutrófilos na cavidade peritoneal, bem como os níveis de quimiocina CXCL1. Sugere-se que o extrato atenua o recrutamento de leucócitos por meio da inibição da ativação de CXCL1. A atividade antinociceptiva periférica ocorre por meio da modulação da via opioide pois o pré-tratamento com o extrato etanólico de C. villosum reverteu a antinocicepção induzida pela naltrexona.

ABSTRACT The oil of Caryocar villosum is used in Amazonian folk medicine to treat pain and inflammatory conditions. So, we assessed the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the ethanolic extract obtained from the fruit peels of this species. The acetic acid-induced writhing, carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia, formalin, carrageenan-induced paw edema and carrageenan-induced peritonitis tests were used on mice. The C. villosum ethanolic extract significantly inhibited the number of abdominal writhes, mechanical hyperalgesia and paw licking time in the second phase of the formalin test. At a dose of 300 mg kg-1, the extract also significantly reduced the volume of edema formed in the late phase and reduced the recruitment of leukocytes and neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity, as well as CXCL1 chemokine levels. It is suggested that the extract attenuates the leukocyte recruitment by inhibiting the CXCL1 activation. The peripheral antinociceptive activity occured through opioid pathway modulation because pretreatment with C. villosum ethanolic extract reversed the naltrexone-induced antinociception.

Abstract The aim was to identify the predominant variables in the differentiation of meat quality of cattle submitted to surgical castration, immunocastration, or non-castration and finished in a tropical pasture. Thirty-nine crossbred cattle were used and distributed in three treatments: i) surgical castration; ii) immunocastration; and iii) non-castration, with an initial mean age of 14.06±0.72 months and a mean weight of 284.10±31.40 kg. We used the principal component analysis to differentiate the qualitative meat characteristics between the treatments. Based on that analysis, we found that the first three principal components explained 71.44% of the total variation in the meat quality data, which ensures that the variation found is associated with the effect of the treatments. The characteristics correlated with the first three principal components and responsible for the discrimination between sexual conditions were subcutaneous fat thickness, instrumental meat color, cooking loss and shear force. These characteristics were similar among castrated animals, regardless of the methods. Therefore, immunological castration preserves the attributes of the meat and prevents possible damage to the physical and mental integrity of the animals. Finally, principal component analysis is an important methodology in the objective investigation of beef meat attributes.

BACKGROUND: There exist many psychosocial sequelae associated with mobility impairment, especially in low-resource settings where access to mobility assistive devices is limited OBJECTIVES: This study aims to (1) define the burden and presenting aetiologies of mobility impairment in the rural Northern Region of Malawi and (2) assess the relationship between physical disability, life satisfaction and access to mobility aids METHODS: At mobility device donation clinics throughout the Northern Region of Malawi, adults living with mobility impairment were surveyed with a demographic questionnaire and a series of validated surveys to assess their physical activity levels (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire [GPAQ]), degree of mobility impairment (Washington Group Extended Set Questions on Disability) and life satisfaction (patient-reported outcomes measurement information systems satisfaction with participation in social roles and general life satisfaction RESULTS: There were 251 participants who qualified for inclusion, of which 193 completed all surveys. Higher physical activity scores were positively correlated with increased life satisfaction: (1) satisfaction with participation in social roles (0.481, p < 0.0001) and (2) general life satisfaction (0.230, p < 0.001). Respondents who had previously used a formal mobility device reported 235.5% higher physical activity levels ([139.0%, 333.0%], p = 0.006), significantly higher satisfaction with participation in social roles ([0.21, 6.67], p = 0.037) and equivocally higher general life satisfaction ([−1.77, 3.84], p = 0.470 CONCLUSION: Disability and mental health do not exist in isolation from one another. Given the positive correlations between formal mobility device usage and both physical activity and life satisfaction, interventions that increase access to mobility-assistive devices in undertreated populations are imperative CONTRIBUTION: This study contributes to the understanding of the complex relationship between physical disability, access to mobility aids, and life satisfaction. Results from this study suggest the potential benefit that increasing access to mobility aids may have in improving the quality of life of mobility impaired persons in resource-limited settings, such as the Northern Region of Malawi

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical variability of Allamanda cathartica flowers collected in different localities of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Extractive solutions (25 samples) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD for the qualitative and quantitative profiles of the iridoid plumieride, the flavonoid rutin as well as total flavonoid content expressed in rutin. The chemical variability was evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA). The samples demonstrated similar chromatographic profiles. In PCA analysis, Araquari samples AC01, AC08 and AC25 did not group with other samples obtained from other locations. In the HCA analysis, it was possible to observe hierarchially similar groups, generating 5 clusters. Group 5 (samples AC01, AC08 and AC25) presented lower similarity compared to the other groups. This dissimilarity can be explained by the amount of metabolites from each collection. Regarding the content of markers, it was observed a variation between 27 to 230 mg/g, 2.7 to 9.5 mg/g and 7.14 to 17.8 mg/g for plumieride, rutin, and total flavonoids, respectively. The samples from Araquari (AC01, AC08, AC25) presented the highest concentrations of chemical markers. Therefore, for reproducibility and standardization of A. cathartica flower extracts, it is important to determine the location and the plant cultivation conditions.

Resumo O cimento Portland é considerado o componente de base com o maior impacto ambiental na construção civil, em termos de emissões de CO2. Quanto aos agregados, o processo de cominuição das rochas, além da areia artificial, gera pó de pedra que acaba sendo armazenado ao ar livre, gerando impactos ambientais. Assim, a substituição do cimento por pó de pedra aparece como uma alternativa atraente em direção à dosagem de concretos sustentáveis. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho é determinar a máxima densidade de empacotamento de partículas em pastas compostas por cimento Portland, sílica ativa e pó de pedra, buscando determinar o teor ótimo de substituição do cimento pelo pó de pedra. Além disso, pretende-se verificar a influência do excesso de água na consistência das pastas produzidas. A substituição do cimento por pó de pedra foi feita em teores iguais a 0%, 7%, 14% e 21%, em volume, sendo determinada a densidade de empacotamento analiticamente, pelo modelo CPM. As combinações foram reproduzidas experimentalmente. A consistência das pastas foi verificada com auxílio do mini cone de Kantro. Os resultados demonstraram que o maior teor de substituição do cimento pelo pó de pedra apresentou a maior densidade de empacotamento, experimental e analítica, e a maior trabalhabilidade, permitindo vantagens econômicas e ambientais. Analisando cada material individualmente, o pó de pedra apresentou a maior densidade de empacotamento e a sílica ativa a menor. Partículas finas resultam em menor densidade de empacotamento, devido à maior superfície específica, a qual demanda mais água. A aglomeração aumenta os vazios entre os grãos. Além disso, a fluidez das pastas produzidas aumentou com o acréscimo do teor de pó de pedra. Como o excesso de água é o responsável pela lubrificação da pasta, uma densidade de empacotamento mais elevada colabora para o aumento da fluidez quando o volume de água permanece fixo.

Abstract Cement is considered the basic component with the highest environmental impact in construction, in terms of CO2 emissions. As for the aggregates, the process of comminution of rocks, in addition to artificial sand, generates stone powder that ends up being stored outdoors, generating environmental damages. Thus, the replacement of cement by stone powder appears as an attractive alternative towards the sustainable concretes. In this context, the objective of this paper is to determine the maximum packing density in Portland cement, silica fume and stone dust pastes, to determine the optimal cement substitution content for the stone powder. In addition, it is intended to verify the influence of excess water on the consistency of the mixtures produced. The substitution was done in contents equal to 0%, 7%, 14% and 21% by volume and, for each content, the packing density was determined analytically by CPM model and combinations were reproduced experimentally. Excess water was checked by the mini Kantro cone test. The results showed that the higher cement substitution content of the stone powder obtained the higher packing density, experimental and analytical, and the higher workability, allowing economic and environmental advantages. Analyzing each material, the stone powder resulted in the highest packing density and silica fume is the lowest one. Therefore, finer particles resulted in lower packaging densities, due to the greater specific surface area, which demands more water. The agglomeration resulted in more empty gaps between the grains. In addition, mixtures flowability increased with the increase of the stone powder content. As the excess water is responsible for mixture lubrication, a higher packing density for a given volume of water improves the flowability.

RESUMO: O estudo objetivou a determinação das alterações senis dos ventrículos cerebrais de gatos domésticos hígidos não braquicefálicos pela aquisição de imagens encefálicas de 12 indivíduos adultos (1 a 6 anos), 11 maduros (7 a 11 anos) e 10 geriátricos (12 anos de idade ou mais) por ressonância magnética. Nossa hipótese é de que o sistema ventricular dos gatos se expande com o avanço da idade. A possibilidade de evidenciação das cavidades do bulbo olfatório e dos cornos temporais dos ventrículos laterais foi avaliada nesse estudo. Os volumes das cavidades do bulbo olfatório, ventrículos laterais (incluindo os cornos temporais), terceiro ventrículo, aqueduto mesencefálico e quarto ventrículo foram mensurados e corrigidos de acordo com o volume intracraniano. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos dos adultos e maduros em relação aos geriátricos para a variável referente à evidenciação dos cornos temporais, que foram visualizados de forma mais frequente nos gatos geriátricos. A porcentagem do volume do ventrículo lateral direito e do terceiro ventrículo em relação ao volume intracraniano foi significativamente maior nos animais geriátricos em comparação aos adultos. Os resultados desse estudo demonstram que a dilatação ventricular tende a ocorrer com o avanço da idade nos gatos, assim como o aumento na frequência da evidenciação dos cornos temporais, como havia sido indicado na hipótese do estudo.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine age-related changes of the cerebral ventricles of healthy non-brachycephalic domestic cats by the acquisition of brain MRI images of 12 adult (1 to 6 years), 11 mature (7 to11 years) and 10 geriatric (12 years or more) cats. Our hypothesis is that the cerebral ventricular system of cats expands with increasing age. The possibility of the evidence of the olfactory bulb cavities and temporal horns of the lateral ventricles were evaluated in this study. Volumes of the olfactory bulb cavities, lateral ventricles (including the temporal horns), third ventricle, mesencephalic aqueduct and fourth ventricle were measured and corrected for the intracranial volume. Significant differences were found between the adult and mature groups in relation to the geriatric one for the variable related to the evidence of the temporal ventricular horns, which were most frequently visualized in geriatric cats. Percentage of the right lateral and third ventricles volume by intracranial volume were significantly higher in geriatric cats compared to the adults. The results of this study demonstrate that ventricular dilation tends to occur with advancing age in cats, as well as the increase in the frequency of the temporal ventricular horn evidence, as had been indicated in the hypothesis of the study.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the influence of calving and postpartum characteristics, measured in different genetic predominance, on the postpartum rebreeding. Were evaluated 437 partum from cows that received feeding management consisting of a forage base of the native field and the mating season consisted of 90 days. The measurements were used from the data base (age of cow, genetic predominance, body weight, body condition score and date of calving) of the cows in the partum and postpartum period. The variables were submitted to analysis of multiple variances, multiple regression, correlation and cluster. Already the groups formed by cluster analysis were submitted to analysis of variance and F test and the means, compared by Student’s t-test, α=0.05 probability. The increase in the mean at 0.14 points in the body condition score at calving and the occurrence of calving 9 days earlier at the calving season gives the Charolais genetically predominant cows repeat calves. The Nellore genetic predominance when they calved with similar body condition score (2.32 points) and showed a negative body weight gain at weaning (-3.0 kg and -2.1 kg) showed different behaviors, where they did not repeat the offspring, when they calved and weaned with smaller body weight.

The amorphous, mesoporous SiO2-SO3H catalyst with a surface area of 115 m2 g-1 and 1.32 mmol H+ per g was very efficient for the protonation of ketones on a 10% (m/m) basis, and the catalyst-bound intermediates can be trapped by polyalcohols to produce ketals in high yields or suffer aldol condensations within minutes under low-power microwave irradiation. The same catalyst can easily reverse the ketalization reaction.

Fatty acid esters (methyl and ethyl) prepared from babassu nut oil were blended with the respective esters from soybean oil. These binary blends (babassu:soybean) were made in proportions of 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50 (vol%). The ester content of all the blends was higher than 96.5%, which is the minimum value required by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis, ANP). The thermal properties of the babassu, soybean and binary mixtures of esters were investigated by thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability of the blended biodiesels decreased as the total contents of the babassu esters increased. From the experiments it was found that babassu methanol biodiesel is stable up to 49.6 ºC and the ethanol biodiesel is stable up to 53.7 ºC in air. The methyl esters blends were thermally stable up to 83.2 and 56.8 ºC, for 90:10 and 50:50 blends (soybean:babassu), respectively. The ethyl ester blends presented values of temperature ranges somewhat higher than the methyl esters, such as 85.2 and 64.5 ºC for 90:10 and 50:50 blends, respectively. The esters from babassu oil have satisfactory performance at low temperatures with respect to the point of crystallization, which were below –9.8 ºC for ethylic esters and –8.5 ºC for methylic esters. A good correlation between the crystallization onset temperature and the increase in the concentration of the babassu oil esters was obtained in the mixtures analyses. In the 50:50 combination (babassu:soybean), the crystallization onset temperature were –6.73 and –9.12 ºC for methyl and ethyl esters, respectively.

RESUMO Os fungicidas químicos fornecem meios primários para o controle da infecção fúngica de frutas e legumes no período pós-colheita. A exploração de produtos naturais para controlar a deterioração e prolongar o tempo de armazenamento de alimentos perecíveis tem recebido mais atenção. Neste trabalho, extratos hidroetanólicos de folhas de saboeiro (Sapindus saponaria L.) foram analisados quanto a sua atividade inibitória contra o fungo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, agente causador da antracnose em frutos de mamoeiro. Para avaliar a atividade antifúngica do extrato vegetal, este foi incorporado em meio de batata-dextrose-agar (BDA) à diferentes concentrações (10, 50 e 100 mg mL-1), e a inibição do crescimento micelial, inibição de produção de esporos e mudanças morfológicas foram avaliadas à temperatura ambiente após sete dias. A eficácia do extrato foi observada quando foram utilizados 50 mg mL-1 e 100 mg mL-1 do extrato, resultando em redução de crescimento micelial (. <0.05). À 50 mg mL-1, o extrato causa alterações morfológicas com a redução do tamanho das hifas que se tornam mais curtas e mais ramificadas. À 100 mg mL-1 de extrato, os danos na estrutura da hifa foram mais severos, causando ruptura micelial. O tratamento in vivo com 100 mg mL-1 de extrato impediu o desenvolvimento de sintomas de antracnose em frutos de mamão frescos. O extrato de folha de saboeiro tem uma forte atividade inibitória contra C. gloeosporioides, impedindo o crescimento micelial e reduzindo o aparecimento de sintomas de antracnose. Em conjunto, estes resultados demonstraram o seu potencial do extrato como fungicida natural constituindo uma medida alternativa para o controle da doença em frutos de mamoeiro.

ABSTRACT Chemical fungicides provide the primary means to control fungal infection in fruits and vegetables in the postharvest. Exploitation of natural products to control decay and prolong the storage life of perishables has received more attention. In this study, hydroethanolic extracts from the leaves of soapberry (Sapindus saponaria L.) were investigated for their inhibitory activity against the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of anthracnose in papaya fruits. To evaluate the antifungal activity of the plant extract, the latter was incorporated into potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium at different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 mg mL-1), and mycelial growth inhibition, spore production inhibition and morphological changes were evaluated at room temperature after 7 days. Efficacy of the extract was noted when it was used at 50 mg mL-1 and 100 mg mL-1, resulting in a reduction in the mycelial growth (P< 0.05). At 50 mg mL-1, the extract causes morphological changes by reducing the size of hyphae, which become shorter and more branched. At 100 mg mL-1 extract, damages in the hyphal structure were more severe, causing mycelial rupture. In vivo treatment with 100 mg mL-1 extract prevented the development of anthracnose symptoms in fresh papaya fruits. Soapberry leaf extract has strong inhibitory activity against C. gloeosporioides, preventing the mycelial growth and reducing the appearance of anthracnose symptoms. Taken together, these results demonstrated the potential of this extract as a natural fungicide, constituting an alternative measure for disease control in papaya fruits.

RESUMO: Este estudo objetivou a identificação de alterações no parênquima cerebral relacionadas ao avanço da idade em gatos domésticos saudáveis. Nossa hipótese é de que os gatos sofrem atrofia cerebral e cerebelar, além de alterações focais na intensidade do sinal do parênquima cerebral, de acordo com a progressão da idade. Doze gatos não braquicéfalos adultos (1 a 6 anos), onze maduros (7 a 11 anos) e dez geriátricos (12 anos ou mais) foram submetidos à ressonância magnética encefálica. Não foram observadas alterações na intensidade do sinal e na captação de contraste do parênquima encefálico nos gatos. Os animais geriátricos apresentaram médias da espessura da adesão intertalâmica e porcentagem do volume do parênquima cerebral, em relação ao volume intracraniano, significativamente menores a aquelas encontradas no grupo dos adultos. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para volume cerebral, volume cerebelar e porcentagem de volume cerebelar em relação ao volume intracraniano. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a atrofia do parênquima cerebral, incluindo a adesão intertalâmica, ocorre com o avanço da idade em gatos domésticos, confirmando a hipótese do estudo. No entanto, os resultados não corroboraram a hipótese de que os gatos apresentam atrofia cerebelar e alterações focais na intensidade do sinal do parênquima encefálico com a progressão da idade.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to identify changes related to brain parenchyma as advancing age in healthy domestic cats. Our hypothesis is that cats suffer cerebral and cerebellar atrophy and show focal changes in signal intensity of the brain parenchyma in accordance with the progression of age. Twelve adult (1 to 6 years), eleven mature (7 to11 years) and ten geriatric non-brachycephalic cats (12 years or more of age) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There were no changes in signal intensity and contrast uptake in brain parenchyma of the cats. Geriatric animals showed significantly lower average thickness of the interthalamic adhesion and percentage of the cerebral parenchyma volume in relation to intracranial volume than those found in the adult group. No significant differences were found between groups for cerebral volume, cerebellar volume and percentage of cerebellar volume in relation to intracranial volume. The results of this study indicate that atrophy of the cerebral parenchyma, including the interthalamic adhesion, occurs with age in domestic cats, confirming the hypothesis of the study. However, the results did not corroborate the hypothesis that cats show cerebellar atrophy and focal changes in signal intensity of the brain parenchyma with advancing age.

ABSTRACT Basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents the lowest level of metabolic activity capable to sustain homeostasis in an endotherm and is an important tool to compare metabolic rates of different species. Echimyidae is the most specious family within caviomorph rodents, however, little is known about the biology of its species, such as Trinomys setosus (Desmarest, 1817) and Clyomys bishopi (Ávila-Pires & Wutke, 1981), a ground and an underground dwelling echimyid, respectively. The ambient temperature and circadian effects on metabolic rate were evaluated through closed-system respirometry for these two species, as well as the circadian effects on CO2 production and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Trinomys setosus and C. bishopi showed the lowest metabolic rates (0.56 ± 0.02 mLO2.h-1.g-1 and 0.53 ± 0.03 mLO2.h-1.g-1, respectively) at 32 °C and during the light phase. Under laboratory conditions, T. setosus showed metabolic rate variation compatible with nocturnal activity, whereas C. bishopi activity cycle remains unclear. Both species showed BMR lower than expected by allometric regressions for rodents.

Vitamin E (vit. E) and vitamin C (vit. C) are antioxidants that inhibit nociception. The effect of these vitamins on oxidative-stress markers in the spinal cord of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve is unknown. This study investigated the effect of intraperitoneal administration of vit. E (15 mg·kg-1·day-1) and vit. C (30 mg·kg-1·day-1), given alone or in combination, on spinal cord oxidative-stress markers in CCI rats. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g were divided equally into the following groups: Naive (rats did not undergo surgical manipulation); Sham (rats in which all surgical procedures involved in CCI were used except the ligature), and CCI (rats in which four ligatures were tied loosely around the right common sciatic nerve), which received injections of vitamins or vehicle (saline containing 1% Tween 80) for 3 or 10 days (n=6/each group). The vitamins prevented the reduction in total thiol content and the increase in superoxide-anion generation that were found in vehicle-treated CCI rats. While nitric-oxide metabolites increased in vehicle-treated CCI rats 3 days after surgery, these metabolites did not show significant changes in vitamin-treated CCI rats. In all rats, total antioxidant capacity and hydrogen-peroxide levels did not change significantly. Lipid hydroperoxides increased 25% only in vehicle-treated CCI rats. These changes may contribute to vit. C- and vit. E-induced antinociception, because scavenging reactive oxygen species seems to help normalize the spinal cord oxidative status altered by pain.

Abstract Furfural is a base chemical with a wide range of applications and with a great opportunity for market growth in the near term. Derived from biomass, its production may be incorporated to the Brazilian chemical industry using sugarcane bagasse as feedstock. In this context, the integration of a furfural plant to a first generation bioethanol facility, within the biorefinery concept, was simulated considering different scenarios compared to an autonomous bioethanol distillery. The economic analysis of the different scenarios showed that the revenues from furfural commercialization increase the internal rate of return of the project for maximum furfural production (22.0%) in comparison to a conventional ethanol distillery (13.5%), despite the decrease in electricity output. Moreover, the economic analysis of the results pointed out the possibility of lowering furfural prices to levels that could lead to its use as a precursor for biofuels.