Abstract This study evaluated the bioactive potential of a macro-porous chitosan scaffold incorporated with calcium hydroxide (CH-Ca) and functionalized with bioactive doses of simvastatin (SV) for bone tissue regeneration. Initially, the bioactive dose of SV in osteoblastic cells (SAOS-2) was determined. For the direct contact experiment, SAOS-2 cells were plated on scaffolds to assess cell viability and osteogenic differentiation. The second assay was performed at a distance using extracts from scaffolds incubated in culture medium to assess the effect of conditioned medium on viability and osteogenic differentiation. The initial screening showed that 1 μM SV presented the best biostimulating effects, and this dose was selected for incorporation into the CH-Ca and pure chitosan (CH) scaffolds. The cells remained viable throughout the direct contact experiment, with the greatest cell density in the CH-Ca and CH-Ca-SV scaffolds because of their higher porosity. The CH-Ca-SV scaffold showed the most intense bio-stimulating effect in assays in the presence and absence of osteogenic medium, leading to an increased deposition of mineralized matrix. There was an increase in the viability of cells exposed to the extracts for CH-Ca, CH-SV, and CH-Ca-SV during the one-day period. There was an increase in ALP activity in the CH-Ca and CH-Ca-SV; however, the CH-Ca-SV scaffold resulted in an intense increase in the deposition of mineralized nodules, approximately 56.4% at 7 days and 117% at 14 days, compared with CH (control). In conclusion, functionalization of the CH-Ca scaffold with SV promoted an increase in bioactivity, presenting a promising option for bone tissue regeneration.

ABSTRACT Studies of the successive application of manure as fertilizer and its combined effect with long-term soil management systems are important to the identification of the interdependence of physical attributes. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the physical properties of a Rhodic Kandiudox under management systems employing successive applications of pig slurry and poultry litter, and select physical indicators that distinguish these systems using canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). The systems consisting of treatments including land use, management and the application time of organic fertilizers are described as follows: silage maize under no-tillage (NT-M7 years); silage maize under conventional tillage (CT-M20 years); annual pasture with chisel plowing (CP-P3 years); annual pasture with chisel plowing (CP-P15 years); perennial pasture without tillage (NT-PP20 years); and no-tillage yerba mate (NT-YM20 years) and were compared with native forest (NF) and native pasture (NP). Soil samples were collected from the layers at the following depths: 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m, and were analyzed for bulk density, porosity, aggregation, flocculation, penetration resistance, water availability and total clay content. Canonical discriminant analysis was an important tool in the study of physical indicators of soil quality. Organic fertilization, along with soil management, influences soil structure and its porosity. Total porosity was the most important physical property in the distinction of areas with management systems and application times of manure for the 0.0-0.05 and 0.10-0.20 m layers. Soil aeration and micropores differentiated areas in the 0.05-0.10 m layer. Animal trampling and machinery traffic were the main factors inducing compaction of this clayey soil.

RESUMO A aplicação de dejeto suíno pode ter influência diferente na dinâmica do cobre (Cu) e zinco (Zn) no solo em relação à adubação mineral. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, determinar as formas de Cu e Zn no solo e sua absorção pelas plantas de feijão em resposta à aplicação de fertilizante mineral e dejeto suíno, cujos tratamentos foram: fertilizante mineral (óxido de Cu/Zn) e dejeto suíno (DS) em doses crescentes (0/0, 1,7/6,0, 3,4/12,0 e 6,8/24,0 kg ha-1 de Cu/Zn, respectivamente) aplicados em Nitossolo Vermelho. O DS aumentou o teor de Cu no solo nas frações disponível, trocável, óxidos de Fe e residual enquanto o fertilizante mineral aumentou na fração associada a matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). O teor de Zn no solo nas frações disponível, trocável e MOS foi maior na aplicação de fertilizante mineral enquanto na fração solúvel foi maior com o DS. Os fertilizantes não interferiram no teor de Cu nem no Zn ligados aos óxidos de Al sendo a maior parte associada aos óxidos de Fe no solo. O DS proporcionou maior produção de biomassa de parte aérea e raízes nas plantas de feijão refletindo no maior acúmulo de Cu e Zn.

ABSTRACT The application of pig slurry may have different influence on copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) dynamics in the soil compared with mineral fertilization. The aim of this research was to determine the different forms of Cu and Zn in soil and their uptake by bean plants in response to the application of mineral fertilizer and pig slurry (PS). The treatments were: mineral fertilizer (Cu and Zn oxides) and liquid pig slurry, at increasing rates (0/0, 1.7/6.0, 3.4/12.0 and 6.8/24.0 kg ha-1 Cu/Zn, respectively) applied in a Rhodic Kandiudox. PS increased the Cu content in soil in the exchangeable form, Fe oxides and residual, while the mineral fertilizer increased Cu contents in the fraction associated with soil organic matter. Soil Zn contents in the fractions available, exchangeable and SOM were highest under mineral fertilization, while in the soluble fraction the contents were highest under PS. The fertilizers had not impact on Cu and Zn contents associated with Al oxides, and these elements were mostly associated with Fe oxides in the soil. PS promoted the highest biomass production in shoots and roots of the bean plants, reflecting in the highest accumulation of Cu and Zn.

Abstract Acute renal failure (ARF) is an extremely important public health issue in need of novel therapies. The present study aimed to evaluate the capacity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy to promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in a preclinical model. Wistar rats were used as the experimental model, and our results show that cisplatin (5mg/kg) can efficiently induce ARF, as measured by changes in biochemical (urea and creatinine) and histological parameters. MSC therapy performed 24h after the administration of chemotherapy resulted in normalized plasma urea and creatinine levels 30 and 45d after the onset of kidney disease. Furthermore, MSC therapy significantly reduced histological changes (intratubular cast formation in protein overload nephropathy and tubular hydropic degeneration) in this ARF model. Thus, considering that current therapies for ARF are merely palliative and that MSC therapy can promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in this model system, we suggest that innovative/alternative therapies involving MSCs should be considered for clinical studies in humans to treat ARF.

Resumo A prevalência de lombalgia deverá aumentar em todo o mundo com o envelhecimento da população, mas sua prevalência em idosos não é clara, principalmente, em países em desenvolvimento.Estimar a prevalência de lombalgia em idosos brasileiros.Foram feitas buscas eletrônicas nas bases de dados SciELO, Lilacs, Medline, Embase e Cinahl, bem como uma busca manual de estudos que investigaram a prevalência de lombalgia em idosos brasileiros com 60 anos ou mais. Dois revisores independentes selecionaram os estudos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, avaliaram o risco de viés de cada estudo incluído e extraíram os dados relevantes. Foi feita uma metanálise quando houve homogeneidade suficiente entre os estudos e o sistema Grade foi usado para resumir a qualidade geral das evidências.Foram incluídos 16 estudos originais com um total de 28.448 participantes. Foram obtidos dados de prevalência pontual e prevalência no período da lombalgia. Foi feita metanálise de 13 estudos que reportaram a prevalência pontual. A prevalência pontual agrupada de lombalgia foi de 25% = 15% (IC 95% 18 a 32). Outros três estudos investigaram a prevalência no período: em uma semana (IC 95% 13 a 18); em seis meses = 43% (95% IC 42 a 44); e em 12 meses = 13% (IC 95% 11 a 16). Foram feitas análises sensitivas da prevalência pontual e a exclusão de estudos com baixa qualidade metodológica aumentou a prevalência estimada de lombalgia.Evidências de qualidade moderada mostram que em um dado momento no tempo um em cada quatro idosos brasileiros apresenta lombalgia. Esta foi a primeira revisão sistemática que investigou dados nacionais sobre a prevalência de lombalgia em pessoas idosas, contribuindo com importantes evidências clínicas e epidemiológicas para os gestores e profissionais de saúde.

Abstract Introduction Prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is expected to increase worldwide with aging of the population but its prevalence in older people is not clear, mainly in developing countries. Objective To estimate the prevalence of LBP in older Brazilians. Methods Electronic searches on SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL, as well as hand-searching identified studies investigating prevalence of LBP in older Brazilians aged 60 years or over. Two independent reviewers selected studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria, assessed risk of bias for each included study and extracted relevant data. Meta-analysis was conducted when enough homogeneity allowed and the GRADE system was used to summarize the overall quality of the evidence. Results Sixteen studies were included with a total of 28,448 participants. Data from point- and period-prevalence of LBP were obtained. Meta-analysis was conducted for 13 studies reporting point-prevalence. Pooled point-prevalence of LBP was 25.0% (95% CI 18.0–32.0). Other three studies investigated period-prevalence: one-week prevalence = 15.0% (95% CI 13.0–18.0); six-month prevalence = 43.0% (95% CI 42.0–44.0); and 12-month prevalence = 13.0% (95% CI 11.0–16.0). Sensitivity analyses were performed for point-prevalence and exclusion of studies with poorer methodological quality tended to increase the estimated prevalence of LBP. Conclusion Moderate-quality evidence showed that at any point in time one in four older Brazilians suffers from LBP. This was the first systematic review investigating nationwide data on the prevalence of LBP in older people and contributes important clinical and epidemiological evidence for policymakers.

Resumo Na década de 1990, os sistemas ERP alcançaram larga utilização. Em contrapartida, o interesse por software livre data dos primeiros desenvolvimentos nas décadas de 1960 e 1970 até os dias atuais. O problema desta pesquisa está em como adotar, selecionar e implantar um ERP livre. As contribuições do trabalho iniciam-se com a proposição de um modelo preliminar de ciclo de vida de ERP, considerando não haver distinções entre o modelo para um ERP proprietário ou livre. Refina-se este modelo inicial através da aplicação do método de pesquisa-ação em um trabalho de campo com a implantação de um ERP livre em uma organização brasileira. O principal resultado deste trabalho é um modelo final para adoção, seleção e implantação de ERP livres e proprietários. Nos processos de adoção e seleção, são destacadas as diferenças fundamentais para atender a ERP livres e proprietários. Em relação ao processo de implantação, não foram encontradas distinções significativas.

Abstract In the 1990s, ERP systems achieved widespread use, despite the lack of free ERP software. Interest in free software dates from the first developments in computing in the 1960s and 1970s until the present days. The problem of this research is determining how to adopt, select and deploy an ERP that is freely available. The contributions of this work begin with the proposition of a preliminary model of the ERP life cycle, considering no distinctions between a proprietary and a free ERP. This model was refined using the action research method in a field study focused on the adoption, selection and deployment of a free ERP in a Brazilian company. The main result of this paper is a final model with modifications to the adoption and selection process to use free and proprietary ERP’s; one deployment was found not to present process differences.

A aplicação de dejeto suíno pode influenciar na dinâmica do nitrogênio no solo de forma distinta em comparação à adubação mineral. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as diferentes formas de N orgânico em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico e sua relação com a absorção de N pelas culturas, em resposta a 10 anos de aplicação anual de dejeto suíno e adubo mineral. Os tratamentos foram as doses 0, 25, 50, 100 e 200 m3 ha-1 de dejeto suíno, além da adubação na forma mineral, organizados em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foram determinados os teores de N no tecido vegetal e de N total nas frações hidrolisadas em meio ácido: N-amônio, N-hexosamina, N-α-amino, N-amido e N-não identificado do solo. A aplicação anual de dejeto suíno ou adubo mineral aumentou o teor de N total na camada de 0-10 cm de profundidade. As principais frações do N orgânico no solo foram N-α-amino, quando utilizado dejeto suíno e N-não identificado no caso do adubo mineral. O dejeto suíno aumentou as frações do N consideradas lábeis, N-α-amino, N-amônio e N-amida. Esse aumento das formas lábeis de N orgânico no solo, pela aplicação de dejeto suíno, possibilita maior absorção de N pelas culturas de milho e aveia em plantio direto.

The application of pig slurry may have a different effect on nitrogen dynamics in soil compared to mineral fertilization. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the different forms of organic N in a Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico (Typic Hapludox) and their relationship to N uptake by crops in response to 10 years of annual application of pig slurry and mineral fertilizer. The treatments were application rates of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 m3 ha-1 of pig slurry, in addition to mineral fertilizer, organized in a randomized block design with four replications. The N contents were determined in the plant tissue and in the forms of total N and acid hydrolyzed fractions: ammonium-N, hexosamine-N, α-amino-N, amide-N, and unidentified-N. Annual application of pig slurry or mineral fertilizer increased the total-N content in the 0-10 cm depth layer. The main fractions of organic N in the soil were α-amino-N when pig slurry was applied and unidentified-N in the case of mineral fertilizers. Pig slurry increased the N fractions considered as labile: α-amino-N, ammonium-N, and amide-N. The increase in these labile organic N fractions in the soil through pig slurry application allows greater N uptake by the maize and oat crops in a no-tillage system.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar taxas de acúmulo de C orgânico em Latossolo Vermelho adubado com adubo solúvel e dejeto líquido de suíno e cultivado em plantio direto. O experimento foi conduzido em Campos Novos, SC, e os seguintes tratamentos foram aplicados anualmente: sem adubação; adubo solúvel; 25 m3 ha-1 de dejeto líquido + adubo solúvel; e doses de 25, 50, 100 e 200 m3 ha-1 de dejeto líquido. Foram determinados: os estoques de C orgânico (CO) na camada de 0-20 cm do solo; a adição de C pela fitomassa dos cultivos e pelo dejeto líquido de suíno; as taxas anuais de fixação de C; e os coeficientes de humificação (k1) e de mineralização (k2) de CO do solo. As taxas de fixação de C real e aparente aumentaram de acordo com as doses de dejeto, tendo variado de 0,6 a 1,7 e de 0,05 a 1,0 Mg ha-1 por ano, respectivamente. Os coeficientes k1 e k2 foram 0,17 e 0,011, respectivamente, enquanto o aporte de C requerido para manter o estoque inicial de CO do solo é de 4,14 Mg ha-1 por ano. O dejeto líquido de suíno aplicado anualmente em Latossolo Vermelho cultivado com a sucessão milho-aveia-preta em plantio direto aumenta o CO do solo em doses de até 200 m3 ha-1.

The objective of this work was to estimate organic C storage rates in an Typic Hapludox fertilized with soluble fertilizer and pig slurry and cropped under no-tillage. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Campos Novos, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and the following treatments were applied annually: no fertilization; soluble fertilizer; 25 m3 ha-1 pig slurry + soluble fertilizer; and rates of 25, 50, 100, and 200 m3 ha-1 pig slurry. The following were determined: organic carbon (OC) stocks in the 0-20 cm soil layer; C inputs by crop biomass and pig slurry; annual C fixation rates; and the soil OC humification (k1) and mineralization (k2) coefficients. The real and apparent C fixation rates increased according to pig slurry rates, ranging from 0.6 to 1.7 and from 0.05 to 1.0 Mg ha-1 per year, respectively. The k1 and k2 coefficients were 0.17 and 0.011, respectively, whereas the C input required to maintain the initial stock of OC is of 4.14 Mg ha-1 per year. Pig slurry applied annually on a Typic Hapludox cropped with the maize-black oat succession under no-tillage increases soil OC in rates of up to 200 m3 ha-1.

Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg., Bixaceae, is a Brazilian plant widely used as a folk medicine in the southwestern of the Brazil to treat inflammation and infection diseases. However, the effects of C. regium hydroethanolic extract on pregnant rats have not been assessed. To evaluate the effects of the C. regium on pregnant rats during the organogenic period, the hydroethanolic extract was administered via gavage at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg/day to rats from 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. No clinical signs of maternal toxicity were observed. The placenta's and fetuses' weight were similar in control and treated animals. The term fetuses dis not present malformations or anomalies although the number of live fetuses and birth rate were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the C. regium hydroethanolic extract is nontoxicant to the pregnant rat although it would be likely to interfere in the progress of the embryofetal development.

Scrapie é uma encefalopatia espongiforme transmissível (EET) que causa lesões cerebrais degenerativas em ovinos e caprinos. Caracteriza-se pelo acúmulo, no tecido encefálico e linforreticular, da forma anormal da proteína priônica (PrP Sc) que provoca a morte maciça de neurônios e células gliais, além de vacuolização intensa no tecido afetado. Esse trabalho descreve a utilização da técnica de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) para proteína priônica em tecido linforreticular de biópsias de terceira pálpebra e mucosa retal, como método diagnóstico de scrapie em ovinos. Realizaram-se exames de IHQ para scrapie em amostras de uma propriedade de origem de um ovino com diagnóstico dessa enfermidade. Utilizaram-se anticorpos monoclonais antipríon para diagnóstico ante mortem pela técnica de IHQ. Nas 318 amostras de biópsias analisadas, encontrou-se 19 resultados positivos para PrP Sc nos folículos de terceira pálpebra e não foi obtida marcação no tecido linfático de mucosa retal em nenhuma das amostras coletadas. Realizaram-se 18 necropsias dos animais positivos anteriormente por biópsia e 21 necropsias de ovinos parentes dos positivos de scrapie. Confirmou-se o resultado de scrapie pela IHQ após a necropsia dos animais positivos nas biópsias de terceira pálpebra. Nesses animais, os órgãos com maior número de cortes positivos foram a terceira pálpebra (18/18) e a tonsila (8/18). Nos ovinos com parentesco com os positivos, nenhum resultado de scrapie ocorreu. A utilização de tecidos linfoides no diagnóstico de scrapie por IHQ através de biópsias mostrou-se um método viável e eficaz para o diagnóstico pré-clínico.

Scrapie, a form of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSEs) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects sheep and goats. The disease is characterized by an accumulation of the abnormal prionic protein (PrP Sc) in the encephalic and lymphoreticular tissues. This paper describes the use of anti-prionic protein immunohistochemical (IHC) procedure as a method of pre-clinical diagnosis of scrapie.The test was carried out in biopsied lymphoreticular tissues from third eyelid and rectal mucosa. Anti-prion protein monoclonal antibodies F89/160.1.5 and F99/97.6.1 were used. Scrapie diagnosis in lymphoreticular tissues through IHC was achieved when the samples had a minimum of three lymphoid follicles in well delimited germinal centre. Positive immunostaining was identified in 19 out of 318 samples of the third eyelid. Material sampled at post-mortem examination in 18 of these scrapie-positive sheep, which were previously verified by biopsy, and in 21 of its relatives, was confirmed with IHC tests. Positive immunostaining from rectal mucosa tissue was not observed. Third eyelid and tonsil were the organs with the larger amount of positive immunostaining (18/18 and 8/18 respectively) at post-mortem examination. None positive result was obtained along the 21 animals related to the positive ones, and none of the positive cases showed IHC labeling in the brain. The use of lymphoid tissues for scrapie diagnosis by IHC through biopsies showed to be a viable and efficient method for pre-clinical diagnostic.

Fístula Arteriovenosa Renal (FAVR) é uma causa rara e potencialmente reversível de hipertensão e insuficiência renal e/ou cardíaca. O tratamento da FAVR visa preservar o máximo de parênquima renal e, concomitantemente, erradicar os sintomas e efeitos hemodinâmicos decorrentes da FAVR. No presente estudo, serão relatados três casos de FAVR, incluindo um caso de FAVR idiopática de novo, que se apresentaram com hipertensão e insuficiência renal e/ou cardíaca, e descrever a terapêutica adotada e os resultados obtidos.

The Renal Arteriovenous Fistula (RAVF) is a rare and potentially reversible cause of hypertension and kidney and/or heart failure. The treatment of RAVF aims at preserving the most of the renal parenchyma and, concomitantly, eradicating the symptoms and hemodynamic effects caused by the RAVF. The present study reports three cases of RAVF, including one case of a de novo idiopathic RAVF, which presented with hypertension and kidney and/or heart failure and describes the therapeutic measures used to treat these patients as well as the outcomes.

La Fístula Arteriovenosa Renal (FAVR) es una causa rara y potencialmente reversible de hipertensión e insuficiencia renal y/o cardíaca. El tratamiento de la FAVR busca preservar el máximo de parénquima renal y, concomitantemente, erradicar los síntomas y efectos hemodinámicos resultantes de la FAVR. En el presente estudio, se relatarán tres casos de FAVR, incluyendo un caso de FAVR idiopática de novo, que se presentaron con hipertensión e insuficiencia renal y/o cardíaca, y describir la terapéutica adoptada y los resultados obtenidos.

Cisto nasolabial é uma lesão rara, localizado próximo à cartilagem alar nasal e que se estende para o meato nasal inferior e sulco gengivo-labial superior. OBJETIVO: Apresentamos uma casuística de cisto nasolabial, com o objetivo de discutir a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico e as técnicas cirúrgicas mais adequadas no tratamento desta doença. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo de oito pacientes com diagnóstico de cisto nasolabial, no período de janeiro/2000 a dezembro/2006. O diagnóstico foi sugerido por exame otorrinolaringológico e tomografia computadorizada (TC). Os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico (enucleação) e o diagnóstico confirmado por exame histopatológico. RESULTADOS: Os sintomas predominantes foram: obstrução nasal, aumento de volume restrito ao vestíbulo nasal e dor à palpação local. O tempo médio de evolução dos sintomas foi de 26,2 meses. A TC evidenciou lesão cística, bem delimitada, com remodelação óssea em alguns casos. O tamanho médio do cisto foi de 2,18 cm. O seguimento médio no pós-operatório foi de 19,5 meses, sem recorrência da lesão. CONCLUSÃO: Os cistos nasolabiais são lesões pouco freqüentes. A maioria apresenta-se com aumento de volume bem localizado, dor local e obstrução nasal. Enucleação é o tratamento de escolha com baixos índices de recorrência.

Nasolabial cyst is a rare lesion situated behind the ala nasi, extending backwards into the inferior nasal meatus and forward into the labio-gingival sulcus. AIM: We present our case of a nasolabial cyst, with the purpose of discussing clinical presentation, diagnosis and the more suitable surgical techniques to treat this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of eight patients with diagnosis of nasolabial cyst, carried out in the period of january/2000 to december/2006. The diagnosis was suggested by otorhinolaryngology exam and computer tomography. All patients were submitted to surgical treatment (enucleation) and definitive diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. RESULTS: Predominant symptoms were nasal obstruction, swelling in the nasal vestibule region and local pain. Patients had had symptoms for a median of 26.2 months. CT scan was performed in all patients, showing a well outlined cystic lesion with bone remodeling in some cases. Median sizes of the cysts were 2.18cm. There was no evidence of recurrence during a mean follow-up of 19.5 months. CONCLUSION: Nasolabial cysts are rare lesions. Common presentation is a well-confined swelling, local pain and nasal obstruction. Enucleation is the treatment of choice with low recurrence rate.