ABSTRACT Variation in rainfall affects crops; therefore, agricultural practices become essential for forage production in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different agricultural practices on phyllochron, structural characteristics of forage cactus and millet, and their relations with crop yield using the principal component analysis (PCA). The design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments: sole cropped cactus without straw mulching, sole cropped cactus with straw mulching, sole cropped millet without straw mulching, sole cropped millet with straw mulching, and cactus intercropping with millet, with and without straw mulching, each with four replicates. There were three cactus cycles and nine millet cycles (three cycles of cultivars BRS1501 and six of IPA Bulk-1-BF). Biometric parameters were evaluated monthly, while yield was determined after the crop harvest. Phyllochron was determined with the regression analysis. The PCA was applied to structural characteristics and yield. The systems adopted did not influence the structural characteristics of cactus and millet ( p > 0.05), except for cladode thickness, which increased with straw mulching. Phyllochron of the millet reduced when the crop was intercropped. The structural characteristics of cladode length, width, and thickness influenced crop yield, mainly in systems with straw mulching. Straw mulching and intercropping alter phyllochron of cactus and millet. The adoption of straw mulching has a more significant relationship with cactus yield, whereas biometric variables influence crop yield for millet, not the cropping system.

Abstract The objective of this study is to validate the specific questionnaire for Hepatitis B HBQOL (Hepatitis B Quality of Life Instrument, version 1.0) for the Brazilian version, in addition to testing its applicability in patients with hepatitis B under treatment and comparing the quality of life between patients using first-line drugs (tenofovir and entecavir). For the validation, the back-translation technique was used in a sample of 47 patients. Factor analysis was performed between the items in each domain of the questionnaire and the internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's α coefficient. In assessing the applicability of the validated questionnaire, interviews were carried out with 124 patients. Sociodemographic and treatment data were collected to characterize the sample and perform correlation analyzes. The results demonstrate that the Brazilian version of the questionnaire was successfully validated. In the analysis carried out among the 124 patients, the domains psychological well-being and stigma obtained the highest scores in quality of life and the lowest level of education conferred better results in these two domains. The comparison between tenofovir and entecavir showed no significant difference in patients' quality of life. The use of this validated instrument can make therapeutic decisions more rational.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on acetylated cashew gun (aCG) nanoparticles parameters and to assess their antimicrobial activity. C1 nanoparticles presented smaller size (81.3 nm) than compared to C2 (115.7 nm). Although, acetone formed particles with lower PDI value. Both C1 and C2 presented negative zeta potential (-39.8 and -31.7 respectively). Particle tracking analysis showed that C1 was slightly more concentrated than C2. No statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the same samples after 5 months were found. Both samples did not exert inhibitory effect on E. coli, on the contrary S. aureus, in which both C1 (36.9%) and C2 (19.9%) provided important inhibitory effect. C1 presented a more pronounced antifungal effect (81.2%), compared to C2 (18.8%), indicating a promising platform to be used in several biomedical application.

RESUMO Juntamente com a cana-de-açúcar, principal cultura empregada na produção de etanol, o sorgo sacarino é uma alternativa promissora, do ponto de vista agronômico e industrial, para cultivo em regiões sob déficit hídrico. Avaliaram-se o espaçamento entre fileiras (0,70 m; 0,80 m; e 0,90 m) e a população de plantas (80.000 plantas ha-1, 100.000 plantas ha-1, 120.000 plantas ha-1 e 140.000 plantas ha-1), para a cultivar de sorgo BRS 511, combinados com épocas de semeadura e colheita. O delineamento experimental foi de parcelas subdivididas, em blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura de planta, diâmetro de colmo, matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea, volume de caldo e sólidos solúveis totais (ºBrix). Os resultados demonstraram efeito isolado da população de plantas sobre a altura de planta e diâmetro do colmo, bem como efeito do espaçamento entre fileiras sobre a matéria fresca total e volume de caldo. O melhor efeito produtivo sobre o sorgo sacarino foi observado em populações inferiores a 120.000 plantas ha-1 e espaçamentos inferiores a 0.80 m, associados à colheita aos 120 dias após a semeadura.

ABSTRACT Along with sugarcane, which is the main crop used for ethanol production, the sweet sorghum is a promising agronomic and industrial alternative for cultivation in water-stress regions. This study aimed at assessing the row spacing (0.70 m, 0.80 m and 0.90 m) and plant density (80,000 plants ha-1; 100,000 plants ha-1; 120,000 plants ha-1; and 140,000 plants ha-1) for the BRS 511 sorghum cultivar, combined with sowing and harvest times. A split-plot experimental design, in complete randomized blocks, with four replications, was used. The analyzed variables were plant height, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry matter, broth volume and total soluble solids (ºBrix). The results showed isolated effects of plant density on plant height and stem diameter, as well as effects of row spacing on total fresh mass and broth volume. The most efficient productive effect for the sweet sorghum was observed in populations lower than 120,000 plants ha-1 and row spacing inferior to 0.80 m, associated with harvest at 120 days after sowing.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To identify the clinical and epidemiological features of interviews with families of potential donors of organs and tissues. Methods: Quantitative research, descriptive, exploratory and documental. The sample was composed of medical records of 93 patients, whose families have been addressed in the years 2012/2013. It conducted data analysis using the statical package “R”. Results: It was observed that 62.4% of approaches have ben performed with families of patients who have become potential cardiorespiratory arrest donor. Parents were the most interviewed family members coming to meet 40% of approaches. The family consent to donation percentage was 51.6%. Eye/corneas globe was the most spolied, coming to represent 87.5%. Knowing tha the potential donor was contrary (in life) donation (46.7%) and ignored his desire in life (33.4%) werw the main family groups for refusal. Conclusion: Identify the clinical and epidemiological elements of family interviews for donation is very important to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities performed in the donation process of the institutions

RESUMO Objetivos Identificar os elementos clínico-epidemiológicos das entrevistas realizadas com familiares de potenciais doadores de órgãos e tecidos. Médotos Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, exploratório e documental. A amostragem foi composta por prontuários de 93 pacientes, cujas famílias foram abordadas nos anos de 2012/2013. Realizou-se análise dos dados por meio do pacote estatístico “R”. Resultados Observou-se que 62,4% das abordagens foram realizadas com familiares de pacientes que se tornaram potenciais doadores pós-parada cardiorrespiratória. Os pais foram os familiares mais entrevistados, chegando a corresponder 40% das abordagens. O percentual de consentimento familiar para doação foi de 51,6%. Globo ocular/córneas foi o mais consentido, chegando a representar 87,5%. Saber que o potencial doador era contrário (em vida) a doação (46,7%) e desconhecer seu desejo em vida (33,4%) foram os principais motivos de recusa familiar. Conclusão Identificar os elementos clínico-epidemiológicos das entrevistas familiares para doação é de suma importância para avaliar a eficácia das atividades desempenhadas no processo de doação das instituições.

RESUMEN Objetivos Identificar los elementos clínicos y epidemiológicos de las entrevistass con las familias de potenciales donantes de órganos y tejidos. Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, exploratorio y documental. La muestra consta de 93 registros de pacientes, cuyas familias fueron abordadas en los años 2012/2013. Se realizó un análisis de los datos mediante el paquete estadístico “R”. Resultados Se observó que el 62,4% de los enfoques se han realizado con familiares de los pacientes que se han convertido en potenciales donantes post-parada cardiorrespiratoria. Los padres fueron los miembros de la familia más entrevistados (40%). El porcentaje de donación de la familia fue del 51,6%. Globo del ojo/córneas fue el más consentido, llegando a representar 87,5%. Saber que el donante potencial era contrario (en vida) a la donación (46,7%) y desconocer su deseo en vida (33,4%) fueron las principales razones de la negativa de la familia. Conclusión Identificar los elementos clínicos y epidemiológicos de entrevistas familiares para la donación es muy importante para evaluar la eficacia de las actividades realizadas en el proceso de donación de las instituiciones.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do extrato de tabaco no controle do besouro cascudinho [Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)] de aviário. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tempos de contato (21/2, 5, 71/2 e 10 min) e quatro concentrações do extrato de tabaco (0, 25, 50 e 75% de diluição). O tempo de contato e as diluições do extrato foram independentes; entretanto, o tempo de contato exerceu maior influência na mortalidade do inseto. O extrato de tabaco tem potencial inseticida no manejo de aviários, mas testes de toxicidade devem ser realizados com as aves.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of tobacco extract on the control of the mealworm beetle [Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)] in aviaries. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, using four contact times (21/2, 5, 71/2, and 10 min) and four tobacco extract concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75% dilution). The contact time and the dilution of the extract were independent; however, contact time had greater effect on insect mortality. The tobacco extract has insecticide potential in the management of aviaries, but toxicity tests should be performed on the birds.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin (IL)28B locus have been associated with a sustained virological response (SVR) in interferon-ribavirin (IFN-RBV)-treated chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients in European and African populations. In this study, the genotype frequency of two IL28B SNPs (rs129679860 and rs8099917) in a cohort of chronic HCV-monoinfected patients in Brazil was evaluated and the SNP sufficient to predict the treatment response outcome was determined. A total of 66 naïve genotype-1 chronic HCV-infected patients were genotyped and the associated viral kinetics and SVR were assessed. The overall SVR was 38%. Both the viral kinetics and SVR were associated with rs129679860 genotypes (CC = 62% vs. CT = 33% vs. TT = 18%, p = 0.016). However, rs8099917 genotypes were only associated with SVR (TT = 53% vs. TG = 33% vs. GG = 18%; p = 0.032). In this population, the analysis of a single SNP, rs12979860, successfully predicts SVR in the IFN-RBV treatment of HCV.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a regeneração natural de duas áreas de vegetação de caatinga com diferentes históricos de uso no agreste pernambucano. O estudo foi realizado em duas áreas: Área I de mata nativa, sem evidências históricas de eliminação total da vegetação para fins de cultivos agrícolas; e Área II, anteriormente ocupada com cultivo da palma forrageira, abandonada há cerca de 30 anos e que se encontrava em estágio de sucessão secundária. Para coleta dos dados da vegetação, foram utilizadas 24 parcelas de dimensões de 5 x 5 m, em 12 parcelas em cada área, sendo considerados indivíduos em regeneração natural as plantas que possuíram circunferência a 1,30 m do solo (CAP) < 6,0 cm e altura >1,0 m. No levantamento estrutural dos indivíduos regenerantes das duas áreas foram identificados 581 plantas pertencentes a 14 famílias botânicas, 26 gêneros e 30 espécies. As densidades totais obtidas neste estudo foram de 11.200 ind.ha-1 e 8.116 ind.ha-1, nas Áreas I e II, respectivamente. As espécies que obtiveram maiores densidades de regeneração natural na Área I foram: Croton argyrophyllus, Senegalia bahiensis, Croton blanchetianus e Coutareahexandra; e na Área II: Senegalia bahiensis, Poincianella pyramidalis, Zanthoxyllum sp, Croton blanchetianus e Croton argyrophyllus.

The objective of this work was to compare a natural regeneration of two areas with Caatinga vegetation with different histories of use in the Agreste of Pernambuco. These studies were carried out in two areas: Area l, native forest, with no historical evidences of deforestation for agriculture purposes; and Area ll, which was previously occupied with the cultivation of forage cactus and was abandoned about 30 years ago at the stage of secondary succession. For data collection, it was used a total of 24 plots of 5 x 5 m dimensions, 12 plots in each area, and considering the plants with circumference at breast height (CBH) of 1.30 m from ground (CAP) < 6.0 cm and height >1.0 m as individuals in natural regeneration. It was identified in the structure survey of regenerating individuals structural survey in both areas, 581 plants of 14 botanical families, 26 genus and 30 species. The total densities obtained in this study were 11,200 and 8,116 individuals.ha-1 in Area l and ll, respectively. The species with the greatest densities of natural regeneration in Area l were the following: Croton argyrophyllus, Senegalia bahiensis, Croton blanchetianus and Coutarea hexandra and in the Area ll: Senegalia bahiensis, Poincianella pyramidalis, Zanthoxyllum sp, Croton blanchetianus and Croton argyrophyllus.

Pesquisas sobre a variabilidade espacial dos atributos do solo que influenciam a produtividade são de uma grande importância para o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas que beneficiam a agricultura. A variabilidade desses atributos pode ser avaliada por técnicas de geoestatística e auxiliar no mapeamento e manejo do solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade do ajuste dos modelos teóricos espaciais segundo o Critério de Informação de Akaike, de Filliben, de Validação Cruzada e o valor máximo do logaritmo da função verossimilhança, de dados da umidade do solo, da densidade do solo e da resistência do solo à penetração, nas camadas de 0 a 0,1, 0,1 a 0,2 e 0,2 a 0,3 m, e de produtividade da soja do ano agrícola 2004-2005. Os parâmetros dos modelos de variabilidade espacial foram estimados por meio dos métodos de mínimos quadrados ordinários, mínimos quadrados ponderados e máxima verossimilhança. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em uma área de 57 ha de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, utilizando-se uma malha de 75 x 75 m georreferenciada. Concluiu-se que, dos métodos de avaliação de ajustes estudados, o da Validação Cruzada foi o mais adequado para escolha do melhor ajuste do modelo de variabilidade espacial; conseqüentemente têm-se mapas temáticos mais acurados.

Studies on the spatial variability of soil attributes influencing crop productivity are important for the development of new technologies beneficial to agriculture. Geostatistical techniques can be used to evaluate the variability of soil attributes and contribute to soil mapping and management. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality of the theoretical spatial model adjustments according to the Akaike Information and Filiben Criteria, Cross Validation and the maximum value of the log-likelihood function, of the soil humidity, of the soil density data and soil resistance to penetration, in the layers 0-0.1; 0.1-0.2; and 0.2- 0.3 m and the soybean yield in the 2004-2005 growing season. The parameters of the spatial variability models were estimated by the methods of least ordinary squares, least weighted squares and maximum likelihood. The experiment was developed in an area of 57 ha with a regionally typical distrofic Red Latosol (Oxisol). A spatially georeferenced 75 x 75 m regular mesh was used. Based on the results of the evaluation of adjustments it was concluded that the Cross Validation criterion was the most adequate to choose the best adjustment of the spatial variability model, resulting in more precise thematic maps.

O ensaio foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar o consumo médio diário (CMD) e o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) dos nutrientes das silagens de milho, sorgo e girassol, em ovinos, e avaliar o balanço de nitrogênio. Foram utilizados nove ovinos machos, castrados, em um delineamento em quadrado latino 3x3 (três tratamentos e três períodos), alojados em gaiolas metabólicas. O CMD de matéria seca (MS), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e proteína bruta (PB) das silagens de milho e girassol não diferiram entre si. O CMD de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e extrato etéreo (EE) foram maiores para as silagens de milho e girassol, respectivamente. Os CDA da MS e EE foram maiores para a silagem de girassol e menores para a silagem de sorgo. Os CDA da FDN e PB foram similares para todas as silagens.

The experiment was carried out with the objective of determining the daily average intake (DAI) and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of corn, sorghum and sunflower silages nutrients. The nitrogen balance was also evaluated. Nine castrated, male sheeps, kept in metabolism cages, in a 3 x 3 (three treatments and three periods), latin square design, were used. DAI of dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein (CP) of corn silage of sunflower silage did not differ. DAI of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract (EE) were higher in corn and sunflower silages, respectively. ADC of DM and EE were higher in sunflower silage than in sorghum silage. ADC of NDF and CP were similar for all silages.

Em 23 pacientes com leptospirose apresentando comprometimento pulmonar, internados no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro da XJFF, Niterói, hemoptise e hemoptóicos foram observados em 21,7% e 30,4%, respectivajnente. Gasometria arterial revelou hipoxemia e hipocapnia na maioria dos casos. Radiografia de tórax em 15 pacientes mostrou comprometimento alveolar em 60%, comprometimento intersticial-reticular em 6%, padrão misto (alveolar e intersticial) em20%e ausência de alterações radiológicas em 14%. A necrópsiade 13 pacientes mostrou edema, congestão e hemorragia nos pulmões em 100% dos casos. A hemorragia foi focal em 46% e difusa em 54% dos casos. Houve formação de membrana hialina em 30% e trombos de fibrina em 46% dos pulmões estudados, o que estabelece o diagnóstico da coagulação intravascular disseminada e a ocorrência da síndrome de angústia respiratória na leptospirose.

Tostudy thepulmonary complications in leptospirosis case records of 23 such patients admitted at the Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brasil, were reviewed. Hemoptysis were seen in 21.7% and sputal blood in 30.4% of patients. Arterial gasometry detected hypoxemia and hypocapnia in most cases. Thoracic radiology showed an alveolar pattern in 60% of the patients, alveolo-interstitial in 20%, interstitial in 6%, and in 14% the lungs were considered to be normal Necropsy of 13 cases showed edema, congestion and hemorrhage in the lungs in all cases. Hyaline membrane was found in 30% and fibrin thrombi in 46% of these cases, resulting in a diagnosis of adult respiratory distress syndrome and acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (consumption coagulopathy) in leptospirosis.